by Ronald Jones

Created on: March 01, 2010

While watching the news recently, my attention was drawn to one of the local stories about a disturbance that had taken place at a youth football game. The game had become newsworthy for all of the wrong reasons. The players competing on the field were not the object of the story; instead it focused on an argument that had broken out between two fathers watching the game from the stands. The argument turned into a full scale brawl that eventually had to be broken up by the police. During this parental melee, I can only imagine that several of those children witnessing this bleacher brawl were strongly reconsidering their mom's offer to give them piano lessons instead of playing football. After all, piano lessons couldn't be any worse than this!

My hope is that you would read these four principles of positive sportsmanship and consider giving them an honest try.

1. Put team sports in proper perspective as it pertains to the grand scheme of life...(I want you to repeat after me..."It's only a game...it's only a game".) I don't remember a great deal about my high school playing days, but I know that I'll never forget an incident I watched involving a friend and teammate of mine and his father. My friend was up to bat in a game against our rivals. There were runners on base and a base hit would give us a chance to break the game open. My friend's father was in the stands shouting words of encouragement to his son that could be heard above the rest of the cheers from the grandstand. On a two strike count, the boy swung at the next pitch and missed. Strike three. Inning over. The energy was sucked from the crowd and slowly the players on our team began to take the field. I watched as the father's eyes made contact with his son. The man lowered his head, stood to his feet, and left the game. I honestly don't recall who eventually won or lost the game that day, but the wounded look I saw on my friend's face as he returned to the dugout had nothing to do with his strikeout.

2. Remember that "It's not about you!" Make certain that your behavior in the stands isn't more noticeable than what is going on in the game. There is nothing more embarrassing than a boisterous parent. Try and remember that there is NOTHING good that can come out of a parent's poor conduct at a game. NOTHING!

3. Use your energy and excitement to cheer for your child and his team. That is a parent's responsibility; be your child's biggest fan!  Stay clear of the temptation to trash talk about

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