You have already picked a sport for your child?

So you would like your child to play a sport.  Lets give them a few years to mature and grow before buying equipment.  We may even ask what they would like to consider.  It always goes smoother if they think it was their idea from the start.  The local park districts and the local YMCA are a great resource for organized play in a variety of sports at a reasonable cost.  Seasons are usually condensed which allows a family to participate long enough to become familiar with the requirements of the game yet without a sense of drudgery setting in for child or parent.   Parents may be asked if they would like to coach.  Those of us that are overly competitive must restrain ourselves.  There is nothing worse than a lunatic coach screaming at little kids.  Perhaps a better candidate for entry level exposure is a parent that knows nothing about the sport.  They will be learning along with the kids and are unlikely to take anything too seriously.  The objective should be sportsmanship and character building as we become familiar with the rules of play.  We were lucky enough to come across several level headed adults who volunteered their time as our sons learned to play soccer, baseball, and basketball.  I would encourage the children to explore different sports/interests before committing to any one pursuit.  The odds of developing into a professional athlete are extremely long, but the odds of burnout and injury can be extremely high if too much pressure is applied.  So as the winter warms to spring, I encourage you to try something new.   Now Google the local park district or YMCA and get going!