Do you think it’s worth it to play sports in high school?

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I just turned 16 and I play varsity baseball for my school. I like playing, but sometimes it feels like a waste of time because I don’t have any intentions on playing professionally. I think I’m good enough to make a college team, but I don’t know if I even want to. When did you stop playing competitive sports?

I used to play football and basketball too but I’ve stopped playing for the same reasons. Practices and games take up so much of my time. I want to be able to have a job to pay for things like a car and I want enough time to spend with my girlfriend and my friends. I just don’t know when to call it quits. I’ve played baseball all my life and I know I’ll miss it but I don’t know what I’m playing for anymore.

Comments

  1. Nondescript_585_Guy Avatar

    Depends on the person and their interests. If you genuinely enjoy the sport then I don’t think it’s necessary to have any professional ambitions. There’s also the camaraderie and the friendships you make along the way.

    Personally, sports just weren’t for me. I did one summer of Little League and that was enough.

    Basically, if you think it’s taking up too much of your time to the detriment of things you feel are more important (you mention a job, friends, relationship) or if you just aren’t having fun anymore, then I’d say those are good signs it’s time to hang it up.

  2. ThicccBoiiiG Avatar

    Absolutely it’s worth it. It’s literally always worth it to be physically active. On top of that team sports are good for socializing with your peers.

    People are getting progressively fatter and more out of shape at younger and younger ages. It is infinitely easier to avoid that if you remain physically active your whole life.

  3. Mochinpra Avatar

    I learned golf and played varsity my freshmen year. Sophmore I went to play tennis. Junior and senior year i didnt play tennis competitively and I regret it. I dont think I woulda made anything of myself, but atleast I shoulda tried. Im playing tennis again at 30 and im picking it back up so fast.

  4. Neat_On_The_Rocks Avatar

    If you enjoy it, there are plenty of positive reasons to do high school sports.

  5. AyahaushaAaronRodger Avatar

    If you’re not having fun don’t play. Sports is supposed to be fun

  6. GotWheaten Avatar

    Play if you enjoy it. Quit if you don’t

  7. OldCarWorshipper Avatar

    I was on the swim team for a while. The camraderie was wonderful and the female attention was a huge bonus, but I quickly left the team to focus more on my studies.

  8. Gerrad_99 Avatar

    playing sports builds character and stregthens team building however i understand its not to everyones tastes

  9. Pastagiorgio34 Avatar

    Yes. Builds character, you’re part of a team, which is built in friends and you get physical activity.

  10. carneylansford Avatar

    Assuming you’re a sophomore, you have two years left to play baseball. You have the rest of your life to work and buy things and I’m guessing you’ll still be able to find time for your girlfriend. If you hate it, don’t do it, but I think you’ll be surprised by the memories you’ll be giving up on. It’s not even game-related. It’s riding the bus after a win (or a loss), messing around at practice, getting heckled by the other team’s fans, etc…

  11. LoiteringRambler Avatar

    yes absolutely! you learn to work with others, discipline, fairness and it benefits your health

  12. azuth89 Avatar

    It’s supposed to be for fun, camaraderie and keeping up a physical hobby not purely a pro track. 

    If those aren’t things it’s providing or if you’re getting them elsewhere then sure, quit. 

    If it’s doing those for you then by all means continue and don’t worry about college or pro. Those are not the point.

  13. Sabotaber Avatar

    The point of sports is to make you strong and happy. If you’re letting anything get in the way of that, then you’re doing it wrong. You need to be strong and happy to live a good life.

  14. BobbyThrowaway6969 Avatar

    Do what you love. If you love sports, do it. If you don’t love it, don’t do it. (Other ways to be active)

  15. Responsible-Bid-3820 Avatar

    Yea, go for it man.

  16. Happy_Brain2600 Avatar

    IMO stay away from football. Had a buddy who’s played only 4yrs in high-school. Found out he had stage 3 CTE at 17 (postmortem)

    Got alot of other buddies who have issues with day to say life, activities, interactions because CTE is a bitch and you won’t know till you’re dead or got MONEY.

    I played for 7yrs but the likelihood of injruy without diagnosis ontop of high likelihood of reinjury really ain’t worth it.

  17. paulrudds Avatar

    Yep, teaches you a lot about yourself, gets you out of your comfort zone, and teaches you how to fail at things. You learn how to set goals, become social, and honestly it can set you up for success for college. Especially, if you manage to get a scholarship.

  18. ExplorerNo5774 Avatar

    Yes teaches team work/ goal achieving/ discipline skills.
    And the best.. memories!

  19. endlessincoherence Avatar

    Sort of. I tell all my friends to put their kids in swimming because it’s low impact. The problem is all those miles, concussions and injuries really haunt you when you get into your forties.

  20. DreadfulRauw Avatar

    If you’re over it, you’re over it. Is it going to cost you a scholarship to quit?

    You’re in high school. You’re allowed to explore new things. Sports are great and all, and I wouldn’t recommend quitting if you’re just gonna sit around all day instead, but it’s a good idea to expand your experiences. Maybe find a less time consuming extracurricular.