W. Jerome Stanley serves as president and CEO of Stanley and Associates/SAFE Sports in Los Angeles, where he negotiates on behalf of professional athletes, coaches, and executives. Jerome Stanley also supports youth sports activities, including Little League Baseball.
Win or lose, young people who participate in Little League always come out ahead. Even those who don't reach great heights of physical performance and growth due to their participation walk away with many mental and social benefits.
Little League participants learn early on how to work in teams. Baseball requires trust and reliance on others, as no matter how skilled one player is, that player can't cover the entire field. It also encourages young people to be aware of their teammates' abilities and needs. This willingness to work in a group can build skills that will carry through a child's life.
Working with coaches, umpires, and other adult authority figures teaches participants a healthy respect for authority. This teaches skills including active listening, respectful disagreement, and accepting calls that don't go their way.
Finally, Little League participants learn how to make friends. Even one or two seasons of participation can lead to lifelong friendships, and the communication and attitude management skills involved can help them make more friends later.
