Why there should be baseball and softball for middle school in the Seattle public school’s district.
By Otto Berninger
My first reason why I think baseball and softball should be included in middle school is that baseball and softball promote physical activity, which is essential for combating rising rates of childhood exercise and better lifestyles. These sports build strength, hand-eye coordination, and endurance. They also help students develop discipline, focus, and stress-relief skills, which can support mental health during the often-challenging middle school years.
I have seen lots of schools with baseball teams in middle school like U-prep and I think it’s a great idea so when you’re in high school you can kind of get the feel of school baseball so you don’t get humbled your freshman year plus the sports we have right now are great like soccer, basketball, track and ultimate Frisby but I feel like they need a new sport, a sport where lots of people play but don’t get the chance to because once you get done with little league you can’t play baseball if you’re not on a select baseball team until high school and some kids not want to play or they can’t play select because it can be really expensive and can be really hard to make some teams.
Seattle has a huge baseball history with teams like the Mariners and a culture of youth sports. Introducing baseball and softball at the middle school level can help continue that legacy by making it interesting in young athletes and developing young talent within the city. These programs can serve as a line for future high school and even produce better athletes, keeping local sports vibrant and competitive.
Baseball and softball are also great ways to learn important life skills like teamwork, communication, and discipline. In these sports, they work together with our teammates to win the game. This teaches us how to cooperate and be leaders, which are skills we need both in school and in life. Sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose, but learning how to deal with both is an important lesson. Sports help us get better at dealing with challenges and staying positive, no matter what happens.
Baseball and softball are accessible sports for a wide range of skill levels. They provide opportunities for students who may not participate in other, more intense sports like basketball or track. These team-based games help students build communication skills, trust, and cooperation. Players learn how to support each other, deal with wins and losses, and grow through practice and feedback. Plus, students involved in sports are more likely to feel connected to their schools. Studies show that student/athletes often have higher attendance rates and better performance in school.
Having baseball and softball teams in middle school would give more students a chance to stay active and have fun. These sports help kids stay healthy, learn teamwork, and build confidence. They also give students something to look forward to after school and keep them involved in positive activities. Being part of a school team builds a sense of pride and belonging. Baseball and softball can help students stay motivated and engaged, especially during the transitional middle school years when dropout risks start to increase.
Baseball and softball are more than just games they’re platforms for physical health, teamwork, academic engagement, and equity. By adding these sports to its middle school offerings, Seattle Public Schools can foster a more inclusive, healthy, and connected student community and some schools before covid had baseball programs.
I interviewed some people in the seventh grade about it and if they would try out for the team and there were lots of positive results. Like for example around 65 percent of the grade would tryout what means we would have enough people for the teams and there wont be to many people.
