[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally posted by Mike M
I know this is heresy but I believe that soccer has a better model for youth sports. The separate categories of teams - house teams (and more three levels for leagues) , traveling teams and Olympic development teams within age groups creates different expectations from the parents. As a result, for those parents who child has developed talent at a young age, they can have them perform with other children of similar talent.

For major sports like baseball, football and basketball, American youth organizations do not create enough of a distinction between participatory leagues and competitive leagues.

Are you kidding? Soccer players are the most obnoxius players (compared to the other three sports that I officiate) I know. But basketball coaches are the most obnoxius coaches in the world. Of all sports, basketball coaches are the most clueless when it comes to rules knowledge.

But agree on one thing. Sportsmanship at all levels and all involved has down to hell in a handbasket over the last 15 to 20 years. And I hate to say it, but television is one of the big reasons why.