Kevin Christofora's Blog

For some kids, getting new bandages to show off is one of the best parts of playing sports. T-ball is a great opportunity to get rowdy and do things mom and dad would never let you do in the living room, but a serious injury can put a stop to the fun quickly. It can be hard to find a balance between letting your child take risks and letting them hurt themselves, but with the right game plan you can make sure playing t-ball is as safe as it is fun.

Don’t Overreact

As any parent learns during those clumsy first steps days, often a kid doesn’t know how they should react to a bump until they see their parents’ faces. Keeping a calm, encouraging demeanor can head tears off at the pass. If you’re practicing at home, try asking your kid to take a tumble or two on purpose, just to know how it feels. When a play doesn’t go exactly as planned, try to find ways to react that don’t focus on the negative. If your kid gets hit by a ball and doesn’t seem hurt, try saying something like “Wow! You really got behind that one!” Praise your child for being brave and for sticking at it even if they make mistakes.

Don’t Stop Play for Every Minor Incident

Most childhood injuries aren’t that serious. If a bruise or scrape seems minor, encourage your child to keep playing and patch them up later. Many kids prefer it this way, and might try to wiggle out of your grasp even when it is time to clean up that scrape. T-ball is the perfect time to teach your child to start being more aware of their body and how it feels, so they can differentiate between serious problems and more minor ones. Just remember that very young kids often aren’t very good at accurately describing where and how they hurt. When assessing the damage, be sure to watch what your child does as much as you listen to what they say. If they twist an ankle and suddenly can’t put weight on it anymore, it might be time for them to sit down.

Do Be Prepared

Every t-ball coach should have a first-aid kit as part of their game gear, but there’s no harm in bringing extras. If you’re driving, throw a small cooler with a few ice packs in the trunk, and make sure you have some band-aids, disinfectant, and sunscreen with you out in the stands. Serious injuries in t-ball are pretty unlikely, but just in case, look up the address of the nearest hospital or emergency center and plan the best route to get there. The last thing you want to do is wait for your GPS app to load when you’re dealing with a crisis.

Do Take Concussions Seriously

Encourage batting helmet use at all times, even during practice. If a kid does get an unprotected hit to the head by a ball or, worse, a bat, you need to take action. Check that your child can focus their eyes properly and follow your finger as you move it from side to side. Ask them a few simple questions, to make sure they aren’t having trouble thinking. If they seem off-balance when they walk, slur their speech, or vomit, take them to a doctor immediately.

If the bump to the head doesn’t seem that bad and your child is able to return to play, keep an eye out for symptoms over the next forty-eight hours. If your child complains of having a headache, has trouble sleeping, or is unusually emotional in the days after getting a head bump, tell a doctor. Concussions during childhood can lead to complications in adulthood, so it’s important to treat any head injury quickly and appropriately.

Do Take Time to Heal

If your child has a bad scrape or strains a joint, make sure they rest long enough for it to heal fully. Remember RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Your child’s pediatrician can give you advice on treating specific injuries, but in general just staying off the affected area for a few days and watching symptoms will be enough. Even if your child complains, it’s better to miss a practice or game than to risk worsening an injury. Remember, nobody ever missed out on an MLB contract because they missed a game of t-ball. Playing hurt is never fun, and it sets a bad example for the other kids.

Don’t Forget about Germs

Many a t-ball outfielder passes the time between hits by rooting around in the grass, and any kid will tell you that the infield is like the world’s greatest sandbox. Getting grubby is healthy for kids, but it does mean you need to pay special attention to make sure any scrapes stay clean. When your child gets a scrape, run the skin under cool water to gently remove any debris, and then wash the area with a washcloth soaked in mild soap and water. You may be tempted to use antibacterial gel, but not only does overuse of antibacterial products contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs,” putting that gel on raw skin can sting like crazy. Ordinary scrapes don’t need debriding agents like peroxide or disinfectants like alcohol. Just use soap and water, a dab of wound cream like Neosporin, and a clean, well-fitting bandage.

Set a Good Example

Any time you get a minor injury of your own, let your kids see you treating it appropriately and explain the steps as you undertake them. “Ow! I cut my finger. I better wash it and put on a bandage so the cut will heal properly.” And don’t forget a kiss to make it better – but after the bandage goes on!

The post First Aid on the Field: How to Handle T-Ball’s Bumps and Scrapes appeared first on The HomeTown All Stars.

Have you ever asked your kid how practice went, expecting to hear about fielding drills and batting practice, only to get an excited review of that day’s snacks instead? For little ones, snacks are a big deal. This can mean feeling a lot of pressure when your name rolls around on the roster. Why did you agree to provide snacks THIS week, when you have a board meeting and a parent-teacher conference? Do you have to bake something? Why is this so stressful?

Not only do you have to worry about pleasing a dozen picky, sweaty first-graders, there are the watchful eyes of their parents to think about too. Should you go organic, or is that just showing off? Homemade or packaged? Salty or sweet? And what was up with that parent who just bought all the kids Happy Meals last week? Take a deep breath. Relax. You’ve been feeding your own child for five or six years now, and nobody’s died yet. Every parent is in the same boat as you.

Pay Attention to Allergies

Even though allergy awareness has made great strides lately, parents of a child with allergies live in fear of someone dismissing their child’s very real health concerns as “made up for attention” or “just a picky eater” or “all in their heads.” If your team distributed a memo about allergy concerns, read it, stick it up on the fridge, and take it seriously when it comes time to choose snacks. Peanut allergies are the most common in young kids, so just on the safe side avoid obvious things like peanut butter, but also be sure to look over the ingredient lists on things like granola bars, candy, and trail mix. Peanuts are sneaky like that.

