Soccer gold medalist Abby Wambach, center, encourages children to get outside and play a sport they enjoy. She says youth sports are an essential, yet underdeveloped, part of growing up.

Soccer gold medalist Abby Wambach and baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. both remember their athletic roots and the benefits they derived from being active. Today, both are committed to supporting youth sports.

One of the leading scorers for the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, Wambach started playing at age 4 in her first youth soccer league and credits her positive approach to living an active lifestyle to this early experience.

Ripken, who experienced many valuable life lessons on the ballfield, is dedicated to inspiring kids to get out on the playing field and have fun.

"There seems to be a disconnect between parents and children who want to get outside and play versus those who actually do," says Ripken. "We live in a different world today and it takes a real effort by parents to encourage their kids to be more active.

"It's important for parents, kids and the larger community to actively provide the place, means and motivation to have fun outdoors."

Wambach, who scored the winning goal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, adds, "It is hard to believe, but there are times when even my team is asked to play on subpar fields. ... The condition of the field affects the way we play and our enthusiasm and enjoyment of the experience, as I'm sure it does for kids."

Go outside and play

In addition to a lack of quality facilities, parents also battle sedentary pastimes such as television viewing and video games. They want ideas to engage their children in more active, outdoor activities.

The national 2005 Wisk Sports Survey — conducted by Harris Interactive for Wisk Laundry Detergent — found that 35 percent of parents say their kids do not participate in organized sports, even though 96 percent of them see such activity as beneficial.

Furthermore, a full 87 percent of parents agreed they are happy when their children get dirty playing because it demonstrates that they are living a full and active life.

For parents who want to encourage their children to be active and get involved in team sports, Ripken and Wambach offer the following tips:

• Challenge — Set goals and keep challenging your children so they don't get bored. Supplement organized sports with outdoor family play time that includes new games that incorporate greater challenges each season.

• Choice — Allow children to select the games and sports they play. This will increase the likelihood they will discover an activity they love and will play outdoors more often.

• Compete — Wambach and Ripken have joined forces with Wisk Laundry Detergent and the company's field makeover contest. Communities can win a $25,000 field makeover and a visit from star athletes, or new sports equipment. Sign up at www.wiskpoints.com