Ah! Those LL all star parents

Can I assume you will be down the foul line avoiding the crazy the next couple of games?

When I was a baseball parent I avoided the insanity. As an unbiased viewer the parents are half the entertainment. This same team plays the loser goes home, winner goes to the championship round next. I'll definitely be within earshot of the same parents. 

If it appears the team will win I'll shift to the other side. The other side has parents who believe everything before regions is a formality. Just hand them the state championship. They underperformed their first game and lost by a run. You should have heard the grumbling when they lost. A junk balling puss thrower had them on their front foot popping up all game. He went the distance on under 85 pitches. Imagine criticizing a pitcher who just beat your team. 

RJM posted:

When I was a baseball parent I avoided the insanity. As an unbiased viewer the parents are half the entertainment. This same team plays the loser goes home, winner goes to the championship round next. I'll definitely be within earshot of the same parents. 

If it appears the team will win I'll shift to the other side. The other side has parents who believe everything before regions is a formality. Just hand them the state championship. They underperformed their first game and lost by a run. You should have heard the grumbling when they lost. A junk balling puss thrower had them on their front foot popping up all game. He went the distance on under 85 pitches. Imagine criticizing a pitcher who just beat your team. 

I am a biased viewer and I still find the parents MORE than half the entertainment.  I'm always amazed in how many different ways grown adults can:

1. Yell at their own kid for some misdeed, while explaining to the parents the excuse of WHY their kid just did that. (New glove, ump in way, lights are horrible...etc)

2. Be abusive as heck to the umpire who is two feet away from the play/pitch and we are 20 feet away.

3. Question the coaches decisions relentlessly! (Yes, hind sight is 20/20 people but neither you nor I could do any better in the moment.)

When I feel myself start to smile at the parental antics I just walk away from the crowd.

I did call a balk once with bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th that plated the winning run. I have had numerous plays at the plate with bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th that I called safe that plated the winning run.........

The other 10,000 or so games that were lost and blamed on me and or my partner, or any umpire in general is just a  sign of the times nowadays.....

It seems that Johnny's team either wins the game by skill and effort, or the Umpires lost it for them...........they never get beat by the other team.......or lost the game by having too many errors......

I had this exchange a few years ago heading to my car ..........

hey blue, you cost our kids that game!

oh?.....how so?

That double down the line was clearly foul! 

Sir, It hit the line........chalk flew up........

Yes, but it hit the foul side of the line, that makes it foul........everyone knows that........

Oh?  but wasn't your team still winning after that inning with the double?

Yes, but your bad call demoralized our kids so they couldn't hold the lead.......

Oh I see...........

Our parents early on adopted "shut up suckers." When you're about to say something you shouldn't — to your kid, to your team, to the other team, etc. — have a sucker. It's a somewhat gentle but pointed way for other parents to send a message.

Started with our Little League All-Star team about 10 years ago, but last week during a varsity game in which our boys weren't playing well, one of our moms pulled out a bag of suckers. Several of us grabbed one.

Lol.  Love the sucker idea. 

Sounds like our last HS loss - too funny

The umpire's wife was sitting among the carping parents tuning it all out. She had to be there. Even though she wasn't working concessions she was in charge of the stand for the league. After the umpire walked over to quiet the fans a dad called him "rabbit ears" loud enough for everyone to hear. The wife turned and said, "He's a state police officer. He's heard a lot worse. And he can handle a lot worse than you." That guy got quiet.

Story I heard this weekend was fantastic. At the recently concluded USA Baseball tournaments in Arizona, there was a dad of a P.O. (who had been invited to play on a team he was not normally part of) who (1) stood behind home plate and gave his kid signals for different pitches to throw, in contravention of the pitches called by the coaches, (2) yelled incessantly at the umpire regarding his strike zone, (3) went over to the tower and yelled at the USA Baseball officials that they needed to take action to have the umpire adjust his strike zone immediately, and (4) when his kid was done pitching, walked into the dugout, pulled his kid out in the middle of the game, and drove back to California. Classic.

When I'm at these games I engage parents. I'm curious what impact travel and other sports have had on LL. Where do the kids play at the next level? What do high school kids do? What do kids with a shot at college ball do? 

This isn't where my kids were raised. It's a second home in a smaller state. The demographics are different. The model is different. Being a D1 prospect is a big freak'n deal. 

