Ordering trophies and trying to figure out what to say to each kid at end of year is hard. But I am going to grab the kids that want to be there and form a group to play in a different league next year — not travel/tournament — but actually aiming to play hard.

Nearly all rec league teams, even at much higher age levels will have a few “don’t wanna be there” “don’t listen” or often behavioral/medical/special needs kids. Aim for fun/effort/self-improvement. You can’t change everybody and you get the players you get — making it about winning and competing is incompatible with YMCA or similar leagues that emphasise equal playing time.

But it’s a challenge when you have kids that “get it” and want to play hard improve and win, but others who don’t get it, don’t care, don’t put forth effort.