Why in recent years have area adults become so disinterested in playing in city league basketball and softball leagues? It really is mind-boggling to understand why hardly anyone has an interest in playing anymore.
About a decade ago, the A League fast pitch at Clifford (The Y Field) had as many as 10 teams with very talented players who put their hearts and souls into it, night in and night out. It was very entertaining to watch and attracted a number of spectators nightly.
The B League fast pitch also played there nightly with about the same number of teams. Both leagues have ceased to be for over a decade now. What a shame. What a shame also that men's and women's City League Softball has decreased in size more than 75 percent since then.
The four fields at Herman Avenue in the past were all being used Monday through Friday. I don't believe any of them are being used anymore. Neither is the softball field at Auburn High or the ones at Seward School. Hardly anyone takes advantage of a fun sport and good recreation nowadays.
So what has changed so dramatically over the years that people have no interest anymore in playing competitive sports?
I remember when Central High used to be a City League Basketball haven when four games were played nightly four days a week. Even Summer League Basketball thrived for decades. That too is down 75 to 85 percent of what it once was.
There were even times one would have to scour the entire city to find an open tennis court. Now, one would have to scour the entire city to find anyone playing tennis.
Another league facing extinction is the Over 40 Softball League played two nights a week at Lincoln Field. In its heyday, there were 10 teams. Now it's down to five and still shrinking.
A good guess would be at the rate everything is shrinking, there'll be no more softball or basketball leagues in another decade.
The YMCA for decades had adult basketball pickup games with as many as 30 or 40 adults participating in both the afternoon and evening sessions. Even that is no longer.
Almost all adults seem to have no interest anymore being active in sports.
I guess it's just another sign of the times where people don't know how to enjoy themselves by doing something that's good for their health and that relieves stress and is fun to participate in.
Murray Lynch
Auburn
The B League fast pitch also played there nightly with about the same number of teams. Both leagues have ceased to be for over a decade now. What a shame. What a shame also that men's and women's City League Softball has decreased in size more than 75 percent since then.
The four fields at Herman Avenue in the past were all being used Monday through Friday. I don't believe any of them are being used anymore. Neither is the softball field at Auburn High or the ones at Seward School. Hardly anyone takes advantage of a fun sport and good recreation nowadays.
So what has changed so dramatically over the years that people have no interest anymore in playing competitive sports?
I remember when Central High used to be a City League Basketball haven when four games were played nightly four days a week. Even Summer League Basketball thrived for decades. That too is down 75 to 85 percent of what it once was.
There were even times one would have to scour the entire city to find an open tennis court. Now, one would have to scour the entire city to find anyone playing tennis.
Another league facing extinction is the Over 40 Softball League played two nights a week at Lincoln Field. In its heyday, there were 10 teams. Now it's down to five and still shrinking.
A good guess would be at the rate everything is shrinking, there'll be no more softball or basketball leagues in another decade.
The YMCA for decades had adult basketball pickup games with as many as 30 or 40 adults participating in both the afternoon and evening sessions. Even that is no longer.
Almost all adults seem to have no interest anymore being active in sports.
I guess it's just another sign of the times where people don't know how to enjoy themselves by doing something that's good for their health and that relieves stress and is fun to participate in.
Murray Lynch
Auburn
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are 10 comment(s)
casualobserver wrote on Jul 11, 2009 7:54 PM:
Farmer's Gal wrote on Jul 11, 2009 6:09 PM:
P.S. It is torture for me to watch others play now I can't get out there myself -- I have a very hard time being on the sidelines. But I talk up women's football every chance I get. "
cheeko wrote on Jul 11, 2009 12:05 PM:
1) what's in it for me
2) how much are you going to pay me
Simplier put---this is the selfish generation, not the community pride generation from years ago. "
daydreamer wrote on Jul 11, 2009 8:41 AM:
Farmer's Gal wrote on Jul 11, 2009 7:51 AM:
Oa wrote on Jul 11, 2009 4:31 AM:
teacher1 wrote on Jul 10, 2009 5:45 PM:
cheeko wrote on Jul 10, 2009 3:57 PM:
CVA62 wrote on Jul 10, 2009 2:51 PM:
A. To Old.
B. Would rather watch their kids and grandkids play.
C. Not really good at it.
D. Better things to do.
E. To busy trying not to outlive their money.
...and, as a obvious diehard sports fan, you may find this one extremely difficult to believe....
F. UTTER DISINTEREST. "
FS II wrote on Jul 10, 2009 8:36 AM: