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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-03-17, Page 17Times -Advocate, March 17,1993 hat it's to ride the pines This guest column was taken from the St. Marys Journal Argus on March 10, 1993. 1 wtlua otic of those kids who was g *Nigh to make the team but not good enough to be a regular player. So, I've collected a lot of splin- ters over the years, whether it be from the bench of the basketball, baseball, or volleyball team. I've always enjoyed sports right from the time I was little. Countless hours were spent as kids in Prospect Hill, playing baseball, soccer, football and hockey. (Most of the neighbours were boys.) We had some great games. Whoever showed up could play; the more the better. We played as often and as long as we liked. Arnund the age of 13, I started playing baseball on a real team. It was great for the first while, then things started to change. I became a small fish in a bigger pond and with that came the realization that winning was pretty important to some people. This wasn't just a neighbourhood game anymore. Sitting on the bench didn't bother me much at first. I knew I hadn't played organized ball for many years like most of the others and there- fore had a lot to learn. I was happy just to belong to the team and man- aged to have fun anyway. Over the next few years, my amount of innings played stayed about the same; a few here and there with some pinch running thrown in. (This was quite a few years ago, remember!) Then one year, when we were juvenile age, we made it to the provin- cial finals. We ended up winning but in all honesty, it didn't mean much to me. The customary ride on the fire truck wasn't nearly as much fun as I thought it would be. We decided to order team jackets. When the time came to place the or- der, we were supposed to have our position printed on one sleeve. I asked one of my buddies who had sat out a lot with me if we should get the word 'Bench' printed on for our position. We just laughed about it and resigned ourselves to the idea that we simply weren't good enough. On the outside we joked about it, but on the inside was this sinking feeling subconsciously chipping away at our self-esteem. It's hard to be- lieve in yourself when you know others don't. Maybe we could have been better ball players if we had been given the chance to play in a game situation more often. Maybe we loused up because we were so ner- vous about being pulled out of the game. The very same thing happened in high school volleyball. Volleyball is definitely my favourite sport. I still love to play and in high school I looked forward to every practice, game and tournament. It sure wasn't a lack of dedication that landed me on the bench. It may have been a mat- ter of ability but I think it was mostly a lack of confidence. So what possesses bench kids to keep trying out for teams when it causes such disappointment? For me, the sense of belonging to a team was very important. A lot of my friends were on these teams and I want- ed to join in with them. It would have been just as great a letdown to not make the team at all. At least when you make the team, there's always hope of playing. The main reason for sucking with it was a plain and simple love of the game, especially in volleyball. When I decided to write this, I hesitated because I never intended to belittle any coaches. I know that they give of their time and talents out of the goodness of their hearts. I didn't end up disliking any of my coaches, Page 17 even though I thought they were unfair at times. The only fault I saw was that they put too much emphasis on winning. Sure it's nice to win, but it should be a bonus, not a main objective at alt wits. The objective should be to get each member of the team to play to their full potential and have fun at the same time. Maybe coaches don't realize the effect that sitting on the bench has on kids. There are short term effects like animosity towards other players, loss of respect for the coach and development of poor attitudes such as: "What's the sense of working hard? I'l1 never get played anyway." Perhaps the most damaging effect is the long term one of low self- esteem. That takes a long time to overcome. I have my former coaches to thank for the skills I now use when play- ing baseball and volleyball. I can still•hear their voices telling me what to do, even now when I'm thirtysomething. In fact, I'm a lot better player now than I ever was because the pressure is gone. It's