Daniel Grippo - Playing Fair, Having Fun: A Kids Guide to Sports and Games

Playing Fair, Having Fun

A Kids Guide to Sports and Games

Written by Daniel Grippo
Illustrated by R. W. Alley

For Mr. Al Hopkins, a wonderful coach and role model,
and for my childhood friends and teammates
and all the great games we played.

All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright 2004 Daniel Grippo

Illustrations 2004 St. Meinrad Archabbey

ISBN: 978-1-4976-8125-5

Abbey Press Publications

1 Hill Drive

St. Meinrad, Indiana 47577

www.abbeypress.com

Distributed by Open Road Distribution

345 Hudson Street

New York, NY 10014

www.openroadmedia.com

Perhaps you remember, as I do, a simpler time, playing outside with friends after school, making things up as we went along. While its true we played a lot of the same great games and sports that kids play today, its also true that times have changed quite a bit in a generation.

Kids today face tremendous pressure when it comes to team sports. Schedules are demanding, expectations are high, and the competition can be fierce. The attention and fortunes lavished on professional athletes further distort the picture many kids (and adults) have about the place of sports in life and society.

Sometimes we adults only make matters worse. Some parents and coaches put excessive pressure on kids when it comes to sports. Others seem to live vicariously through the exploits of their child athletes. A few, unfortunately, set a poor example of sportsmanship at games.

In addition to all this, kids today are growing up with less parental supervision and a wide variety of computer and internet games that bring new creative possibilities but also new temptations and risks. It is, indeed, a brave new world of entertainment and recreation.

Now more than ever, kids need guidance when it comes to their recreational activities. This booklet is designed to help kids think about sports and games in new ways, so they can enjoy themselves while keeping things in perspective.

Play is the human creatures most spontaneous and joyous way of participating in Gods creativeand recreativeactivity. Sports and games help kids grow strong in mind and body. They also teach kids a lot about lifeabout sportsmanship, teamwork, cooperation, dealing with victory and setback, fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility.

All of us, adults as well as children, need to continually examine our attitudes about sports and games, to ensure that they remain healthy, renewing, and life-giving.

Daniel Grippo

P laying is fun, and its good for you, too. When you play, you feel alive and happy. You run and jump and shout. You laugh and get excited.

Y ou grow strong and healthy when you play. And you learn new things, tooabout how to play different games and how to play well with others.

Y ou cant play all the time, of course, because you have other things to dolike sleep and clean your room and go to school. But its fine to play as long as you also do the things your parents and teachers ask you to do.

G od wants you to be happy. When you are laughing and having fun with others, God is happy too.

W hen you play, you get to be joyful and creativelike God. You can make up worlds in your mind, just as God created the world you live in.

E njoy Gods creation in all its wonder. Its time to play! Hurray!

M aybe Justin is bigger than you and always gets picked for teams first. Maybe Susie is fastest and always wins races. Some kids are good at sports, and other kids are good in different ways.

W e all are special in some way. Be proud of who you are. The special things that you like to do are part of what make you YOU!

Y ou may like to play on teams, or you may like to go hiking or ride your bike. There are lots of ways to play. You dont have to be the biggest or the fastest to have fun.

Y ou dont need a lot of fancy toys or gear to have a good time. You can find things around the house to make up a whole play world!

Y ou can play alone, with your best friend, or on a team. You can play with a puppy or kitten, with your brother or sister, or your mom or dad.

T hink about all the things that are fun for you. Maybe you like to draw or sing or write stories. Make up your own games doing the things you like. Then teach them to your friends.

W hether youre playing in your driveway or on a soccer field, you need to have the right safety gearlike a helmet or shin guards. Keep your gear in good shape and all in one place, so you know where to find it.