Mitch had a play-off baseball game Friday night. I got there late. It was the top of the 5th and our team was up by 5. Looks good to me. And by the way, even if they were down by 5, we’re talking 11 and 12 year olds. This shouldn’t be white-knuckle seriousness… It’s Little League.
I don’t know the parents on the team. I have missed a majority of the games, but since there seems to be about 2 a week, I am not feeling too bad about it. (Besides, between our family and the ex’s family, there are always at least 2 family members at his games…)
Anyway.
Our team is up by 5 and in the outfield. A kid on the other team who had been really struggling with his hitting was on deck. There is a runner on 3rd base when he goes up to bat. Strike, ball, strike… there is a spectacularly ugly swing and he connects with the ball in a downward trajectory. The ball smacks the ground about 3 feet from the plate and stops.
Fair Ball!!!!
The batter seems momentarily stunned, as does our catcher. Each hesitates a split second before reacting. The runner on 3rd is already headed home. Our catcher fields the ball and can’t decide if he should try to make the play at home or at 1st. He opts for the play at 1st and overthrows the ball. The Little Batter That Could (LBTC) is cheered on to get to 2nd. Our 1st baseman overthrows to the 2nd baseman, and our center fielder isn’t backing him up. LBTC makes it to 3rd and then is waved home by his coaches.
LBTC got a Home Run out of a hit that rolled 3 feet away from home plate. It was like watching Charlie Brown actually get to kick the football.
Now while this play is unfolding on the field, our parents in the bleachers are acting like it’s the end of the world. Despite the fact that they are sitting directly in front of signs that say POSITIVE COMMENTS ONLY, shouts of “Aw Come ON!!!” or “Get it together Red Sox!!” or “What’s the matter with you guys!!!!” fill the air.
In sharp contrast to this Group Grumbling is me: I am rocking back and forth, laughing my ass off and clapping my hands. I am literally in tears, laughing.
Come on you guys. Really! Why so serious? Our team is way ahead, it’s like watching the Keystone Cops out there. A little kid on the other team, who probably had a totally crappy season, just got a home run during a play-off game… from a hit that went 3 feet.
Does it matter that he’s not on our team?
He’s a little kid… can’t you just be happy for him, even if it is because our kids screwed up in order to make it possible? Can’t you see the humor in the situation?
Does this render me ineligible to be a true sports mom? It does? Oh well.
OMGoodness… I don’t get those over the top parents who take little league so seriously. People need to get something to REALLY flip out over. Insane…. I just laugh and get a kick out of the little guys. Mine aren’t there yet, but I know this exact thing is sure to happen to me, and I will be equally annoyed.
Speaking as The-Smartest-Woman-in-the-Universe I say you were right to enjoy the kid’s good fortune.
You’re never gonna see another play like it.
The complainers should all burn in H-E-Double Hockey Sticks.
I’d be laughing too.
I can’t stand that crap! I am so glad you were behaving the way they should have been!
That awesome! I bet he will remember that for the rest of his life!
Nah- I think this makes you a true sports mom- wanting to see everyone do well.
I love it when the little guy wins!
~Becca
Oh that’s awesome. I would’ve been right next to you laughing. I always clap for BOTH sides of the team in little league. For crying out loud, parents!
I miss baseball! My guys gave it up last year. Only soccer and basketball left. We had a similar situation with the 10-year-old’s basketball season last year. We ended up in the championships and you would’ve thought people had bets going in Vegas over the game…
You’re a good sport. I too always cheer for the other team because it’s just the right thing to do!
Way to set an good example Mom!
You did exactly what I would have done. I don’t get getting all worked up over games like that. Too much pressure for Little League. Go little slugger who could!
Aw…the LBTC probably felt SO good about himself when the game was done!!
These stupid parents must be the kids I went to school with who made PE so fun. I got great joy out of the phrase “It’s ONLY A GAME!!!!” for many years during that class.
Even the coaches don’t seem to get it, I swear!
Macey
PS Somebody probably would’ve smacked me cause I would have been bustin’ up! : )
Hey, I was just thinkin…you should make a button too! I don’t know what made me think of that, except maybe the buttons floating past me over there, but I just think you NEED a button. That’s all. I’m done now.
Yep, that’s exactly what I would’ve done too. It irritates me when parents take sports too seriously. We were just at my 4 year old’s recital rehearsal, and this tiny little 3 year old cried the whole way through it. I’m not sure why she was forced to stay on stage . . . ugh.
Obviously I haven’t had these experiences yet but I love that you cheered for LBTC. I also like that they have signs that say positive comments only. Canada’s kids’ hockey is really in the news a lot lately because the parents are so crazy. One parent has been arrested for assaulting a kid from the opposite team. Currently there is a law going through our Parliament trying to ban negative comments in the arena.
People get to serious with these little games. I’m so glad my son don’t want to play any more.
If it does render you as an ineligible sports mom, I wanna play on your team;)
I love your response of laughing and cheering to tears.
Way to go, Charlie!!
I love this!!! There are way to many over the top parents at kids sporting events(my ex..for example) I just love to watch them play and lose. You are awesome!:-)
Love this story! I would have been just the same! I cheer for any awesomeness that happens on the field/court.
Sooo funny! I think the parents take it way more seriously than the kids. It’s supposed to be fun!
XOOX
Jen
LOL I agree with you, I can’t stand that kind of over-competitiveness either. :/
That is hilarious! I would be cheering him on too!
This is SO freakin’ hilarious…and such a true depiction of most little league baseball games. There are always those parents/family who take the game WAY too serious and forget that they are ALL children. Isn’t it crazy?! I would have been with you…laughing my butt off at the comedic play on the field and happy for the kid who got the home run! Who cares that he’s not on your team…IT’s LITTLE LEAGUE PEOPLE!!
It’s sad when parents forget that the game is about the kids, not about them. For the first time in my life I felt the ugly competitiveness of parents during basketball season last February. I never want to go down that road again because it definitely takes all the fun out of it for everyone. Good for you keeping things in perspective. I vow to be a laughing Viv from now on!
Yep. I do think you’re fired as sports mom. Eh. No big loss, eh?