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Life Lessons Life Lesson #27: Parents Who Played Parents Who Played Recently, I?ve read several articles discussing the intensity levels of certain baseball parents. One of the interesting arguments made was that many parents are much more engaged in the winning/losing aspect of the sport due to the fact that they are very familiar with the game. Having played, watched and attended baseball games, parents are extremely aware of wins, losses, errors and strikeouts. This familiarity with throwing and hitting a baseball leads to frustrations when they watch their own athletes struggle. Conversely, the argument points out the different level of parent intensity with regard to extreme sports. This line of reasoning cited that the vast majority of today?s parents have never taken a skateboard down a half-pipe, or launched a bicycle off a vert ramp. Therefore, parents remain entertained, enamored, and amazed by the feats that their children accomplish. Knowing little about the finer points of execution, parents simply support the effort given by their young athletes and rarely grow angry or frustrated by a lack of execution. Personally, my thoughts wandered to a situation where I was a fan at a non-familiar sporting event. This summer, I made my way to the Olympics in Athens, Greece. While I did spend an afternoon or two watching baseball, I also supported a close friend who was competing in the sport of Equestrian (horse back riding) ? a sport I know absolutely nothing about! I spent two days watching these athletes execute amazing maneuvers on the ground and in the air; all while perched atop an enormous animal. While I did feel the adrenaline rush and urge to cheer on my friend, I could find nothing to critique because of my lack of familiarity with the sport. I simply became a one-man cheering section. While it?s an extreme example, that?s the personal parallel that I took from the Parents Who Played discussion. I can understand why when we watch our youngsters play baseball, it?s very easy to get frustrated or upset. In our eyes, we can see certain plays being made? and then watch our athletes struggle to get it done. Because we have an idea of how they ?should have? handled the play, we holler suggestions and criticisms. Positive or not, these are the actions that we must be aware of. I think it would be silly to conclude that those parents that have not played the game make better coaches, or even fans, than those who know baseball. Knowledge is power, but it?s how one uses that knowledge that determines its effect on a young person?s life. With that being said, it?s interesting to stop and think about how different your reactions would be as a parent if you?d never seen a baseball game. Finally, perhaps we would be better snowboarding and surfing coaches if we learned a little more about the finer points of extreme sports. Let?s meet at the half-pipe this weekend to brush up on our skills. Bring your helmet. |
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