The importance of the World Series
One of the dangers of being a raving lunatic Angels fan is that
kids will begin to think that baseball players are heroes and that
the World Series is really important. Of course, the players are not
heroes and the World Series is just a game.
Right.
I grew up in a home where sports ruled. Two of my three older
brothers were good athletes and played college basketball. I owe
whatever is good about my jump shot to my brother Larry. Before we
moved to California in 1963, we went to Cubs games at Wrigley Field
in Chicago. Once in L.A., I became a regular at Dodger Stadium and
jumped at every opportunity for a free ticket to any sporting event.
That once meant taking the bus down to the Forum in Inglewood
alone at age 14 to see the seventh game of a Lakers’ world
championship. My father once had season tickets to the Los Angeles
Kings. I’ve seen the Rams, the Lakers, the Clippers, the Dodgers, the
Avengers, the Ducks, the Angels, the Kings, the Trojans, the Bruins
and countless other teams. I love sports.
My son has inherited my love of baseball. He did an outstanding
job as the catcher of our Little League team and can’t wait for the
season to begin again next year. In his room he has a stack of sports
sections from which he has cut out photos. One of his favorite
players is Sammy Sosa, a Cub.
There is a risk in being a fan. As much as I want to hoot and
holler and celebrate, in the back of my mind I wonder how much I am
influencing my kid’s priorities. My desk at home, for example, has no
pictures of any members of my family. But there are two autographed
baseballs, one signed by Willie Mays, the other by Ernie Banks. By
the way, I take some satisfaction in knowing that the Mays signature
is real because he signed it right in front of me. Oh yes, Roy was
there, too, while I stood in line for an hour to get it.
Cay and I have told our two children that their No. 1 priority is
school. Most days, they finish their homework before dinner because
they know there are consequences if they don’t. And we’ve told them
that their teachers rule their lives when they are in school. The
kids know that teachers will get our support because of the
importance of the work they do.
But try telling that to a 9-year-old boy whose father hangs on
every pitch heard over the radio during the World Series and who
looks forward every spring to managing another Little League team.
There is danger in all mixed messages, not just the sports
examples. Parents who tell their kids the importance of reading but
spend their free time in front of the tube cannot expect their
children to take them seriously. And when we tell our kids how
important it is to get involved in local affairs or politics but then
do not show up to vote, kids learn that it’s OK to say one thing and
do another. Then the cycle starts all over again -- when these kids
grow up, they’ll be watching “Friends” instead of voting for mayor.
It is more difficult these days to get kids to understand the
importance of a good education. I used to look forward to going to
school -- most of the time. And I believe my kids look forward to it
now -- most of the time.
But these days, teachers have been asked to do far too much in far
too little time, and I can’t help but believe that the stress of
plowing through this mountain of work is taking its toll on everyone.
The mountain of homework that kids have these days is not because
teachers are mean, it’s because they do not have the time during the
week to complete all that they are mandated to teach. Some of that
has to go home. That makes it more important than ever for parents to
become more involved at home with their child’s schoolwork. The
difference between paying attention now and not paying attention now
means consequences that are far more painful than when I was in
school a thousand years ago.
That’s because each day a child falls behind is easily equivalent
to two days -- probably more -- compared to schooling a generation
ago. My 9-year-old son can probably name the nine starting players
for the Angels but can’t name one of the nine members of the Supreme
Court. That’s not such a bad thing. After all, he’s only 9 and should
be allowed his fun at this age.
And I’m pleased to say that he reacted favorably to my gentle
speech about the importance of the upcoming elections. He wants Tim
Salmon to run for president.
* STEVE SMITH is a Costa Mesa resident and freelance writer.
Readers may leave a message for him on the Daily Pilot hotline at
(949) 642-6086.
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