Walter Backstrom’s recent column, “Three balls and two strikes,” was outstanding. It was very articulate, plain-spoken, and tremendously needed,

After I read it, I had my 11-year-old read it to the family at dinnertime. We reviewed the key points and discussed the behavior we have observed at Little League games we have participated in. We used it as the basis for another opportunity to have a discussion regarding appropriate behavior and true sportsmanship, very apropos as our 7-year-old began soccer this

afternoon.

David Shields, Bellevue