Emotions in check

My Take, by Tim Brodt

As a sportswriter and a parent of a young athlete, I attend many different sporting events played by athletes of both genders and all ages.

Throughout most of the events, I continually hear one topic discussed by coaches in many different ways -- don't let your emotions get the best of you.

This advice is sound not only for the players, but also for coaches, parents and spectators. Unfortunately, some adults present at sporting events let their emotions take over and hail verbal and physical assaults at targets of their displeasure.

Professional football gave us an ugly display a few weeks ago as Cleveland Browns' fans hurled beer bottles at officials and players over a disputed call on the field. Luckily, no one was hurt.

In Massachusetts, the father of a 10-year old youth hockey player is currently on trial for manslaughter after an altercation with the son's coach following a practice session. A heated discussion over physical play on the ice resulted in the father allegedly beating the coach to death at the hockey rink in front of players and parents.

Minor altercations that have erupted before in the Valley don't portray a model of sportsmanship to our youth. Some have been physical altercations and others only verbal, but neither acceptable.

One that comes to mind was a Little League baseball game I attended last summer in Palmer. Not happy with calls made on the field, a mother and grandmother of a player launched verbal assaults at youth umpires during the game. The relentless swearing and badgering at the umpires continued until another parent called the police to deal with the situation.

Our young athletes look to coaches, parents and even spectators as examples of behavior. There is a distinct line between appropriate and non-appropriate behavior that young athletes look for us to help them define. When we as adults take matters into our own hands, the result is never good.

Our young athletes have responsibilities too. They should know that good sportsmanship is not just a clichŽ. They should have respect for the game, other players, coaches and officials. Athletes cannot succeed without it.

Belligerence and temper tantrums are not acceptable away from the sport, why should it be accepted during it?

We in the Valley should feel proud of our young athletes and help them succeed in everything they strive for. This can be done with a "hands-off" approach.