I was against signing up our 3-year-old for sports. I thought he was too young and when
I envisioned him playing ball, all I could picture was a lot of kicking and screaming. Honestly, I wasn’t ready to spend the hour each week, convincing him to participate and be excited.
My husband, on the other hand, disagreed. Our son, who has loved any and all sports since he could hold a ball, was ready, according to him. So we made a deal—I’d sign him up for sports, but it was my husband’s responsibility to get all the equipment, sign up for snacks, get to practice on time and assist our son in his first organized sporting activity.
We shook hands and I registered my son for Bitty Basketball with the YMCA.
As hard as it to admit, I was wrong. I was so very wrong. As I watched my son confidently walk onto the basketball court, oversized jersey and all, I knew I was going to have to eat my words.
Dribbling, passing, shooting—he wasn’t NBA All-Star status, but I didn’t care. He was having a blast! Nearly a foot shorter than everybody else on his team, he held his own. He listened to his coach. He participated, he learned new skills and he even made a few new, little friends. The very best part? Tuesday night basketball slowly became a family affair. My husband was out there on the court, assisting the coach in herding five little basketball players to the right hoop. My daughter and I sat on the sidelines, cheering and when the game ended (and both teams won, because who needs to keep score?), my kids ended the evening running laps on the court.
Our experience with the YMCA’s Bitty Basketball was exactly what sports for little kids should be — a fun, learning experience.
If you are interested, registration is now open for Bitty Basketball and Winter Youth Basketball at Y locations across the metro.
Sign up for Youth Sports now and save $20 with early registration pricing through October 26.
For Y Members, Youth Sports and Bitty Sports are only $10. Not a member? There’s a special offer to join now and receive up to two months free.
Visit KansasCityYMCA.org/FreeFall (member discount is available with a family membership that includes your child participating in sports).
