A new book by veteran journalist Ken Paul Mink provides a broad look at children's involvement in youth sports, including the problems of sports-related travel, parental rage, violence at sports events, and insights into youth strength programs, drug use, pushy parents and sports camps.

The book relies on the author's own expertise and information and advice from dozens of coaches, trainers, doctors, psychologists, sociologists, players, recreational program directors, journalists and others.

"This book is the result of more than 10 years of research on this topic," said Mink, who worked as a newspaper writer/editor for 38 years and now edits an Internet travel magazine (www.travellingadventurer.com).

Mink, a Vicco, Ky., native who played high school, college and semipro basketball and served as a high school basketball referee in three states, says his book is designed to "help hundreds of thousands of parents avoid the kinds of mistakes that have caused untold physical and mental suffering so common for parents and children in youth sports programs all across America."

The book, entitled, "So, You Want Your Kid to be a Sports Superstar," is published through Trafford Publishing of the U. S., Canada, Britain, Ireland and Spain. The book is subtitled: "Coaches, Trainers, Doctors, Psychologists, Others Explain How Parents Can Help Boys/Girls Become Better Athletes."

Chapters include: 1. How Early Should Kids Start? 2. Don't Hamper Your Kid: Make Sports Fun, Not Work. 3. Deciding Which Sports Your Child Should Play. 4. Dealing With Sports and Violence. 5. Coaching Your Own Child: Pros and Cons. 6. Playing Time: An Issue of Fairness. 7. Summer Sports Camps: Pros and Cons. 8. How Much Time and Money (to spend on youth sports). 9. Learning to Deal With Injuries. 10. Providing Positive Feedback. 11. Strength Training: Right or Not? 12. Which Sports For Girls? 13. Nutrition and Drugs. 14. Getting An Athletic Scholarship.

"There has been an amazing number of parents in recent years starting their kids off in sports barely past their infancy," said Mink. "Millions of such parents see the gold and glory being received by today's athletes and push their kids to achieve these goals. Many also are hoping their child can win a college athletic scholarship, saving them, in some cases, well over $100,000 in costs."

Mink, who now lives in Knoxville, Tn., reports in his book how many thousands of young children have suffered physical and psychological damage because of overzealous and uninformed parents, with serious long-lasting rifts in family relationships often resulting.

"Far too many well-meaning parents push their children into situations which can cause lifelong heartaches for the entire family," says Mink. "I was a parent who had several children involved in youth sports and I made my share of mistakes. As a young parent I wish I had been able to have the benefit of the information I have compiled for this book. I think this book would make a great gift for the parents of young athletic children."

The book is available in softcover for $14.95 through Trafford Publishing, 6E-2333 Government St., Victoria, BC Canada, V8T 4P4 CANADA or through the book's website at www.trafford.com/robots/04-1047.html.
The book is also available at a discount rate of $12.95 through the author at Mink Media, 1608 Winding Ridge Trail, Knoxville, Tn., 37922 (or the author via e-mail at [email protected]). The book can also be purchased through the Internet at most major book publishing sites.

This story was published on 10 Sep 2004.