Do we consider the opportunity costs of saying NO to everything else?
“The argument for an abundance of sport volume is ‘finite time’, but we don’t factor in the opportunity costs associated with constantly selling out to ‘more’.
Are they learning real world skills?
Health & wealth literacy?
How’s church attendance?
Are they even being kids?”
-Ray Zingler on X
I read a Twitter thread the other day that I wish I saved, but I didn’t.
It was a thread from a former D1, record holding athlete, who talked about how youth sports aren’t “worth it anymore”.
The second I read that part my subconscious brain immediately wanted to write this guy off and disagree with him, but then my conscious brain reminded me that there is something to be learned from everybody, so I continued reading.
He basically went on and on about how in order to make even the high school team, you have to sell out to all the travel ball, club ball, lessons, etc.
And then (and this is where I fully agree) he went on to talk about how the expenses of time, money, and identity have a very low chance of providing a tangible return as 99% of people will not make a living playing sports.
Where I disagree is that “the point” of youth sports isn’t about playing professionally.
There is a lot of value in learning skills, staying active, camaraderie with friends, learning to compete, overcome adversity, etc.
But then I ask myself is the youth sports landscape of today providing these things?
Is the politicized money ball actually developing them?
Is their real camaraderie with friends, while trying to play on 3 different teams, simultaneously?
Are we teaching them about competition and adversity, when if it doesn’t work out right away, we encourage their attempt to run to perceived greener grass?
We’re slowly but surely baking the quality life lessons out of sport, while simultaneously increasing their sport volume?
I’m no genius, but I reckon I see a problem there.
I, then go on to ask myself, what are the opportunity costs of this abundance?
Remember, when we say yes to something, we are saying NO to everything else.
Are the kids learning real world skills? They ain’t in government school.
Are they learning what real health looks like? What about learning business acumen and how money works?
Are they in church on Sunday or at the ball field? Which one is “more important”?
Hell, I often ask myself, are they even being kids?
I think it’s important to think and critically answer these questions.
