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.