Rest Easy – Pre-packaged Snacks Make More Sense

Allergy parents swear by nutrition labels, but so do nutrition-conscious parents of all stripes. Pre-packaged food lets parents know exactly what their kids are eating and can alleviate concerns about foodborne illnesses. It’s also just plain easier from your perspective, since you don’t have to make anything ahead of time and you don’t have to worry about portioning food out or bringing plates and utensils to the field. There are plenty of healthy pre-packaged snacks these days, so don’t worry that other parents will judge you.

Bring a Little Extra

Inevitably, somebody’s going to drop their snack. A few kids might have little siblings who are fussy after sitting through an hour-long practice where they didn’t get to play. Sure, it’s not your job to feed other people’s toddlers, but you’ve been there. If an extra bag of goldfish crackers can prevent a meltdown on the way to the car, wouldn’t you appreciate the parent thoughtful enough to pack spares?

Watch the Sugar

Kids burn through a lot of energy out on the field, so by the time snack time rolls around they’re usually ravenous. Humans naturally crave sweet foods when they’re thirsty, but remember that that’s our bodies telling us to find a piece of fruit. Foods like apple slices, tangerines, or grapes are excellent snacks because the sugar is balanced with fiber that helps kids digest the sugar more slowly. Fruit snacks, juice, and candy just dump sugar right into the bloodstream with nothing to slow it down, which means those hungry little athletes will crash just as soon as their parents are trying to get them home. You won’t make any friends that way.

Beverages

Don’t forget the water! If individual bottles is too environmentally-unfriendly for you, consider bringing a cooler with a dispenser spigot and some biodegradable paper cups. Little kids don’t need a huge amount of water, just enough to wet their whistles while they gobble down their snacks.

Juice and sports drinks aren’t the best idea, because of the sugar content and because of the inevitability of kids spilling. Remember that at least one family is going to have to rush off right after practice, so a lot of snacks and drinks will be taken straight to the car. Do you enjoy scrubbing spilled Gatorade out of your backseat upholstery? Neither does Tommy’s mom.

Easy Snack ideas

Tangerines

Apple Slices

Mini Bananas

Squeezable Yogurt

Squeezable Applesauce

String Cheese

Baby Carrots

Crackers

Granola Bars

Trail Mix

Don’t drive yourself crazy picking out options. If your kid likes it, most of the other kids probably will too. If bringing a cooler is too much of a hassle, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to room-temperature snacks. By the time next week rolls around, kids won’t remember anyway. They’ll be too busy getting excited for the next snack!

The post Healthy Team Snacks for Moms Who Aren’t Martha appeared first on The HomeTown All Stars.

You might not have thought much about it when you saw the sign-up sheet at your kid’s school or the local community center, but as spring rolls around it hits you: tee ball is a big commitment, not just for your kid but for the whole family. If this is your family’s first time playing tee ball, you might not know what to expect or how to behave, but don’t worry. Most of the other parents will be first-timers too, and the ones who aren’t will be happy to show you the ropes. Just to put your mind at ease, here are some tips to know about tee ball.

1. Decide what you want to get out of the experience. Some tee ball parents have little athletes who have loved sports since they were in diapers, but many other kids never even thought about sports before a grownup clapped a baseball hat on them and sent them out to the field. For the youngest athletes, learning on the field isn’t just about baseball skills. Tee ball can be great practice at following rules, paying attention, being a good teammate to other kids, or even just being far away from mom and dad for a little while. Measure your child’s progress based on where they started before the season, not by comparing them to other kids.

2. Remember this isn’t the Major League. Everybody knows that kind of sports parent. The one everyone dreads sitting next to in the stands. The one who yells, not encouragement, but to intimidate, to vent anger, to try and live vicariously through a child that, let’s be honest, might just be sitting in the outfield playing in the dirt. Remind yourself that it’s just a game, nobody’s scouting for the Yankees, and the first item on the to-do list is to have fun.

3. Cheer the little wins. Not every tee ball league keeps score, and for the leagues that do, winning is often more about random chance than the still-developing skills of the tiny athletes out there. Celebrate not just your child’s successes but every kid’s. A powerful swing that doesn’t connect still shows a lot of effort. Remembering to run to first base instead of third means your kid is learning the fundamentals well enough to remember them in exciting moments.

4. Volunteer! Youth sports organizations always need parents to help by bringing snacks, loaning spare equipment (a few extra lawn chairs are always handy if your child’s field doesn’t have bleachers), carpooling, or pitching in at fundraisers. Volunteering is a great way to get to know the other parents and to stay on top of all the information you need to know about your child’s team. Don’t worry if you don’t have experience. Just like your kid, having a great attitude and a willingness to listen go far.

5. Know your limitations, and your kid’s. Little kids tire out easy. Big grownups have busy days, with jobs and errands to run. If the first league you try has games that are too long for your little one’s stamina, too many practices, too much travel, don’t scrap the whole idea of baseball, just see if you can try things a different way. Maybe your current team has too big of an age range, so little kids are getting steamrollered by big ones. On the other hand, maybe your league is so strict about age divisions that kids are getting sorted onto teams based on their birthday rather than their developmental ability. Remember, very young kids don’t learn all their skills in the same order. Some grow physically first, some grow mentally first, and kids have the most fun when they’re playing with other kids at the same developmental level as them. If something isn’t working right now, that doesn’t mean it never will. Remember, try, try again!

