(Originally published 2010, Paperback edition 435 pages)
Outside of watching my two sons play school basketball and track as well as
grassroots soccer, my interest in following any sport is zero. I'd rather spend
my time reading. The reason Mr. Dohrmann's book attracted my attention was the
glowing reviews it received in various articles. I've witnessed first hand, as a
parent, the difference in the quality of coaching boys receive and how it has a
HUGE impact on helping young boys develop into decent men. Above all else,
sports should be about them becoming good athletes, but not at the expense of
understanding the importance of teamwork, good sportsmanship and character. The
boys need male mentors who are looking out for their welfare. Well, "Play Their
Hearts Out" just blew my expectations clear out of the water.
Mr. Dohrmann's story focuses primarily on two individuals: Joe Keller and Demetrius Walker. However, the author does an excellent job of describing the backgrounds and development of other young players as they grow from young, middle-school boys into men. Joe Keller and another grassroots "coach" Pat Barrett epitomize the worst kind of mentors. The boys are simply a means to an ends for these dreams of becoming rich. Like any good reporter, the author gives the full measure of Joe Keller; his good qualities as well as bad. Sadly, Pathological-Liar Joe's objectives included using talented, vulnerable kids and their hopeful parents as his ticket to riches. There is very little I found appealing about Mr. Keller. He is a boorish, two-faced, hot-headed man-child unwilling to take responsibility for his destructive actions. The talented player Demetrius Walker shows what happens to a kid who is exploited by adults more concerned with making a name for themselves.
Unscrupulous agents, college coaches and other profiteers such as athletic shoe companies permeate the entire book. The story has a great deal of heart and information for parents with talented kids in sports. Grassroots basketball as depicted in California is like feeding your kid to the wolves. Apparently, there are some wonderful coaches/mentors out there, but they're the exception to the rule. Mr. Dohrmann's work is an excellent, well-balanced and thorough look at the collision of youth basketball and capitalism. It's a great work that should be read by anyone who cares about kids or sports.
Mr. Dohrmann's story focuses primarily on two individuals: Joe Keller and Demetrius Walker. However, the author does an excellent job of describing the backgrounds and development of other young players as they grow from young, middle-school boys into men. Joe Keller and another grassroots "coach" Pat Barrett epitomize the worst kind of mentors. The boys are simply a means to an ends for these dreams of becoming rich. Like any good reporter, the author gives the full measure of Joe Keller; his good qualities as well as bad. Sadly, Pathological-Liar Joe's objectives included using talented, vulnerable kids and their hopeful parents as his ticket to riches. There is very little I found appealing about Mr. Keller. He is a boorish, two-faced, hot-headed man-child unwilling to take responsibility for his destructive actions. The talented player Demetrius Walker shows what happens to a kid who is exploited by adults more concerned with making a name for themselves.
Unscrupulous agents, college coaches and other profiteers such as athletic shoe companies permeate the entire book. The story has a great deal of heart and information for parents with talented kids in sports. Grassroots basketball as depicted in California is like feeding your kid to the wolves. Apparently, there are some wonderful coaches/mentors out there, but they're the exception to the rule. Mr. Dohrmann's work is an excellent, well-balanced and thorough look at the collision of youth basketball and capitalism. It's a great work that should be read by anyone who cares about kids or sports.
(Meyers - A few years ago, I
started writing, under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse, short
reviews at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review #345)
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