[akcskye]

I think I've shared with you folks before that my daughter and son are both becoming EXCELLENT basketball players.

That being said, my son, K, is outrageously gifted in the sport...even though my daughter is, too...my son gets looked at more because he's only in the 5th grade.

Well, now, he's on 2 teams...his weekend team and his school team.

He also plays up for the 7/8th grade school team because he's certainly big enough (he's 5'4, just shy of 5'5 at 11 years old) and has the skills (reverse layups, dribbling through his legs, behind his back, etc on drives...he can do it all, including touch the bottom of the net).

Anyway, his weekend team took 1st place in a tournament that scouts watch yesterday.

All through the tournament, I had to produce birth certificate copies to prove he was the age he was.

But, what angers me, is when I hear the other coaches and parents on the other teams we go against saying "KILL 44" or "Take 44 out of the game early" or "bring 44 down".

Do they not realize that behind that #44 is an 11 year old little boy?

What can I do to get my point across without looking like a total prude?

I mean, I can see "double team 44", but certainly not KILL 44 or hurt him.

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr just had to vent. Thanks.

[finallyamom0310]

Parents can be so mean at these events. UGH. I am right there with you but sorry, no advice.

[Stormster]

That would make me soooooo mad too. We live in a school district that is VERY sports oriented, particularly in Football. I am SURE this goes on here as well.

I think I would write a letter! They should use supportive language with kids that age...."kill" is so scary and unsportsmanlike!

OMGosh, I'm sounding like a prude too!

[startedover]

If it makes you feel any better, I am willing to bet your son loves hearing that. I was a good softball player and would hear similar stuff (slide in and take out that short stop). If it does bother him, however me being type A personality I would probably go sit beside them and inform them who they were talking about.

[SupaModel]

Originally Posted by Stormster

OMGosh, I'm sounding like a prude too!

When I read the "write a letter thing" I thought didn't this chick live in NYC?? What happened??

[aclee]

I would only talk to your son about it. You can't always expect to change the world and how they live their lives. You can ask your son how he feels about it, and if it bothers him. Tell him it upsets you, and that you would never want him to use language like that etc.

I guess if parents were telling kids to really do that, I would be more upset, or if kids were actually trying to trip him or hurt him...but the thing is, sports are WAY more competitive than we remember then being. All we can do is teach our kids what is acceptable to us.

I was a Nanny for a boy who was part of a K/1st grade team. There was a 1st grader there who was the son of very short man. He had very short man syndrome too. His son hated basketball, but could shoot a 3 pointer pretty reliably. That guy never let his kid play and have fun. He would berate him from the sidelines about which kids to "take on" and "run down"...what shot to shoot when...

His kid hated him.

[JGarrick]

Originally Posted by akcskye

...what angers me, is when I hear the other coaches and parents on the other teams we go against saying "KILL 44" or "Take 44 out of the game early" or "bring 44 down".

Do they not realize that behind that #44 is an 11 year old little boy?

You'd think they would realize it, since they're all parents of kids or coaching kids, but people do get worked up over sports.

That said, I think you need to say something to the coaches, and make sure the coaches say something to the parents if you dont' do it yourself. Those stories you hear about parents killing each other in the stands start with incidents like this one. We've had a few coaches call meetings of all the parents to remind everyone to mind their language and behavior on the sidelines. For more and more of them, it's a routine announcement at the start of the season.

I dont' think it's prudish to expect kids be able to play a game of basketball without putting up with threats of injury or death from the parents watching the game.

[crick]

I'm guessing the weekend team is in a competitive league? There are league rules for parent and coach conduct, and often they have a contact person to discuss these matters with.

No parent or coach wants their kid thrown off a team, which can be a result of any official complaint made to the league. Coaches can also lose their job/position to volunteer if an official complaint is made too.

Having said that...

Competitive play, especially in tournaments can get hairy sometimes. Not saying it's right, but it's not an isolated incident and if your son continues to play, he will likely always deal with a form of this. I personally give those parents my best evil eye and mouth "that's MY kid" and then focus on the game.

Coaches are another matter to me, and if I see a coach acting in too hostile of a manner, I would report to the league or inform the ref that they need to address it. And JG has a good point too...address the coach if there are concerns about his team's parents.

[binkybear]

CafePress.com is pretty cheap

[crystalp]

Binky that is hilarious!!! Do it Kristi!!!!

[Stormster]

Originally Posted by SupaModel

When I read the "write a letter thing" I thought didn't this chick live in NYC?? What happened??

Westchester made me soft.

[SupaModel]

Originally Posted by Stormster

Westchester made me soft.

Hahaha.... LOL!! The burbs have done the same to me

[jules17]

Originally Posted by binkybear

CafePress.com is pretty cheap

That is awesome!!~