Learning to lose. Is that a lesson that we should be promoting among kids?
“No matter how well-prepared athletes are or how hard they train, they all experience losses at some point in their career,” states Tim Richey, CEO of the Police Athletic League. “It’s good to learn how to deal with failure earlier rather than later in life. Losing, in effect, teaches our kids what it takes to succeed.
Ask any one of the 1,400 boys and girls who play on PAL’s baseball, softball and t-ball leagues throughout Detroit who will learn that even good hitters with a .300 batting average fail 70 percent of the time.
“It takes real perseverance to keep your head in the game, especially after striking out,” comments one returning PAL League player. And that, according to Richey, is the beauty of baseball.
“You might think that a series of strike outs would diminish a child’s interest in the game,” he notes. “But, our experience proves different. Kids thrive on the opportunity to improve their skills and will try even harder after strike outs. And the motivation toward continuous self-improvement serves them well in life.”
The game also teaches kids valuable lessons about teamwork and the importance of individual performance.
“Our participants quickly learn that if one player does not perform at his or her level of capability, they impact the team’s performance,” notes Richey.
Each and every member of a baseball team must work together and help improve their teammate’s performance in order to win. A lesson that is good for us all.
Editor’s Note: Registration for summer leagues is currently underway. Applications will be accepted through May 19. Participation cost is subsidized by donors to minimize registration expenses which range from $40 – $55. For additional information call 313.833.1600 or visit: www.thinkdetroitpal.org
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