As July catapults along at an amazing speed towards the fast-approaching month of August, there are perhaps at least two things that have been topics of conversation in area households; “I’m bored, there’s nothing to do” and “when are we going shopping for school clothes?”

Regarding the latter, retailers have been more than ready, especially since in-person school days require a more extensive wardrobe than virtual learning. But the “I’m bored” thing can only be the result of an inactive mind or body. Since my retirement from the active workforce, there have been some days that have resulted in little to do, but if you are a youngster with even the slightest interest in sports, the conversation topic may be “there are too many conflicts.” 

Just look around at the myriad of athletic activities and sports camps that are available for local participation. There are summer camps and leagues for baseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer, wrestling, tennis, and disciplines for golf, specialized track & field activities, swimming, and fishing. This list doesn’t even include summer reading, music, theatre, Junior Achievement, and scouting programs.

It has been said “more is not always better,” but when it comes to young budding athletes, the specialization in one sport or activity over all others conjures up another old saying: “don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

In an article penned by Michael Pollick, he stated, “When it comes to metaphorical egg transportation, it is indeed advisable not to put all your eggs in one basket. For one thing, you may only have a finite amount of ‘eggs’ to lose, and that ‘basket’ may not be the sturdiest or most stable in the wagon. The expression means not to risk losing everything by pinning all of your hopes or future goals on one and only one option.”

What’s the point? Let’s examine.

Realization — not many of those “star athletes” on the youth playing fields will be attaining college scholarships or signing lucrative professional contracts. We have been fortunate to witness many wonderful athletic achievements and performances by local athletes over the years. Still, even the greatness exhibited by the likes of Mike Mussina, Gary Brown, Alize Johnson, Kelly Mazzante, Tom O’Malley, and a handful of others who have been able to rise to the top of their professions was achieved while also taking part in other sports along the way. 

During the past several months, there have been those announcements of high school athletes that have signed letters of intent to continue their various sports careers at the collegiate level. Most have been at the Division II & III levels, which are wonderful achievements and opportunities but don’t include full-ride scholarships or six-figure contracts perhaps dreamed about at youthful ages.

There are certainly exceptions to every rule, including “putting all your eggs in one basket.” There are young athletes out there so driven and proficient in one sport that it would be counter-productive to try other sports just for the sake of doing so. But high school coaches who college recruiters have contacted often mention one of the first things asked about is how many sports does the athlete play? The skill versatility gained by playing multiple sports is indeed a looked-for asset. 

As a long-suffering fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, I’ve gained familiarity with the story of Pirates’ left-handed relief pitcher Sam Howard. As a youngster, he grew up in Cartersville, GA, a 19,000-population suburb of Atlanta, and tried his hand at several sports, baseball included. But he was small for his size and often was physically overmatched. He did excel at running and decided he would give up other sports to concentrate on track, rationalizing that was his ticket to a college scholarship.

As he was about to enter his sophomore year, the baseball coach encouraged him to attend a showcase tournament. Howard declined, telling the coach that he was going to give up baseball and devote his efforts towards track. The coach was persistent, telling Howard he believed in his left arm, finally persuading him to attend the event.

That coach’s persistence paid off for Howard. Physically, a late developer, Howard grew to 6’4, 195 pounds and attracting the attention of both professional and collegiate scouts. Today, as a member of the Pirates bullpen, the hard-throwing lefty has gained the fame and fortune he may have never known had he given up baseball to concentrate on track.

Recently, I learned of the tale of a promising freshman athlete skilled in both football and basketball. An opportunity arose for him to participate in a summer basketball program requiring but a few hours of time each week. He expressed eagerness to take part but soon declined. His explanation stated that it was now football season, and if he got hurt playing basketball, the football coach would throw a fit. 

The sports programs of the high schools in our area need the participation of multi-sport athletes to be successful. The star in one sport can be a contributing factor in another. They will also gain the benefits each sport offers and may actually discover that the joy and diversity of doing something different enhances their athletic career.

Being active reduces boredom. The opportunities are many. Jump in; the water’s fine.