In doing some preliminary research for my piece on youth sports, I’ve come across two interesting (and hopefully valuable) potential sources. I found an intriguing article on Academic Search Premiere called “Confessions of a baseball mom: the impact of youth sports on parents’ feelings and behaviors” by Nancy E. Peter. In what I’ve read so far, Peter discusses how watching her own son participation in little league sports caused her to experience “disproportionately intense” (a phrase I have been trying to put my finger on since I got the idea for this project) feelings about his performance. She even cites sources that have found an alarming number of parents have verbally or even physically abused their children in response to poor sports performances, something I’ll have to investigate further.
I also found a sports psychologist located in Philadelphia, someone I would love to interview. His name is Dr. Joel H. Fish, and his website says he is a consultant for the major Philadelphia sports teams, including the 76ers and the Flyers. Not only that, his description says he has worked with athletes of all ages and skill levels, so I’m hoping he will be willing and able to share his knowledge of youth sport psychology when I contact him.
Before I do so, I want to finish our selected readings from “Postmodern Interviewing” so I can go into the situation as prepared as possible. I’ll need to absorb all the knowledge the book contains especially for interviewing children and teens so I can build a rapport with not only them, but with their parents and coaches as well. Not as nervous as I was now that I’m formulating a plan, but a LOT still remains to be seen. I’m excited to research further, nonetheless.
waynestainrook 
Hi Wayne, I don’t know if this would help you or not since you have your annotated bib rough draft, but I work writing for ophthalmology and there was a study a couple months ago about basketball being the most dangerous sport for eye injuries (elbows to the eye) causing severe damage.
Hi Wayne,
I also think it’s pretty fascinating, and sometimes alarming, to witness the intensity that some parents bring to the sidelines when they are at their kids games. I, on the other hand, may be the world’s worst soccer mom. I was late to my 9-year old’s game today and missed her scoring two goals because i was home Skyping with her older sister. Lost my chance to make a fool of myself! I think your idea to interview a sports psychologist is a great one, as much from the angle of the parents as that of the student athletes.
Hope it’s all working out!
Carol