Your cover story on the growth of youth soccer leagues in the Almaden Valley ("The Game is Life," Oct. 16) hit a chord—a somewhat discordant one. As 12-year residents near Guadalupe Elementary School, we have peacefully co-existed with youth sports leagues that have used the field on a limited basis.

This year, however, our small neighborhood is inundated six days a week, including nine hours of games every Saturday beginning at 8:30 in the morning and continuing nonstop until after 5:00 p.m.

Participants have been much more considerate this year regarding parking and trash, but the inevitable yelling and screaming by parents and coaches is invasive and excessive. It is impossible to sleep in on a Saturday; we must keep our windows closed, even on a sunny day; and the noise is constant! To quote a parent in your article, perhaps the "parents can get their anxieties out, raise their voice levels a little," but the neighbors surrounding these fields must buy Excedrin by the case!

We'd like to propose the following solutions based upon a consideration of all needs:

1. The parks and recreation department and San Jose Unified and Union school districts must work together to provide for equitable facilities use throughout the area. Too many fields are unused while others are in constant use. When one neighborhood complains, the problem is just shifted to another neighborhood in another jurisdiction. We must all be willing to do our part.

2. Neighborhoods should have at least one day of rest when fields can be used for informal, unstructured activities. No organization or activity should monopolize neighborhood fields.

3. As sports leagues grow, they may need to reduce the number of games and practices in accordance with field availability. Children should not be turned away, but the amount of time they play may need to be adjusted.

4. When the Almaden community has reached capacity, sports leagues and parents must be willing to drive a greater distance to access available fields.

Sports, like other youth activities, hold valuable lessons for our children, but there is a price our sleepy bedroom community has been asked to pay. Perhaps the larger lesson here is the opportunity for Almaden residents to compromise and work together to benefit parents, children and neighbors!

—Debra & Geoff Ullmann, Vera Cruz Drive