T-Ball

Let me start by saying that the only thing more fun than playing baseball growing up is being a father and watching your son play. Last year was our first year with our oldest playing city league T-ball. I admit that there were times that I took it a little to seriously, but every father wants to prevent his child from making the same mistakes he did. Last year Tyler played in the 5 year old league. Scores and stats were put in the books, the league had a champion, and all-stars were picked. We got the email yesterday that things will be different this year. Apparently, our city has decided that playing a sport that has a winner and loser is not "teaching the kids". It has been decided that there will be no score keeping, that 5 and 6 year olds will play together (the 6 year olds were separated even during fall ball) and there will be no all-star team. I thought that's why we have soccer at the Y. I hate to rob vocabulary from R&B, but this is a prime example of the "puditization" of America.
Its no surprise to me, that 7 days after the inauguration of President Obama, we have taken the great American past time of little league and ruined it. What exactly are we teaching our kids with this more "civilized" approach? I see it every day. I see people who have no concept of initiative or ambition, who are working 8 to 5 to get a paycheck without any concept of self-initiative. People who are task oriented without any consideration of the results. I guess my point is, we don't sign our kids up for T-ball just to learn how to play baseball. 99% of the kids that play T-ball don't take it any further than city league. T-ball is an opportunity to teach kids about life, teamwork, being goal oriented, work ethic, and about personal responsibility. T-ball is a great opportunity to introduce our kids to the rewards of winning, and how to cope with a loss. All that being said, we'll be there for every game eating our apple slices and drinking our Capri-Suns playing a game with no purpose or goals to acheive. Just playing. Since we are creating a better environment for "teaching our kids", I wonder what exactly will they learn?