Christ wants us to do our best at whatever task it is we are doing, whether it is study, work, play, family, breathing, you name it.

We also need to offer to him all these things we do, whether it is study, work, play, family, breathing, or basketball.  We can actually sanctify basketball, realizing that it is a part of the whole of creation He gave us.

Christ is also concerned only about whether or not we try our best...not whether or not we succeed.  If we become lazy, or don't bother to struggle anymore, we are no longer going at our task in a Christ-like way.

So if we choose to play basketball, we need to offer it up to him first and foremost.  Then we need to practice to get better (to do our best) and to play with our all and as a team (it is a team sport).  And, as with all things, this needs to be done in BALANCE.  Most CYO players are not bound for the pros.  So if practices and games are too time consuming, the family begins to suffer, and our intentions are no longer properly ordered.

Competitive is good only in its ability to drive us to try to do better.  But if we lose the perspective that we want to do better because we are trying to develop virtues that lead us closer to God, then we have lost (even if we're the ones holding the trophy).

For those that think their children have a future in the sport, then clearly let them know your organization is not for them.  They need serious training. 

For those that want to participate, but have no ability, you need to be clear what the requirements are.  If the child is at every practice and just doesn't have the talent, there should be a place for him to play at least part of the time.  If the child doesn't bother with even practice, then they should be benched.  EVEN THE ONES with talent...if they don't bother with practice, they should be benched.  You sound like your in the position to make the rules of the team, so you just need to be clear.

You may lose a few parents (and thus, players) with such a team, and you may not have the best team, but I bet you'll have a team that the players will remember the lessons learned.

I ran across a good pamphlet a few years ago about this, but I can't recall the name - maybe through EWTN or Catholic Answers...

Some of the points it made which I think can be linked to the imitation of Our Blessed Lord were about the quality of the performance being the result of a coordinated combination of the physical body as well as the intellect and the will; instilling and enforcing the discipline and self-mastery to follow the requirements and decisions of the coach, obedience to the rules of the game and to calls of the officials, self-sacrifice, the formation of individual character and teamwork skills being more important than the score or the result of any individual game.

Pray before games for each other, the other players and the officials. Recognize goodness on both sides; view the game as a competition with the other team, not a competition against the other team. Thank those who support your team. Praise God for the blessings of strong, healthy bodies, good weather, loving parents and coaches, and so forth. Go to Mass together at least once during the season.  Don't schedule practice or games on Sunday - I would fight that hard.

I know a few leagues where negative comments are forbidden -- I thought this was not only a bit crazy, but impossible until I saw it in action.  Players encouraged each other and accepted bad breaks and calls that went against them by letting each other know they are still enthusiastically behind them and cheering them to play well. No drama and complaining about the referee.  

It occurred to me that this positivist approach is the essence of what we should have in youth sports. It is what we should want to gain from what is essentially an otherwise unproductive expenditure of energy.

Joseph,

I coach with the same perspectives in mind. However, I find that today's youth as taught by the lack of a sound home does not understand these concepts in a season. You really need to be around them for a few years in multiple settings.

Have you ever had success in Little League as far as championships on any state, region or world series level?

In Christ,

Remember, the Sun is always shining!

No, no championships as a coach.  You are right about one thing and that is today's youth are so unaware of these concepts of winning teh right way, teamwork, achievement, so forth.

Joseph Bailey