After attending my first middle school softball game, I was amazing at the parents more than at the kids. I understand that the objective of any sport is to win, but I think many parents have lost the FUN aspect of it all.

The girls were playing great. I think we were down by one, in the bottom of the 5^th. Our pitcher was doing an amazing job, and we were striking them out. I hear the father of pitcher tell her to clean it up. The smile on her face changed. He continued to yell things at her. It was time to change sides, and our coaches decided to tell the girls to bunt the ball to get on first base. I learned a lot watching softball. I love the way the girls pitch. Every time we would get a hit the other team caught it and it was a quick inning for us that go round.

My father, who is a coach, goes around to talk to the girls, and encourage them. You could tell they were down, but it wasn’t like we were losing badly. My father always talks about sportsmanship. I learned it at an early age from him, but he is trying to teach his students all about it.

Some parents try to live out their dreams through their kids, and that is not always good. Kids are learning and they are making mistakes. Those mistakes may cost them a game, but they wont make that mistake next game. We have to teach our children to have sportsmanship and respect the game and the players. My father always says, “A championship is not only won on the scoreboard, it is won in the dignity of the game.” You Live, you learn, and you have fun.

Have a great week gamers and have a Happy Thanksgiving.