Saratoga News Commentary New playfields are needed 'for the kids' By Larry Fine and Mark Linsky As two of the many volunteers in AYSO, dedicated to youth development through soccer, we would like to correct some of the statements in the commentary by Nick and Karen Seroff in the Dec. 16 issue of the Saratoga News. Although we are sure that the Seroffs stated what they believe to be facts, several of their statements need to be corrected and clarified. In addition, we would like to provide some additional thoughts for people to consider with respect to this difficult question regarding where to put additional soccer fields (also referred to as flat grass). As longtime Saratoga residents and AYSO volunteers, as well as parents, we have come to appreciate the value of an organization primarily committed to youth development and secondarily to sports. AYSO provides an opportunity for all children to participate in a positive, team-oriented activity with an equal chance. No one is excluded independent of skill, size or financial situation. Although Saratoga does not yet have a program for children with special needs, the three local AYSO regions are getting together to build such a program, referred to as a VIP Program. Saratoga AYSO is part of a national organization in all 50 states with more than one million children run by volunteers except for a few paid employees at the national headquarters. The previous comments are important to help people understand why it is impossible for any AYSO region to implement limited restrictions or fee differentials. It is against the core values and philosophies of the organization to prevent any family from having their children play wherever they choose. Two of the key tenets of AYSO are "Everyone Plays" and "Open Registration." National AYSO rules do not allow different fees or limited registrations based on address; therefore we could not have an AYSO organization with either of these differences. With regard to the Seroff's statement about "a significant number of players who live as distant as Fremont or Scotts Valley," our database only has one family (out of 719) with two children (out of 1,190) from these two cities, and this family has volunteered many unselfish hours in coaching and refereeing. Less than 6 percent of our players do not live in Saratoga, Los Gatos or Monte Sereno. As for concerns over traffic and noise, soccer games are limited to only 10 Saturdays and two Sundays in the fall. A spring program would have similar limited schedules. Although the fields would be used for practice, this would be similar to the current situation at Argonaut Elementary School, which has not been a problem. The concern about combining school fields and parks for youth sports should not be an issue with so many successful examples in neighboring cities. With respect to noise, we are troubled by those who would rather hear freeway sounds than enjoy the cheers of families and kids having fun, while learning. The Saratoga community owes its children opportunities to grow and develop. AYSO in Saratoga and around the United States has had years of experience and demonstrated success in providing this. As long as the adults quarrel over where to put the fields, our children become the losers. Many Saratoga parents have volunteered countless valuable hours to the development of plans to meet the needs of the community and the children. The development plans presented at the Blue Hills meeting are not for AYSO, nor are the fields for any business or adults or outside interests, but rather for our children. In fact, more fields will mean more work for youth sports groups and the need for more volunteers. But you know what? It is worth the effort, so that we do not have to tell some children that they could not be on a team because Saratoga did not want to hear them having fun playing soccer on a Saturday afternoon. As we say in AYSO, "It's for the Kids." Larry Fine is the regional commissioner for the Saratoga AYSO; Mark Linsky is the assistant commissioner. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, January 6, 1999. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.