This is coming up more frequently than in the past.
I have a question: Would it be OK for the Captain of the team or the "dugout leader" to dig into other players in front of the team? Cuss at them? Question their effort?
What would people think if Dad outside the fence unloaded during the game?
Clearly all of these people normally would be highly motivated to get the best from Johnny so if coach is OK more must be better.
A dad, of course not. A Captain or any teammate, of course. The best teams police themselves. Leaders rise and control a large portion. A coach can't handle every issue, every negative thing all season long, at some point the players will stop listening, they will get tired of 'hearing it.' Having leaders that step up and police the team makes the coaches voice much more powerful.
The real issue that I have noticed is teenagers are getting older much quicker in the ways of the world than ever before but less and less know how to lead. More ships sailing with less Captains than ever before at each of these tournaments that I scout or watch.