Why do parents have to ruin everything?

Last night I was lucky enough to umpire a really good baseball game. The weather was great, and the teams both played as hard as they could. Fittingly, the end was a 12-12 tie. Both teams had equal opportunities to win. But, baseball is a funny game...you need one more out, or one more run, to finish things off, and somehow it just doesn't go your way.

The only black mark on the entire evening? The parents. Coaches telling us how to call the game and parents making fools of themselves in the stands just about made a special moment miserable.

What is it about us that makes us go so crazy sometimes? I remember coaching a team 2 years ago. Much like my son's team this year, we had moved up an age group, and were really struggling to mature as a team. I had serious doubts about being able to complete the season as a complete team. It wasn't the boys it was the parents.



When these boys reach a certain age, baseball practice becomes a "drive-by, drop-off" opportunity for most parents. I had so much respect for the parents that came to practice and watched. Those were the parents who saw the progress, and understood the methods in my madness. The parents that only showed up for games were the ones that crowed the loudest. My response to their questioning how and when I played their child was easily answered: "Come to practice, and you'll understand." Funny even at 11 and 12, when you think you can drop your kid off and he'll be the precious angel he always is at home, that lack of parental eyes watching them is a scary catalyst.

Already this year, I've heard but not experienced, a larger number of coaches and parents being ejected and put on probation for their actions out at the park. What a shame. There are three things you need to remember in Little League - Coaches Coach, Players Play and Parents Cheer. It really is pretty simple. I don't think I could look my son in the face if I were ever asked to leave for my behavior. I'm sure the drive home included a statement like...."It wasn't my fault, that umpire was an idiot." Why? Because a person that can't control himself like that doesn't have the ability to see the faults in his own actions.

I've coached hundreds of games of all types - and I'm most proud of the relationship I was able to maintain with the officials and the parents. By the time the last pitch was thrown, and the last out called - there was always a mutual respect that EVERYONE came together to be a part of the team.