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<br /> GAMES, From Page 6 video games believe the games are inher-
<br /> entlyDallas began its six-month experiment '� yi/ -•( \4, 't •n • neither better nor worse than other
<br /> • t ‘ recreation games," reported the Seattle
<br /> July 1 with three machines in six loca- 1_ ! -,_� f S ' Department of Parks and Recreation.
<br /> tions, according to Ernest Nance, deputy . '°--,-.: '
<br /> irector of parks and recreation. The "There is the argument that the depart-
<br /> ment r. * - .� ment is now providing recreation services
<br /> achines will be located in five recreation �: �� r� , ,-••, '1..!,...,11;15-;
<br /> •+ t '1++fir to active or sports oriented youth but not
<br /> centers and one center for the handl '^ ; ... , � �
<br /> capped. The pilot project was t 5 4 �� a� + . to more passive or less competitive youth.
<br /> PI , p 1 `p ?Ak+''�b'^?.:1•*' rt'+4' }`fa,i('' t Video games could he thought of as pro-
<br /> proved by the Park Board with many k"'g r wpb 1�
<br /> sti�ulations: q', ` 0,s � .n ��fy"��' • , s,,t viding an additional amenity for certain
<br /> I 4.:',.$ '° ; i0, , , 1 i' ",w ;S:i youth who are not well served by the
<br /> • no more than four consecutive '., �•' 'dt � ';
<br /> �= h�1 .�� rt,�tg+�;�� centers at this time.
<br /> games can be played by one individual. } yr """" `
<br /> t 4,S,A,'i� "Those who oppose video games
<br /> • video machines will he darkened f` ' 4..1.7:,,,,, < 6,`' .-41•,:Q. • *� 'I believe the games are an inappropriate
<br /> during school hours. 4'` 4j ,' 4r� �i`,("� itlactivity for the department to be pro-
<br /> b ;, '- , r*,X' , . ,, rooting. Whey recognize the financial
<br /> • a tallyof "negative incidents" will {. * ; ;,
<br /> be kepi, to be compared to the previous " r1'4V-" P �` � , <I benefits but wonder how far the depart-
<br /> average number of behavior problems in v " ' :k �='-I L .! .4.- ment is willing to go to make money.
<br /> each center. , ,. � ,'r � " + . • They believe that it may be immoral for
<br /> • an analysis will he undertaken to ' •+� `5 .. t the department to consciously seek to
<br /> give a picture of the average video player. 4•p'`,,� •Ilii4 ....tr`' ' raise money from children, particularly
<br /> The community's subjective observations when some of those children may be a
<br /> also will be solicited. • captive audience."
<br /> • an analysis of program enrollment Video Games So the debate continues. But for some
<br /> departments, the money is rolling in.
<br /> will be completed to determine if the Park and recreation departments are
<br /> video games induced Dallas citizens, and taking hold of the video joy stick with Next Month: Some video success
<br /> particularly teens, to enroll in other rec- great caution and not a little ambivalence. stories.
<br /> reation offerings. "Those who favor the installation of
<br /> Youth Soccer Program Emphasizes Participation and Fun
<br /> Uniform rules of the game, standard- on the philosophy that everyone—girls Gruenwald noted. "These factors place
<br /> 411111
<br /> red organization of league play and a and boys—can play soccer. Therefore, us at opposite ends of the spectrum with
<br /> guarantee that every child who signs up every child who signs up for play does the other major organizations, both
<br /> for the soccer season will play in the just that. No tryouts or other selective geared toward select league, all-star
<br /> games arc only a few of the reasons that processes are permitted. Players are competition and charge fees up to $90
<br /> the National Recreation and Park As- assigned to teams via blind draws. A per year per team."
<br /> sociation recently endorsed the Soccer minimum of eight league games must be The SAY soccer season runs from
<br /> Association for Youth program. played to qualify for franchise or state Jan. 1 to June 30 and July 1 to Dec. 31.
<br /> The Soccer Association for Youth tournament play, sponsored by SAY. Park and recreation agencies can run both
<br /> (SAY) offers its national soccer program Although SAY docs sponsor regional soccer seasons, although SAY recom-
<br /> to park and recreation agencies for a and national tournaments, SAY's uni- mends that teams play only one season.
<br /> modest fee—$18 per team per season— form soccer rules allow park and recrea- SAY also offers coaching and referee
<br /> which brings SAY's expertise, organiza- tion agencies to form their own leagues clinics and some start-up supplies, such
<br /> tion and rules to local communities. The for competition without the excessive as stop watches, clip boards, whistles
<br /> fee includes membership dues and the cost of travel. and other equipment. But most im-
<br /> drafting of a local charter to set up the SAY regional competition is held in portantly, SAY offers soccer that en-
<br /> district for play. 25 regions across the country. The courages recreation rather than a single-
<br /> The overall objective of SAY, accord- Invitational National Tournament is open minded need to win.
<br /> ing to Jim Gruenwald, the association's to any team which can qualify under Until now, the SAY program has been
<br /> executive director, is maximum participa- SAY rules, including completion of a based in the Midwest and promoted
<br /> tion with even competition at various age minimum number of league games. But through the public school systems.
<br /> levels. Therefore, the SAY leagues are the SAY philosophy does not lay in With NRPA's endorsement and a
<br /> divided into age categories, starting with tournament play. conduit to the public park and recrea-
<br /> the six to seven-year-olds in the "Passers" Rather, the SAY program is firmly tion agencies, SAY expects the program
<br /> league and ranging up to the "Seniors" based on the local level, which par- to reach a much wider audience.
<br /> in the 16, 17 and 18-year-old category. tially accounts for the program's record For more information on the SAY
<br /> Gruenwald stresses that the SAY pro- growth. The Soccer Association for program, park and recreation directors
<br /> gram is the only strictly recreational Youth, a nonprofit national program should call the Soccer Association for
<br /> occer program in the country. Other headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, has0
<br /> Youth at (513) 351-7291. They will
<br /> occer programs lean towards "profes- gone from 40 teams in 1967 to more provide a media kit and a personal visit
<br /> sionalism" with all-star and traveling than 4,100 teams in 1982, with the by a community member who already has
<br /> teams that often become the fountain largest growth seen from 1978. implemented a successful SAY program.
<br /> for the college soccer draft. "We stress local autonomy while
<br /> Not SAY. The program was founded rendering low cost exceptional services,"
<br /> Dateline—7
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