Growing up we played a lot of ball;  in the yard, and on the ballfield. REMEMBER that some of the most fun that was had was when parents and coaches were not present. Backyard football, wiffle ball in the street, and driveway basketball - we didn't really care what season or the weather was - we just wanted to PLAY.

     Also REMEMBER all of our friends and neighbors that participated in these  games. They didn't require us to wear uniforms and allowed us to make up our own ground rules. From the time we were kids until now not much has changed with these much less structured neighborhood games. Games and Play are for kids to have FUN. Sports are as well, but in our present "CULTURE" ( just a fancy word for "How we do things around here" ) the FUN has been and is being sucked out of some of these games at some of our playing fields and arenas.

     Why ? We have forgotten to REMEMBER the "Why". Learning social skills ; sport specific skills ; how to be humble in victory, and resilient in defeat are all great lessons we can learn by participating in games and sports. Let us not forget to REMEMBER WHY we are doing what we do. With the exception of the professionals making a career out of competing in sports the WHY is "for the FUN of it".  We have seen way to many of our kids drop out of sports during a time of life they could really use the benefits and lessons of being on a team. Fun keeps kids in sports. So it's our responsibility as Coaches, Parents, and Officials to REMEMBER to keep sports Fun.  It'll pay off today and for the future. Let's Remember to Remember.