Over the weekend, Fairland Little League in Proctorville celebrated its 55th year serving the youth of the community. This milestone, thanks to several people including David Trent, who helped found the league in the late 1950s, was honored with having the field named in his honor.

Pver the years, however, a shift has seemingly happened in youth-related sports.

This change seems to have evolved into something that has been filled with more problems instead of doing what the founders of these youth sports leagues intended: helping our youth.

Simply said, when this happens, the ones who ultimately suffer are the young boys and girls who are there to have fun, learn and be taught life lessons that will be long lasting.

While there are young people who have the wonderful gift of talent and ability, the percentages are not in their favor to become a professional athlete.

While they likely will never be a pro, they will eventually grow up and be the future of our communities.

These are vital years for our youth to teach lessons about hard work, aspiring to be their best and reach their dreams, and working for a goal.

While that end goal is different for each child, if we as parents, coaches, boards and society as a whole continually act in a certain manner, these children will ultimately be a reflection of what they see and hear.

It is time to get back to the main purpose of helping our youth grow into productive adults.