Just-A-Tho't On Kid's Sports

It's done!  My family has just completed the Spring Baseball season, and two of my kids won their league's championships.  So far, none have been notified of selection to the Liberty County Recreation Department's "All-Star" teams.  I'm glad!  I must admit, I get too wound up during baseball season - I even lose sleep thinking about the games.  They are exciting, challenging, and coaching is as tough as anything because the parents all know better than you! (I coached Joshua's team.) 

 

I consider some teams to be very fortunate because the parents don't push the envelope when it comes to their children's competition.  The team one of my kids beat for the championship, however, is not one of those fortunate teams.  The coaches, parents, and kids, all are rather lacking when it comes to sportsmanship.  Winning is the most important thing, even when the other team is better.  While not everyone saw it, they even punched coaches from the other team after the game.  The kids were sent home crying after boldly and tauntingly announcing their victory during the regular season, only to lose on the order of 12-1.  The parents even accused the umpires of racism because the calls did not go "their way." 

 

Behavior like this from parents only makes it harder on the kids.  They can't enjoy the game for the game's sake because the values are skewed.  They learn that cheating, threatening, intimidating, and all sorts of illicit behavior is acceptable, as long as the win comes to them.  Unfortunately, this team also calls themselves "Christians."  Their witness is spoiled by their words, their behavior, and their attitudes.  I'm glad the season is over, and I've had to reflect on my own behavior - praying that I've carried the cross with honesty, humility, and truth through the season, not bringing a bad name to my Savior as these do.  I'm also glad my Savior will forgive me when I fail in this area - I'm trying to do better!