Today, we see millions of young people in all types of sports. As the president of Wilson Sporting Goods Company, I see a great opportunity to help our kids. There are so many fantastic lessons they can learn and carry into adulthood. And what a joy they provide to their family members and friends who participate as loyal fans. More kids than ever are engaging in organized sports. But in life and in sports, even with all the great opportunities our kids have, negative influences can creep into the picture. Unfortunately, many parents and coaches damage the youth sports experience. We all know people who are positively motivated but cannot use their good intentions in productive ways. Youth sporting games should be good for kids, but sadly, in many cases we have organized the fun out of organized sports. Something is missing from the equation. Every parent and coach needs a solid resource they can use season after season. It is our job as adults to help each young person grow as they participate in their chosen sporting activity. We should use every tool at our disposal to mold their minds and bodies during the short time the good Lord loans them to us. We must discard our selfish motivations and eliminate our negative personality traits that become obstacles to the kids' overall enjoyment of their games. Many adults have lost true perspective and forgotten the games are for the kids. Parents and coaches desperately need an excellent resource tool that will teach them how to positively help their kids. There is a void of common-sense instruction in today's complex world of youth sports. This book fills the void. It is the missing tool. Am I saying parents and coaches don't have any role in youth sports? Not at all! We have a critical role. Today's organized structure of athletic programs demands our presence and involvement. But our primary responsibility as an adult requires a proper vision. We have it in our power to make youth sports a great experience for everyone. We cannot forget that our true focus must lie with the kids, in the kids, and for the kids. Too many parents today seem to think it's all about adult games that adults are asking their kids to play. Kids want to play their sport and have fun in their sport in their own creative way. My job is to provide you and your young athletes with the best sporting equipment in the world so that each young person can perform to his or her maximum potential. Your job as a parent or coach is to develop the mind and body of every young athlete to help them attain their number one goal-fun. With fun, good things happen. They learn, grow, stay involved, and make lifelong commitments to positive physical activity. Together, we can meet these awesome challenges. The book in your hands will help you do your part. There are many books on the market that attempt to help adults as they work with kids. I've read a lot of them, but they focus on the physical and technical aspects of a single sport. Some may devote a few limited chapters to helping young people from the inside out, but none are as excellent as this book. They all miss the bull's-eye. The following pages will take you on a wonderful journey into the world of youth sports. As a parent or coach, novice or veteran, you will gain tremendous insights so that you can positively influence all young athletes. You will be instrumental in helping kids develop critical traits such as: positive internal motivation, positive mental control, an attitude as a winner in life, the ability to persevere, how to be a good winner and loser, and how to perform at their physical and mental peak. And through it all, you'll help them have fun. You will also develop a sense of your own involvement and responsibility as an adult interacting with young people. There is not a better book on the market. You all dedicate a lot of time and money on athletic gear, fees, travel, uniforms, and other sports costs. The small investment you make in this book will reap tremendous lifelong dividends for you and for your kids.

Please enjoy and implement the things you are about to discover.

Thank you.

- Jim Baugh, President
Wilson Sporting Goods Company