The most significant thing I've noticed is lack of quality swing** and pitching mechanics compared to where my kids grew up (major metro area) and my primary residence (major metro area). Most of the kids are completely on raw ability. It's not like the dad coaches were college players. 

** Seen a lot of extend and roll wrists versus driving through the ball. Seen a lot of poor pitching strides and inconsistency with arm slot. Glove tuck seems almost foreign. And if my infielders were upright and on their heels as a ready position I'd pull them off the field. 

"True Story", Our Legion team playing in a lumber town 10 miles south of Eureka. Our team included 4 future pro players.

John Wetteland later the MVP of the World Series was age 17 and throwing 94 mph in this game.

From the stands, I heard "move up in the box hit it before it rises". Naturally, I smiled and and told the parent "great advice". Keep it up.

Bob

Well, not LL but I was begged/arm twisted into coaching our rec program "all-star" team this summer.

I made it through one tournament before throwing my hands up and telling the assistant that he was promoted.

Despite being real clear with parents that this was going to be a competitive - not everybody plays equal time team, I still had to deal with constant parents issues with playing time and positions. Literally it started after the first game with group emails asking why little Johnny only got to play a couple innings and get one at bat.  

Then it just kept snowballing into "why are we so concerned with winning so much"? I had 30 different emails come in from parents in a 2 hour span one day. I had to be rather abrupt with a mother who walked into the dugout in the middle of the game to ask when her son - who had missed half of our practices, would be going in.

Finally I realized that no matter how many different ways I packaged up reality, half the parents weren't going to be happy unless their kid was the starting pitcher, and shortstop at the same time.  The other half weren't going to be happy unless we were sitting around a campfire singing Kumbaya.

I honestly had less headaches from a full year of rec team parents than I did with a couple of weeks of "all-stars". Never again. (Which I have probably said 10 times now - but this time I really really mean it.)

When I was coaching 6th-8th grades in our rec league, we had a parent who would bring a scorebook to every game.  He kept stats so he could question why certain kids were hitting in certain spots because he knew their batting averages lol.  His son was younger than mine.  When his son got to my team, I made it very clear that he was welcome to bring the scorebook, but if I ever heard one word about any kid and a batting average, he would no longer be welcome to come to games.  Needless to say he never brought it up again.   He became somewhat famous in our little town.....or infamous I guess when he appeared on "Hardcore Pawn" a couple years later.....if you've ever seen the Baseball Radar Gun episode you know who I'm talking about....lol

Rob T posted:

Well, not LL but I was begged/arm twisted into coaching our rec program "all-star" team this summer.

I made it through one tournament before throwing my hands up and telling the assistant that he was promoted.

Despite being real clear with parents that this was going to be a competitive - not everybody plays equal time team, I still had to deal with constant parents issues with playing time and positions. Literally it started after the first game with group emails asking why little Johnny only got to play a couple innings and get one at bat.  

Then it just kept snowballing into "why are we so concerned with winning so much"? I had 30 different emails come in from parents in a 2 hour span one day. I had to be rather abrupt with a mother who walked into the dugout in the middle of the game to ask when her son - who had missed half of our practices, would be going in.

Finally I realized that no matter how many different ways I packaged up reality, half the parents weren't going to be happy unless their kid was the starting pitcher, and shortstop at the same time.  The other half weren't going to be happy unless we were sitting around a campfire singing Kumbaya.

I honestly had less headaches from a full year of rec team parents than I did with a couple of weeks of "all-stars". Never again. (Which I have probably said 10 times now - but this time I really really mean it.)

 

Hahahaha...  Sorry, Rob, feeling guilty for finding so much satisfaction and humor in this. 

Buckeye 2015 posted:

He became somewhat famous in our little town.....or infamous I guess when he appeared on "Hardcore Pawn" a couple years later.....if you've ever seen the Baseball Radar Gun episode you know who I'm talking about....lol

Are you telling me that guy wasn't an actor???

MidAtlanticDad posted:

Buckeye 2015 posted:

He became somewhat famous in our little town.....or infamous I guess when he appeared on "Hardcore Pawn" a couple years later.....if you've ever seen the Baseball Radar Gun episode you know who I'm talking about....lol

Are you telling me that guy wasn't an actor???

