There were wonderful stories all across the country on fields and in gymnasiums involving kids playing youth sports. Here are my favorites, in no particular order, that I experienced firsthand as a coach, announcer, writer, parent, or just being a fan.  

A second-grader went through a period of separation anxiety from his mother during the first few flag football practices, but eventually found comfort on the field surrounded by teammates he first and foremost called friends.

A fourth-grader decided to give tackle football a try. Ten games later, his first interception in the final game of the season hooked this kid for life.

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A father consoled his young son instead of scolding him when he didn’t want to go out onto the field for the start of the game. It turns out the boy’s entire after-school routine — and therefore pregame routine — was thrown off when he fell asleep on the couch. We often forget kids need and like routine, and like adults, often react negatively when they are thrown off it.

That same father stepped up a season later when it was clear the head coach was not going to follow through on his commitment. This dad never became the official head coach, nor did he seek any praise, but it’s safe to say without him, our season wouldn’t have been nearly as successful. I saw a lacrosse mom do the same exact thing.

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A grandmother who never missed one of her grandson’s games was a great story to watch unfold. But what made it an even better story was her husband, who hung out at the adjacent playground so the other grandchildren could enjoy the game-day experience, too.

A 5-year-old’s flag football season started, and he wanted nothing to do with being on the field. But he eventually agreed to play as long as his father was at his side coaching on the field. In the last game of the season, the boy pulled a flag with his dad cheering from the sideline.

A 7-year-old was told by a referee early in the season that spiking the ball after a touchdown was not appropriate, regardless of how often he sees it happen on TV. The boy heard the message, and more importantly, understood. It made this father proud.

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A referee in our team’s first flag football game of the season took the time after each penalty flag – thrown mainly for flag-guarding and illegal spinning – to explain why he threw it and how to keep it from happening again. My new players (and their rookie parents) learned more in that one game than they did the entire season in terms of game situation rules.

A third-grader played his first organized youth sport and had a great time. His successful and enjoyable experience built self-esteem and confidence, and not just on the gridiron.

No matter the age of the player, the sport, or the league — here’s to more great stories in 2018.

Happy New Year!

Jon Buzby has been involved in and writing about youth sports for the past 30 years, originally as a coach and board member with his now-adult son and most recently "just as a dad" with his 8- and 10-year-old sons. Jon is an award-winning writer and his latest book, “Coaching Kids Made Easier,” is available on Amazon. Send comments or future blog topics you'd like to see to JonBuzby@hotmail.com and follow him @YouthSportsBuzz on Twitter.