Put me in coach

It is a long way to get to the majors, some kids never get the chance, some find it hard to just to even play.

Schools, especially in Canada are switching more activities away from softball, baseball and even hockey to soccer, or sports with less equipment, and as well , the sports more geared to the cultural shift of our demographics.

So less and less kids are playing the game, plus we have the climate working against us for much of the year. This is not to say there are not some areas in the country that the game isn't thriving, there have always been pockets, certainly in BC where many of the Canadian major league prospects are coming from, but the landscape is changing.

Then there is the other reason, and this is not brought on by the economy, just made worse by it.
We have in this country too many kids living in families below the poverty line, and whether you wanted to play hockey and gave up because used skates are still 2 weeks grocery bill, or affording second hand gloves/bats or balls , it make it near impossible to play.
This hurts me, especially since I grew up in the 60's being able to play softball at school, and could at least get okay skates, or a bike.

We have to as a nation recognise that there is a growing disparity of haves and have nots, and try and be part of the cure to bridge the gap. Otherwise the sandlots will grow over, and rinks will close, and city pools will stay closed. Every year there is hand ringing about how much it costs. to run the pools and diamonds, and I do not really care how much, make it happen !!, get more funding into communities and schools for these areas, don't limit it to just rep baseball and hockey. Do not leave anyone behind.

That is not what we are.

I see too many quiet ball diamonds, and as a parent of 2 kids who each played, it is too good an experience to part with. I volunteered for 7 years as my kids played locally or in tournaments, and I will say I wouldn't trade that time for anything.

If you ever see a notice asking you donate old ball gloves, bats, remember that you still have all those great memories, and our kids deserve to make new ones.

Be well.