The post Surviving Tee Ball Season: Tips for the First-Time Parent appeared first on The HomeTown All Stars.

On Monday, April 15th, baseball fans everywhere will celebrate one of the most memorable people of all time—Jackie Robinson. In fact, this entire year has been dedicated to the Major League baseball star, as a 100-year celebration of his life and accomplishments.

Born on January 31, 1919, Jackie Roosevelt Robinson, (named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt), excelled in nearly every sport he tried, including track, football, baseball, and basketball. In fact, he was the first athlete at UCLA to earn varsity letters in all 4 sports!

April 15, 1947 was the day in history when Jackie became the first African-American Major League baseball player. On that day, he suited up for the Brooklyn Dodgers, as the team went on to win the pennant, naming Jackie Rookie of the Year. Eventually the Dodgers went on to win the World Series in 1955 with Jackie at the forefront.

According to this article, over the course of his career, Robinson went on to achieve these stats:

137 home runs (HR)

1518 hits (H)

197 stolen bases (SB)

How cool is that?!

However, Jackie lived during a time of great segregation in our country. He had to push through stereotypes, racial slurs, and unfair treatment. The amazing thing is, he didn’t let anything or anyone hold him back! He pressed on, even though the tide was against him. By his example, kids can learn some amazing lessons for life including…

Sportsmanship

Jackie Robinson was the ultimate example of sportsmanship, on and off the field. He played his best, encouraged his team members, and showed great respect to officials and coaches. Encourage kids to follow Jackie’s example by trying their best and showing good sportsmanship whether they win or lose.

Perseverance

Even while facing strong adversity, Jackie pressed on. His perseverance was nothing short of amazing! From childhood on, Jackie pushed through personal barriers to achieve his goals. Talk about Jackie’s example to help your kids push through their own limitations. Let them know they can accomplish whatever they set their mind to if they only persevere!

Equality

Throughout his entire life, Jackie fought for the equality of all people. He endured much opposition, but never let it stop him from making great strides in this country and the world. Teach kids to always treat others fairly. Talk about what it means to show respect and uphold equality on and off the field.

Hard work

While sports came easy for Jackie, it doesn’t mean he didn’t put in the hard work. Countless hours were spent training, preparing, and practicing what he loved most. He never settled for average, but pushed himself to go to the next level in everything he did. Encourage your kids to work hard in school, in sports, and in life. Teach them a strong work ethic by your own example. Never let them settle for less.

Endurance

Endurance is probably one of the most remembered things about Jackie Robinson. Few people have been able to continue through the fierce opposition he faced. Yet, he endured to the end and became a baseball legend. Talk to your kids about endurance and remind them that even when they fall, they can always get back up and try again!

The Big Celebration

This centennial year, baseball fans around the world will celebrate Jackie Robinson with on-field tributes and events. Kids will also be included in the 100-year festivities. The Jackie Robinson Boys & Girls Club in Cairo, Georgia will honor the place of his birth, while the Atlanta Braves will host the annual youth baseball classic in his honor. To end this spectacular centennial year, the grand opening of the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York City will take place in December.

Here are some fun ways you can celebrate Jackie Robinson in your family!

Paint No. 42 Shirts!

Jackie made the No. 42 uniform famous and it was actually retired from the MBL in 1997. Get some fabric paint or markers and decorate No. 42 t-shirts. Be sure to wear them on April 15th!

Go to the library!

Grab some books at the library about Jackie Robinson’s life. Read them together as a family and talk about the ways in which he left a HUGE impact on our world.

Have a movie night!

Rent or purchase the 2013 movie “42” and invite all of your friends! Make hotdogs and nachos and incorporate a fun baseball atmosphere.

*For more information about Jackie Robinson celebrations in the U.S., check out JackieRobinson.org.

Jackie Robinson may have retired from baseball in 1957, but his legacy lives on. He will long be remembered for his determination, perseverance, and tenacity. Not only did he pave the way for other African-Americans on the baseball field, he paved the way of equality for all people.

The post Jackie Robinson Day—A Reason to Celebrate! appeared first on The HomeTown All Stars.

Your child’s first tee ball practice is the first step towards a lifelong love of baseball. Although tee ball doesn’t require much gear as little league will later down the line, you do need to make sure that the equipment your child uses is comfortable, appropriate for their size, and right for the sport. Tee ball teams don’t usually require baseball pants, cleats, or jerseys, but a good bat is crucial for safety and for helping your child learn proper swing mechanics. Check with your child’s coach about equipment availability before the season starts. Many teams bring a few spare bats and gloves to loan out to kids who don’t have one, but you can’t always count on those being available.

Buying your child his or her own bat makes it easier to practice at home, and it’s a special rite of passage, the first of many bats they might use in their baseball-playing lives. Also, tiny bats are extremely cute, and everything about tee ball is an appreciate to appreciate how cute your kids are before they get too big to put up with it.

Measure for Length

Tee ball bats are of course much smaller than baseball bats, but they do come in a few different sizes. Go to a store with a good selection, and have your child try a few out. To check length, have your child stand with their arms spread out shoulder-height, in a T formation. Hold the bat so the bottom is right at the center of your child’s chest and the rest of the bat runs along their arm. If your child can comfortably reach the top of the bat with the palm of his or her hand, the bat is the right length.

You can also rest the bottom of the bat on the child’s chest and have your child reach out and grab the barrel of the bat. If this is easy and comfortable to do, the bat is a good fit. If there isn’t enough space to do either of these things (sporting goods stores can sure get crowded right before baseball season), just have your child stand the bat on the ground next to their leg, like a cane. If the other end of the bat hits the child’s palm, you’re good to go.

