Youth sports -- the good, bad and ugly

Bob Padecky writes about youth sports today, specifically a pair of new books on the subject.

If you see yourself in what is described, then change and get on the right side with the proper perspective.

If you don't see yourself in what is described, ask someone you trust will tell you the truth. Then, if needed, change.

It's about and for the kids, period.

A worthwhile read on youth sports

Here's a lengthy feature and a cautionary read on youth sports:

Children may be vulnerable in $5 billion youth-sports industry
Parents and athletes feel the pressure to compete at all costs
Todd Jones, Mike Wagner and Jill Riepenhoff
The Columbus Dispatch
August 29, 2010

Julie Fetty ripped through a laundry basket filled with baseball and softball uniforms at the same time her husband, Brad, donned a coach's shirt and scanned his smoldering cell phone.

The late-afternoon clock was bearing down on the parents, pressing them to get their four kids to four Hilliard locations to play four games - all starting between 6 and 7:45 p.m.

This was the grand finale of nine youth soccer, baseball and softball games for the family in a 20-hour period over two days.

"We are constantly on the run," Brad said. "Half of us at one place, half at another place..."

Go here for the remainder.