Aspiring Little League Baseball Players: A Rare Look Inside an American Pastime

With roots reaching as far back as the 18th century, Little League is an integral part of the great American pastime of baseball. Kids have been playing variations on the game in streets and backyards for centuries, and in 1938, Carl Stotz began to organize what would become the Little Leauge. The first official Little League game was played in 1939, and it went on to spur programs that developed into the youth baseball league Americans know today.

The official website of the Little League defines its mission as being to "promote, develop, supervise, and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League Baseball and Softball." This includes helping kids develop positive character traits, learn to work together and get the exercise they need to be healthy.

A Dwindling Interest?
Unfortunately, it seems that kids' interest in baseball isn't what it used to be. A Wall Street Journal article reported a 24 percent decline between 2000 and 2009 in the number of kids ages seven to 17 playing baseball. The Little League itself saw a 25 percent decrease.

No specific reasons were given for this drop in participation; however, it's not hard to find possibile explanations. Baseball as kids originally played it was more about having fun than beating the other team. Its loose rule structure allowed for the exuberance of youth and playing the game wasn't seen as a make-or-break part of a child's future.

Today, baseball has become tightly organized with a focus on "making it big," even in Little League. Parents feel pressured to get their kids involved in sports since athletics are seen as an essential part of being "well-rounded." Tournament games and travel teams are being pushed on kids before they're out of elementary school and are often more stressful than fun.

Coaches and parents may also be to blame. Instead of letting kids play baseball for the spirit of the game, adults can blow the whole thing out of proportion. Fights between parents and negative attitudes from coaches make baseball a chore. Some coaches, though they treat their teams well, simply don't know how to make the game engaging, leaving many kids standing in the outfield during practice rather than running around and playing.

What Baseball Does for Kids
When handled the right way, baseball can have many benefits for the kids involved. The most obvious of these is exercise. With around 30 percent of kids qualifying as overweight or obese, it's more important than ever for America's youth to get up and move. A game of baseball detaches kids from TV, computers and other sedentary "screen time," brings them out into the fresh air and gives them a well-rounded workout. Baseball counts as both cardiovascular exercise and strength training, but kids will be too busy having fun to notice they're exercising. 

Being involved in baseball also:
• Improves motor skills
• Increases strength
• Hones athletic abilities
• Teaches kids how to interact positively with peers
• Offers the opportunity to make new friends
• Bolsters self-confidence

The teamwork involved in a game of baseball teaches fairness, cooperation and discipline, all important skills that will help kids do better in other areas of their lives. Learning how to communicate and follow directions in a group setting prepares them for higher education and the workplace.