Even as a parent I kept calm and quiet. I was a coach for many years so I know what parents can be like. I reacted badly one time and I put myself in time out, apologized to our team and called and apologized to the athletic director who was at the game. He understood why I was upset and did handle the other coach but I was still unprofessional. There were a couple of parents at my grandsons game the other day who would not stop making remarks about the coaches, and the coaches heard them, that the owner of the organization sent out a group e-mail to all the parents. My daughter shared it and it was a great response. I am a very laid back spectator. I once asked my oldest grandson if he could hear people shouting at him when he pitched and he said while he can at times he just tunes them out. His other grandmother he banned from his games for awhile because she became loud and obnoxious.
I know the type. We were always quiet. For several years I was a team manager, but I kept my mouth shut unless I spoke to the coach individually. He would always explain things in such a way it helped me understand that there is a lot more at play than most people realize is going on. My son was always very quiet - and small when he was younger. But he had determination and stick-to-it-iveness, so he outlasted a lot of kids on his teams, with a lot leaving each year because they always thought the grass would be greener somewhere else. His long term coach taught them to play every position, so he became a utility player who could be put anywhere, which came in very useful in many situations over the years, and got him a lot of playing time, which was a win-win. When his coaches needed someone, he’d step up. (And he even played on opposing teams if they needed someone - he didn’t care, as long as he was playing.) A lot of kids didn’t like the outfield but that coach helped them to see how important a spot it is, ie a bad play out there can turn what should’ve been an out or a single, into worse. (Speaking of kids yelling while a pitcher is pitching - that always had the opposite effect on DS, too, than was intended. He became incredibly focused! I think a game in 7th grade against 8th and 9th graders solidified that for him one night, I still remember it very well. Silly kids!)
When he got to college play, it was a huge no-no for parents to be involved in almost any way, except for fundraising and team lunches! Even travel to FL it was made crystal clear that the team came first, and players were lucky if they got a little time off to be with their families. I’ll never forget one day DS’s whole college team got REAMED because a freshman parent had called the head coach about (lack of) playing time. DS asked me after the game, “Mom, you didn’t by any chance….?” Omg, I knew better than that! But apparently coach told this parent if you think I’m taking a senior All American out of conference play to put a freshman in, you’re out of your mind! And that family wound up leaving the team! If kids have any inkling of playing in college they (and their parents) really need to figure out in HS that recruiters can be at games and WILL watch the way players and parents interact with coaches, umpires, other players, and the like, and loud, interfering families could be something they just don’t want to deal with, even if the player is good. One day after DS had already been recruited, I was shocked to see his college coach standing behind home plate watching him hit. Thankfully he had a good at-bat and doubled, but turns out he was there to see someone else! And he’d probably been among the crowd for quite a while before we noticed him! (We‘d been quietly enjoying our lunch under a tent by ourselves and he later came over to chat, which was nice.)
I think I mentioned here recently seeing DS in the batter’s box warming up at a recent softball game brought back a flood of memories from when he was little - his swing has never changed and he has the exact same stance he has always had!
DS didn’t have a college graduation ceremony due to Covid so instead I made him a slideshow of his college baseball years, put to music, and it is so amazing to watch and see his transformation from skinny freshman to bulking senior! (They work them out hard!) I also made a large plaque from a photo of him pitching with an inspirational saying on it that he will someday hang in his own home. I’ve always felt that all his years in baseball taught him so much about leadership and teamwork, and will serve as a compass for him in his career. (It already has - he recently had a job interview and was asked a question that he answered by referring to something his coach had expected of him.)
Being involved in something is so good for kids, no matter what it is.
Parents just need to let the kids play and let the coaches coach. Pick good ones, and then just enjoy the ride.
Go for it!
Scrambled eggs 