Unfortunately he isn't.  I will tell you that I knew him pretty well....so I kind of got that parts of it were a little overboard even for him....but to most other people around here, the guy they saw on TV was exactly what they thought of him.  Again, it was embellished in spots....I can tell from knowing him, but the problem is everyone around here really thinks he is that off the wall.  If I'd have gone on the show and did it, everyone would have laughed and said "haha....good one"....but when they saw him, they just saw the same crazy guy they knew (or thought they knew) from our games here.  The part about him not being able to catch....that was real

I encountered a very rare species last night, "the sane, well adjusted LL all star parent." 

It was the championship round. His son's team needed to win one. The opposing team needed to win two. The dad looked around to make sure no one else could hear. Then he said, "I hope my son's team wins. But the other team is a lot better. They will probably win two.  They're a lot better. They're loaded with pitching. 

What a heretic! He objectively determined the opponent is better. His son's team lost 12-2. He added he didn't want to sit with all the parents and listen to the whining and excuses. 

From seeing these two teams play enough I'll take the team coming through the losers bracket. I'll set the point spread at 10 1/2. In other words I'm predicting a mercy killing. At least the objective dad won't be too upset. As for the rest of the team's parents ...

RJM posted:

I encountered a very rare species last night, "the sane, well adjusted LL all star parent."  

And I wouldn't be at all surprised if his kid was one of their top players.

LL isnt really even real baseball if you think about it, no lead offs /steals. C'mon Man!

2019 What a story!  That's the kind of action that gives us "PO parents from CA" a bad name...and we were there at that tourney!

Shoveit4Ks posted:

LL isnt really even real baseball if you think about it, no lead offs /steals. C'mon Man!

At times I was actually wishing for those rules.  My pitchers only had a vague concept of where the strike zone was, so adding in trying to hold runners was just a recipe for disaster.

Probably could have used a tee for when we were hitting as well.

2020Mom posted:

2019 What a story!  That's the kind of action that gives us "PO parents from CA" a bad name...and we were there at that tourney!

Does your son pitch, do you live in California and did your husband leave early?  

MidAtlanticDad posted:

RJM posted:

I encountered a very rare species last night, "the sane, well adjusted LL all star parent."  

And I wouldn't be at all surprised if his kid was one of their top players.

His son is the best small kid on the field. He's fast, agile, talented and has a high baseball IQ. For me, he's a noticeable player. He has a couple of homers. A few nights ago he pitched a complete game hitting his spots. One team's parents whined the umpire wasn't calling the outside strike. This kid went inside. 

In a conversation a previous night to another dad I had referenced the kid as the one I would bet on to be the best high school player from his LL all star roster if his parents aren't short. The dad isn't short. 

cabbagedad posted:

2020Mom posted:

2019 What a story!  That's the kind of action that gives us "PO parents from CA" a bad name...and we were there at that tourney!

Does your son pitch, do you live in California and did your husband leave early?  

Yes, Yes, and NO! 

Three weeks of biking to LL all star games was good exercise. I even biked to one location that was 25 miles round trip. By the time it was over I biked to a district game every night. I biked to states every day (neighboring town). I got into it enough when I returned to my other residence I went to a couple of days of states there. Can't beat watching baseball for fresh air and sunshine.

It was interesting to observe how much some parents assume ...

> Our 11's won states last year. We have three players returning from the 12's last year at won states. We already have reservations in Bristol (regions). The team lost two district games 2-1 including the district championship.

> Since the best team in the state lost their district we're going to win the state. How far is it to Bristol? The team lost 8-0 in the winners bracket. They  lost the final elimination round in what has to be the biggest upset in youth sports of lopsided talent. They fell behind 3-0 in the top of the first. They proceeded to play five and a half innings with the headlights in their eyes. Two days previously they beat this team by thirteen runs. Never assume preteen's have the composure of older kids. 

> I returned to my other residence and went to states. Well, since we beat the team in our section that makes states a lot we're going to Bristol. Up 6-2 over the other possible favorite in pool play people started discussing plans for Bristol. The team that lost this game won the championship game. Parents, you don't go to the next level allowing 33 runs in four games. 

So three teams of parents thought they were going to Bristol can now watch on ESPN3.

What I enjoyed more than anything was watching a 5 foot kid dominate play in his section and states. Some kids hit the ball further. But he reached the fences. The kid is mechanically sound. Inch for inch he was the best player there if not the best player anyway. He just hasn't grown yet. On the mound he had great mechanics, threw hard for his size (guessing about 65) and understood command working in and out and up and down and pitch sequencing. He had a lot of hitters on their front foot popping up. Then he threw fastballs by them.

