Baldo by Hector D. Cantú and Carlos Castellanos for February 26, 2023

And another Gracie strip showing that she’s not all that smart.

Everyone’s a winner everyone gets a trophy

At least they don’t have any red cards yet.

This strip reminds me so much of my kids’ early soccer teams. What the young players lacked in finesse, they made up for in enthusiasm.

They don’t need a ball, they are having fun running up and down the field

It seems rather sad there are so few people watching their kids play.

When littles play soccer, it looks like a swarm running up and down. We always assumed the ball was in the middle of the swarm. But maybe not…

My kids started with 3v3 so they all got touches, worked their way up over the years, Seemed to work for them.

Interesting comments today. The kids are running ACROSS the field under the direction of the coach. Therefore, they are warming up with wind sprints.

They will get the ball when they start the game.

I was a football ( soccer ) referee for over 30 years and officiated at all levels, from the pros to the kids. If you ask any seasoned referee what age group they really, really enjoy, they’ll tell you it’s directing traffic at an under 8’s game.

I’ve more than once left the field after a munchkin match with tears of laughter in my eyes. Their joy and intensity, their perception of the game – far different from their parents and fans – is a revelation.

Give me a field of rambunctious and boisterious 6 & 7 year-olds over a professional pitch with over-inflated egos and diving divas, any day!

Watching little tikes playing soccer is like watching a old Mack Sennett comedy!

Great art in the ’toon showing action.

Goalie not doing the job?

Maybe it’s warm ups?

Do the kids play because they like to play or because their parents make them play?

Soccer was not around when husband and I were kids. He played little League baseball and hated it – his dad insisted he play. While we are great walkers – can walk all day when on vacation – neither of us is athletic at all.

Hence my question.