Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 43: Caught in a Numbers Game

What started as a past time, Judah's coaching journey was filled with enthusiasm, eager to inspire the kids and share his love for the game. Practices were initially filled with laughter, teamwork, and those little moments that reminded him why he got into coaching in the first place. However, things took a turn when he overheard some parents discussing their plans for the upcoming season.

One evening, after practice, Judah found himself surrounded by a group of parents chatting excitedly. He approached them, trying to gauge the atmosphere.

"Hey, everyone! How's it going?" he said, trying to join the conversation.

"Great, Judah! We were just talking about the kids' stats," one dad, Mike, said with a grin. "You know, how we can keep track of their performances."

Judah raised an eyebrow. "Stats? Like what? Just how many touchdowns they score?"

"Exactly!" Mike replied. "But we were thinking of starting a fantasy league. Nothing official, just a fun way to keep track of everything. You know, who gets the most yards, who scores the most touchdowns—it'll make it more exciting!"

Judah felt a knot in his stomach. "A fantasy league for kids? Are we really doing this?"

Another parent chimed in, "Come on, Judah! It'll be fun! The kids will love the competition. It'll push them to perform better."

"Yeah, but isn't the point of youth sports to teach them teamwork and just have fun?" Judah countered, trying to maintain his enthusiasm. "I mean, they're just kids."

"Sure, but a little competition never hurt anyone!" said Lisa, another mom. "This way, they can see how they stack up against each other. It'll teach them to work harder."

Despite his initial reservations, Judah eventually found himself drawn into the fantasy league. He thought, why not go along with it? Perhaps he could manage the pressure and still emphasize fun during practices. But as the season progressed, he began to feel the weight of expectations.

With the fantasy league in full swing, Judah became more particular about the plays he chose during games. He thought it was important to put the kids in positions where they could succeed, but that led to tensions with some of the parents.

"Judah, why didn't you let my son play more in the last game?" Mike asked one day, frustration evident in his voice. "He had great stats!"

"Yeah, Judah," Lisa added. "You seem to favor certain kids. It's not fair!"

Judah was taken aback. "I'm just trying to put the team in the best positions to win. It's about the overall performance, not just individual stats."

The parents didn't seem convinced. "But if you're only playing your favorites, how are the rest of the kids supposed to improve?" Mike challenged.

"I'm not playing favorites! I'm making decisions based on what I think will help the team as a whole," Judah replied, his frustration growing. "This is about more than just stats. It's about learning the game and having fun!"

But the pressure continued to mount as parents began to keep track of plays and stats more closely. Judah found himself caught between wanting to honor the spirit of the game and appeasing the parents who were now invested in their children's performance on paper.

As practice continued, the atmosphere shifted. Parents shouted more frequently from the sidelines, urging their kids to perform, while Judah struggled to keep the fun alive. Each week, the joy he initially felt began to fade, buried under the weight of competition and expectations.