Am I really a moron when it comes to youth sports?

Just push him!” the mother called out to a boy on her son’s soccer team. The boy she wanted pushed was a player on my son’s team. I felt I had to speak up.
“That’s disgusting,” I sneered at the woman, who stood on the sideline in a small group to my left.

My son’s team was losing 4-1 in this developmental, or pre-travel, game on a recent Saturday. Which soccer club my son plays for or which team they were playing is irrelevant. To my mind, parents from the opposing team were taking the game, played between 8- and 9-year-olds from two South Shore communities, far too seriously. Clearly, they wanted their boys not only to win the game, but also to destroy the competition. I stood astonished as even grandparents egged on their grandkids to run up the score.

I was troubled to see adults so desirous, demanding even, of a big win at this early stage of youth sports. But this mother, who encouraged unfair play, went too far. I used no epithets in responding to her. I simply told her the way I saw it.

The woman said she was joking. I said she shouldn’t joke like that.

“You’re a moron!” a man beside her piped in. He later suggested, “How about I come over and push you?” I replied that he was more than welcome to, but I would immediately call 911. (Thank goodness for cell phones.)

I’m proud that I kept my cool. I should also note that the mother cheered quite nicely thereafter, while the man stood silently.

I’ve been involved in youth soccer as a parent and coach for nearly six years. (My daughter, who’s older, plays as well.) I’ve seen mothers and fathers support their children by cheering for them positively, whether they win or lose. I’ve also seen parents taunt their children in a vain attempt to will them to victory.

A parent’s attitude is crucial to a child’s success in athletics. Supportive parents can instill a lifetime love of sports in their kids. Out-of-control parents, on the other hand, can have, shall we say, the opposite effect.