8-year-old's interception earns team $500 fine, coach suspen

[Oldgringo]

Long ago, faraway in Pelham, AL, I became very involved in youth soccer as a result of my youngest son's team being whipped 19-0 one Saturday. I said "Nevermore" and set out to learn about soccer. It came to pass that the American Soccer Club had two divisions. The Red Division in which I coached the U12's was for winning. The Blue Division was for fun. "Bear" Bryant was coach at UA. Winning was in vogue back then and remains popular in Alabama still.

[Cedar Park Dad]

Sports competitions need to reflect real life. Second place is the first loser. Mercy is seldom learned on the field of battle. Mercy is taught by parents and family and faith. One can be both merciful and ruthless. Both have their place. What needs to be taught is when to apply either.

If it were real life, the losing team would sue the winning team...

[bigity]

I played games when I was 8 to have fun, not to win.

To each his own I guess.

And what, losing is more fun than winning? If you're going to play, why not play to win? If one team is taking the game seriously and the other doesn't care about the outcome, then the team that doesn't care is cheating the other team out of a real contest where everyone is doing their best. I don't see the point in playing against a team that doesn't care about winning.

And you think a team of 8 year olds is going to be playing to win when they are down 30 something points? If you are going to have a mercy rule, then end the game. Otherwise, just finish it out.

[bigity]

Sports competitions need to reflect real life. Second place is the first loser. Mercy is seldom learned on the field of battle. Mercy is taught by parents and family and faith. One can be both merciful and ruthless. Both have their place. What needs to be taught is when to apply either.

If it were real life, the losing team would sue the winning team...

A little tired of a football field being compared to a battle. It's entertainment. It doesn't need to be cut throat.

No doubt this kind of rule in the OP is coddling, but it's not like the NFL is a bastion of role models and character these days. I know I don't want my 7 year old playing a game and acting like the majority of NFL players.

[anygunanywhere]

A little tired of a football field being compared to a battle. It's entertainment. It doesn't need to be cut throat.

No doubt this kind of rule in the OP is coddling, but it's not like the NFL is a bastion of role models and character these days. I know I don't want my 7 year old playing a game and acting like the majority of NFL players.

Life lessons are learned in many ways. Whether you are teaching your child how to address adults, the four rules of firearms, or how to perform their best at sports and competition, these lessons all go towards building character. Learning how to execute a play on the field is not much different from learning how to learn combat tactics or other skills later in life. Just because the prima donnas of the NFL act the way they do does not man that is what they will learn in organized sports. The glamour of sports is probably learned most often at home from parents who worship the game. Lots of situations in life can be compared to the field of battle. It is not a metaphor that should never be used. There are many skills, truths, and knowledge I gained driving submarines that I regularly apply to real life. These things kept me and my brothers alive then and they do the same now.

[C-dub]

A little tired of a football field being compared to a battle.

That has always rubbed me the wrong way too.

[RogueUSMC]

This was a while back but...
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/22/pa ... wout-game/
This coach had a bullying complaint filed against him when it appears he had his second string in by the end of the first quarter, third string by halftime and nothing but a running game in the second half...he tried NOT to run the score up but still play football...

[The Annoyed Man]

Sports competitions need to reflect real life. Second place is the first loser. Mercy is seldom learned on the field of battle. Mercy is taught by parents and family and faith. One can be both merciful and ruthless. Both have their place. What needs to be taught is when to apply either.

If it were real life, the losing team would sue the winning team...

For damages, or pain and suffering?

[Cedar Park Dad]

Sports competitions need to reflect real life. Second place is the first loser. Mercy is seldom learned on the field of battle. Mercy is taught by parents and family and faith. One can be both merciful and ruthless. Both have their place. What needs to be taught is when to apply either.

If it were real life, the losing team would sue the winning team...

For damages, or pain and suffering?

Both. Hey is $5 a day enough to console them for the grievous stain this has put upon their lives?