By Kevin Christofora

Whether you are a long-distance aunt, the primary guardian of a niece or a nephew, or any other situation in between, you can look back and remember when you were a child and the games you enjoyed playing then. Those games, whether they were learned on the playground or at a gym or a physical education class, helped you build a foundation of skills, and you probably weren’t even aware of it! In essence, sports help teach children how to grow into adults, and none so much as the great sport of baseball.

Children today often know far more about Angry Birds and Candy Crush than they do about real sports. That’s a shame, since knowing and playing America’s national pastime can provide a great foundation on which a child can grow into a well-rounded and honorable adult. Here are just seven examples of the many skills children can gain through baseball:

1. Social skills
Team sports are a fantastic way to build social skills, especially for only children. Kids are able to meet and bond with peers all while learning how to share, cooperate, and work together as a cohesive team. This can lead to friendships outside of practice, and generally helps children better navigate the social situations they will encounter throughout their lives.

2. Sportsmanship
The idea of sportsmanship centers around children’s enjoyment of the sport for its own sake, all while considering fairness and mutual respect for both one’s team and one’s competitors. This sort of graciousness is especially prevalent in baseball, which tends to be less fast-paced and contact-driven than other sports and allows children to appreciate one another more easily.

3. Self-confidence
Confidence is an important lesson for children of all ages to learn. Baseball allows them to try new things in a safe environment; they can learn to believe in themselves. They may seem young now, but the little ones in your life will eventually go on job interviews, look for romantic partnerships, and do a number of other activities in which their own confidence will be a key element in bettering their future.

4. Commitment
Sports teach children a great deal about keeping your word. In life, when you sign up for something, it’s your responsibility to follow up with your promise. Children who play baseball come to understand that they are part of a team, and that they are obligated to play through the season.

5. Playing by the rules
People always say that rules are made to be broken, but following certain rules makes you a considerate and likeable adult. For example, children learn to wait their turn while playing baseball when they learn to bat. When some of life’s lessons overlap with baseball, it’s much easier for children who play to learn and accept them.

6. Winning and losing
In life, everyone must learn to win, and to lose. Winners must learn to be gracious and humble, and understand that they may not always win. Those who lose must also do so graciously, and not get bogged down by a fear of failing.

7. Fun
Sometimes it’s easy to forget as adults, but nothing is more important than allowing children to have fun. Your nieces and nephews or the other children in your life will have their whole adulthood to worry about the tougher things. So celebrate the fun they have playing sports, and try to have fun yourself!

Sports like baseball can teach children plenty of life lessons. Baseball enables you to share more time with them having fun, and feel great knowing you continue to be a positive role model whom they remember and cherish forever!


Kevin Christofora is the author of The Hometown All-Stars children's book series, illustrated by Dale Tangeman. Christofora, a father and little league coach, hopes his books will inspire children to play outside more often. A devotee of America's pastime, he aims to teach young people about baseball and the habits of a healthy lifestyle in the form of a fun and educational bedtime story. More information can be found at thehometownallstars.com.

Photo: digitalmedianjb
Published: May 18, 2015