This is the story of Nate Fore, a 9-year old from southern California.

The geography suggests he has nothing to do with our corner of the world.

Except that he has everything to do with it.

And all the others where they play youth sports.

Most of the following comes from his dad's blog. His dad, Chris, is a coach in California. The blog, titled "My kid didn't start today" is the story of the first time Nate didn't start for one of his youth teams.

And his reaction that gives us all hope.

Chris Fore wrote, "In football this year, he led the team in touchdowns and tackles. In baseball, he was the starting shortstop, and hit the ball farther than anyone in the whole league. In soccer, nobody on his team scored more goals last spring."

Through four seasons of basketball, one of soccer and baseball and three of flag football, Nate had been one of the biggest kids. Until this year.

"I told my wife after the first basketball practice, 'This is going to be an interesting season for Nate. He's not the best player on the team this year.' I've got a very realistic view of my kid's talent.  I know that most of his success so far has been because of his size. ... So I was worried about how he would react to the first time he wasn't 'the man' on this team, the first time he wasn't a starter."

That day came recently. Nate didn't start the first basketball game.

"I was worried about this day, when he wasn't the best kid, or at least one of the top ones on the team," Chris Fore wrote. "How would he react? I've been working with unrealistic parents for 15 years as a high school football coach. I definitely DO NOT want to be THAT dad! So, I wasn't worried about me, I was worried about my son."

And now comes the part that would make any coach — or at least the ones vilified, second-guessed and railroaded — weep tears of joy.

"Nate never even mentioned not being a starter, not one time today did he even hint at it," Chris wrote. "I even tried to get him to. 'What was your favorite part of the game? What was your least favorite? What was the best thing? What was the worst thing?'

"His favorite part: 'We won!'

"Least favorite: 'The one basket I missed.'

"The best thing: 'We won!'

"Worst thing: 'That the game was over.'"

Chris Fore's conclusion: "Parents, your kids will be fine if they don't start, as long as you are."

What a concept.

More from Chris Fore:

"If you're teaching your kids all along the way that 'team is greater than me,' when he doesn't start, it won't be a big deal," he wrote. "If you're teaching your kid to shake the coach's hand, and say thank you after every single practice and game, he will have a healthy respect for his coach; it won't matter when he doesn't start.

"If you teach your kid that every single person has a role to play on a team, starting at a young age, then it won't be a big deal when he doesn't start. If you teach your kid to 'just play hard and have fun,' it won't be a big deal when he doesn't start.

"If you use teachable moments while watching the NFL to teach your child that you don't always get what you want, it won't be a big deal when he doesn't start. I was more proud of my son today than I ever have been. He was the only one on the bench standing and cheering for his teammates."

This should be required reading for every kid and parent involved in youth sports. All the way through high school. My favorite part of the whole story was Nate's "favorite part" of the game:

We won!

No, really. There's a kid left out there who's able to overlook his personal plight to focus on the team. Clearly, he's been taught well.

My second favorite part: "every single person has a role to play on a team." Go figure. They can't all be The Man. They can't all get 20 shots per game. Some are better at it than others. Some need to pass. Some need to screen. Some need to rebound. Or block. Tackle. Pinch run. Defend. You know: sport-specific roles.

And some need to accept their role coming off the bench.

Why? "Because team is greater than me."

Many of you in this corner of the world not only need to read this, but absorb it.

I've yet to meet the coach who is trying to lose.

And the next time you start thinking with your mouth, remember little Nate Fore.

He was up cheering for his teammates.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.

Twitter: @BCgenius