I recently read the article in the Catonsville Times about i9 sports ("New flag football league puts the fun in fundamentals," Sept. 21).
I was shocked to see a for-profit youth sports program getting what amounts to free advertising.
I am the former president of Catonsville Youth Football.
I am currently in my tenth year as the parent of a player in the organization. I have one son, who participated and went on to play high school football. My second son is completing his last year and hopes to move on to play in high school.
I have also coached numerous players who went on to play at the high school level. In my four years as president, I sent numerous e-mails asking for support of our organization. I can recall only one story ever written by a Times reporter about us.
The program serves between 250-300 players from Catonsville and the surrounding communities. It is run solely by volunteers, who give their time to the development of youth.
Other articles were published in the Times. These were written by parents in the hope there would be room in the next edition.
When it was time to advertise our registration, we were give two lines that provided minimal information.
When teams went to the playoffs or championships for their age groups, there was never a reporter or photographer at the site.
I have also participated in other sports in the Catonsville neighborhood, the majority run by the Catonsville Recreation Council.
The volunteers, who run each sport under the council's direction, do tireless work and give countless hours of time. They are supported by parents, who also donate time, so their children can enjoy a sport they love.
To see what amounts to a free, one-page advertisement for an organization out to make a profit from parents and children is unacceptable.
Please support Catonsville Recreation Council sponsored sports. They give children an opportunity to grow as people and as athletes while having fun.
Mark Stiller
Catonsville