The journey is over. I don't watch little kids ball on tv. I probably won't watch another LL game for three or four years. However I might watch the kid I referenced pitch on tv at Bristol to see how he does against another level of competition.

There was a grandmother at states living and dying very loudly on every pitch during her grandson's games. I enjoyed talking to her. She was seated near where I stood each game. Her grandson's third game was on a Monday. I didn't hear her. I thought maybe she had to go home (three hours away). Later she walked over to say hello. She was seated on the other side near her grandson's dugout. I joked since I didn't hear her I thought she wasn't in attendance. In a very low, froggy voice she said, "I shouted myself into larangytis." Grandparents are the best fans. No critique. Nothing but love.

This is a "what do you do when the journey is over" story. But is it ever over? Someday my future grandkids will be on the field. Chances are my kids will be in the dugout.

Like everyone else, I’ve certainly seen my share of obnoxious behavior from All-Star parents, but to be honest I’ve seen the same kind of behavior from parents of kids who had no hope of being an All-Star, players, coaches, and game officials. I don’t know why anyone’s surprised though, given that we’ve elevated sports and those who participate in any way to a Mt. Olympus height.

ok,i have to share this, and it's not a baseball story, but a hockey story.  I thought I'd seen it all, until this past February.   My youngest (14 at the time) plays on a competitive hockey team.  Coach did a great job with playing time all season long.  actually, not hard with hockey - the nature of the game means most players are going to play a lot.  However, once we reached the playoffs, it was "game time" and the special teams - penalty kill and power play, were comprised of our most skilled players. 

first game of the playoffs, little johnny shows up late- standing rule was to show up 90 min early, and if you were late, you sat the first period.  johnny sat the first period.  second period was an ugly one that saw us either on penalty kill or power play a majority of the period, johnny wasn't on special teams.  third period he did play but not much.    Dad is steaming.  waiting for coach to come off ice after game.  coach's wife comes out of the stands and he gets in her face and starts screaming, she pushes him out of her face, and he punches her - twice.    yes sports fans, dad punched the coach's wife.  All 5'3 of her.  WTF. 

It's August, and I still can't believe it.   

True story. When my just-graduated son decided to play LL baseball at age 6 (it seemed play soccer or baseball were THE options) I was surprised. And I had, right or wrongly, heard baseball parents at the young ages compared to soccer, could be "intense."

At his very first tee-ball game, and most "practices" had been cancelled because of wet weather so hardly anyone knew anyone else, a parent showed up just a bit late with his son and we were batting first. The HC reminded him that if you show up late the child bats last for the duration of the game. This was the stated policy at the team meeting.

The dad lost his damn mind. He questioned, re-questioned, asked loudly, and eventually shouted that it was not fair to the kid--to bat last--because he got to the game late, which is no fault of his (presumably). He eventually asked "is it just me or does anyone else think this is unfair?" At this point, several of us shocked parents said "its YOU." He picked up his crying kind and quit on the spot. NICE role model dad. Have to admit, I had some serious concerns for a while about my son's choice.

To the topic at-hand, I heard parents of an opposing AS team scream f-bombs (and I was past right field stands) at umpires and refuse to leave until the police were called. I believe they took-off when they saw them arrive.

Batty67 posted:

True story. When my just-graduated son decided to play LL baseball at age 6 (it seemed play soccer or baseball were THE options) I was surprised. And I had, right or wrongly, heard baseball parents at the young ages compared to soccer, could be "intense."

At his very first tee-ball game, and most "practices" had been cancelled because of wet weather so hardly anyone knew anyone else, a parent showed up just a bit late with his son and we were batting first. The HC reminded him that if you show up late the child bats last for the duration of the game. This was the stated policy at the team meeting.

The dad lost his damn mind. He questioned, re-questioned, asked loudly, and eventually shouted that it was not fair to the kid--to bat last--because he got to the game late, which is no fault of his (presumably). He eventually asked "is it just me or does anyone else think this is unfair?" At this point, several of us shocked parents said "its YOU." He picked up his crying kind and quit on the spot. NICE role model dad. Have to admit, I had some serious concerns for a while about my son's choice.

