http://www.rctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070530/MTCN0605/305300001/1326/MTCN0305 Yes even, rural America is seeing a decline in the number of youth baseball players. Fairview, Tennessee has tripled in population over the last 17 years while the number of baseball players has dropped so dramatically that they are practically begging kids to play, just so that they can field a team.
The impact of this steady decline in ball players in rural america is, and will continue, having a far reaching effect. The decline in players means that there is a decline in spectators, which results in fewer concession sales. You might say, "Who cares if all these people eat junk food? American's are (getting) fat anyway." But concession stand sales are often used to fund ongoing youth sports programs.
High school baseball coaches are realizing that the decline in youth players means a smaller pool of players for the high school teams. Consequently, those high schools may realize fewer opportunities to compete at high levels and attain district or state championships.
Lack of high school baseball players also means fewer baseball scholarship opportunities and potentially fewer kids going to college because of that. Sure, that last part might seem like a stretch, but state High School Athletic Commissions need to take notice now. Many HSA Commissions do not allow High Schools to participate or assist in youth sports programs because it may violate some form of recruiting rule. If you are concerned you need to seek out and contact your State Athletic Commission and encourage them to change these rules. The growth of youth sports and high school sports may very well (at least in part) depend on the participation of high schools in youth sports. This participation would take the form of sports camps and coaching by both High School coaches and players.
Can we blame all of this on other sports, local political issues, video games, society in general, etc? Most likely it is a combination of all of these issues, but none the less it is a problem that exists and needs to be resolved for the future of our youth.
