Just Sayin': Youth sports coaches need to protect kids
Youth coaches have an impact on the mental health of their young players, Credit: Barry Sloan
As spring approaches, so does a new season of recreational youth sports. Just a reminder that most of our kids are not going to end up in the NFL, Major League Baseball or any other professional league.
For most boys and girls, youth sports is a way to exercise, have fun and hang out with friends. Most coaches realize that, but there are always exceptions. Some parent coaches like to fantasize that they are the next Joe Torre, who steered the Yankees to World Series titles, or Andy Reid, who led Kansas City to Super Bowl crowns.
All kids should have an opportunity to grow, gain self-confidence, and have fun. Youth coaches have an impact on the mental health of their players, and that needs to be taken seriously.
Most leagues have codes of conduct for coaches in order to prevent unfair treatment and even bullying on the field. Unfortunately, not every league has this in place. It is important for parents to see that their kids are being protected on the field.
— Racine Sandler, Merrick
Veterans don’t need to see TV gunshots
A reader noted that veterans are taught how to use weapons in basic training [“All our veterans are trained to shoot rifles,” Just Sayin’, Feb. 3]. What about all the veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder and have emotional issues from the sights and sounds from gunfire and don’t ever want to hear gunfire ever again? Even in a TV commercial.
I worked at the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center for over 30 years and have seen what many veterans are going through.
If someone wants to celebrate veterans, how about volunteering at the VA hospital and spending time with veterans or donating to the Wounded Warriors Project instead of promoting more gunfire. This is the way to celebrate veterans instead of airing a commercial that shows a person shooting an assault rifle and possibly giving ideas to someone who might have thoughts about committing an act of violence.
— Joseph Januszkiewicz, Mastic
Islanders’ parking cut lets down big fans
The Islanders’ management has slapped fans in the face. Season ticket holders with seats in the lower bowl, like me, have been informed that next season they will no longer be eligible to purchase tickets in the Belmont Park garage.
It seems that the garage is owned by Belmont Park Village and Value Retail, whose chairman is Scott Malkin, the Islanders’ majority owner. The shops are to open this year, and the garage owners will limit the Islanders to 400 parking spots per game next season.
When they raise ticket prices and reduce benefits for loyal season ticket holders, I’m out.
— Bruce Temple, New Hyde Park
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