Bat length is an important factor in bat control. A bat that’s too short will be tricky to connect with the ball and will be frustrating for your child, as well as feeling off-balance. A bat that’s too long will encourage the kid to swing wildly, like a club, which is bad for learning the mechanics of a proper swing and unsafe for other players.

Choose the Right Weight

Baseball bats are measured by something called the “drop.” A bat’s drop is the difference between its length and its weight. Manufacturers print the drop number on the bat, usually on the handle or the barrel. Just subtract the drop number from the length of the bat to find its weight in ounces. For example, a 25-inch bat with a drop of 10 weighs 15 ounces, a pretty hefty weight for an average-sized tee ball player. Almost all tee ball bats have a drop between 10 and 14.

Once you’ve determined the length you need, try some bats of different weights and see how comfortable they are for your child to hold. It should be fairly easy for your child to hold the bat out to his or her side with one hand for at least 30 seconds. If the bat starts to wobble or they drop it, go down to a lower weight.

Consider the Material

Although the MLB may stick to good old-fashioned wood, that’s not always the best choice for a young player due to its weight and the risk of breakage, especially for tiny tee ball bats. Most players these days use bats constructed with a one-piece design made out of either alloy metal or composite. Alloy bats are more durable and make a satisfying “ping” sound that can be a lot of fun for a young batter, while composite bats feel “springier” and are a little easier to whip across the plate. Remember to check with your child’s coach to make sure there aren’t any restrictions on bat material, because some leagues prefer that all athletes use bats made out of the same material for consistency and fairness.

A Note on Used Bats

Many families hold on to sporting equipment to hand down to the next generation. I myself started my tee ball career with a chewed-up wooden bat that had been used by three other kids in the family before me. Baseball is all about tradition, so this can be a very meaningful rite of passage. You may even have a more practical reason for wanting to start with second-hand equipment. Kids grow fast, especially at this age, and a tee ball bat won’t be much help in little league, especially if your kid grew half a foot between summers. Used equipment is perfectly fine, just make sure to clean it and inspect it carefully for cracks, dents, or nicks that could affect performance or lead to equipment failure. If a beloved hand-me-down bat isn’t quite up to muster for gameday, keep it at home and make it the “lucky bat” for backyard games. For a fun tradition, why not have all the kids in the family sign their names on a family bat when they play their first game or get their first home run?

All baseball programs will provide equipment to start any program. Sometimes it is best to see the lay of the land and then shop after if you feel the need. Kids grow fast, and soon you too will be providing a hand-me-down bat to the parents and children that are following in your footsteps.

The post Tee Ball Bat Buyer’s Guide appeared first on The HomeTown All Stars.

There is nothing quite like the sights, smells and sounds of sitting in the bleachers at a baseball game. Festive music, the noise of the crowds, and even the concession-stand lines build excitement that is unique to every baseball game experience.

Even the not-so-enthusiastic fans will quickly sense the stirring of excitement once they enter the arena. They’ll soon be caught up in the magic and wonder of it all. There are super-fun things to learn at a baseball game, for parents and kids alike. Here are just a few.

Funny Player Rituals

Throughout history, famous baseball players have had personal game rituals that were unique only to them. For example, pitcher Mark “the bird” Fidrych used to talk to his baseballs before pitching them. Wade Boggs, former third baseman for the Boston Red Sox, used to draw a Hebrew symbol in the dirt before each bat. Perhaps, the most remembered player rituals come from retired player, Nomar Garciaparra, who was known for strapping and re-strapping his batting glove over and over, (which drove fans crazy)! He was also the player who did a toe-tap dance before swinging his bat around and around, preparing to hit the ball. (By the way, it worked great for his batting average!)

Kids can learn all sorts of super-fun quirks about their favorite players just by observing their game-time habits and rituals. This article from Mental Floss shares even more fun facts about funny player rituals from history.

Rally Cap Fans

Fans and players alike often take part in rally cap displays whenever their team is falling behind. By turning their caps inside-out and pointing the bill straight in the air, it’s a common way to root for their team in hopes of spurring a rally. Of course, some fans (and players) add their own flair to the rally cap to really make a statement! For some funny team pics and the history of the rally cap, take a look HERE.

Catchy Chants

Someone once said that the familiar childhood chant, “Hey batter, batter, swing,” is as “Little League and Apple Pie” as you can get. However, some coaches disagree with any chants that try to distract the batter as the ball is pitched.

No matter what your stance, kids can learn some super-fun chants from watching baseball games, and even come up with some of their own. Here are a couple of friendly, fun chants for your family to learn and implement on game day.

Hey! Hey!

Are you ready to play?

Go, team, go!

All the way!

Fans in the stands,

Clap your hands!

Yell – Goooooo team! Goooooo team!

Come on, let’s go, let’s put up a fight!

Go team, go, let’s win tonight!

7th-Inning Stretch

I’m afraid this article wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the 7th-inning stretch. This long-held tradition takes place in the middle of the 7th inning, and may be one of the funnest activities at a baseball game.

Usually there is music, singing, and interactive banter, as fans get a chance to stand up and dance around. Kids, in particular, love the 7th-inning stretch as they are allowed to move about and sing at the top of their lungs.

Check out this sweet news story about the 7th-inning stretch song and how it came to be.