To the topic at-hand, I heard parents of an opposing AS team scream f-bombs (and I was past right field stands) at umpires and refuse to leave until the police were called. I believe they took-off when they saw them arrive.

that's funny, when I coached rec ball when they were 7/8 , the batting order was the order in which the kids showed up for the game!  except my kid, since he was always early because he came with the coach, I deemed it an unfair advantage, and he always hit last.  somehow it didn't harm his psyche for life.  

pabaseballdad posted:

ok,i have to share this, and it's not a baseball story, but a hockey story.  I thought I'd seen it all, until this past February.   My youngest (14 at the time) plays on a competitive hockey team.  Coach did a great job with playing time all season long.  actually, not hard with hockey - the nature of the game means most players are going to play a lot.  However, once we reached the playoffs, it was "game time" and the special teams - penalty kill and power play, were comprised of our most skilled players. 

first game of the playoffs, little johnny shows up late- standing rule was to show up 90 min early, and if you were late, you sat the first period.  johnny sat the first period.  second period was an ugly one that saw us either on penalty kill or power play a majority of the period, johnny wasn't on special teams.  third period he did play but not much.    Dad is steaming.  waiting for coach to come off ice after game.  coach's wife comes out of the stands and he gets in her face and starts screaming, she pushes him out of her face, and he punches her - twice.    yes sports fans, dad punched the coach's wife.  All 5'3 of her.  WTF. 

It's August, and I still can't believe it.   

It's not serious until you kill someone ...

http://journaltimes.com/news/n...3a-6ee0edcb551a.html

I forgot to add to my recent LL all star observing experience since I was trying to keep it amusing ...

In the top of the first the pitcher walked the first three hitters. It was the winners bracket game between the two best teams. A father says out loud among all the parents, "We're here for one f'n objective. We're here to win the f'n thing and go to f'n regions. Why in the f'n hell did the coach pitch this shitehead (a 12yo)?  Well, shitehead's dad heard and walked over.  He politely told the guy if he wasn't a gentleman he would beat him from here to the parking lot. Then he went for the humiliation. He told the dad just because he sucked at baseball in LL stop trying to live through the team. Then he turned and walked away. The mouthy dad was about six inches shorter and fifty pounds lighter. He was quiet the rest of the game. 

pabaseballdad posted:

Batty67 posted:

True story. When my just-graduated son decided to play LL baseball at age 6 (it seemed play soccer or baseball were THE options) I was surprised. And I had, right or wrongly, heard baseball parents at the young ages compared to soccer, could be "intense."

At his very first tee-ball game, and most "practices" had been cancelled because of wet weather so hardly anyone knew anyone else, a parent showed up just a bit late with his son and we were batting first. The HC reminded him that if you show up late the child bats last for the duration of the game. This was the stated policy at the team meeting.

The dad lost his damn mind. He questioned, re-questioned, asked loudly, and eventually shouted that it was not fair to the kid--to bat last--because he got to the game late, which is no fault of his (presumably). He eventually asked "is it just me or does anyone else think this is unfair?" At this point, several of us shocked parents said "its YOU." He picked up his crying kind and quit on the spot. NICE role model dad. Have to admit, I had some serious concerns for a while about my son's choice.

To the topic at-hand, I heard parents of an opposing AS team scream f-bombs (and I was past right field stands) at umpires and refuse to leave until the police were called. I believe they took-off when they saw them arrive.

that's funny, when I coached rec ball when they were 7/8 , the batting order was the order in which the kids showed up for the game!  except my kid, since he was always early because he came with the coach, I deemed it an unfair advantage, and he always hit last.  somehow it didn't harm his psyche for life.  

In 7/8's I had one lineup. The on deck hitter at the end of the game led off the next game.

RJM posted:

I forgot to add to my recent LL all star observing experience since I was trying to keep it amusing ...

In the top of the first the pitcher walked the first three hitters. It was the winners bracket game between the two best teams. A father says out loud among all the parents, "We're here for one f'n objective. We're here to win the f'n thing and go to f'n regions. Why in the f'n hell did the coach pitch this shitehead (a 12yo)?  Well, shitehead's dad heard and walked over.  He politely told the guy if he wasn't a gentleman he would beat him from here to the parking lot. Then he went for the humiliation. He told the dad just because he sucked at baseball in LL stop trying to live through the team. Then he turned and walked away. The mouthy dad was about six inches shorter and fifty pounds lighter. He was quiet the rest of the game. 

