NYS Youth Sports

My son played sports with NYS for many years and we hated the league. Unfortunately, there aren't a lof of other choices. Also, if you live in the outskirts of town you may have to drive quite a distance to go to games. Other than that, if you're just interested in an informal, noncompetitive type of league then NYS will probably work for you.

We have gone through NYS a few times. I would suggest not doing any summer sports very few people sign up because it is so hot. All of the activities are outdoors. We had an ok time doing T-ball in the fall. You should be advised that NYS doesn't do much they leave most of the work up to the parents and they charge for every little thing. Pictures, trophy, names on the uniforms, ect.

We have been going through parks and rec. it costs a lot less and my boys have had even more fun.

Good luck!

Have to agree on this one, I would NOT recommend NYS. We are currently in the league with my oldest daughter for soccer, and we are VERY unhappy with them. There are tons of things we found out after registration that were not posted on their website or fliers.
We spent ALOT of money for registration, and that did not even include the uniform!!
The leagues are co-ed, so playing with other 9 year old boys is alot different than playing with other 9 year old girls. All the teams we are playing are predominantly all boys, so its a huge disadvantage and a disappointment for the girls.
You are not able to get a refund either.
I would definitely check into sports and recreation activities through your city. They offer great in season sports as well.
I know as far as soccer goes, we are sticking with AYSO.
plAYSOccer!!!

Flyerg, you know you're asking when you say, "all opinions and insights are appreciated".

When you're checking out a league (I can't remember just how old your daughter is, but I'm thinking she's young elementary?):

Let's say softball -- for no other reason than I like softball, I started playing softball at age 7, and it's something people can play for the rest of their lives.

Is there an emphasis on the fundamentals? Are the kids taught to: catch a fly ball with two hands, charge a rolling ball, set themselves in front of a ground ball, slide safely, bunt, swing away, hit a grounder, etc.? Or do the kids who already know these things the only ones who play the whole game while the kids who don't hang out in right field for an inning or two?

Before the first game, has everybody been assigned a position for the season? That shouldn't happen until at least mid-school. I happen to have very poor depth perception, which makes me a lousy outfielder. I have bad knees, which makes me a poor candidate for catcher. I'm mentally tough, but not really mentally tough enough to play 3rd or short. However, 1st, 2nd and (slow pitch) pitch -- I rock. How would I have ever had these deep insights (he-he) into my physical strengths and weaknesses if I had been the one standing bored in right field season after season?

Does each team get the basic equipment that it needs? After you pay the registration fee, all you should have to buy is cleats, socks, and a glove. Dressing 8 year-olds out like major league players is just silly; we played in shorts and T-shirts with our sponsor's name on the back. But, if the league wants kids in full uniform, to quote my elementary school principal, a kid with $5 to her name should look exactly like a kid with $500 in her piggy bank. Uniforms can be passed along from season to season.

The equipment bag should have at least 6-12 bats of different weights, a dozen practice balls, a brand new game ball for every game, a catcher's mitt, a first base glove, a spare glove (for the kid who forgot hers), a catcher's facemask, chest-protector, and leg-guards, an assortment of different-sized batting helmuts, and a basic first aid kit.

Does the league keep score, limit each inning to three outs per side, and keep tracks of balls and strikes? That should happen once the kids are past the first grade. The kids need to learn, win or lose, to do the lineup after the game and tell each of the other team's members "good game" as they slap their hands, and do a cheer for the other team at the end. Losing doesn't do irreparable harm to young psyches.

Does the league have a strict policy on spectator (including parent and grandparent) behavior? There should be no coaching, criticism, or second-guessing official's calls from the bleachers.

As I'm typing all this, I'm thinking three things.

First, yup, it's hot here in the summer; in my hometown, it gets to be below 0 in the winter and above 105 in the summer, and we still played ball.

Second, how sad is it that I think that, for some people, what I've just said would be new information? Maybe I need to re-up on my faith-in-others lessons.

But, third, and I think most important, I think we ought to talk AZ Moms into sponsoring a slow-pitch softball team, starring us. We could wear our screen names across the backs of our shirts, and we could get sponsors to pledge according to our accomplishments (i.e. every fly ball snagged, every double-play turned, every base hit, etc.) The money could go back into sports for kids.

Too big?

Try your city recreation department. Most cities have great programs for your kids, some are even indoors during the summer. For the hot summers I'd try the city swim teams, basketball, volley ball or indoor soccer.

soccermom