Home Run Anticipation

What would a ballgame be without the anticipation of a home run? The super-fun thing about home runs is that they may not happen often, but when they do, the entire stadium goes wild! Kids get to see the ball float across the sky, as if in slow motion, and fall into the stand of cheering crowds. There is, perhaps, no greater excitement than seeing a home run first-hand.

Here are some amazing home run numbers and statistics to show your kids. Wow!

Stealing Bases

When players steal bases—or attempt to steal them—kids get to see them take risks, bluff, and sometimes barely make it to the next base. This play is super-fun to watch, and helps kids learn how and when to steal their own bases in Little League.

For more about stealing bases, here is an interesting and educating article from Smithsonian Magazine called Breaking Down the Science of the Stolen Base.

Umpire Signals

Never underestimate the mighty umpire! Baseball games wouldn’t go very well without them. They are the eyes, ears, and decision makers for every play in the game.

Kids can learn a lot from umpires by studying their hand gestures, signals, and calls to determine the plays.

Here are a few of the most common signals umpires use:

Ball
Strike
Out
Time out
Fair ball
Foul ball
Do not pitch
Safe
Play ball

Kids can (and should) learn these moves by practicing them at home to prepare for the next big game. It would even be fun to take your kids to meet the umpire and learn a few tricks and tips.

There are, of course, many more super-fun things kids can learn by watching baseball. From the pregame line-ups, to the exciting plays that go for the win, kids can pick up on super-fun lessons at every game.

What fun things have you and your family learned from watching baseball? We’d love to hear all about your baseball game adventures and super-fun experiences.

The post Super-Fun Things Kids Can Learn at a Baseball Game appeared first on The HomeTown All Stars.

You can only discover the potential within your children by letting them take part in various activities, including sports. Indeed it is a fantastic idea to allow your young ones to explore every available opportunity in sports as a way of developing and enhancing their lifelong skills. There are numerous sports that every kid can find to engage in. There is soccer, baseball, basketball, swimming, athletics, gymnastics, and even indoor games, such as chess or scrabble, among others. In this article, you will learn the importance of youth sports for kids and ways to keep your kids interested in sports when the season is over.

Physical Development

Children who take part in sports quite often are known to develop stronger bones and muscles. When they get stronger through sports, children become less likely to suffer from any form of physical injury. According to the Zealand study carried out in 2006, taking part in sports or physical exercise from early stages of development helps individuals to reach the peak bone mass which enables them to have stronger bones and muscles for better growth.

Weight Control

Because many parents are worried about ever-increasing cases of obesity, playing some sports from a tender age can have a significant effect on the children’s body mass index. When the child’s weight is controlled, they end up leading a more relaxed and happy life free of health-related diseases.

Improves Endurance

When participating in sports, kids can develop a tremendous improvement in their cardiovascular endurance. With an improvement in cardiovascular health, there is a drastic decrease in the risk of heart diseases. As endurance improves, many of the athletes are able to attain their full potential in their respective sports by keeping their heart in a good and healthy condition.

Character-Building

While taking part in various sports, children learn many skills. Through sports, they learn the importance of teamwork, responsibility, leadership, and a sense of sharing as they interact among themselves to achieve a certain objective.

Boosts Self-Esteem

As part of a team with a common objective, children can learn how to enhance their self-worth through their contribution to the welfare of their team. This is achieved by assuming different roles and leadership positions as they work to fulfill an important role in their teamwork. As a result, their morale is uplifted, thus boosting their self-esteem.

Keeping Kids Interested in Sports When the Season is Over

When the season is over do you keep your children indoors or do you take them out to the field to learn some new tricks in sports? Of course, you would prefer the second option to keep the mind of your young’s ones engaged in a more lucrative activity rather than idling around when the season is over. Therefore, you can take your kids to enroll in youth sports programs within your region to have them get interested in sports. In the case of baseball, you can let them interact with seasoned volunteer coaches to learn the rules and regulations of the game, as well as how it is played. Normally, such programs are open to all children who portray various skills in different sports. As a matter of fact, kids can seize the off-season opportunity to learn baseball and T-ball. The advantage of exposing kids at a young age to this game is that they will grasp every concept as they learn the necessary steps in baseball, which involve throwing, hitting, and, eventually, catching the ball. In fact, they will be at a better position to interact with volunteers who will lead them in training across the off-season. On top of that, they will learn skill-building and develop a passion for the sport because they know the rules and how to play it. But always remember that your children must obtain gloves to wear them while playing and also the cleats, for safety reasons.

Does Taking Part in Sports Help Kids in School?

There is a common saying: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Clearly, this is a self-explanatory statement. Kids need to engage in sports while at school for various reasons:

The psychological well-being

Any child taking part in school sports can gain many things, among them the psychological benefits. When playing games, kids became less anxious and, subsequently, they become free of depression. Playing games, as mentioned earlier, can act as a booster to the kids’ self-esteem, and this is important when it comes to overall performance in class.

Social interaction

Sports in school act as a safe haven for enabling kids to interact freely and enhance their social interaction skills. By interacting with other children, a youngster has a better platform to learn new skills from others—especially while playing sports. In the long run, the youngster will become interested in the school environment and then make a great improvement in their academic work.

Character-building

Through sports in schools, children are exposed to different aspects of character-building from their teachers and their peers. They can learn some of the best values taught during training for sports and learn how to play fairly as they grow up. This kind of self-discipline acquired by youngsters in school can be a turning point when it comes to academic work.

