The Side Liners

THE SIDE LINERS’

I’m a father of a ten-year old son, Spencer.  Like any other young boy he dreams of throwing the perfect pitch, clutching those stubborn ground balls, and crush those pitches that enter the batters box. We would spend each day practicing his form in anticipation of our first game on the field.  Oh, did I say our first game; you know I meant his first game. Yeah, that’s right, his first game. 

Although the season is over now as we crawl into the winter months, Spencer and I have not stopped practicing, maybe because he has always told me he wants to play in the major league and I, as his father, want to do everything I can to make his dream come true.  Spencer and I both have a deep love for the game of baseball, maybe because it’s as American as Apple Pie or maybe because I too was once a ten year old boy with hopes and dreams of being a major league player.

I often think back to Spencer’s first season of pee-wee baseball.  We were out there on the field with other parents; parents that had more experience in the pee wee leagues and tournaments than I, as Spencer is my only child.  I would go home and tell my wife how amusing and sometimes alarming it was to see other parent’s involvement on the sidelines.  Parent’s telling the coach who to put in, who to take out, how to run the game it was almost to the point of disturbing the entire game. And these were only five year olds!  I vowed to my wife, I would never be that kind of parent.

Now reflecting back on that I try to analyze what drives some of these parents to be so abrupt?  I guess like most things, it starts out small, gradually builds up, and before long it is a problem.  Perhaps some of those well intended comments shouted from the side line, something like, “pay attention now son.”  Before long it leads up to belittling one of his plays, and on and on it grows.  Thankfully, and with the help of my wife, I haven’t reached this point nor will I.  She has brought it to my attention that my facial grimaces as well as guttural interjections of oohs and aahs at missed plays are at times distracting to Spencer.

As parents we have to constantly remind ourselves that they are children, our children, and it is our responsibility to preserve their well-being and encourage them to do their very best.  Children need to experience life for themselves, have a little fun along the way, and most importantly learn from their mistakes and/or let downs.  Whether it is a child or adult, we all learn at our own pace, so give your kid the chance. 

Organized sports lend an important role in a child’s development.  Aside from the rewarding experience of the sport itself, and the much needed exercise, children learn how to interact with others and how to work within a team.  Pretty valuable lessons, wouldn’t you agree.  I urge you, as a parent, to encourage and enable your children to participate in organized sports.

Remember to let them have some fun; it is all a learning experience, even losing a game along the way.