At what age do you think kids sports should keep score?

Sunflower777

DS1 played on a 4/5 year-old t-ball team this summer where they didn't really keep score, they just focused on the kids learning the rules of the game and good sportsmanship. I was happy with that this summer. At that age, they're still learning. 

At what age do you think sports teams should start keeping score/playing more competitively? I do think that's important, because they need to learn how to lose, too. I'm just not sure at what age that makes sense... thoughts?  

Littlejen22

By 6 I guess.  I think it is up to the parent if their child can handle competitive sports though, I am not pushing my kids to do sports but if they were interested in playing (which I think DD will be) I am ok with them learning that one team wins and one loses but that you can still have fun playing even if you lose.  Kids need to learn to lose and we coddle them too much now.

penguingrrl

Growing up our sports rec teams were 3 grades worth of kids. K-1-2, 3-4-5, and 6-7-8. K-1-2 was spent learning the game just for fun, then starting with the 3-4-5 league they kept score. I think that was a good age. You had a chance to understand how to play and the rules before starting competitive games, but 3rd grade is a nice age to be competitive and learn how to lose gracefully.

stacynikki

DS started T-Ball this past spring and they did the same, just focused on building their skills. This fall season, DS actually had to try out. All kids get to play but it was mostly to make the teams even on skill. They are keeping score (the team is made up of late 4 yr olds, 5 yr olds, and early six yr olds. It was all based on when your birthday fell.) honestly, the kids don't care about scores, yet. I think it's mostly preparing them for next years team when it's coaches pitch.

Mominator

At the start. Around here most organized sports teams start at 4-5 years old. I certainly understand the need to take the time to learn the sport and focus on the rules, but I also think that at the same time you need to teach the ideas of winners and losers, those things aren't mutually exclusive. I hate this "trophy generation" that is being raised right now and kids need to learn from get go that you can't win every time.

AZ_Erica

I don't know.  DS plays on a 4/5 soccer team and the kids are just clueless.  They lost the other day buy probably 20 goals, and DS thought they won:)  I didn't correct him.  I wouldn't mind if they kept score at his age, it is part of the game.  Just as long as they teach kids to also win gracefully and not rub it in the loosing teams face or anything.

J&A2008

I think they can keep score at any age as long as the parents can handle it.

monkeyqueen

J&A2008:

I think they can keep score at any age as long as the parents can handle it.

 

lol!  This.     

ValAndRyan

Mominator:

At the start. Around here most organized sports teams start at 4-5 years old. I certainly understand the need to take the time to learn the sport and focus on the rules, but I also think that at the same time you need to teach the ideas of winners and losers, those things aren't mutually exclusive. I hate this "trophy generation" that is being raised right now and kids need to learn from get go that you can't win every time.

This. And the older kids are, the more the parents become unruly. It's sad.

Rebekah1021

Mominator:

At the start. Around here most organized sports teams start at 4-5 years old. I certainly understand the need to take the time to learn the sport and focus on the rules, but I also think that at the same time you need to teach the ideas of winners and losers, those things aren't mutually exclusive. I hate this "trophy generation" that is being raised right now and kids need to learn from get go that you can't win every time.

Totally agree. 

o2bme

Mominator:

At the start. Around here most organized sports teams start at 4-5 years old. I certainly understand the need to take the time to learn the sport and focus on the rules, but I also think that at the same time you need to teach the ideas of winners and losers, those things aren't mutually exclusive. I hate this "trophy generation" that is being raised right now and kids need to learn from get go that you can't win every time.

I totally agree!  I also don't think every kid should make the team. 

AggieCouple

o2bme:

Mominator:

At the start. Around here most organized sports teams start at 4-5 years old. I certainly understand the need to take the time to learn the sport and focus on the rules, but I also think that at the same time you need to teach the ideas of winners and losers, those things aren't mutually exclusive. I hate this "trophy generation" that is being raised right now and kids need to learn from get go that you can't win every time.

I totally agree!  I also don't think every kid should make the team. 

I agree on the scoring, but not every kid should make the team?  Um, no.  Losing is one thing, rejection is another. 

ghm

I think they should from the beginning. I can tell you that any of the players that are "into" the game notice when their team makes an out. Ethan's league had everyone score and no one got out. I found it annoying, honestly. We play baseball at home every day that we can get outside. He gets out, he scores, we get out, we score. I don't feel the need to shelter him from the fact that he won't always win. 

In the 6 year old league I think they have outs and runs. I hope so. Honestly, my kid was there to play ball. There were probably 5 other kids on his team that were there to play ball. The rest were there for the social aspect of it. I noticed the same on other teams. Maybe they should have a league where they play by the rules and one where they're just learning? IDK. It WAS annoying for my  kid and these others that already knew the game, honestly.

 The "everyone's a winner" concept annoys me, and not just in baseball. There are things my kid wouldn't be good at. I would let him try, but wouldn't feel bad if he tried and realized that he stinks and should choose another sport. 

Of course, many kids who "stink" in 5 year old tball could go on to be good once they know the game. I'm honestly shocked at the amount of kids who knew nothing about baseball, though.