Psychology of Sport

From the games of youth to the big leagues

by Richard Ginsburg

If You Had to Give Away 100 Million Dollars

For me, physical education comes to mind. Obesity has been identified by many researchers as the most dangerous and debilitating chronic disease in both children and adolescents in North America. Read More

Should Little League Baseball Be Nationally Televised?

I have a hard time watching 11 and 12 year-old boys playing baseball on national television. In fact, I just change the channel. Don't get me wrong. I love the kids, but are they ready for that kind of exposure? Aren't we exploiting the trials and tribulations of children for adult entertainment? Read More

Athletic Outliers

Malcom Gladwell's Outliers highlights the role that age cut-offs can play in the advancement of elite hockey players. Youth sport athletes born between January and March are at a competitive advantage from an early age because they are the oldest players in their cohort. They experience this advantage each year as they progress through various hockey programs and approach the elite level. Read More

Economic Correction Factor in Youth Sports

While Steven Kotler's recent blog post "High Cost of Playing of Playing Ball" raises questions about the trickle-down effect the economy will have on professional sports, will youth sports also experience a correction factor? At the professional level, Kotler indicates that fewer fans will pay high ticket fees to attend sporting contests. Read More

Tiger Wins at a Cost

I am still marveling at Tiger Wood's incredible victory at the US. Open. His physical and mental toughness is practically unparalleled in professional sports. Yet, I wonder whether his victory was worth the cost. Read More

When Winning Is Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

sport Last Sunday, I took my three-year-old son to a Red Sox game. Given his fascination with Red Sox hats and T-shirts as well as baseball players in general, I was certain this was going to be a big occasion for him. Read More

Bad Sports or Not Enough Sports: What’s the real problem?

Did anyone read Robert Lypsyte's article, "'Jock Culture' permeates life'" in USA Today last Thursday? His central point is: "A ‘winning is everything' notion starts in the littlest of leagues. Lessons of hard work and fair play give way to ‘gain the edge at any cost.' But what happens when this type of thinking is adapted by CEOs, police officers, or politicians?" (USA Today, Thursday April 10th, 2008, pg 11A). Is the desire for immediate gratification permeating all aspects of our culture? Are the some of the negative lessons of sports stronger than the values of families and schools? Read More

Psychology of Sport - Will playing sports get our kids into college?

What if playing sports had absolutely no influence on college acceptance? What if playing for THE elite travel team meant only that our children were playing more games at a higher level with no free time for weekend relaxation? Would playing youth sports hold the same importance it does in present day culture? Read More

Psychology of Sport - From the games of youth to the big leagues

Playing youth sports has drastically changed in the last twenty years. When I was young, we played pickup games in my neighborhood. Basketball, wiffleball, and touch football - without the involvement and supervision of adults - were our games until dark. Read More