It’s baseball season in my neck of the woods, which means we have been spending A LOT of time at the ball park.
With my two oldest playing, we are averaging 4 games/week plus practices on top. It can get crazy but baseball is my sport.
My boys play soccer and basketball at other times of the year as well and I love to watch them, but I basically grew up on the baseball (softball) field. I took my position on 3rd base pretty seriously and even though I ruined my right shoulder for life, and I can no longer play more than a few minutes of catch with my boys (and sometimes not even that), the thrill of the game comes back to me as I watch my boys play and at times, my competitiveness starts to come out.
But, I am definitely not the most competitive parent at the games. I’ve heard pretty much everything coming out of the mouths of some. Last week there was nearly an all-out brawl at a coach pitch game. COACH PITCH! We’re talking 7-9 year old kids who had to sit and watch the adults make fools out of themselves (yes I’ll say it like it is). These kids are little and excited to be playing and yet often, we parents take the fun out the game by taking things too seriously.
I came across this quote awhile ago and have saved it because I need this reminder every year when baseball season rolls around. And yes, I get a little emotional when I read it. I guess it really puts things into perspective.
He’s Just a Little Boy
I love sports and I think sports can be really beneficial for kids. And don’t get me wrong, I want my boys to be competitive in a healthy way. I want them to try their best and give it 100% but I also don’t want them to forget that in the end, it is just a game. You win some and you lose some. One of my first blog posts was last year at this time where I listed 20 Benefits of Kids playing sports. Our children can learn so much and make some great memories, but if we take the game too seriously and come down on them too hard, then it’s no longer fun. We just have to remember that “He’s just a little boy and not a man yet. “
So true. I used to coach soccer when I was in college for little kids (4-6) and I can’t tell you the number of times I had to have a parent removed from the field for ‘bad sportsmanship’. Yes, it’s good for them to learn rules and how to follow direction, and yes it’s nice to win, but playing a sport is about learning a skill, making new friends and having a good time. Way too many people lose sight of that.
Great post.
Absolutely.Agree.100.Percent! I wish adults would just remember that they are kids. They need to learn, just like we did!
Love this – great reminder!!!
I really do not get the parents that are anything but encouraging and helpful. Yelling out unnecessary words at a kids game is just down right wrong. Leave it at the professional sporting events. I’m competitive but I think some people just take things a little too far. Hope your kids have a great season this year.
What a great post! I definitely think playing any sports shows kids to stay healthy and in shape.
I haven’t reached this stage with my boys yet, and in this area the parents are so ‘into’ the sports, I almost don’t want them to be interested in sports. Isn’t that horrible? A very good reminder!
So true.
Adults take the fun out of everything!
I’m actually not a sports fan. At all. Just the thought of it bores me to tears. My husband played baseball and loves sports. Even though I can’t stand sports I would definitely be supportive if my kids were involved, but I don’t think I could stand to hear adults talk bad about kids that are playing. Why do grown-ups have to be such jerks?