Valuing sportsmanship above all else.

Lakewood, Calif., has been committed to quality sports programs from the beginning. When the first baseball program was organized, the recreation administrators were caught by surprise by the overwhelming response from the community. Undaunted, they scrapped their intention of having recreation staff serve as coaches for the handful of expected teams and forged ahead with a plan to recruit parents to serve as volunteer coaches for the 100 hundred teams that were formed for the 1,200 youth who registered. Today, Lakewood is a tight-knit community of middle-class families. The typical array of Little League baseball, Bobby Sox softball, Pop Warner football and youth soccer flourishes amid neighborhood parks and campuses. Meanwhile, Lakewood's Department of Recreation and Community Services provides a complement of sports opportunities that supplement and often provide alternative choices for residents of the community.

In order to deliver the variety of sports programming Lakewood's residents expect, the city works with about 12 independent organizations. The city's extensive programming also includes sports instruction and low-key drop-in sports activities. In all, more than 13,000 participants are served annually by the city's efforts. In addition to the league sports, there are extensive opportunities to learn skills in non-team sports such as karate, tennis and gymnastics.

"The participating families are exposed to strong and positive relationships that translate into lifetime friendships that transcend the park activities," says Tom Lederer, community services manager for Lakewood. "Sports, especially for youth, are a natural forum for spirit among the participants, coaches and spectators."

The benefits of these unity and spirit factors are that everyone associated with Lakewood sports programs understands they can expect a wholesome, family experience.

Although a delicate balance is desirable when attempting to minimize competition, one major perk is granted to winning teams in Lakewood Youth Sports--city championship games are cablecast on the city's cable television station.

Although good sportsmanship is emphasized and the best sportsmanship teams are honored, improvements are constantly in the works. A new campaign has been implemented to promote positive messages about sportsmanship to coaches, participants and, particularly, parents and spectators. Large banners promoting sportsmanship are hung on fences and backstops at game sites. Similar, positive messages on badges worn by staff; parents and coaches serve as a constant reminder to all.

LYS program was founded nearly 50 years ago on principles of participation and sportsmanship adopted by parents serving as volunteer coaches and enforced by professional recreation staff. Satisfying an ever-present demand for sports activities at the youngest ages, "Rookie Clinic," "Li'l Sluggers" and "Itsy-Bitsy Sports" classes provide exposure to and instruction in a variety of sports. Additionally, city recreation programs include a variety of sports instruction classes, clinics and camps for school age children throughout the year. Baseball clinics are offered in a variety of formats such as "Pitchers and Catchers Camp" and "Tryout Clinic" in addition to the traditional fare. The Tryout Clinic is a service to the participant who intends to play and go through a tryout for an independent program. Annual city championships in track and field and cross country are preceded by instructional workouts in those sports scheduled in the after school and vacation programs.

Maintaining values that were established nearly 50 years ago, the city's sports programs continue to provide opportunities through partnerships. The Lakewood Youth Hall of Fame event is a prime example of combining the resources and efforts of public, private and non-profit organizations for a community sports recognition program. The annual program recognizes the achievements of high school and collegiate athletes who live in Lakewood or attend school in Lakewood with awards. This annual awards banquet draws more than 400 members of the community to recognize approximately 40 honorees in a wide range of categories.

The city budgets more than $75,000 annually for direct implementation of its sports programs and significant additional resources are spent in the form of park staff supervision, maintenance, administrative overhead, and infrastructure.

The Lakewood Youth Sports program is a beacon in the southeast Los Angeles County area. It has endured the test of time, remaining principled, adjusting to changing times and continuing to serve as the backbone to Lakewood's recreation programs. The adopted slogan for Lakewood's yearlong celebration leading up to its 50th anniversary says it best: "Times Change, Values Don't."