Time for Some Sporting Resolutions

As you probably know, today is National Heckwithit Day, when Americans everywhere rid themselves of those silly New Year’s resolutions they swore to way back on Jan. 1.

That’s right. Two pressure-packed days of self-improvement have finally come to an end. Nail-biters can go back to biting. Chocolaholics can go back to Hershey’s syrup, straight up. And procrastinators, well, they can put off the celebration until tomorrow. Bad habits never felt so good.

This isn’t to say all hope is lost. Change for the better is possible; it just can’t be forced. It’s like fruitcake. You don’t force people to eat fruitcake. You just put it within fork’s reach and hope morbid curiosity gets the best of them.

It is with this subtle approach we present our hopes for high school sports in 1993. (Remember, no one’s forcing this on anyone. If you start to feel pressured, lean back, relax and close your eyes until the column ends.)

In no particular order, we suggest:

Giving game officials a break.

I don’t know what it was last year--the recession, the presidential campaigns, the death of Superman--but area basketball fans seemed especially cranky. One man, upset over a game clock’s continual malfunctioning, threw a pencil at the clock-keeper, jabbing him in the back of the neck.

Many coaches say getting on the referees is part of the game. Why? Does hot air make the basketball bounce better, or just make the gym nice and cozy?

Referees should be the symbol of sportsmanship. Maybe this year, more coaches--and fans--can treat them that way.

Giving the public-parochial issue a rest.

Last fall, for the first time, Orange County’s parochial schools made their entrance into public school leagues. Complaints? At the beginning of the fall season, we hardly heard a peep.

But brace yourself. The deluge approaches. Mater Dei, The Greatest Boys’ Basketball Program In The History Of The Universe, is about to begin South Coast League play.

Whether you agree with this public-parochial mix or not, it no longer matters. Like call waiting or that White House cat, it is to be a part of our lives now. Better relax and accept the inevitable. And try to enjoy.

Finding more creative ways to fund high school sports.

No one likes the concept of pay-to-play, especially families whose budgets already are stretched. And waiting for the state to find a way out of its economic nightmare isn’t the answer. Athletic programs, in conjunction with already overworked booster clubs, need to find better ways to become self-sufficient.

Sports memorabilia has become a billion-dollar business, one, perhaps, in which area athletic programs might tap. The county is stocked with stuff worn by athletes now heading to the Big Time. Marina High could auction off Cherokee Parks’ old jersey. El Dorado might offer Phil Nevin’s socks. Maybe Los Alamitos quarterback/surf rat Tim Carey could offer a surfing lesson or two.

Another idea: Suggest private coaches--batting instructors, private strength coaches, nutritionists--make a small donation to the high school athletic programs from which he or she continually profits. OK, I’m dreaming.

Instituting a CIF/Southern Section Open House Day.

Considering the comments we hear from many parents, athletes and coaches, the Southern Section has to be the most misunderstood organization in high school sports. Invite everyone to the Cerritos office for a day. Answer questions, show what goes on. Have Commissioner Stan Thomas pass out punch and cookies.

Maintaining perspective.

I considered scratching this one off my wish list, mostly because the county high school sports scene survived 1992 without a court case.

But then the memories--of coaches going berserk over a bad call, of parents complaining because their kid didn’t get his or her picture in the paper--began to flood in from my subconscious. Forgettable moments, all.

It would be nice to ask every scholarship-obsessed parent and every arrogant coach to think about the other side of sports, if only for a second or two. To consider the third-string kid who never gets any playing time or the disabled athlete who will probably never see the spotlight of his or her varsity-level peers.

It would be nice if every young athlete could remember that a loss isn’t so bad, not compared with other woes in life. It would be nice if everyone took the time to remind themselves that it’s only high school sports.

It’s only a suggestion, remember. Next year, it might be fruitcake.

Barbie Ludovise’s column appears Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Readers may reach Ludovise by writing her at The Times Orange County Edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, 92626 or by calling (714) 966-5847.