travel and/or select teams..Hi Bean

Hi Back, Sal

In "Bean's" I spent the entire first chapter, (entitled 'Playing To Win'), trying to adjust the parents'direction of motivation only about 3 to 5 degrees in most cases. Not 30 degrees. Not 90 degrees. And certainly not 180 degrees.

I've had the opportunity over the last six years to talk with a lot of kids all around the country, and it was sort of special getting the feedback from their point of view. (Please let me re-state that when I say "kids", I'm really defining them as pre-teens.)

In my mind it truly is a dynamic balancing act, between helping them stretch to their full potential...and being a comforting dad or mom when they fall on their bottoms trying.

I do know that most of the kids I've talked to, love to play the game for it's own sake...and they love to hear and feel the cheers from parents.

I've tried to shift the definition of "winning", and "competing" just a little bit, because I know that the kids get those definitions, spoken and unspoken...from their parents and coaches.

Best regards
Kenneth Bean