Good winners and losers make good citizens

Baseball season is wrapping up locally and many of us have enjoyed watching our favorite little leagues and high school teams play. It’s thrilling to watch kids who’ve struggled through long, hot practices, and many games — complete with mistakes and losses — continue to play with gusto and confidence. We know they’re learning something more valuable than catching or hitting a ball.

We’re grateful that their coaches and parents don’t declare that their kids deserve to win before the game even starts or when they lose, the adults don’t holler that the game was stolen and accuse the winners of cheating — demanding the game be replayed. What a farce that would be. You win some. You lose some, but how you play the game is really all that matters.

So much can be taught and learned via sports. Aren’t we all thankful that our kids are learning how to be good winners and losers — and thereby good citizens? Would you want it any other way?

Mary L Magner

Cedar Rapids