Lacrosse appealing to baseball players

The Feb. 14 article entitled "Has video killed the baseball star?" misses one important factor contributing to the severe decline in youth baseball and softball participation - the sport of lacrosse.

Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports played by youth in the U.S. (as well as high school, college, and postgraduate athletes). Since its primary season is the spring, from February/March through Memorial Day, and then throughout the summer, lacrosse is definitely taking players in quantity away from baseball and softball.

As a longtime youth lacrosse coach, I can certainly attest to the looks of interest and often longing from youth baseball players who see lacrosse being played. The speed, athletic ability, and stick skills needed to excel in lacrosse contrast sharply with the relatively slow pace and speed of baseball.

It's no wonder that youth lacrosse is draining baseball and softball fields of players around the area and the country.

Matt Brown

Naperville