An Upper East Side sports program has kids kicking, throwing, swinging and shooting. NY1’s Roger Clark suited up to find out more for this Fit Kids February report.

Every athlete needs a good warmup before competing, including these 2- and 3-yearolds. But then, it's batter up.

"It's really about teaching them that sports is fun and good and good for them. So the younger you get that instilled in them it will be valuable for the rest of their lives,” said Michael Strutt, co-founder of Kids in Sports.

Along with Kenneth Colon, Strutt founded Kids in Sports on the Upper East Side in 1999, and now around 1,000 young people between 12 months and 12 years old are enrolled in their multiple sport programs. It's based at their headquarters on 2nd Avenue and 74th Street, along with satellite locations.

"It's great to get kids involved in sports at a very young age. If you teach them at a young age the hope is for the children to continue to be playing sports for the rest of their lives. It's a great way to stay active and stay healthy as well,” said Colon.

Colon is a former college and arena league football player, so who better to run me through some drills along with Kids in Sports mascot "Sporty." A little less taxing was hitting a ball off of a tee, or scoring a goal on Sporty in Hockey. The activities are a hoot but are also fine tuning skills and agility.

"It really develops that balance and coordination so that as they age they are going to be much more prepared for whatever might get thrown at them once they start the organized team sports,” said Ian Peers, executive director of Kids in Sports.

The kids won't be battling for world titles at first, but even as things get a little more competitive, there's a bunch of basic sports and life lessons tossed in.

"Sportsmanship, teamwork, being able to take direction from coaches. All those things come into play and we hope we’re preparing children as best as we can,” said Strutt.

For more information on all of the programs here at Kids in Sports, go to kidsinsports.com.

During the month of February, Time Warner Cable News is committed to informing our viewers of the sometimes alarming trends facing our kids' health as well as provide helpful tips for busy parents.  Get more information on Fit Kids February, including the Fit Kids Challenge, healthy shopping suggestions and ways you can get involved to help make you and your children healthier!