Support your children in sports …

A Spectrum, by Lori Hall Schachle

Baseball season is upon us again, and those parents who involve their children in sports are doing them a great service. Statistics show that children who participate in sports are less likely to smoke cigarettes or do drugs. It is a great self-esteem builder, and children with high self esteem are more likely to become functional and responsible teen-agers and adults.

These days I watch more and more parents drop their children at the field and return later to pick them up. Most times these children lack proper gear. I am not talking about bats or balls or their glove, I am talking about their jacket, water and cheering section.

Statistics show that parents who sit in the bleachers when it is 40 degrees in a slight drizzle are less likely to send their child to a game without a jacket. parents who sit in the bleachers when it is 80 degrees with no breeze and no shade are less likely to send their child to a game without water. And parents who are there to cheer when their child "finally" hits the ball, catches their first pop fly or slides into home are less likely to ever want to miss that again.

I don't mean to sound judgmental. I realize that parents have busy schedules and often have more than one child involved in sports. It is impossible to be in two places at one time. If you have no other choice but to drop your child off at the field, please make sure that they are prepared for the game.

Send a jacket. Weather can change drastically in a 2- or 3-hour game. On May 10, around 7 p.m., it hailed at Smith ball field. Always send water! I get thirsty during a game, and I never pick up a bat, field a ball or run a base. Dehydration and heat exhaustion were never meant to be a part of the game. Finally, make sure your child can reach you if a game is canceled. Games are called for a variety of reasons. Some games never even start if there are not enough players to form a team. Weather is another factor that can cause a game to be cut short, as our May 10 game was.

Remember that it is not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. Please make sure that your children have the resources they need to play. Have a great baseball season! Well see you at the championships.

Lori Hall Schachle is a Wasilla resident.