In youth sports, we often expect children to act a bit silly; after all, they are just kids. Unfortunately, adults don’t always display the same level of maturity, especially during children’s sporting events where their most primal instincts can emerge. This observation led a local youth sports organization to create a poster aimed at reminding parents of their role during games—a reminder that seems necessary.
While attending a game at the Maplewood Youth League, father Mark Thompson noticed a sign prominently displayed on the fence. He later shared it online, where it quickly gained traction and sparked a variety of discussions surrounding its important message. The sign reads:
PLEASE REMEMBER
- These are KIDS.
- This is a GAME.
- Coaches are VOLUNTEERS.
- Umpires are HUMAN.
- Your child is NOT being scouted by professional teams today.
Mark expressed to Health Journal that such signs serve as a crucial reminder that the athletes are, in fact, children, and there’s no reason for tensions to escalate.
The president of Maplewood Youth League, Sarah Lee, reported that these signs have been displayed across all fields for the past three years, implemented in response to the alarming trend of overly competitive parents. “This intense competitiveness has occasionally led to conflicts among parents during games,” she noted. Furthermore, inappropriate remarks directed at umpires—who are often young players themselves—have been observed, resembling bullying behavior from adults towards minors.
As a parent with two kids participating in youth leagues, I believe that such signs should be mandatory in visible areas at every youth sports venue nationwide. Over time, I’ve witnessed parents react disproportionately to minor infractions by coaches and officials, sometimes even criticizing their children. It’s disheartening to see a child’s spirit crushed after receiving harsh words from an adult for simply being a kid.
Just recently, I observed my eight-year-old son during his first game. Although there were no major outbursts from the spectators, I noticed coaches becoming impatient when players didn’t sprint to first base quickly enough or swung at poor pitches. I thought to myself, “Most of these kids are still young enough to wear cartoon-themed underwear, right?”
Even if they appear older, they are still learning. The stakes may increase in the future, but for now, they are merely children, and our primary focus should be on ensuring they enjoy the game. It is our responsibility to help facilitate a fun and supportive atmosphere.
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In summary, it’s essential to remind adults involved in youth sports that the primary goal is for children to have fun while learning the game. By fostering a supportive environment, we can ensure that young athletes thrive both on and off the field.
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