A youth sports oversight commitee???

They can have my whistle the day that passes

this is what americans want. In a recent fox news poll 68% of americans believe the government should give them food, 66% take care of their health care needs, 51% give them a house, 51% said the government shoudl give them a job.

why should youth sports be any different. We have a growing population in America who believes the government should take care of them and level the playing field.

I took the liberty of posting it here.

By Kara Yates and Robyn Sidersky
CNN

(CNN) -- An overcompetitive parent gets into an argument with a stubborn coach because he thinks his child isn't getting enough playing time -- it's a familiar scene on youth sports fields across America.


One critic of the Rhode Island plan said giving parents a outlet for petty complaints "opens up a can of worms."

Now, a Rhode Island senator wants the state to step in and create a formal outlet for the "concerns and objections" some parents have.

Democratic Sen. John Tassoni Jr. introduced a bill that would create a youth sports oversight council on the state level. The council would act as mediator in disputes between parents of youth athletes and sports officials.

In answer to critics, Tassoni said Friday that the notion the bill would mean "big brother" could begin to oversee youth sports is a misconception.

The bill cites the need for a third party to step in at times, stating that "parents lack a proper outlet to share concerns and objections about youth sports."

But the parents are the biggest problem, said Matt Rodrigues, general manager and owner of Teamworks youth sports program in Warwick, Rhode Island.

"They are crazy, especially in Rhode Island. The kids on the court are scared because the parents are yelling and screaming," Rodrigues said.

But the answer, he said, is not to create a council that "makes decisions we can deal with ourselves."

A similar council exists in Waterford, Connecticut -- run by the town, not the state.

"It kind of surprises me that [Rhode Island would] do it on such a large level like that," said Bruce Miller, president of the Waterford Youth Sports Council.

Waterford's council is made up of representatives from the town's 11 sports leagues.

Tassoni's bill states that at least four of the members of the state council would be regional youth sports representatives.

He said the council is needed because right now there is no place to go to resolve disputes.

"There's no place right now to bring a case forward and have a third party take a look at it," he said.

Under the bill, Republican Gov. Donald Carcieri would appoint seven volunteers -- approved by the state Senate and House -- to sit on a panel called the Rhode Island Youth Sports Oversight Council.

Tassoni said the seven-member council wouldn't be made up of politicians, but ex-coaches, ex-officials and ex-athletic directors.

Some adults involved in youth sports aren't happy about it.

One blogger posted concerns on the Web site of a Rhode Island newspaper, the Providence Journal.

"Hey Tassoni: What do you do, [lie] in bed and think to yourself -- 'what haven't me and my cronies either screwed up, bankrupted or embarrassed yet? Hmmmm ... haven't touched Little League yet.' Do me a favor -- and I ask this as a coach and a parent -- stay the hell away from my field!!!!" wrote the blogger.

Others think the government should "concentrate on the state."

Rodrigues of the Teamworks program said giving parents a place to do petty complaining only "opens up a can of worms."

He said the council just "sounds like another way to take power away from our programs -- they have enough [power]."

The governor has not taken a position on the legislation and will not until he reviews the bill, press secretary Amy Kempe said Friday. She added, however, that "there appears to be some vague language and constitutional issues."

The bill states that the volunteers on the council would be expected to "provide oversight and mediation" to youth sports programs in the state, as well as develop and adopt a process to review and address complaints.

In addition, the council would have the authority to establish and collect fines. But the bill does not go into detail about how to implement the reviewing and fining processes.

The bill, with some revisions, is scheduled to be heard by the state Senate on Wednesday. Tassoni hopes to have the council in place by June or July.

You are exactly right. We spent years fighting a cold war, only to start moving towards a socialist state.

This seems like it will increase the number of complaints made

Here is my vote for a volunteer to sit on the panel called the Rhode Island youth sports oversight council.




Maybe he can help adults, to stop behaving like children.

You coaches are all over this one. I am surprised. All my liberal friends think I am crazy for criticizing the socialist policies of this president. I may find more support here!!! Love the Reagan quote and is pussification a word? I will look that up on Wikapedia. Remember, coming soon, no more playing tag at recess and no more keeping score. Excuse me now while I go brush up on my Chinese.