Since my own daughter opted out of playing high school softball her senior year, I've found I have a lot of time on my hands. It doesn't go to waste, though. I tend to wander out and catch games that either involve students of mine, players on my team, kids I know, or sometimes even some random game.
If you've never done it -- gone to a game where you don't have a direct stake in the outcome -- it's really an interesting experience. What you notice the most is how emotional, upset, angry, etc. otherwise seemingly reasonable people can get. I've watched as parents and/or other fans totally freak out over an umpire's call -- even if it's the right call. They get angry over a poor strategic move, a missed play or dozens of other things.
I understand. I've been there too. But when you stop and watch a game you 're not totally invested in you can see how silly it sounds at times.
For most of us, we are watching kids playing a kid's game. Winning that game, that tournament, that league championship may seem important at the time, but it's really not. At least not in the big scheme of things.
We want to see our kids do well, or better yet do their best. But sometimes that desire gets in the way of common sense. If you find your blood boiling and your tolerance level dropping, take a deep breath, take a step back, and ask yourself the Joker's question -- why so serious? Then take a chill pill and be glad you live somewhere that a fastpitch softball game can be your biggest concern in the world.
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If you've never done it -- gone to a game where you don't have a direct stake in the outcome -- it's really an interesting experience. What you notice the most is how emotional, upset, angry, etc. otherwise seemingly reasonable people can get. I've watched as parents and/or other fans totally freak out over an umpire's call -- even if it's the right call. They get angry over a poor strategic move, a missed play or dozens of other things.
I understand. I've been there too. But when you stop and watch a game you 're not totally invested in you can see how silly it sounds at times.
For most of us, we are watching kids playing a kid's game. Winning that game, that tournament, that league championship may seem important at the time, but it's really not. At least not in the big scheme of things.
We want to see our kids do well, or better yet do their best. But sometimes that desire gets in the way of common sense. If you find your blood boiling and your tolerance level dropping, take a deep breath, take a step back, and ask yourself the Joker's question -- why so serious? Then take a chill pill and be glad you live somewhere that a fastpitch softball game can be your biggest concern in the world.
More...