Families who have played an active role in the field of youth athletics would acknowledge that there is a degree of cheating there, particularly among adults.
It all begins with parents and coaches pulling in superior players from other regions or divisions to make adjustments to the squad. They do it even at an early age. This may not appear to be unlawful, but it degrades the quality of the competitive atmosphere for the children, which encourages them to work together and put out their best efforts. Adults, on the other hand, abuse the system to help their squad beat a team with less experience.
This conduct of cheating robs the children of a valuable experience and a valuable life lesson: to obtain something worthwhile; one must put out the effort.
Similarly, in the 2014 Little League World Series, similar things have been done. Adults in control of Jackie Robinson West in Chicago’s inner-city tampered with paperwork and area maps and hired players from various places. JRW was allowed to play in the Little League World Series as a result of this worldwide act of cheating.
Following an examination, it was discovered that the bulk of the athletes were not from the inner city. Those who were denied the opportunity to serve their league due to cheating. This may have been avoided if proper age verification had been conducted.
Read more: CHEATING IN YOUTH SPORTS AND THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND IT
The squad qualified for the LLWS and played South Korea in a game. South Korea won that contest, but it was a fantastic game in which both teams’ children gave their all. Both teams displayed healthy competitiveness, which is how youth sports should operate. In the press and on television, everybody was talking about the team. They also had the chance to speak with the President.
However, all joy dissipates as it is realized that the squad is controlled to reach the highest level of the tournament.
Kids are Lured and Blamed for the Consequences
Adults may be lured to believe that winning a well-known event will be extremely beneficial to the children or even to themselves. However, the 12-year-old children are treated as superstars for a few weeks before returning to their normal lives as ordinary 12-year-old children.
Adults may educate children on the importance of having the chance to represent their squad at such a high level. They can instill gratitude and modesty in them. When adults are engaged in a cheating act, however, it loses all meaning. They did nothing but influence the children, and everything they tell them now has no significance.
Kids Always Pay The Price
Kids have always been the ones who get the short end of the stick. As kids get older, they tend to question their ability and are forced to consider whether they won the competition properly or if they had an unfair competitive advantage over others due to the grownups’ immoral acts and unfair advantage. It must be understood that people who are truthful and honest are always revered and respected, regardless of the outcome. Those people who maintain things fair and follow the rules will undoubtedly be admired by children.