Physical health

To stay physically fit, kids need to engage in daily physical activities. When participating in sports, children can become stronger and develop endurance, have strong bones and muscles and control their weight to stay healthy throughout. In this way, your child will feel more relaxed while having full concentration in class. Consequently, the children might show a great improvement in their school performance when they are physically healthy and strong.

Conclusion

Even though there are many benefits that come with sports among kids, you need to stay vigilant for any negative occurrences. Otherwise, kids’ participation in sports is an important factor to consider, because it enhances their talent, improves their skills, helps them learn new concepts, and maintains their health status. Let your kids enjoy their favorite sports by taking part in them for their own benefit.

ABOUT KEVIN CHRISTOFORA

Kevin began his career into the professional world with a position at Calvin Klein Cosmetics in 1992; he worked as a package engineer, working in new product development and maintaining all responsibilities for production of existing components of the Obsession Fragrance brand. From there, he moved to Revlon, managing the prestigious Alexandra DeMarkoff division of makeup and fragrances. His last job was collaborating with product design and marketing on new product launches for Prescriptives at the parent company of Estée Lauder.

Christofora found his calling when he began to coach little league. He has coached the Mountain Valley Little League (formerly the Woodstock Little League) since 2008. More than a pastime, Kevin loves working with the children. He prides himself on teaching them that it’s about more than a game: it’s about honor, respect, and community. As president of the league, he enjoys working with the parents and community members that all have one main interest: the kids. As he puts it, “Mountain Valley Little League is real fun, real life, and real baseball, with no substitutions.”

Written for children ages three to five, Kevin wrote The Hometown All Stars as a bedtime story to get kids interested in the national pastime again. His goal in writing these books was to get kids out of the house and onto the field – “ less screen more green.” He believes in the valuable lessons that children learn from playing the game: teamwork, discipline, strategy, and thinking before they act. In addition, he wants to bring back the joy of being outdoors and playing, that kids in recent years have lost.

An engineer by education, Kevin gave up the corporate life to move back to his hometown to carry on the family business and become the local butcher and a dad. He has found more happiness becoming a baseball coach than he ever had before. He hopes to pass the excitement of the game to other children with The Hometown All-Stars. Nick’s Very First Day of Baseball was his first book of the series, followed by Magic Bat Day, Thank Goodness It’s T-Ball Day, and his latest, Amira Can Catch!

 

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As a kid, there was nothing more satisfying than hearing that crack of a bat connecting with the ball. Adrenaline kicked in and propelled me onward as I rounded first base, the exhilarating rush of the wind humming in my ears as I ran. For a split second, I took flight before sliding along the dirt and feeling my foot connect with the base. Am I safe? Am I out? Time stood still, but my heart continued to jackhammer in my chest as I waited for the call. This is why I love the game of baseball; and before baseball, it was t-ball – and it was love at first swing.

T-ball didn’t just teach me how to swing, how to slide, and how to catch; I learned so much more than that. Pastor and motivational speaker, Robert Fulghum, believes he learned everything he needed to know in kindergarten. I believe I learned everything I needed to know playing t-ball.

Perseverance

Teamwork makes the dream work

Keep your eye on the ball

Play well with others

Don’t be afraid to swing

Gratitude

Preparedness

Sunny skies make for a sunny disposition

Home is important

Self-reliance

Mental toughness
If I believe it, I can achieve it
Humility
Go after what you want
Take a moment to take a deep breath

Perseverance

T-ball is a long game that requires perseverance, patience, and focus in order to succeed. There were times during games that I wanted to give up. I was tired, my muscles were sore, and all I wanted to do was have a seat in the cool grass. There were other times when I was having a bad game, I couldn’t make the throw or make contact with the ball.

The perseverance required during t-ball taught me the importance of taking a step back, evaluating what I was doing wrong, and instead of giving up, working to improve on the skills I was lacking. This skill has followed me into adulthood, serving me well – especially when throwing in the towel is not an option.

Keep your eye on the ball

T-ball required me to keep my eye on the ball and to be ready for whatever came my way; a lesson I learned the hard way. I remember turning to talk to a friend, to pick a flower, or watch a butterfly float on by – and, just like that, the ball whizzed by – and the game was over. One of those errors cost my team the game. It was an error I never forgot, and one that I never made again. Distractions cause you to lose focus. Keeping your eye on the ball transcends the t-ball field and often makes the difference between success and failure in both your personal and professional life.

Sunny skies make for a sunny disposition

It’s tough to get enough vitamin D in our diets, which is why a little fresh air and outdoor play does a body good. Plus, in this tech-focused world, kids spend much of their free time indoors and isolated from their peers. Sure, kids play against friends and strangers through their gaming consoles, but they aren’t physically interacting with their teammates and opponents.

T-ball offers a “twofer” – kids are able to play outdoors, which boost creativity, concentration, and memory while also learning the importance of being a contributing member of a team. T-ball helps children work with others toward a common goal –  an essential skill required throughout life.

Mental toughness

Even in my early t-ball days, I was fortunate to have coaches who understood the value of mental toughness. Just like the physical training involved in sports, mental toughness takes training and practice. My t-ball coaches taught me how to stay positive, remain calm, and visualize success – even during the most stressful of situations.

If I believe it, I can achieve it

T-ball also taught me that I could do anything that I set my mind to. I remember visualizing myself hitting the ball off the tee, making a great catch, or scoring the game-winning run. I also vividly remember the feelings that come with success on the field. I’ve used what I’ve learned about visualization in several areas of my professional and personal life. I know that t-ball taught me that if I believe it, I can achieve it.

