As someone who's been really involved in youth sports for a number of years, I'm amazed at the behavior of parents on a regular basis. It's despicable. I've seen parents and coaches kicked out of games for arguing with umpires in games involving 9-year-old kids. I've seen coaches have to be physically restrained. I've seen parents screaming at their own kids during games, threatening umpires after games, and I even had my family threatened over a disagreement that stemmed from youth sports. I could regale you with stories that would curl your hair for hours. Literally.
It does not surprise me for a second to read this. What's worst about this, in my opinion, is that the kids just want to play. Adults are obsessed with competition and with winning, and they will do so at all costs.
I think this has to do with the cost of education, actually. Athletic scholarships are worth big money, and a lot of parents start grooming their kids to excel in high school sports at a very young age. They want their kids in the most competitive programs so that they're best equipped to make their high school teams, and hopefully excel at that level so they can earn a scholarship.
I had a kid join a team I coach a couple of years ago who loved baseball, but got sick to his stomach every time he played because his coach would yell at every mistake. The kid was a nervous wreck - 12 years old. Eventually he stopped playing, because he just wasn't having any fun.
What's the point of any of this if it isn't fun?
Al
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