Traveling Sports

There is a growing controversy in the United States over the belief that traveling sports teams for adolescents are causing family problems and also problems with the children in general, who play so much it does not seem like a game anymore. Many parents apposing single sports being played all year round have persuaded local officials to make rules against what is going on. These protests have been successful in some areas where now there are some laws saying that a child can't be playing on traveling team while in season for that same high school sport. Some schools now require athletes to play two sports.

What is causing this controversy is that "They're talented, terrific players, but I don't see the joy." Also, school officials believe that these traveling sports will eventually replace high school sports all together. These state enacted rules are to protect that from happening.

While many parents are against what is going on, there are also many who support it fully. These parents say that the athletes are "less likely to drink, smoke or use drugs and more likely to be good students. They think that this is simply a sign of changing times from their childhood where they played in the sandlot. It is something that is bound to happen. After all, "When was the last time you heard about a kid kicked off his travel team who turned around and murdered somebody in high school?" These sports are keeping the kids in line and teaching them discipline.

Works Cited

Pennington, Bill. "As Team Sports Conflict, Some Parents Rebel." New York Times on

The Web 12 Nov. 2003. 17 Nov. 2003