Article: "Student-athletes to parents: 'Grow up'"

[JWP]

Growing up in the early 1970s, our youth baseball program was fairly low key. No coaches, just team captains, with three high school players serving as advisers and umpires.

I remember having a parent yelling at me (captain) from the stands, during a game, because he didn't like the way the lineup was set. I'm 12 years old, trying to play first base, and trying to explain why his son was catching (because he wanted to try it.)

I suspect that because of that incident, I have zero tolerance for parents yelling at players during the game. Never had to have a parent tossed, but I have stopped the game a few times and told them they could cheer for their kids as loud as they wanted, but one more negative word directed at player from either team and the parent was gone.

The last time I did that, during a junior high game featuring a parent yelling at players from both teams, the fans at that end of the stands applauded. Didn't hear a word from the loud-mouthed putz after that.