During my work life, I talk to a lot of people in the “prevention” world, ie: drug and alcohol prevention, bullying prevention. One theme that I’ve often heard (and seen with my kids’ friends) is the value of team sports to keep a kid busy, focused and engaged with others.

So, I found fascinating the logic track behind a recent decision to cut the number of games played by high school teams, a cost-cutting decision by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s (NYSPHSAA ) executive committee. Click here for full coverage of the NYSPHSAA’s decisions on LoHud.

As a way to cut costs for school districts, the sports association trimmed the 2011 varsity schedule for football (from 10 regular season games to 9), as well as baseball, softball and hockey (all had 24 games but will have 20); and other sports. There were other cost-cutting measures designed to help public school districts deal with the impact of state budget cuts and the economic downturn in general. The ideas was, if if they cut the games (and travel and other costs that go with them), districts will be able to afford junior varsity and modified (middle school) sports programs. This means younger kids also get the opportunity to participate in a sports game and the benefits of exercise, discipline, school spirit, etc. Seems like a good idea to me, even if it means fewer games, at least there are games.

Here’s how Bronxville athletic director Karen Peterson put it in an article by TJN/LoHud sports writer Harold Guttman:

I think the sense was: What could we do to try and save programs for our kids? How can we cut costs so a district won’t cut modified or junior-varsity sports teams? What can we do to cut costs with the least amount of effect on kids?