Preparing the girls to play a team with jerk parents

[The Man In Blue]

10U Parents may be the worst. The best you can do is stay classy and beat them on the field. Impress on your girls and parents that you don't ever want to be THAT team.

Almost. 8u parents are THE worst. It is close though.

My theory is that they have not been around the game long enough to learn proper etiquette (or the rules). As they age up and travel more, they begin to learn the etiquette of the game.

 

[bmakj]

the (presumed) attempt at humor in the first part.

intended to be somewhat humorous, but also what I would do (probably minus the bat), I would not wait or rely on staff. No excuse for "adults" to be harassing 10yo girls that way. My experience is, when someone who cannot be / is not intimidated by arseholes such as those confronts them, they get small and quiet very quickly. they are bullies and cowards at heart. they need to be immediately and publicly exposed and stopped.

spelling correction on quiet

 

[canyonjoe]

I would try and have a meeting with your parents and get them to commit to not engaging with the other team. That's a recipe for disaster. I would talk to the TD and let him know what happened so when you play them the TD knows what might happen. Hopefully he can put a strong Umpire on that game.

 

[bmakj]

the disaster has already happened (10 yo girls being harassed, screamed at by "adults" is a disaster in my book, maybe I am overprotective). 95% of the time, you confront the loudmouths, they shut the * up and back down. otherwise, they will continue their unacceptable behaviour any time they think they can get away with it (ie no authority figures around).

 

[sluggers]

Mandatory viewing for all softball parents:

 

[Hawk_]

Wow. I missed 10u the first time I read this.
I was coaching third and had a parent start yelling at me next to the third base dugout. I'm not exactly the guy you want to pick a fight with. I simply said "I'm not the guy to yell at, I'll walk off the field now." and he shut up. Most people don't know how to fight or really want to, but social media has taught them there is no consequences for their words. Some times staying calm and letting them know what is really about to happen is all it takes.

 

[_MIA_]

I wouldn't mind it one bit if they banned all parents from games of kids younger than 16..I am serious. Everybody does some sort of live stream now anyway..

 

[hummingbird]

This story is so brutal that I'm finding it hard to believe it. Not that it's not true, but if it is, wow.. just wow..

 

[uncdrew]

Wow!! It absolutely blows my mind that adults act in this manner. Especially at 10u. It's sad that the 10u players are more mature then the parents...

Anyway, what I always try to get across to the players is that there are barriers around the field for a reason.
*The first barrier is the lines on the field. When inside those lines, the game belongs to the players. The coaches are their to help, but they are not allowed within those lines unless time is called. (Obviously I include the catcher in this even though she is technically outside the lines...)
*The second barrier is the fence around the field. The only people that should be inside the fence are the players, coaches, and umpires. Game participants only...
*Anyone outside the fence should be there to provide positive support. If they are not providing support, they should not be there. It is my duty (as a coach) and the umpire's duty to keep the players safe from those outside forces.

I am glad to see that the tournament officials created a barrier, but it sounds like some stronger measures may have been warranted.

I like this.

If my team ever gets in this situation perhaps going and sitting out in Center Field is a way to get some distance from these horrible parents.

Can't believe they followed them into the parking lot and such. Horrifying.

 

[_MIA_]

I like this.

If my team ever gets in this situation perhaps going and sitting out in Center Field is a way to get some distance from these horrible parents.

Can't believe they followed them into the parking lot and such. Horrifying.

I sit in the OF but if some parent was verbally abusing my DD you can be assured I would try and get my butt down there...now the concession stand might be closed and lights might be out by that point but I would try!!