I was already suspicious of team sports before this post, now I've gone over the top. I also enjoyed those sports you list as less involved in cheating -- not the classic team sports. Alfie Kohn (No Contest) makes great arguments against "competing as valuable lesson". Murray Sperber (Beer and Circus) nearly condemns NCAA sports in college for its effect on students, scholastics, recruitment, scholarships, spending, alumni and press coverage of a university. Add the micro-level horrors you mention here, and there's more "preventative care" in home schooling than most people realize. Great post Harold!