Parents are getting weird

I never showed up at son's HS game with any set agenda for where I was going to sit, stand, cheer, gripe, "chillax", focus, camp, squat, or otherwise.  Why?  Because I found it really wasn't that damn hard to just stay on speaking terms with ALL the other parents, and so I could watch the game from any vantage point, and could sit with any of the Dad's or Mom's without building up a sense of personal equity over my game-day "spot" (of all the silly things, anyway...)

in fact, most games I would end up watching a few innings from a several different spots, mostly because I can't sit still but partly because remaining on "speaking terms" means not spending enough time talking to any particular one of them to become disappointed.  Best to hold on to initial deluded impressions.  

But I always found it amazing how obsessed people were with their own beliefs about the other "geographical" parent groups, and then how they would proceed to support their own pre-baked suspicions with cherry-picked observations.  Most often, you could map those suspicions directly to their kid's standing on the team.  

I also noticed:

- most parents, even the big talkers, will insist that they just like to "be left alone and focus on the game".  Usually changes the minute they see something they don't like.  If you go stand by one of those "focused" parents, it won't be long before they're chirping like a Cheer Mom.  You don't even have to say a word.  

- Being away from the "flock" has the added benefit of less accountability for what comes out of your mouth.  Some pretty ugly criticisms get mumbled out in the grassy knoll and along the fence line.

- People who flock together feel more comfortable when they feel "like-minded". ( Pretty sure this has been true since the Dawn of Ever, BTW).  The process of verifying everyone in the flock is "like-minded" inevitably leads to gossip.  The parents in the stands do it, and so do the Dads on the fence as well as the guru-faced parents in the lawn-chairs.

- Lots of flocks are made up of no more than the two parents of one player.  

- People tend to assume that the other people who avoid the flock must not want be "like-minded", and so they must surely think that they're "better-minded", and that idea surely gets to be discussed in the gossiping process.    They must just be weird...

If you had words for me I would tell you you are far too wrapped up in your son's performance, and perhaps a little perspective is in order.

I don't think I'm the only person in the world capable of cheering for both my son's team - and individual players on the other team. Possibly it's some unique skill I have?

If your coach has an issue with who people are cheering for he needs to grow a thicker skin.  

As far as cheering for your sons summer teammates during a high school game, I think there is a line of how hard you cheer.  I wouldnt imagine Rob T going nuts if a summer teammate hit a homerun against his high school team.  And I dont think the others are rooting loudly for those players to fail.

But there is a sense of loyalty, and you show it by rooting for the team your kid is on.  I remember my son's best friend on his hs team pitched against him in the summer.  While I hoped he did well, I aslo hoped he was the losing pitcher.  Goes the same way during hs games.  Summer teammates pitched against his hs team, and again, I hoped they took the loss, while still putting up a good effort.

And honestly, I would be a little upset if my son gave up a home run in a hs game, and a parent from his school team, who I spend all spring with, went wild, saying 'that boy plays with my son in the summer.'  Not that I would say anything, but showing some respect would be nice.

Yes - if one was to act like that I can understand people not liking it. However, that's not what I'm talking about. It's entirely possible to clap for an opposing player's achievements without wanting their team to win. I don't know why cheering in the face of the pitcher's parent ended up being part of the discussion. It's a pointless strawman.

Due to parent/family members talking and commenting about all/any players who make an error during my sons JV game last night, my wife has exiled herself to the upper stands where no one sits...lol

When I was in high school I cheered for all the kids. Never thought too much about it.

This weekend, weather permitting, I will attend the first game of my son's college career.  There will be a seat in the stands with my son's name and number, and I will sit in it. I expect to have a good time. I expect to meet some parents I will like a lot, and some who I will have to get used to. There may be one or two I will not enjoy so much, because that's life.

As CD said, it is such a gift to be able to attend my son's baseball games. I would stand on a bed of nails to watch.

your the one IMO w the perspective issue. Your son is on a team. That's who you want to win the game.

Who cares if u know someone  from other team. Sure kid doesn't want you yelling for him from the stands anyway-he's not a 9 yr old 

your getting odd looks for a reason. Maybe you skills need a little work. Why do u have to be vocal for the OTHER TEAM?  What r u getting out of it? 

You started by saying you get looks all the time because you cheer for who you know from other team against your sons team. Why show that?  I would not expect a parent from other team who knows my kid to cheer/clap for him during game. If they want to text or talk after game that is great. 

You think it is necessary to have a confrontation with someone over who they cheer for in a HS baseball game and I have a perspective issue?

It might shock you to know I also actually TALK TO PARENTS FROM THE OTHER TEAM !! Is that also not allowed in this us vs them world you have constructed in the stands?

You realize it's a GAME right? 

I cheer for good baseball, if the opposing catcher slides into the backstop making a catch I will be the first one he hears from (NICE HUSTLE CATCH!)

 If the SS dives down the LF line after a ball and I'm coaching 3B, again I will be the first guy that tells him (GREAT PLAY SS, NICE JOB) it's because I appreciate good baseball...........and....uh..uh.....he might want to play for me next year!