Go Outside and Find Something to Do!

Go Outside and Find Something To Do!

When I was a kid growing up in West Roxbury, I played hockey, soccer, baseball, golf, and was a beginner skier. My mother would begin my summer days by saying, "Get outside and find something to do!” which translated to grabbing someone from the neighborhood and playing basketball, hockey, or just a simple game of catch.

Back then, there were about ten of us in the neighborhood that were around the same age, so most times we could have a good game of whatever we decided to play. A lot of the sports we played were carried out on the street, but sometimes we would team up and play against other neighborhoods for a really big game.

The street I grew up on was a moderately busy street, situated adjacent to Centre Street. At any time during the game, one proud kid would be the first to notice and warn, "CAR!" where we employed a time out and moved our nets, so the intruding traveler could pass.

As I am now in my 40's with a son of my own, I miss hearing “CAR!” bellowing out from underneath the streetlights. As most kids are now spending more time on computer games, Play Station or Wii, there is a poignant sparseness of little voices and bodies running around Billings Field and/or Hynes Field, just playing baseball or soccer.

It's time to unplug and "get outside and find something to do" until the street lights come on. On the same token, it's a shame that there are no longer places in West Roxbury for kids to go and play Pond Hockey!

Pond Hockey was so much fun when I was a kid, and I feel it plays a significant role in personal development, whether it be developing and honing the skills of the sport, or just social interaction and exercise. For example, in Pond Hockey the ice can be ruddy and uneven at best, so it helps kids become adept at manipulating that puck. The idea of just a bunch of kids getting out and playing together is what the sport is all about.

Most of your top NHL players grew up playing pong hockey and credit it to the skill sets they possess. Emotionally, the notion of sports helps kids grow; you need to be able to split up into teams, adhere to the roles of the game, and self govern. Wouldn't it be nice if there were a place in West Roxbury where kids (and grown-up kids) could go play Pond Hockey for free... after school, on a snow day, or just whenever. Hopefully, we can see some Pond Hockey in West Roxbury in the near future!