I wasn't at this game but it seems to me that the example these children see and follow is far more important than a score. See Mike, a lot of these kids play the sport because they enjoy it. When you take the fun out of the game and focus so much on the score what are they learning really? Granted it's nice to win occasionally but it's also a lesson in life to lose and to have a positive attitude about it. I would never tell my child to quit (winning or not) but after the game I would explain to them that I'm proud of them no matter the outcome. Focusing on

the loss only makes them feel defeated and damages their esteem. Maybe if you know any of these kids you can pat them on the back and encourage them to keep playing.