Why does baseball allow such a culture to exist?  Consider the following:

·         Lots of Games - Major League baseball plays 162 games a year.  This number of games is considered an acceptable standard of play for adults for young athletes it is way too much.  In respects to baseball, our culture has determined that “if more is good, the great than that must be better.” 

·         Training, Training, Training – The idea of conditioning for baseball was a scarce thought just 20 years ago.  Young baseball players today are hitting the gym, drinking protein shakes, and participating in workouts more appropriate for a NFL linebacker….and they are 9 years old!  Our cultural push to preparation has created a future of broken bodies, leading to broken dreams. 

·         Can Play for a Long Time - Baseball is a slow sport with moments of intense movement but rarely completely exhausts the athlete.  The physicality of football, basketball, soccer, and even hockey will eventually completely exhaust the young athlete, sometimes forcing time to rest.  Baseball players can take hundreds of explosive swings and throws before reaching exhaustion, all along damaging body parts to irreparable levels.

·         Bringing the Game Indoors – In years past, when the weather got cold the baseball season ended.  Recent pushes for indoor facilities, batting cages, pitching lessons, and use of warehouses for full team practices has allowed the athlete to throw year round.

·         Obsession with the Now – I played baseball in little league, high school, and college and to this day I can never remember the intensity of parents and coaches today at such young levels.  Dreams of being the best, scholarships, and big league contracts drive many parents, athletes, and coaches to only think in the now.  A 6^th grade weekend championship game is important but driving young athletes into the ground to get there is sacrificing the future.