Funny and from a karma-perspective, on target. Of course, physical violence is never the solution, and as we have seen all too often, a physically intimidated person (shamed man) might go for a weapon to even the odds...

When I coached T-ball, whoever showed up first got to pick their spot in the order.  The best kids would always take 1-3, the kids who were afraid to play took 7-12.....that usually left #4 or 5 for my son (he got to pick last)....meaning bases were usually loaded his first at bat (nobody makes outs in T-ball).   I think after that summer, he just thought that grand slams were what would happen every time he batted lol.   Hit it far and just keep running was his motto at the time I guess

I miss those tee ball days - off to college this fall.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyFGX2bq6MY

On my tee ball teams the kids batted in numeric order.  #1 led off the first game, #2 the second game and so on.  

HRCJR posted:

I miss those tee ball days - off to college this fall.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyFGX2bq6MY

On my tee ball teams the kids batted in numeric order.  #1 led off the first game, #2 the second game and so on.  

That video is awesome!  The second slide at home at the end is the icing on the cake.

Parents can be BEYOND aggressive at games....but sometimes everyone involved isn't exactly squeaky clean.

9u game, last inning, mom is yelling out the obligatory "oh come on blue!!!"..."That was a strike all day!"...."He was safe, oh my God how did you not see that?!?!?" Ump turns around and says "I can see way better over here than you can over there, I suggest you shut your mouth."  

Dad is a good old southern boy and can't believe he just heard another man tell his wife to shut up.  He doesn't want to make a scene in front of any kid so he follows the umpire up to the parking lot to have a word about how he spoke to his wife and that razzing the ump is part of the game.  The guy didn't curse or shake his fist just talked then walked away.  

Umpire called his boss and said an angry parent followed him to the parking lot.  Dad calls league director to tell on ump.  Many meetings were had on both sides, umps wanted dad banned from park.  Park wanted ump reprimanded for speaking to spectator....it was a draw and no one got what they wanted, just a how to NOT handle the situation talk.

HRCJR posted:

I miss those tee ball days - off to college this fall.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyFGX2bq6MY

On my tee ball teams the kids batted in numeric order.  #1 led off the first game, #2 the second game and so on.  

Tee ball was great.  The Little Brother thing was hysterical.  My youngest and his friend both had older bothers that were very good players so they learned fast.  So t-ball here starts at 5/6.  These two mites charge out on the field to begin the game.  First swing is a one hopper to my son who is "pitching" (His wind up and pitch without the ball was worth the price of the hot dog).  My son grabs the ball cleanly and fires a strike chest high to his friend who makes the stretch at first and they nab the batter by about 30 feet. 

When the kid gets to the bag and plants himself my son loses his mind and starts killing the 16 year old umpire "that guy was out by a MILE!"  After he pumped about 5 more kids he was getting more upset and it took about 5 minutes between innings  to calm him down.

When I finally did he pronounced the entire affair as "stupid" and "no fun" because "nobody knows how to play".  I laughed hysterically and told him that he was absolutely right - still a top 5 baseball memory.   

CaCO3Girl posted:

Parents can be BEYOND aggressive at games....but sometimes everyone involved isn't exactly squeaky clean.

9u game, last inning, mom is yelling out the obligatory "oh come on blue!!!"..."That was a strike all day!"...."He was safe, oh my God how did you not see that?!?!?" Ump turns around and says "I can see way better over here than you can over there, I suggest you shut your mouth."  

Dad is a good old southern boy and can't believe he just heard another man tell his wife to shut up.  He doesn't want to make a scene in front of any kid so he follows the umpire up to the parking lot to have a word about how he spoke to his wife and that razzing the ump is part of the game.  The guy didn't curse or shake his fist just talked then walked away.  

Umpire called his boss and said an angry parent followed him to the parking lot.  Dad calls league director to tell on ump.  Many meetings were had on both sides, umps wanted dad banned from park.  Park wanted ump reprimanded for speaking to spectator....it was a draw and no one got what they wanted, just a how to NOT handle the situation talk.

Yeah. Double no-no. Don't tell (or suggest loudly) a person, especially a woman, to shut up. And don't follow an ump to the parking lot to confront him or her, no matter how politely. Predictable that no good would come of this. Glad it ended in a stalemate, but I'm sure the drama to get there was not pleasant.