by As I sit here and wait out a rain delay here at Canal Park tonight, I figured what better time to discuss this topic. Have weather delays “rained” down on young players and families of the sports of youth baseball and softball? If you’re wondering, why is this even a topic? Well because over the years I’ve noticed a decrease in girls’ softball in my area while I was coaching.
The challenge of the coaches, players and parents are the field conditions sure, but the make-up games scheduling and rescheduling cause a lot of conflicts mainly for parents. Balancing one’s work schedule to get there on time let alone to be in attendance at all is something many families face. As these challenges have existed for decades it’s lead to young people and families looking to a sport that really wasn’t a competitive option when I grew up. What sport has benefitted from this? Lacrosse. A sport that’s played on a field full of grass or turf.
There’s no infield dirt especially on the youth fields to deal with the standing puddles leading to mud on the base paths. Of course, thunder and lightning will put a halt to any game, but lacrosse fields are more player friendly to continue play and avoid having to have less rescheduling for rain outs. Families are gravitating towards this ball and stick sport over a ball, bat and glove sport for reasons that I can’t say that I blame them if it works for them. I’m a baseball / softball supporter as my first true love of sports. I think many still enjoy it and I’m grateful for their participation.
Keeping the greatest sport there is in my humble opinion alive and well but there’s no doubt that the popularity of Lacrosse is growing. Most importantly I want kids to play what they prefer. I have nothing against lacrosse other than I miss the depth of young athletes helping baseball and softball thrive to the standards that I remember.
Please leave your comments below. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
