I’m so glad that when I played little league baseball most of those in attendance were our mothers who could have cared less what the outcome was, I always felt for sorry for those that had parents screaming at them.I also felt sorry for my son for some of the abhorrent behavior exhibited by the parents, coaches and players that he had to deal with.
Even back in the late 70’s and early 80’s the parents put so much pressure on the young players. I often thought they should ban parents from the games. With technology what it is today they need to have a special room or area for parents to watch the game remotely. Then the kids could play without being yelled at in a discouraging way.
The Tank McNamara strips back in the ‘70s included one of Tank temporarily coaching Little League and being utterly shocked by the foulmouthed parents. He overheard two of the kids discussing who had just spoken a particular obscenity, with one of them saying that his father usually said a different bad word immediately before that one. The boy quoted his dad’s typical vile language, although of course the comic strip showed it only as a string of symbols.
Well, at least, he doesn’t have to worry about ’Skylar’s’ parents since he doesn’t have any—just Uncle Cosmo and I haven’t heard (or seen to be truthful) Cosmo say anything to which the coach was referring which is surprising after working for Shoe ! ! !
It is sad when a kid’s game turns into a donnybrook with the parents, coaches, umpires, etc involved. The kids are the ones who, as a general rule, seem to have more sportsmanship.
Deptford Township in New Jersey has instituted a rule that should be helpful: a parent (or anyone else) who argues with an umpire must volunteer to umpire three subsequent games him/herself.
I was ref’ing an adult flag football game. The runner knocked his own flag off and it fell 3 inches from the goal. Last play of the game and the team goes for a pass that is intercepted. Game over. After the game the loosing team decides to block my car and “have words” with me. I get out of my car and the QB comes up, mad as heck. I ask him “Where was the ball?” He said at the goal line. I said “Why not take a direct snap and hold the ball over the goal line?” One of his players says “He’s Right.” They all turn and walk away. I breath a sigh of relief.
Way back, I was the commissioner for a t-ball league in a fairly large city. When I took the job, I was given one really neat piece of advice. Only got to use it once:
Had a dad in the stands that would not stop ragging on the poor old umpire. I walked onto the field and told the ump to stop the game. Of course, this made me the center of attention. Walked up into the stands and addressed the “dad”. I explained that we always had a need for coaches, umps, etc… and since it was obvious that he was very well versed in the game, I would appreciate him coming out next year to help in some fashion. I left the stands and yelled “play ball” to the ump. “Dad” never said another word. I am guessing that his wife used lots of words on the way home in the car.
dadthedawg Premium Member over 1 year ago
Fowl language is okay…..
juncarlo over 1 year ago
The first thing parents insult is the manager and then the umpire.
B4ItNs over 1 year ago
I’m so glad that when I played little league baseball most of those in attendance were our mothers who could have cared less what the outcome was, I always felt for sorry for those that had parents screaming at them.I also felt sorry for my son for some of the abhorrent behavior exhibited by the parents, coaches and players that he had to deal with.
scote1379 Premium Member over 1 year ago
Good Luck with that !
Frog-on-a-Log Premium Member over 1 year ago
It’s getting dark. Here I come, Elizabeth!
littlejohn Premium Member over 1 year ago
So are you saying that the parents are behaving like a murder of crows? Or are they just a gaggle of geese honking away?
Geophyzz over 1 year ago
Here in Ontario, Canada, there is an umpire crisis, because agresssive parents have made the job too hard, even dangerous.
JerrysLover Premium Member over 1 year ago
Even back in the late 70’s and early 80’s the parents put so much pressure on the young players. I often thought they should ban parents from the games. With technology what it is today they need to have a special room or area for parents to watch the game remotely. Then the kids could play without being yelled at in a discouraging way.
preacherman Premium Member over 1 year ago
Yeah, in some kid’s leagues, the parents are banned.
DHBirr over 1 year ago
The Tank McNamara strips back in the ‘70s included one of Tank temporarily coaching Little League and being utterly shocked by the foulmouthed parents. He overheard two of the kids discussing who had just spoken a particular obscenity, with one of them saying that his father usually said a different bad word immediately before that one. The boy quoted his dad’s typical vile language, although of course the comic strip showed it only as a string of symbols.
'IndyMan' over 1 year ago
Well, at least, he doesn’t have to worry about ’Skylar’s’ parents since he doesn’t have any—just Uncle Cosmo and I haven’t heard (or seen to be truthful) Cosmo say anything to which the coach was referring which is surprising after working for Shoe ! ! !
Steverino Premium Member over 1 year ago
I always thought birds speak in fowl language.
Just-me over 1 year ago
It is sad when a kid’s game turns into a donnybrook with the parents, coaches, umpires, etc involved. The kids are the ones who, as a general rule, seem to have more sportsmanship.
ladykat over 1 year ago
Parents are getting out of hand at team games.
KEA over 1 year ago
TOO TRUE!
The Brooklyn Accent Premium Member over 1 year ago
Deptford Township in New Jersey has instituted a rule that should be helpful: a parent (or anyone else) who argues with an umpire must volunteer to umpire three subsequent games him/herself.
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/town-forces-argumentative-parents-umpires-league-games/story?id=98810329
prrdh over 1 year ago
Giving “the child is father to the man” a new meaning.
Frank Burns Eats Worms over 1 year ago
Baseball tends to ruffle the mothers’ and fathers’ feathers.
eced52 over 1 year ago
Getting to the point where parents are going to be banned from on field attendance. Set them up in an auditorium under lock and key.
John M over 1 year ago
A sad statement on reality
T... over 1 year ago
Gary & Susie know their little leaguers family, funny…
1soni Premium Member over 1 year ago
I was ref’ing an adult flag football game. The runner knocked his own flag off and it fell 3 inches from the goal. Last play of the game and the team goes for a pass that is intercepted. Game over. After the game the loosing team decides to block my car and “have words” with me. I get out of my car and the QB comes up, mad as heck. I ask him “Where was the ball?” He said at the goal line. I said “Why not take a direct snap and hold the ball over the goal line?” One of his players says “He’s Right.” They all turn and walk away. I breath a sigh of relief.
Christopher Gilbert over 1 year ago
Unfortunately, this is too common to be funny.
petecocker over 1 year ago
Way back, I was the commissioner for a t-ball league in a fairly large city. When I took the job, I was given one really neat piece of advice. Only got to use it once:
Had a dad in the stands that would not stop ragging on the poor old umpire. I walked onto the field and told the ump to stop the game. Of course, this made me the center of attention. Walked up into the stands and addressed the “dad”. I explained that we always had a need for coaches, umps, etc… and since it was obvious that he was very well versed in the game, I would appreciate him coming out next year to help in some fashion. I left the stands and yelled “play ball” to the ump. “Dad” never said another word. I am guessing that his wife used lots of words on the way home in the car.
eddi-TBH over 1 year ago
Little League and school sports go smoother when the parents are banned.
purepaul Premium Member over 1 year ago
Why is second panel in gray tones?
KEA over 1 year ago
money ruins everything… parents are a close second
Sailor46 USN 65-95 over 1 year ago
I coached LL Baseball, Football, and girls Softball in the ’80s, I had zero problems with parents. Great time.