Obnoxious Little League parents . . .

[Deb in IA]

Know any?

I do.

Two episodes in the last week. First at our daughter's softball game. A girl on our team is batting, and, quite frankly, she's not be best hitter. She's standing there, not even set up in the batting stance, hoping for a walk.

The father of the opposing pitcher yells "Come on, Chrissi (pitcher's name)! Look at her; she's NOT GOING TO SWING!"

So, of course, our batter swings. Badly. Strike 3.

Pitcher's dad snickers loudly, yells "Alright, Chrissi!", and generally acts like a jerk.

Other time was at our son's Little League game. Again, the opposing pitcher's dad is yelling, "GOOD ONE!!" for every pitch, trying to get the batters to swing and strike out.



I wanted so much to yell to the batters, "Don't let that jerk psych you out!! Play your OWN game and ignore the idiot!!" -- but DH wouldn't let me.

So, anyone else encounter obnoxious parents? And what did you do?

 

[Chrissi Pooh]

That really stinks, Deb. I would have wanted to yell at them too.

By the way I really like the pitcher's name!!!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Know any?

hundreds. My oldest son is in his 8th year of organized baseball. Every year I think I've seen it all, but every year I'm surprised all over again. My favorite last year was the Mom who barrelled down out of the bleachers and literally climbed 1/2 way up the backstop screaming:

"You CANNOT do that to my son! You CANNOT DO THAT!!!" at the umpire.

If I ever act like that, I hope somebody knocks me upside the head with a baseball bat and puts me out of my misery.

 

[NMAmy]

I've encountered them in basketball. When DD was younger she played on a league. She's very good (believe me, I was more surprised than anyone! I'm a terrible athlete!) and was making a lot of points. These games were played at the elementary school gym and fans for both teams sat in the same area. Imagine my shock when a man sitting two people down from me yelled to his daughter, "Take out #7. Knock her down, kick her in the shin, hurt her so she won't be able to play anymore!"

I leaned over, tapped him on the shoulder, and said, "Listen, they're 10 years old. And #7 happens to be my child. Every child out there is someone's kid." He did shut up for the rest of the game, thank goodness. Jerk.

Now his DD and mine are both on the same school team. Why would you act like that? If you stay in the same school district, they may be playing on the same team someday.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

you'd think I would have avoided the problem because my girls aren't into team sports.

have you ever seen a raving theater or dance mom? trust me, it's not a pretty site. you'd think her darling was the only one on the stage.

last year my younger daughter was in her school show. we sat in the 3rd row, and "raving theater mom" and her family sat behind us. every time her daughter was on stage, she'd be ooohing and aahing and waving at her daughter. and when her daughter was not on stage -- for most of the show -- she was talking to her husband or her other kids.

 

[Gupsmom]

Before we were married my DH and I coached 2 years of 9/10 yr old softball. We stopped because the adults were obnoxious.

I played organized softball from the time I was 7 until 2 weeks before I realized I was expecting my first child (16 yrs of house, school and travel softball). I love the sport and I still go watch kids play (my own DD just started this year). I find it very sad that adults can ruin the experience for children.

I have come to realize, in just a few short weeks, that it's much worse for young boys than for girls. My 7 yr old DS and my 5 yr old DD play. The parent's at the girls games take things WAY less seriously than at the boys games (I imagine this will even up with age). It's much more chit-chatty at my DD's games. I help out every game because it's so laid back. I wish I could say the same for my son's games. At least, so far, we haven't had any truly obnoxious parents and only 1 coach that was a bit over the top.

Good luck...
Jess

 

[AZKathy]

We have them on our girls' fastpitch softball league, also. Actually, only one team has parents who say bad things against the other team girls. We go over and stand near them so they won't say bad things and we have also filed complaints with the president about the team's parents who say bad things. The president can't do much except send emails to all the players parents reminding them of good sportsmenship and all. We also yell loudly positive things for our team to try and overcome the bad parent's talking.

Actions like you mention really bring all the players down and certainly does not make it very plesant at all! We start our tourniment tonight and I hope that the team that has those parents get beaten out by another team so we don't have to deal with that team with the tourniment.

 

[pammypooh]

NMAmy,

Good for you for confronting this inappropriate behavior! Maybe he will think before he speaks next time.

Pam

 

[flaps]

One father was arrested here not long ago for, I think, assault. Would have hated that to be my parent.

Back in the days when and where I played, the parents behaved well. It saddens me to hear that's not always the case.

 

[SideshowBob]

Yeppers... pretty shocking to see some of the behavior.

You have to imagine how horrible some of these kids homelife situations must be, when a parent is raving mad ... about a "game". Ugh.

Do agree that seems much more support for the kids on the girls side (at least in my time involved) by both own and other players, and the coaches.

