by Bob Swanson

Created on: June 22, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

There is nothing like watching a Little League game, I would know. I happen to live in the beautiful town of Williamsport,Pennsylvania. If you don't already know it is the home of Little League Baseball. I have the fine privilege of getting to see the best of the best play each summer. There is nothing like watching kids have so much fun. Every kid that steps out onto the field is having the time of their life until the final second when they step onto the bus and make the longest trip of their life back home. Little League has and always will be for the kids. It does after all have the word "little" in it for a reason.

I can easily see why this topic came up. Little League baseball has along with the Raiders the craziest fans in all of sports. The fans being the parents. Some of these parents are literally crazy about baseball. Being one who has experienced their wrath first hand. It was not to long ago that I was playing Little League baseball. I know first hand how insane and absurd the parents can be. It is truly ridiculous and sick how parents can get so into something like Little League. Coaching is ok but some parents take it to a whole new level. Most of the time it is a disgruntled father who never made it and is living his dream through his child. You can tell who they are because they are the ones that nearly climb the fence to get to the ump after their kid was called out on strikes. They are the ones that believe their 8-year old child can do no wrong and should be batting cleanup and be the ace of the staff.

Those are the people that make this topic come up. The game is for the kids, not the parents. If you are a parent of a Little Leaguer and are reading this. Yes it is embarrassing for your child when you get thrown out of a public park for arguing with the umpire. The parents should be there for the kids only. The goal is to watch you child have fun and do good, which doesn't always involve winning, so please let it go. At that age most of the kids don't even know the score of the game at the end because they are to busy running to the concession stand. This is the way it should be and should stay. Little League Baseball is for the kids, and in no way whatsoever for the parents.

Little League Baseball is for the kids but we sometimes forget that. Some people unfortunately are like the above stated. Sometimes they are like this because they care to much, or for any number of other reasons. Being in love with the game because your child plays it is one thing, but people need to remember they are parents before fans. At the end of the day when your child comes home after a game they want a parent, not a fan. Little League Baseball is for the kids, let's keep it that way.

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