The Important Role of a Softball Parent Fan
Softball parents are a different breed of sports parents. It is not uncommon for these parents to become invested in their player and the team. Softball parents put in countless hours of individual practice with their daughter off the playing field, they drive many miles to games and weekend tournaments, spend money on private lessons, trips, travel, and team costs, not to mention they attend every game, and most are invested in every pitch.
Most of us have probably heard about the “Brawl” that recently took place. If not, see the video below.
Bizarre brawl breaks out at youth softball tournament between parents and fans of two North Carolina teams.
No injuries or arrests were reported, but both teams were disqualified from the tournament. https://t.co/0kdc4482A3 pic.twitter.com/A1xZ2GAycI
— ABC News (@ABC) June 19, 2018
The role of a softball parent isn’t easy, especially for those parents who were once competitive athletes themselves. It is critical that parents stay out of the dugout during games and let their players play and allow their assigned team coaches to coach.
When softball parents invest so much in their daughters and the team, it can be difficult for them to find their identity of merely being a fan. The role of a softball parent fan is significant. When parents drop their kids off at the ballpark on game days, they become a fan for the day. Teams feed off of each other as well as the energy and support they receive from their number one fans who sit in the parent section in the bleachers or down the foul line.
It’s essential that parents know and buy into their role when they attend games. If you are a parent, don’t try to be a coach too. “Sideline coaches” or parents who can’t keep quiet outside of the dugout can be a distraction to the players, coaches, and the overall team. Softball players spend the most time around their parents and are used to listening to them. When parents get loud on the sidelines, it can be easy for their player to draw attention to what their parent is yelling. This will distract the player from fulfilling her role on the field and on her team.
Parents should refrain from making comments towards their player, coaches, and umpires from the sidelines. It can be very frustrating as a parent to have an opinion that is different from that of the coach or the umpire. Even when this occurs, parents should never voice their opinion when a game is taking place between the lines. If a parent is harassing an umpire from the sidelines and the team takes notice, again, this distracts the players from the game.
Softball coaches have enough to worry about when they step on the field for game days; they don’t need to worry about the parents in the stands too. It is encouraged that coaches hold a team parent meeting before every season at the younger age levels. The meeting would be an excellent opportunity for coaches to lay out the ground rules and expectations from all participating parties. If parents know and understand their role, they are more likely to hold themselves to the standard and expectations set for them. The teams who have everyone working together towards a common goal will be set up to succeed during the season.
As hard as parents may try to keep to themselves on game days, they are bound to have some slip ups, especially as the season goes on. It’s okay for parents to get invested in their players, the team, and the game. If a parent has a slip-up, it’s important for the coach to address it and remind the parent of their role. Accountability is critical from the coach and creates respect between the coach and the parent. When all parties have respect for one another, it will limit the drama on-and-off the field and prevent harm to the team.
To all of the softball parents out there, we need you. The players who find the most success in the sport of softball are the ones who have the love and support from their parents at all times. There comes a time in every softball players career where their parent will step out of the role of the coach. When this happens, it’s critical for the parent to understand and buy into their new role of being a fan in the stands. The role of a fan can be just as important as the role of the coach. Softball players need a support system at all times, especially when they are competing between the lines on the field. Parents who find themselves in the role of a fan, be supportive, let the coaches coach, let the players play, and don’t be afraid to have some fun.
Below is what the players do not need.
