The little league season is over and after my second year involved I've learned a few lessons.
I've learned that no matter how hard you try to keep all the baseball equipment in one location you will always have to search for something on game day.
I've learned no matter what the weather was like that day you will be freezing by the end of the evening practice.
I've learned there are two types of people. The people whose snack bags include a variety of choices for each team member, complete with their names on the bags — and the ones who run out to Stater Bros. before the game to fill a few lunch bags with juice boxes and Rice Krispy treats. Hey, sometimes I just lose track of my chores.
The strangest thing I learned was that my inner demons lie just below the surface. I found out when I was confronted with the dark side of youth sports.
We all know the rule about youth sports — control your emotions. It's right there in the paperwork when you sign on to any soccer or little league website. We also read stories about parents gone wild on the sidelines.
So imagine my surprise when this year's little league competition included a rather loud and aggressive dad who had parents and coaches alike gritting their teeth.
I already knew when I made the switch from soccer to baseball that I had entered a whole new world. There were way more dads than moms involved, for one. Also, you could just feel the difference in the demeanor on the field. It was significantly more serious. I got a strong feeling that they all kind of thought their 6-year-old was on the track for the major leagues, or at least a college scholarship.
For the most part, this intensity did not translate into obnoxious behavior. The people are friendly, the competition is exciting, and coaches and parents keep telling their kids to have fun out there.
But there was this one guy — I don't think he read the parent guidelines. My first sight of him was when he was loudly critiquing his son's catching ethic. He was big and loved to give his input on just about any issue. When he didn't like a call he made sure everyone knew it.
Though annoying, his behavior was something we could all deal with. The strange part was when we started saying negative things in response and some unneighborly feelings came creeping up my insides.
