Emphasize Fun . . .

. . . or RAMMIN' THE BLEEPIN' BALL (PUCK, SHUTTLECOCK, FRISBEE) DOWN THE OTHER TEAMS' THROAT?

Twenty million kids register each year for youth hockey, football, baseball, soccer, and other competitive sports. The National Alliance for Sports reports that 70 percent of these kids quit playing these league sports by age 13 -- and never play them again.

According to Michael Pfahl, executive director of the National Youth Sports Coaches Association, "The number-one reason (why they quit) is that it stopped being fun." With figures like these, it's time we rethink how we present youth sports to kids.

Link.

Bonus coverage: Bob Cook has a funny piece about six characteristics to avoid in your kid's sports coach. PG-13 Link.