Day Camp took boys to a baseball game

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 3:14 pm

DrMom wrote:

I guess I don't see how this is different from many other camp trips (amusement parks, etc.).

And who cares if the players are not Jewish? Ballgames at minor league parks are usually clean wholesome fun. My goodness.

Jewish matters only insofar that the event is a "frum" event. No, it doesn't matter if they are a bunch of secular Jewish players.
I have a problem with the wider idea of idolizing celebrity players, who are, or should not be, role models.
Yes, a bunch of gentile men running around paying a game is not something I'm going to encourage my kids to be worshipping. But that often happens, it's part of the territory.
But that is my opinion. Feel free to disagree.

amother

↑ Amaranthus

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 8:23 pm

amother OP wrote:

Just don't see the value in sitting on bleachers, watching others play, and developing an interest in following professional sports.

Value? Def not.

Not much value in trampoline jumping, amusement parks etc either.

I live in Lakewood, we don’t own a TV or a tablet for watching, and when my boys were in elementary school they def followed professional sports- on the radio, by reading stats, and baseball cards. I grew up with my brothers doing this as well. Would I much rather them follow gedolim or say tehilim, sure. But it’s normal and “kosher” compared to playing video games or other questionable entertainment.

Once they hit mesivta it was a non-issue as they cracked down and got serious in their learning.

But no harm was done by following professional sports as kids. My brothers are all grown bnei torah and no harm was done either.

There was very concerning things we have to worry about today, like unfiltered internet and many things associated with it.

I hear why someone would be concerned with the morals and role model aspect but they are not following their personal lives they are watching them play ball.

amother

DarkPurple

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 9:18 pm

amother OP wrote:

I'm all for boys playing sports. I'm not so into following professional sports and sports players.
Talking about rabbonim of yesterday, I recall reading a piece by (I think) Rabbi Emmanuel Feldman. He is elderly and living out of the States for many years now.
If I recall correctly, he made a kiddush one year because he described how someone told him that the Yankees (or whatever team he had always rooted for) had won the World series.
He said it was the first time he didn't feel a sense of happiness that his team won. He finally felt that he broke loose from the obsession of it.

I agree that rabbonim of yesteryear (and of today) talk about their childhood interest in sports, but I don't think any of them promote it as being 100%consistent with living a Torahdig lifestyle. It's considered a concession, something we need to allow them , since boys need outlets.
Again, I'm 100% for kids playing sports, getting excercize, athletic skill, etc. Just don't see the value in sitting on bleachers, watching others play, and developing an interest in following professional sports.

So should we not let girls go shopping because some become obsessed with that?

Also, I never heard of completely avoiding any area with non Jews. I see plenty of very frum looking Jews at parks, zoos, museums, aquariums, malls, outdoor attractions, Florida.

amother

↑ OP

Wed, Aug 28 2024, 12:08 am

amother DarkPurple wrote:

Shoping for clothes is a need, last I checked. Clothes shopping for fun (windows shopping) is not my idea of the best way for a girl to spend time, but, sure , we can find worse things than that.

As an aside, many gedolim felt that going to the zoo is very educational and would go on chol Hamoed. It is filled with see niflaos Haborei.
I would say the same for many outdoor attractions and parks (Niagara falls, grand canyon, botanical gardens. ) I consider any of those wholesome activities for kids and adults.

It's different going to an attraction that happens to have non jews there, to going to an event hosted by non jews to watch non jews engage in a sport. If you can't see the difference, I can't explain it any better.

And what does Florida have too do with anything?

amother

Iris

Wed, Sep 18 2024, 12:16 pm

amother OP wrote:

I heard about it today.
I just wonder if this is a thing in other camps.
This is supposedly a regular yeshivish (out of town) camp.
I know many yeshivish people take their kids to baseball games. It happens to be that it's not something that my family is into. We don't have a TV and we don't follow sports.

But I think what's bothering me is not so much the appropriateness of it (I have never been to one, but I am just assuming that its a pretty kosher activity.)

Rather, I'm bothered by the idea of taking my kids to a spectator sport. I pay the camp to keep my kid entertained in a wholesome way. Let them take the kids to a field to play baseball or volleyball. Let them take them to an interactive museum. Even boating or horseback riding.

But what's the point in having them sit on bleachers and watch a bunch of adult gentiles playing a game? Why should they sit and cheer for a team that has nothing to do with them, along with random strangers screaming their heads off? If a parent wants to take his kids, fine. But why does a camp think this is a good way to entertain the kids? I would be just as annoyed if they plunked my kids in front a screen and had them watch cartoons.

I asked my boys if they had fun. They both said they were bored the whole time. My little one doesn't understand the rules of the game. (He is 7.)

I'm just wondering what others think. Am I making a big deal out of nothing?
Is this something that is done in other camps?

Yes, it's definitely a thing that's done in other yeshivish out of town camps. Do they not have leagues at their camp? I'm surprised because usually in camp they play a ton of sports, so they would know the rules of the game, even if they don't play much at home. Obviously to you it's not interesting, you've never even been to a baseball game, and I mean, you're not a little boy.
I guess I'm just surprised about your reaction as a mom of 4 boys myself... My boys are super sporty, and going to a ball game is nothing like watching on a screen. They cheer together, root for their favorite players, get food from the kosher stand, they love it and it's an awesome bonding experience for them and their friends. Sounds like your kids aren't into sports, and this specific trip wasn't something they were interested in.