Rules for Parenting: Parent's Behavior at the Ball Field

Spring is in the air, and once again children across the country are pulling out their gloves and bats, or strapping on their shin guards, and join a team sport in their town or neighborhood. Some kids have visions of being a sports star. For others, it's a chance to play and compete with their friends. Most, however, do it because it's fun.

Unfortunately, this time of year also brings stories of a dad charging the field because he didn't like the umpires call, or a parent going after a coach for not playing their child. While those kinds of acts don't go on all of the time, just sit on the sidelines of a local baseball, softball, or soccer game, and listen to the parents. The things you hear are appalling. Everything from verbal attacks on the umpire or referee to loud criticisms of the way the children on the field are playing.

It's gotten out of hand, and it needs to stop. It's time to get out our Parenting Handbooks and brush up on our ball field etiquette. As a sometime coach and the parent of two student athletes, I feel somewhat qualified to tell you what is and what isn't acceptable behavior from parents.

Your main job on the sideline is to encourage the players. "Nice job", "Good play", or "Way to Hustle" are all appropriate things to yell to children on the field. "How many times are you going to let the ball get by you?" is not an encouragement. If there are weaknesses on the playing field it is the coaches job to address them. It is very discouraging for children to hear the parents publicly criticizing them. The parents behavior in the sideline can have a negative affect on their children on the field.