Go after what you want

Life is a lot like the game of t-ball. You can’t wait for the ball to come to you, you have to go get it – you have to take a swing. Hesitate for one second, and a golden opportunity can literally slip right through your fingers.T-ball taught me that sometimes you have to take a chance to get what you want.

Take a moment to take a deep breath

Being able to take a breath in the space between stressful moments is perhaps the most useful life lesson I’ve learned from the game of t-ball. As a kid, learning to approach the plate, take a deep breath, and prepare to perform has taught me the importance of staying calm under pressure. Later in life, the ability to pause and take a deep breath has saved me from making uninformed decisions or decisions based on emotions on countless occasions.

T-ball offers numerous physical, mental, emotional, and social benefits for our children, many which will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Over the years, I‘ve been fortunate to be able to watch hundreds of children participate in the great game of t-ball, move on to baseball, and then use the skills they’ve learned on the field to overcome challenges and excel later as teens and adults. Who would have thought such a simple game has so much to teach us about life?

KEVIN CHRISTOFORA found his calling when he began to coach little league. He has coached the Mountain Valley Little League (formerly the Woodstock Little League) since 2008. More than a pastime, Kevin loves working with children. He prides himself in teaching them that it’s about more than a game: it’s about honor, respect, and community. As president of the league, he enjoys working with the parents and community members that all have one main interest: the kids.

Written for children ages three to five, Kevin wrote The Hometown All Stars as a bedtime story to get kids interested in the national pastime again. His goal in writing these books was to get kids out of the house and onto the field – “less screen, more green.”  He believes in the valuable lessons that children learn from playing the game: teamwork, discipline, strategy, and thinking before they act. In addition, he wants to bring back the joy of being outdoors and playing — something that kids in recent years have lost.

An engineer by education, Kevin gave up the corporate life to move back to his hometown to carry on the family business and become the local butcher and a dad. He has found more happiness becoming a baseball coach than he ever had before. He hopes to pass the excitement of the game to other children with The Hometown All Stars book series.

The post All I Ever Really Needed to Know, I Learned From T-Ball appeared first on The HomeTown All Stars.

Technology devices and toys are a constant struggle these days for competing with children’s attention and time. As a parent, you want your child to play outside and be active, but learning how to step away from the screen can be a challenging task. It’s important to face this challenge head-on, and parents can benefit just as much as the kids when it comes to going outside for sports to avoid unhealthy indoor activities, such as watching too much television.

The screens of technology can slow down a healthy lifestyle for a young athlete. Finding a balance is the solution to such a dilemma. Playing some old-fashioned sports on the green outside can end up being more fun than your child knows! Breathing in the fresh air and taking in the sun while running, jumping, and playing will bring a smile to anyone’s face!

These children will surely be using technology as they grow, and as they become adults they will be using technology in their careers, along with everyday life, which is why it is important to learn early on to balance screen time while spending more time outside. Balancing screen time has many positive effects that follow decreased use, such as battling diabetes, obesity, and many other diseases that can start at a young age. It is important that children remain active, get adequate sleep, and stay healthy. Gaining muscle and learning coordination are only the beginning of the skills your child can develop when leaving the screen behind. Outdoor old-fashioned sports can pave the way to keeping your child healthy physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Some helpful tips to start out with more sports time over screen time begin with logging how much time is spent on each activity in your household, along with setting rules and time limits. Setting a time limit for each type of activity can increase awareness of exactly how active your child currently is and where some changes can be made. Getting the whole family involved encourages everyone to participate and can help with the transition towards a healthier introduction to sports. Enforce which times are set aside for outdoor activities and pick a new activity each week to keep your kids entertained. Basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, mini golf, and backyard bowling are just a few old-fashioned sports that can all be played outside where everyone can have fun playing.

Have sports equipment easily accessible to your child, and buy equipment that can grow along with them. If the equipment can grow with your child, then it will be easier to adapt to new sports and skills through the aging process. Pick fun colors for equipment, and let your child pick out what sizes and shapes they would like to play with when it comes to picking out balls, bats, and all other accessories. This will make outdoor sports more engaging and personalized. Giving your child a way to make their sports play unique will build skills in decision-making and can give a sense of belonging. If your child is not yet part of a team, try decorating your own jerseys with nicknames and family logos. These activities will give a sense of involvement and remember to keep the choices fun for any age.

Practice making the sport a reward, to increase the importance of the activity over other activities. Don’t let the television become the focus in your household’s daily routine. Talk about the star athletes that play the current sport, focusing on teaching about the history of the sport your family is playing. Decreasing screen time to a maximum of one and a half hours, or less, a day can have physical and psychological benefits that your child can’t get from staring at a screen indoors. Sports don’t only combat childhood obesity but can also increase your child’s self-awareness and expose them to the benefits of nature. Playing outdoors removes the restrictions that come with being inside and enclosed while providing a unique natural environment. Experiencing different types of terrain can make a sport more challenging, which, in return, will help build a variation of skills as kids learn to overcome an obstacle or approach a task in a different manner to reach their goal.

Having an active lifestyle when your child is young can reduce their chances of developing an introvertive personality. A child who plays sports at a younger age is more likely to continue playing sports as they grow and develop healthier personality traits with an increase in tendency to favor activity over idle time. A young athlete is more likely to hold themselves accountable and follow instructions through constructive criticism. Not to mention, everyone will enjoy playing games together because, ultimately, sports are games with a side of healthy competition. Outdoor sports, games, and activities are easily accessible and always available with imagination and innovation. Start playing outside right in your backyard or at your local park, there’s nothing holding your child back!

