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Every Little League Field Should Display This Sign for Parents
In the world of kids’ sports, we often expect a bit of silly behavior from the little ones. However, it’s the adults who sometimes need a friendly reminder to keep their cool. At children’s sporting events, some parents seem to forget that the players are just kids and the competition isn’t exactly life-or-death. That’s why a Little League organization took it upon themselves to create a poster to remind parents of their role during games. Apparently, it was necessary.
Take the case of Ryan Thompson, a dad from Milwaukee who observed his eight-year-old son play at the Glendale Little League. He spotted a sign on the fence that he felt summed up the situation perfectly and shared it online, where it sparked a lively discussion. The sign reads:
PLEASE REMEMBER
- These are KIDS.
- This is a GAME.
- Coaches are VOLUNTEERS.
- Umpires are HUMAN.
- Your child is NOT being scouted by the Brewers today.
Absolutely spot on! Ryan explained to HuffPost, “It serves as a visible reminder for everyone watching that these are just kids and there’s no need for tempers to flare.”
John Diedrich, president of Glendale Little League, mentioned that these signs have been on display at all four fields for four years now. They were introduced in response to the growing trend of overly competitive parents, which sometimes leads to heated exchanges among spectators. “We’ve seen inappropriate comments directed at umpires,” Diedrich said. “And keep in mind, those umpires are often older kids themselves—essentially, it’s parents bullying children.”
As a parent of two aspiring Little Leaguers, I can confidently say that this sign should be mandatory at every youth sports venue across the nation. I’ve witnessed parents overreact to the slightest “mistakes” made by coaches and umpires, and even their own children. Just the other day, I watched a dad berate his son for striking out, which left the poor kid visibly crushed.
It’s heartbreaking to see a child deflate after being scolded by an adult for not meeting some imaginary standard. Just yesterday, I observed my seven-year-old play his first game. While there were no major outbursts from parents, I did hear coaches lose their patience a few times when kids didn’t drop their bats quickly enough or swung at bad pitches. I wanted to shout, “Hey, these kids are still young enough to wear Paw Patrol underwear!”
Sure, they may seem like big kids, but they’re still learning and growing. For now, the focus should be on having fun, not on the final score. After all, the stakes will get higher as they grow older, but for now, they’re just kids. It’s our responsibility to ensure they enjoy the game.
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In summary, every Little League field should have a sign reminding parents to keep their expectations in check and prioritize fun over fierce competition. Let’s create a supportive environment for our kids to thrive in.