It’s a mixture of both. Every coach that has a son on the team should not coach that team. It’s never a good situation.
Parents all think their kid is going to be the next big star.
Mix the two together and it ruins the experience for the kids.
I’ve been on both sides of the ball. Player, coach, and umpire. Umpiring truly opened my eyes to the ridiculousness.
Coaches playing their kids and other relatives ahead of far better players. Coaches not coaching, or even ignoring those that may need a little extra, over “better” players.
Parents coaching from the stands. It confuses the player. Who are they supposed to listen to? I have benched a player when they’ve gone against my call in favor of their parent’s. There has to be one leader on the field and I’m it.
Parents acting like total ass hats in the stands. It’s a kids game. Let them be kids and have fun. I’ve stopped games as an umpire until the parents have settled down or left the field.
Umps could be better also. Showed up to a game to ump and the other guy, I shit you not, says “hey, that’s my nephew over there. Be generous behind the plate.” I refused that game.
This is one of the best comments I’ve received. The umpire perspective is something I hadn’t thought enough about — and “hey, that’s my nephew, be generous behind the plate” is jaw-dropping. Good for you for walking away from that one. Thank you for reading!
It’s a mixture of both. Every coach that has a son on the team should not coach that team. It’s never a good situation.
Parents all think their kid is going to be the next big star.
Mix the two together and it ruins the experience for the kids.
I’ve been on both sides of the ball. Player, coach, and umpire. Umpiring truly opened my eyes to the ridiculousness.
Coaches playing their kids and other relatives ahead of far better players. Coaches not coaching, or even ignoring those that may need a little extra, over “better” players.
Parents coaching from the stands. It confuses the player. Who are they supposed to listen to? I have benched a player when they’ve gone against my call in favor of their parent’s. There has to be one leader on the field and I’m it.
Parents acting like total ass hats in the stands. It’s a kids game. Let them be kids and have fun. I’ve stopped games as an umpire until the parents have settled down or left the field.
Umps could be better also. Showed up to a game to ump and the other guy, I shit you not, says “hey, that’s my nephew over there. Be generous behind the plate.” I refused that game.
Adults really do ruin it for the kids.
This is one of the best comments I’ve received. The umpire perspective is something I hadn’t thought enough about — and “hey, that’s my nephew, be generous behind the plate” is jaw-dropping. Good for you for walking away from that one. Thank you for reading!