KEVIN CHRISTOFORA found his calling when he began to coach little league. He has coached the Mountain Valley Little League (formerly the Woodstock Little League) since 2008. More than a pastime, Kevin loves working with children. He prides himself in teaching them that it’s about more than a game: it’s about honor, respect, and community. As president of the league, he enjoys working with the parents and community members that all have one main interest: the kids.

Written for children ages three to five, Kevin wrote The Hometown All Stars as a bedtime story to get kids interested in the national pastime again. His goal in writing these books was to get kids out of the house and onto the field – “less screen, more green.”  He believes in the valuable lessons that children learn from playing the game: teamwork, discipline, strategy, and thinking before they act. In addition, he wants to bring back the joy of being outdoors and playing — something that kids in recent years have lost.

An engineer by education, Kevin gave up the corporate life to move back to his hometown to carry on the family business and become the local butcher and a dad. He has found more happiness becoming a baseball coach than he ever had before. He hopes to pass the excitement of the game to other children with The Hometown All Stars book series.

 

The post Less Screen, More Green appeared first on The HomeTown All Stars.

Sports are a great activity for all ages but can be a very special time for young girls. Playing a sport can be fun! Learning a new activity is a great way to make friends and become strong. Sports can be played in all types of weather and seasons, which allows for a variety of activities to choose from. Basketball, hockey, baseball, softball, tennis, and many more!

Let’s not forget the super cool uniforms are a plus. There are so many options to pick, and everyone gets to be part of the team. Being on a team means working together and showing off skills. Everyone will cheer the team on to victory! Win or lose, it’s about having a great time while being healthy.

Young girls need someone to idolize when growing up. Women athletes are amazing role models providing inspiration that comes with introducing your child to sports. Showing that health and teamwork can lead to amazing accomplishments which can motivate a young child tremendously. Having a role model teaches a girl to dream and have goals. Girls in sports can gain confidence through a healthy active lifestyle and learn all aspects of team roles such as leadership or being a member of something greater to bring home a win! Not only will they be building motor skills, but they will be building social skills. Being around other girls with shared interests can really help a child to not be shy. The friendships they make can last a lifetime even from an early age!

Have your daughters attend an all-female sports team event or watch one together on television and you will see how excited they get? You can get them further involved by writing a letter to one of their favorite woman athletes. Ask questions about why they picked that athlete and what makes her special. Try picking out a magazine to read together that is dedicated to female athletes. Many athletic women of the past have had obstacles they overcame to compete for equality when compared to athletic men. Some obstacles are still present for women athletes now. Encourage your child and support her to carry out her dreams. Don’t let an obstacle stop her from being an all-star girl athlete. Sports can be feminine without being masculine. These are all teachable moments for these young ladies to learn the importance of being a young athlete and remaining body positive with determination. Have an active role in showing the girls that being in sports doesn’t have to be only for the boys.

Having support is a key role in the importance of young girls in sports. It is true that many girls will quit sports before they reach teenage years, due to lack of support and low self-esteem. Help your girls have high self-esteem by attending their games to watch and cheer them on. Influence healthy competition by teaching acceptance during defeats. Show pride when your child has won a game or accomplished a difficult task. Once a game is over, remain positive while providing feedback and keep negativity out of the conversation. Remember to keep critiques age appropriate to prevent anxiety. Avoid adding any stress to ensure that she keeps playing the sport she loves.

As a parent, you can take any sport and make it fun while teaching these girls through their favorite sports. Come up with drills to help them work on passing or shooting a certain skill. Don’t focus too much on the difficulty, just have fun! Physical activity is important for anyone, but especially young children. Today, we have so much technology that can be used to distract children from being children and going outside to experience the world through playing with others. Physical education in schools receive cutbacks all the time, which means the children need extracurricular activities outside of school. Sports can help your daughter achieve the recommended 60 minutes of exercise a day that she needs while enjoying the company of her peers.

Starting out at a young age will have its benefits for becoming a youth athlete as the children progress through their adolescence. Right now, having fun is the main priority, but sports can lead to college degrees and work opportunities to follow. Participating in sports will lead to a brighter future! Working towards an academic goal will ensure your child maintains good grades in school. Being involved in school will encourage your child to get good grades to graduate. Good grades can lead to scholarships that will recognize your daughter’s hard work and ability to be active in their community. All the skills that these girls learn on the field will not get left on the field and will continue to grow if they are active in sports.

Your young star athlete can grow to learn, love, and play through participating in sports!

KEVIN CHRISTOFORA found his calling when he began to coach little league. He has coached the Mountain Valley Little League (formerly the Woodstock Little League) since 2008. More than a pastime, Kevin loves working with children. He prides himself in teaching them that it’s about more than a game: it’s about honor, respect, and community. As president of the league, he enjoys working with the parents and community members that all have one main interest: the kids.

Written for children ages three to five, Kevin wrote The Hometown All Stars as a bedtime story to get kids interested in the national pastime again. His goal in writing these books was to get kids out of the house and onto the field – “less screen, more green.”  He believes in the valuable lessons that children learn from playing the game: teamwork, discipline, strategy, and thinking before they act. In addition, he wants to bring back the joy of being outdoors and playing — something that kids in recent years have lost.

An engineer by education, Kevin gave up the corporate life to move back to his hometown to carry on the family business and become the local butcher and a dad. He has found more happiness becoming a baseball coach than he ever had before. He hopes to pass the excitement of the game to other children with The Hometown All Stars book series.

The post Raising an All-Star Girl Athlete appeared first on The HomeTown All Stars.