still competitive, but the fun is back because I know I'm not going to get yanked off the court or diamond if I make a mistake, so I re- lax and play better. If you're a coach, take a look at your bench kids and see if you can give them a chance. Maybe they just need someone to believe in them. And don't just tell them you believe in them, show them by letting them play. You might be amazed at what a little confidence can do. Oh yes, and if your regular stars pout or throw a tantrum, let them ride the pines for the next game or two. It's about time they teamed that they can't have their own way all the time. Maybe it's time to re-evaluate some goals and go from being a good coach to being an even better one. Editor's Note: Val Thomson is a farmer and homemaker who lives at RR1 Granton. She enjoys writing in her spare time. Hensall's Cub pack proudly display awards received at last weeks Huron District Kub Kar Rally in Grand Bend. From left are Andrew Kinsman, who came in second; Edward Barty, first; and Shaun Lantz, third. Minor ball signing up in Stanley By Joan Beierling VARNA - Several members of Goshen U.C.W. joined the Varna U.C.W. for The World Day of Prayer Service on Thursday eve- ning. It was led by Deb Rathwell, Sharon Chuter and Shirley Hill. The Prayer of St. Francis and Sweet Hour of Prayer were sung by a group comprising of Rathwell, Chuter, Joyce Dowson and Linda Linfield with Shirley Hill at the or- gan. Joyce Dowson opened the service Hensall Legion makes donations By Vanessa Cook HENSALL - The Hensall Legion Ladies Auxiliary meeting was held March 2 in the Legion Hall. Presi- dent Iva Reid chaired the meeting. Donations were made to the Alz- heimers Society, Agricultural Soci- ety and Big'Brothers Associations. Members were informed of ban- quets coming up. The sports com- mittee reported on a bowling tour- nament coming up in Seaforth in the near future. President Iva Reid announced plans for the Auxiliary Zone 1 con- vention to be held in Hensall were well underway and reminded mem- bers to have their tickets in on time. Proving that Cubs Is not all fun and games, Hensall pack members Scott Forrest, An- drew Kinsman, Joshua Alexander and Allan Mallette work hard on a boot scraper pro- ject. The Hensall Senior Citizens held their March meeting at the United Church with 21 members and three guests present. Lawrence Cole, a winner in public speaking, spoke on "Hats". Mary Broadfoot favoured with beautiful•Irish music. Irene Blackwell told of a visit io Billarney, Manitoba and seeing the Blarney Stone in a beautiful park. Irene and Stewart Blackwell, Marg Cole and Dorothy Brintnell were in charge of euchre and lunch. Card winners: High - Vera Smale, Stewart Blackwell; Low - Dorothy Brintnell, Hilda Payne; Lone Hands - Ruby Bell. There will be an open house at Huronview on April 4. The next seniors meeting will be April 13 at 6:30 p.m. with a potluck dinner. with a poem "Springtime" and led a business meeting following the ser- vice. An invitation was received from Kippen to attend their Thank Offering Meeting on April 13 to hear Dorothy Chapman speak. A Bridal Shower. for Dori Daer is planned for April 6 at the church. Fifteen hundred dollars has been set aside to help with major renova- tions to the back room of the manse. In addition, the U.C.W. will pay for replacement windows in the room. A birthday calendar is being con- sidered as the last one was issued in 1966. The U.C.W: s next project is the Dessert Euchre and Bake Sale to be held on Wednesday, April 14 at the Stanley Complex. A combined meeting of the Var- na -Goshen Congregations Pastoral Charge will be held this Sunday, March 21 in Varna Church follow- ing a joint church service to be held at 10:30 a.m. With the hockey season starting to wind down and baseball just around the corner, minor ball regis- tration has been planned in Stanley Township. The two Saturdays are April 3 and April 10 from 9 a.m. - 42 noon at the Stanley Complex. Cost is $12 per child or $20 a fami- ly. Hensall Civic Corner ANNOUNCEMENT oke Hensall Council is pleased to an- nounce the appointment of Alex Irvine, effective March 15, 1993 as By - Law Enforcement Officer in the matters of Animal Control, Parking, Buming and other regulatory by- laws as passed by Council. Queries or complaints regarding the above men- tioned items may be directed to Mr. Irvine at 111 King Street, Hensall, Ontario at 262-2941. At tax time we get down to the business of saving you money. 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