Competition

Here I go again...

(I might have mentioned that sports is taking over my life.)

Tonight's activity for the kids and I was going to the local gym to see Ben's friend D play basketball. Ben is quite interested in being on the team himself, and his friend would love for him to join. The thing that has been holding me off is that some of the games are at other gym locations, in other cities, not so convenient for us to get to on a Friday evening.

(Also, we'd have to actually join the gym, but we're seriously considering that anyway.)

So we went to see this game - two teams of 3- and 4-year-olds. There was definitely a big mix of ages - some of the kids were half Ben's size. And a mix of genders as well, which is nice when they're little.

The team has practices on Tuesdays and games on Fridays. The game was interesting, about what you'd expect with a bunch of [very] little kids. Lots of holding the ball and running (not dribbling) and just grabbing the ball from other players. One kid would get the ball and then run all over the court with it before going back towards the net. A few tackles. And plenty of tears.

Really I can't understand the point of having kids compete like this at this age. Wouldn't it be better just to meet once a week and learn some skills, like how to dribble and shoot? What is the point of competition, never mind parents driving somewhat long distances for their 3- or 4-year-old to play a basketball game? Is this going to better their chance of making the high school team and getting a scholarship?

We will probably end up letting Ben join. Susanna is playing in the city league which is for first graders and older, so this is one of the few chances a 4-year-old has to play. But if we don't make it to the far-away games I won't feel too bad.

Welcome to Texas.