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Sports

Want to Feel a Little Younger? Look at the Drive Involved in North Canton Youth Sports

Long winter and rigors of daily life make us forget to stay kids at heart

I remember restless nights during my grade school years — nights before basketball practice or a basketball game. We practiced before school and played games on Saturday morning. There were lots of enjoyable sports moments growing up.

Life's responsibilities and commitments often keep our minds occupied. We lose sight of the wholesome joy that youth sports brings us. I witnessed several instances around North Canton over the past couple weeks that helped me shake off the long winter doldrums and feel a little younger again.

As I registered in over 120 youth baseball players at the Hoover Baseball Clinic March 13, I witnessed firsthand the eagerness on those players' faces as they filed into the high school gym to get a chance to work with their local hometown high school baseball players.

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I watched a group of lacrosse players last weekend hanging on every word from their coaches at a practice. They were working hard, smiling and living in the moment.

I came home from work one evening last week to find a group of neighborhood kids who play baseball in the North Canton Little League discussing which teams they were drafted by and playfully making early bets on who was going to beat whom this upcoming season.

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The highlight of all the recent experiences was the excitement my 12-year-old son Joey displayed before, during and after our trip last Monday night to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Orlando Magic. He even called me several times on my way home from work to make sure I was coming home to take him to the game.

It didn't matter to Joey that the Cavs are a doormat team in the NBA this season. He was going to a professional basketball game to see the likes of Baron Davis and Dwight Howard. A couple autographs and a hot pretzel and his night was a complete success. He couldn't stop talking on the way home about getting NBA legend Patrick Ewing's autograph before the game.

When you want to slow life down a bit and rekindle the child that resides inside us all, just drive around town and watch a kid playing sports. It will put a hop in your step and a smile on your face.

Extra Innings:  Hoover High School spring sports all get under way this week — lacrosse, tennis, softball, baseball and track. There are a couple home events of note. Boys' varsity lacrosse hosts Lakewood St. Edward Thursday night at 7 p.m. Hoover baseball debuts at renovated and recently named Dick Miller Field at 5 p.m. Friday against Wooster.

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