My colleagues at the Orlando Sentinel have an interesting story about how tens of thousands of Florida middle schoolers are opting out of the state's PE requirement. Of course, the subtext is that this is a tragedy.

I say, that's as it should be. I have a particular bias against PE classes, and not just because I never could throw a softball or do a chin-up.

My son took PE throughout middle school, and it was the biggest waste of time for him. After the time spent changing into and out of gym clothes, and the chatter from the PE teachers, you're left with about 20 minutes of activity, maybe. And that activity is still pretty traditional -- soccer, basketball, flag football. Where's the yoga? The aerobics? The tai-chi?

Kids who are not "ball kids" or into team sports aren't going to change their lifestyle because of PE. And kids like my son who are phsycially active could better spend their time in something more academic or enriching. My sixth-grade daughter will spend her middle school years in band rather than PE. She loves band, and I suspect a lot of kids who opted out of PE are just like her -- enjoying middle school because of music and other fine arts classes. If she didn't love music, or needed the exercise, she'd be in PE. But that's the thing: It's a option.

If the state is serious about encouraging physical activity, let's bring back intramural sports. Let's make it fun for kids to play sports in a way that's low pressure and inclusive of everyone -- the uncoordinated, the slow, the chubby. Open the gym before or after school for pickup games and other fun activities.

Organized sports have become so competitive that unless a kid is an above average athlete who has been playing nights and weekends for years, they have little chance of making a school team. Many many kids would love to play sports for fun, but they are shut out.

PE won't reverse obesity in this country, but putting fun back into childhood might make a dent.

Photo: Los Angles Times