 

[pat fan]

My son plays on a team with 5/6th graders, and while I haven't seen too many bad parents, I have seen plenty of bad coaches! We have two girls on our team, and two certain opposing teams coaches will tell all their players to come in because it's a "girl" batting, or that it's "easy out time" etc... I get so livid at these coaches ,and our girls get really hurt by it (who wouldn't!). Of course, these teams are the top of the league while we are at the bottom, but our kids have FUN! I don't know how many times the other teams pitcher has been crying on the mound because he threw a ball and his coach (it's his dad, too) is screaming at him, and I do mean screaming! Our kids feel bad for him when this happens, but what can you do?

 

[Cruise04]

Trust me Deb - I have SEEN parents yell back what you wanted to and worse!!!!!

It is sad!

 

[Gupsmom]

Of course, these teams are the top of the league while we are at the bottom, but our kids have FUN!

Some of the most fun years I had playing softball were for teams with very bad losing records. House league should be FUN! I did know to expect a more serious game when I played for my school team and when I played travel ball. Even then there's no excuse for poor sportsmanship and rude behavior....esp from adults.

We also yell loudly positive things

Absolutely.....my DD (5) is playing for the first time. She's at a level that allows a few adults on the field to "help." When I'm out there (or on the side for that matter), I'm yelling positive things out to both teams. These are little kids...if te other team makes a good play (or a good try) then I'll be the first to tell them.

Jess

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

You should see how the BALLET mom's from DDs class act. This year I think I'll let her join ice hockey like she wanted to last year. I thought ballet would be better, but....

 

[chager]

I have to say we have been fortunate and not had any of these situations yet. I know it will come.The hardest part for me is trying to cheer on the pitcher and knowing the batter is feeling bad because he is being struck out After all they are just kids.
We have had one coach we didn't care for but not because he maen or anything. He was a really nice guy he just never did anything coaches do. (Like coach and teach) I heard he was great as a tball coach but not so much as a 8/9 yr old coach. I still backed him up 100% though when a parent got upset because her son wasn't pitching and felt it was his job to teach her son 100% of the game. I asked if anyone at home ever worked with him and her answer was "No, that is why I bring him here" I explained that if she expected him to improve then he needed to practice at home too. SHe didn't like that and huffed off.
I have dealt with the parents that informed me their children were better then the others because they were paying for private lessons for them. This always bugged me so I have been very careful about how I sound when telling someone Nick is taking lessons. I usually say something like..."Nick wanted to learn how to bat better so we are working with a coach now. If you are interested I could give you his number. " I also let them know there is a baseball camp every January at the high school. (The best kept secret around here) Usually the whole thing comes up because someone sees Nick draw a line in front of home plate before he bats. (yes it is perfectly legal) I just try really hard not to sound like we are better then anyone else because I hated that our first season.
Well, Nick has to get ready for a game now so hopefully we can continue on the overall nice parents

 

[Kteacher]

we have a great Little League organization. The coaches are great, as are the kids and parents. Everyone cheers for everyone. Kids from another team sent over gifts to cheer my son up after he was injured. Ian is out for the season, but we'll all be going to the games to cheer on whoever is up at bat. It makes a huge difference to the kids when the parents are supportive of everyone. Now soccer is another story in our town

 

[LtlTee]

My son plays 3 sports in our township rec league. My husband also coaches and is on the rec council board. As parents, we must sign a "no tolerance" form at sign ups -- any type of negative behavior, insults, harrassment of the coaches or refs, etc. are grounds for the offender (parent, coach, or player) being escorted out. I've seen parents thrown out, coaches thrown out, and players thrown out. This is helping to nip it in the bud, but like someone else said, just when I think I've heard and seen it all, someone else does or says something that just blows my mind.

 

[Gupsmom]

no tolerance

We have this too. So far it's been nice. There are people that take the sport a bit too serious (these are very little kids) but no rude and obnoxious behaviour yet. I truly hope things have changed in the years I have been away and the adults remain well behaved.

Jess

 

[BrerMom]

OT...it's not limited to the sports arena. I've been lucky this year with regard to "obnoxious" parents - not one "what do you mean Little Susy earned a B???? None of her OTHER teachers have ever given her a B." I love supportive parents!

If I ever act like that, I hope somebody puts me out of my misery. This year, DD's swim team played the swim team where I teach. I cheered for DD, her friends, and my students! (You can get away with that in middle school!)

 

[RitaZ.]

Oh boy, we went through this...

When DS played baseball, the rule was the parents could yell all they wanted as long as they didn't set foot on the field. The coaches couldn't do anything about the yelling. There was this one mom that kept yelling at her DD to "Fire it". Get real!!! How many of these kids do they really think are going to be professional players? Just let the kids have fun and get a grip on reality.