The commencement of the Major League Baseball season kicks off Thursday — an occasion that many perceive as a national celebration. Concurrently, numerous Little League athletes are gearing up for another enjoyable and thrilling season.
Youth athletics have been shown to positively impact numerous children physically, mentally, and socially, regardless of the sport in which they participate. Nevertheless, the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) projected that 53.8% of children aged 6 to 17 were members of a sports team or attended lessons as of 2022; a decline from 58.4% in 2017.
The game of baseball has marked several accomplishments over the previous year — a World Series that generated considerable attention between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, unprecedented increases in attendance and viewership, along with an average game duration of 2 hours and 36 minutes, denoting its fastest pace of play in a season since 1984.
A perhaps lesser-known achievement recently recognized was the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s (SFIA) Topline Participation Report for 2023, which indicated that baseball participation hit 16.7 million in the United States, the highest figure recorded since 2008. A sport that once experienced diminishing youth participation rates has shown a remarkable revival – a stark contrast to the trends seen in other youth sports.
Megan Buning serves as a teaching specialist at Florida State University within the Interdisciplinary Center for Athletic Coaching, holding a Certified Mental Performance Consultant credential. Her investigations delve into the intersection of sports and educational strategies aimed at enhancing coaching and teaching methodologies. Buning was an All-American softball pitcher at the University of South Carolina and competed professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch League.
While youth sports can give rise to challenges such as burnout, overtraining, and even financial strain, the advantages significantly outweigh the disadvantages for children engaging in these activities.
“What resonates the most with me regarding the benefits of youth sports participation is the ability to collaborate with individuals who are different,” Buning remarked. “Not just striving towards a shared objective, but also mastering how to achieve success and deal with failure. In my view, this skill is the most invaluable payoff.”
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that the portion of high school youth participating in at least one sports team dropped from 57.4% in 2019 to a 21st-century low of 49.1% in 2021.
The ongoing pressure confronted by youth sports participants as they accumulate experience is one factor contributing to the declining high school participation rates.
“Regrettably, I witness youth experiencing burnout because they feel compelled to train or compete constantly,” Buning continued. “At times, this pressure is self-imposed, while in other instances, it stems from parents and coaches. If young athletes aren’t permitted to rest, take a breather from the sport, or explore alternative activities, they are more likely to abandon the sport.”
Media representatives interested in interviewing Buning regarding the current state of youth sports in America can reach her via email at [email protected].
Megan Buning, Teaching Specialist in the Interdisciplinary Center for Athletic Coaching, Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
In your experience as an athlete, parent, talent evaluator, mental performance specialist, and educator, what is another prominent manner in which youth sports benefit each participant?
“Young athletes learn how to navigate failure from an early age. They encounter more opportunities to fail than to succeed in sports, and with each failure followed by an attempt to improve, they bolster their resilience. Another advantage of youth sports participation is that athletes acquire a sense of discipline and work ethic to a certain extent. Practicing requires effective time management, training when motivation lacks, and repeating the same tasks. All this fosters work ethic and discipline.”
How can participants in youth sports effectively prevent burnout and overtraining?
“Burnout and overtraining are genuine concerns in youth sports, similar to various other areas of life. For children, it is essential that parents, coaches, and trusted figures assist young athletes in managing and balancing their training and overall well-being to help circumvent burnout.”
What are some of the best practices for youth league coaches and parents?
“At the youth level, one of the most effective strategies coaches can implement is to make the sport enjoyable. This can be achieved to varying extents and may involve competitive elements. If athletes find joy in playing, they will continue to develop their skills. For parents, one of the most impactful ways to back their athletes is by fostering productive pre- and post-game conversations. Parents can significantly influence how athletes react to and manage emotions through their words and responses to performances. Supportive and encouraging dialogue is vitally important at the youth level.”
The article Florida State University expert available to discuss state of youth sports in America was first published on Florida State University News.