It may not seem like it, but spring is coming our way, and with it, the vision of kids playing sports outside.

It is in spring and summer when youth sports seem to flower. And the thought of those kids with a ball in a field somewhere, again makes me turn to the issues in sports for young people.

I've coached kids in sports. Boys and girls together, both at recreational and competitive levels. I've had athletes who went on to play in state tournaments and be stars on high school teams. So I know something about sports as fun and sports as competition and achievement.

I think I know what's good and what's bad about kids' sports. And that has taken me to a place that seems to embody all that is wrong with sports for young people today.

I learned about it from a friend who coaches youth sports and feels that "win at all costs" attitude embodies everything that is wrong with youth sports today.

The place is called The Boys of Summer Select Baseball Academy. BOSS Baseball Academy. It's located in Mequon. And their website raises all kinds of questions about the role of sports in the lives of young kids.

In the statement of their philosophy, they say:

"As former athletes we know that winning does not just happen. There is a personal cost associated with winning.

"You cannot just show up and expect to be successful or win. You have to develop the habits and do whatever it takes to be successful -- or win -- first.

"Preparation comes on two levels. First, you need to assemble players with strong core baseball skills and a desire to do what it takes to improve on those skills. Then, the coaches and parents need to create an environment (both in practices and in general team culture) that allows those players to thrive.

"The players want to win. Parents want us to win. Our program wants to win. Our opponents want to win. We as coaches and fathers want to win.

"If we want to win (we being the players, the parents, the coaches, and the program) the collective "we" needs to do what is necessary to create the opportunities to win."

Kind of takes your breath away, huh? These "former athletes," as they call themselves, sound positively dangerous to the mental well being of children.

This kind of philosophy just screams out, calling for some kind of balance. And it raises the question of just what youth sports are supposed to be.

Is it important that kids play to win? Or should they be playing to learn things like teamwork and sportsmanship? Should they be learning skills that can last them a lifetime? Or should they be pushing to become stars?

I have heard arguments on both sides of the question, and I wonder whether it's got to be an either / or answer.

In this day of blue states and red states, it's the red states who argue that kids should learn about winning, should pay the price and understand that winning is what it's all about.

The blue state argument is that winning isn't important. It is only important that you try and that you have fun.

I know that the kids do love to win. That's why they keep score. When kids lose, you can see they are unhappy. So, I do think it's important that kids understand that winning is important and wonderful.

But the question comes, at what price?

The BOSS Web site sounds like a bunch of faded athletes trying to relive their past successes or failures through children. Any organization that says it's okay to "do whatever it takes ..." is an organization I don't think any parent ought to join.

The best thing is for kids themselves to develop a desire to win. It's terrible when the pressure to win comes from adults. That's when kids get hurt the most.

So, as many of you young parents begin to think about sports for your children, please remember a couple of things.

Sports should be fun. Kids should learn that winning is more fun than losing. But they should also learn that there is no shame in losing. And parents ought to find ways to not add pressure to the sports experience for children. Cheer the effort and the successes. But cheer the effort and the losses as well. These are our children we are talking about.