LETTER: Basketball Not Just About Throwing a Ball
When the Planning Commission approved the rezoning of park property for an apartment house, it stipulated that the basketball court be replaced. Town Manager Bob Panek ordered basketball backboards and nets removed December 26, 2012, for “safekeeping,” and nothing more was done other than a brief effort by Shanty owner John Dempster to spearhead civic involvement in building a new court. Town Councilman Steve Bennett later reported that according to a survey he conducted, only 12 percent of town residents were in favor of a basketball court. (Wave photo)
February 2, 2015
DEAR EDITOR,
A few years ago we discovered the gem that is Cape Charles and purchased a house on the north side of Peach Street. One of the selling features for me was the proximity to the park and basketball court. Although my basketball-playing days are drawing to a close I enjoyed ambling over to the court in the early evening to observe the games, offering tips to the younger players and engaging in playful banter with those closer to my age.
I was quite surprised when I learned the rims and backboard had been removed without notice and there was no replacement location identified for the court. Where will the community youth be able to play basketball? I wondered. After a few moments of reflection, I realized that the importance of the basketball court was expanded beyond simply a recreational location. The basketball court is a place where participants can learn life-skills.
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When the uninitiated watch a street game, they frequently make comments about the perceived chaotic nature of the game. But from an insider’s point of view, it’s a spontaneous dance that follows certain fundamental rules. Because of its structure, basketball is more than just bouncing a ball and throwing it through a hoop. It is a scalable therapeutic activity that demands focus, promotes problem solving in a constantly changing environment, mandates continual skills development, and requires a reasonable level of cardiovascular fitness and agility. Imagine how much we could reduce the costs of chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension if more people played basketball.
Additionally, basketball develops communication skills and teamwork (two traits that are essential for success in today’s knowledge-based society), conflict resolution skills, and promotes cross-cultural collaboration by breaking down the barriers between “us” and “them” (no matter who the “us” and “them” represent). It doesn’t matter where you’re from or how rich or poor you are — the basketball court is truly a meritocracy.
So, in an effort to move from kvetching to action, I ask, “what can we do to create a safe location for Cape Charles youth (and our seasonal guests) to learn conflict resolution, teamwork, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration?” I can think of a few approaches, and I’d love to share them with a committed group of concerned citizens. Shall we schedule a time to meet and brainstorm ideas?
ANDREW MACK
Cape Charles
Andrew “Imakeithappen” Mack, I would love to meet with you and other concerned citizens of Cape Charles to brainstorm on how we might rebuild a basketball facility for our town’s youth. Set up the meeting and count me in.
My son plays basketball in the area Metro conference, which is basically made up of smaller schools in coastal Virginia. For games, we have to travel to Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, as well as Southampton, Suffolk, Isle of Wight and Williamsburg. I have to say it has been great fun getting to see how each of these relatively small schools not only fields a team, but seeing the different facilities they use to host the games (they do run the gamut).
The one thing all our schools and teams have in common (rich and poor) is a love, and belief that basketball (athletics) is more than just a game. Andrew said it much more eloquently than I can, but not having a public court is tough on us (a body blow, really).
Not sure about the protocol, but it seems we need to get this issue on the Mayor’s agenda, and then receive Town Council guidance from there. Andrew, like Nike says, we need to “Just Do It.” I’m with you.
Just keep waiting for Government to do it. I’m SURE they’ll get to it eventually.
Does any other town in the county have a basketball court? How wonderful that the town is big enough to support one. I hope this comes to fruition, mostly because it gives kids an activity that is physically, mentally, and socially good for them — plus fun. C’mon Cape Charles, you are the one place in Northampton County known for a little vitality; don’t let this opportunity die on the back burner.
I used to vacation in Cape Charles quite often, my children always loved to go to the courts and shoot some hoops. Naturally, we were disappointed to learn that the court is no more. I have been told that the town surveyed residents near the skateboard park about placing new courts over there, and the response was an overwhelming “no!”, looking at online maps available by Northampton Co, I think I have found a perfect location for new courts. There are 4 vacant, and already cleared lots just behind the house at the corner of Fulcher and Monroe. The town could put a whole basketball complex there!
From what friends have told me the residents at the house on the corner are big proponents of a new basketball court, so they would surely welcome such a facility right in their backyard, it’s a win-win for everyone!