- November 4, 2024
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Editor’s note: Richard Rigby won the fifth-grade Tropicana Speech Contest at Bunnell Elementary School this spring with this speech.
Crack! Bang! That's a typical sound for me! You see, I always knew I would be a baseball player. I've been on a few different sports teams: basketball, football and even soccer at one point, but baseball made me the happiest. It's the sport that I love! Now looking back to my T-ball games, it's a whole different ball game.
It seems that, at some point of the season, there will be a parent who doesn't like the way the game is going, the way a coach is coaching, or the way an umpire is umping; and they make it loud and clear for everyone to hear. A few years ago in the middle of a game, we were on the field and the score was close. The whole team was energized and ready to win, but all of a sudden the attention went from the field to the dugout, where a parent was screaming in our head coach's face because she didn't like the position her son was playing. Even though our coach tried to turn around and keep encouraging us while we played on the field, that parent just wouldn't stop. Her yelling and screaming just attracted more trouble. One of our coach's friends went into the dugout and started yelling at the parent who was yelling at the coach! The argument was distracting and discouraging, but, worst of all, it cost us the game.
These are the types of incidents you see on television and in movies, where the crazy parent wants their kid to play every position, so they kick and scream until they get their way. The sad fact is this isn't a movie. For some kids, those two hours at practice and three hours at the games, is the only time that they feel really happy and excited about what they are doing. How unfair is it that grown adults are ruining this for the kids?
Earlier this season, my team was playing one of the best teams in the league. I don't know why, but during this particular game we were on fire! The score was 6-9, and we were catching up quickly, only a few points away from our second win of the season. The game was so exciting that parents from different teams started coming over to watch.
We were the underdogs, but it looked like we were well on our way to a win. Then it all fell apart. Slowly some of the parents from our team began making comments about the calls the umpire was making. They felt that he wasn't being fair. The comments grow louder and ruder as the game continued on. The umpire turned around and made it clear to our parents that he knew what he was doing and he didn't need the rude comments. Before he could turn around to continue the game, one of our players parent stood up and threatened him by yelling, "You need to be fair, or you better watch your back!" That was it. The umpire had had enough, so he called the game. Just like that, our almost victory was torn away from us because of a parent who spoke without thinking. Of course, after the game was called, the shouting and cursing became louder and more intense. There were even threats of the police being called. Again, the fun of the game was taken away.
According to The Post Game, "about 75% of kids stop playing sports by age 13." The New York Daily states that "60% of people in the United States will witness a parent being verbally or physically abusive at their child's sporting events.” This is outrageous! Sports help keep us kids entertained and out of trouble. It is a fun way for us to learn and to get exercise. Parents and coaches need to figure out how to work together to make sports fair and fun. We trust them to do what's best for us, but, over and over again, they aren't being good examples. I think it is time for adults to step up to the plate and do what's right for us kids!
