The Charitable Side of Sports

The glories on the field or court usually receive far more attention than those away from the playing action. Sports journalists don’t often write about offseason workouts. Fans don’t pay big bucks to watch a player visit kids in a hospital. However, activities outside of competition often hold more significance than anything done on game day.

For many years, responsible and thoughtful athletes have used their stature, connections and financial flexibility to try to make the world a better place. Not all young athletes who watch their idols on TV immediately recognize this very important aspect of the world of sports. However, coaches can explain the philanthropic role of athletes through talks at practice or with sports software.

A sports team website can be used as a hub for both practice tips and morals. Coaches can list examples of charitable efforts by professional athletes to further encourage their own players to follow the lead. When properly handled, sports can teach youngsters about teamwork and selflessness.

Yankee legends support earthquake and tsunami victims

Former Yankee greats Hideki Matsui and Derek Jeter will hold a charity event in Tokyo to aid children who were affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, The Associated Press reported.

The event will involve more than 600 participants who will participate in a baseball clinic with Matsui, Jeter and local players. It will also include a home run derby between the two former MLB stars.

“[Derek] will make an enormous contribution to this event,” Matsui told the news source. “He is a tremendous human being and was a great teammate and I’m sure the kids will be thrilled to see someone of his stature.”

Former baseball rivals become close friends

Not long ago, Austin Biggar, a junior catcher for Parkview High School just outside of Atlanta, hardly knew Gino Vizzi, an infielder for nearby Mill Creek High School. However, when Biggar learned about Vizzi’s daily struggle with a rare type of cancer known as chronic myelogenous leukemia, things quickly changed, according to Gwinnett Prep Sports.

Shortly after the discovery, Biggar began raising funds for Vizzi’s cause. Their friendship quickly followed.

“It’s awesome,” Vizzi told the news source. “To be going to different schools and usually being rivals [on the field] and for him to do this, it just shows what kind of person he is. I’m just blessed to have him be a part of it.”

Sports are often marked by personal gains. However, through the examples set by Matsui, Jeter, Biggar, Vizzi and a host of other charitable athletes, young players may learn that sports can also teach us about selflessness.