I think to a certain age you need to get as many kids involved as possible and keep it as fun as possible. But I also think that success deserves to be awarded. Maybe give the kids whose team won the championship a slightly bigger trophy or a t-shirt that says Little League Champs, I don't know.

Personally I think competiton is great. If your not competitive it is really really hard to be successful in today's world. Once they get into high school they have to develope this mentality.

Look at the best programs around, GC, Norton, and PV in football, Kelly in baseball, etc. When that team steps off the bus you can see the fire in there eyes. Success breeds success. For the most part it is the same few teams every year at the top of the pack in the lpd and the region in every sport.

But I think the main thing we need to teach the younglin's playing is that there are only two things you can control in sports. Your attitude and your effort.

But like I said once they reach a certain age, they need to develope that winning mentality. Because if they are lucky, it will carry over in there lives long after they have hung there cleats up for the last time.

I have a quote a friend of mine once told me, but I won't post it here due to respect for the kids reading this forum. But here is the link.
http://www.hostboard.com/LDPforum/ubbthr...ge=0#Post202369
It is a little vulgar, but I think it gets the point across.