05/03/2014
WHY CAN’T WE LET THE KIDS ENJOY THEIR GAMES?
As Prep Editor at 1580am KREL - ESPN Radio, I travel around the area to games almost every day, and since starting this position in November of 2013, I estimate that I have attended over 100 games and events/matches, and there is one constant in all of those games I have attended, the vitriol and language aimed at the referees and, in some cases, the other teams players and fans.
Just two weeks ago I was at a CSML Baseball game, and after the game ended, words were exchanged between a player on one team, and a coach from another, as the umpires quickly moved to get between the teams and break this up, almost immediately the yelling and screaming from parents increased, both sides yelling that they were wronged, and wondering why the umpires didn’t do something earlier, then I heard a specific comment that made me stop and wonder if our country has really done any maturing in the 54 ½ years I’ve been alive.
“NO WONDER YOU PEOPLE ARE FROM THE SOUTH” – I had to rub my ears to make sure I had heard that correctly, and in this case what is even worse is the comment was made towards players and fans from a school – not from a part of our great country, NO, it was directed at a segment of the population who either A) CAN’T AFFORD TO LIVE ON THE NORTH END OF TOWN, B) CHOOSE TO LIVE WHERE THEY DO, or C) LOVE WHERE THEY LIVE, NORTH-SOUTH-EAST OR WEST COLORADO SPRINGS
And consider the highly insensitive comments made by the co-owner of a new shooting range, "We want to get the ladies on the north end of town packing a gun and proficient (to) let all the crooks down south know they can stay down there.” Said Mr. Gary Erickson, co-owner of Magnum Shooting Center. Well, nothing like dividing our town into imaginary quadrants. Now regardless of whether it is true or not that most of the crime or criminals in the city is relegated to a certain corridor, the point is that saying something like that can only lead to more arguments, not less.
And to make a comment like that when you are supposed to be AN ADULT and cheering for your son or daughter, eventually it is going to lead to the time that either adults are not permitted to attend games, or will have to have a certificate guaranteeing that they are “Good Adult Fans”, that will not cause problems at their kids games.
The umpires and teams in competition are all in it for the same goal, although you may not think so. The Teams want to have a competitive, well umpired game where they can decide on the fields of competition who is the winner, without outside interference. The umpires want to have a competitive, well-played game that showcases sportsmanship and where they are not noticed (outside interference)
The umpires and officials/referees that are at the games are there for the love of the games, and the family members and fans should be there for the same reason. Do you really think that the arbiters of the games get together beforehand and decide who they will make the calls against? Pretty sure that only happens in WWE and sports of that ilk, otherwise, I think I can say that everyone who attends prep games just wants to see a competitive match with their side winning, but it can’t be that way folks…..
So stop thinking that your yelling and screaming is making any difference to the outcome of the game, and sit back and enjoy your kids games, WHILE YOU HAVE THE CHANCE. PRETTY SOON THERE WON’T BE ANYTHING TO SCREAM ABOUT BECAUSE YOUR KIDS WILL BE GRADUATED, and what will you remember? The yelling and screaming at umps, or the enjoyment of watching your son or daughter compete?
