A little friendly advice from the players and coaches . . . . .

Hey parents listen up! Your daughter slides into a base easily beating the tag (from your vantage point) but the ump yells OUT! What should you do or say? We all have the potential to do or say things in the heat of competition. We ask that you THINK before you act or speak.

Cheer don’t sneer! Only positive words should come out if your mouth during a game.

Walk before you squawk! If you feel a sudden urge to yell at an ump, coach or player, take a walk before you say something that will embarrass you, the team, and your daughter.

Your negative voice won’t make the team jell. Don’t bellow instructions to your daughter or teammates from the sideline.

Don’t point the blame if they lose the game. When your child’s team loses, don’t blame it on a bad call, a teammates error, or anything else. How will your daughter learn to accept responsibility if you don’t?

Raise with praise! That’s right kids will raise their game and the efforts if you praise them. Use any achievement as an excuse for a compliment. Your daughter wants to believe in herself and you can help.

Suppress the urge to kill the Ump! You should know going in that many umpires are mediocre at best. This is unfortunate but true. Let the coach dispute a call.

Paralysis by analysis. Avoid replaying the game in the family car on the way home. If your daughter brings it up, fine. Chances are it’s about the last thing she will want to talk about.

The Big S. (The Screamer) "What are you DOING Alice? You’re playing like your grandmother! Hey ump that WAS the WORST call I’ve ever seen! What’s wrong with YOU? Common Alice move your butt!"

The MVP. (The Must Win Parent) This is a species that has evolved over the last thirty years. Over that period winning at all costs has replaced " Its not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game", as the predominant theme in American sports.

Good coaches teach respect for the opposition, love of competition, the value of trying your best, leaving IT on the field, and how to win (and lose) graciously.

Some adults expect perfection from their daughter and from her team. They grumble about losing too many games, make negative comments before games, during games, and after games. And worst of all when an athlete has just muffed a routine play or struck out.

The Big W. (The Whiner) "Do we have to buy black shorts? Why can’t they wear blue? Eight o’clock in the morning! Why do games have to be so early? Why do we have to play them again? We played them yesterday!

The IF. (Interfering parent) "Are you sure you want to put Alice behind the plate? She had a passed ball last week that cost us the game. I’m not sure about Sally in center.....why would you bat her second?

The IGASP. (I’ve got a secret parent) Alice strikes out on a called third strike. Alice age 11, curses the ump, flips him the bird, throws the bat and breaks into tears. Alice’s mother says "Oh my, she be reacting to her new medication". Alice’s mom then explains that Alice has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The CEO. (The Certified Expert On everything) No definition required, you will be able to spot this one on your own.

9 QUICK REMINDERS

1. Deliver your daughter to practices, events and games on time.
2. Say only positive things on the sidelines.
3. Communicate with the coach, but not on the field.
4. Don’t shout instructions to your child during the game.
5. Call the coach if your daughter is going to be late or absent.
6. Focus on effort, not winning.
7. Support the coach, especially regarding lineup choices and discipline.
8. Don’t allow sleepovers or late outings the night before a game.
9. Feed your daughter before practices and games.