Picking "sides"

I don't know that you can avoid that.

I tend to 'wander.' But then again, I often know folks on the 'other side' and enjoy talking with them during the game. I do try and stay on my side though when I know its going to be a high stress game.

When our older son was in HS, there was a mother on OUR team that would root against us when our son would pitch. At first when my wife told me about it, I didn't believe her...but later realized that it was the case. Why did this happen? She thought her son was better and she wanted our son to fail (I guess?). Talk about "stirring the pot!"

I'm not saying the "other" side is off limits. I too visit regularly with friends who have kids on opposing teams. I was talking of those who pull up a patch and cheer loudly.

Our coach chose the dugout facing into the sun. This means we face into the sun for twenty-two games. I got tired of frying my face and straining my eyes even with sunglasses. There are several parental cliques so the fan camaraderie stinks anyway. They stand there backstapping each other clique's kids. They're really not fans of the kids who chose travel and showcase ball over Legion. Three of us were already down the line away from the parents last year. This year we're on the other side with the sun behind us. I can't wait for showcase ball when all the parents are pulling for each other's kid to shine.

Note to second comment: I'm a quiet, analytical observer regardless of where I stand. If I make noise I'm more likely to cheer for a teammate than my son.

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At our school there is absolutely no room down the first baseline. Both teams' fans must commingle in the stands on the third base side. This side, because of no shade and often low direct sunlight, has been assigned to the visitors (the dugouts are pens, no roof).

In the past the Red Cup Brigade, comprised of dads and moms who felt the need for a lounge, would stay in the parking lot way out in right field. Since my boys have graduated I don't know what happens out there nowadays...perhaps just legitimate parking.

I would always make the rounds between the lot (not a member of the brigade), the home fans, and the visitors. Like others have posted, it was frequently that I knew fans from the other team and the games were a good time to catch up with baseball friends.

Never any cheering against our own...even from the lounge! Maybe a comment or two concerning the coach's ability have been broadcast on occasion!




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When I go to games, I almost always just root for good games (granted, I have no kids yet, so I just handpick great games to see with no real rooting interest). But man oh man, is it interesting some of the stuff you see.

I can show up at a school I've never been to previously and you can always see the "clubs". There are generally about three clubs...one for starters' parents, one for bench players' parents, and one for the sometime starters' parents. But you gotta watch out if you're in the bench parents club because if your son busts his tail and becomes a starter, they'll kick you right out of the club!

EH, you are on spot!

Now that 2010 is about to move on to the next level I've taken a litle time to analyze the fan situation.

When son became a starter as a freshman we were very hesitant to sit in chairs below the bleachers. Soon, mom quietly took her place with the other starter parents and now as a senior everyone knows where I prefer to sit and I don't give it a second thought. I know, as does everyone else, that my son has earned his starting position and I don't intend to miss one play of this season if the Lord wills. I don't want to keep anyone else from being able to watch up close but the support our entire family has given this program entitles me to be right at the action this year. But don't miss this point . . . I don't block anyone else's view of the game.

You were right about getting the cold shoulder once your son moves to starter too. Over time the ice thawed and we all came together as just a bunch of parents watching our boys do their thing again. . . HOORAY!

At the college level, I usually sit on the first base side if 08 Son is scheduled to pitch - he's a lefty and the pictures of his front side are way better than those of his back side....

Seriously, in the high school days, I tended to sit/stand/pace on the home team side. Seats faced away from the sun and were blocked from the wind... At away games, I'd sit wherever there were the fewest people - no point in stirring up trouble.

I always watched where I felt like it and when my son was playing, I stood as close to the action as possible.

As for parents, I stood around them to talk baseball or stood around other parents to hear and take in the the gossip and the jabs. It's all part of the experience of watching a HS baseball game. I often went over to the other side to talk to son's summer teammates parents or listen for comments about my son from the enemy side. .

Or sometimes I just felt like watching in a spot by myself so I can just watch the game...

I wasn't one of those parents who stood near the parking lot to watch the game because I avoided hearing the complaining parents. I took it all in.

It's all good.

The last thing I was worried about is where I watched a game. Maybe some people were conscious as to where they should sit but not me. I was all over the place. I did what I felt like. Let's be honest here. Generally, parents of a bench player silently could care less if the team wins or loses. All they want is a chance to see their kid in the game and contribute something. The rest is a byproduct of playing. The last thing I worried about is what people thought, It wasn't about them or me. Nor did I care anyway but I got along with everybody anyway so it wasn't an issue.

I was there to watch my kid play ball. Why parents care what other parents do at games? Who knows...The reason they're there is to watch their kids play. They all are. Winning was secondary which is the norm anyway. Parents wanted their kids to be the the ones to make the great play or drive in the game winning run. That's where the rooting for winning comes in.

I usually stand behind the fence behind home plate so I can help the umpires.

LOL...Some of them need all the help they can get.

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:
I can't wait for showcase ball when all the parents are pulling for each other's kid to shine.

There you go !!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by all322:

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:
I can't wait for showcase ball when all the parents are pulling for each other's kid to shine.

Doesn't it happen on your son's team? Every kid is looking for a college program. That's the priority. There's enough playing time to go around for everyone to get there. On the high school team I believe some parents are rooting for kids to fail so their kid can play more.

The best thing I ever did was start taking my camera to games. I usually take shots of everyone’s players (however we all know my kids are the most important ). This keeps me busy and my wife says it keeps me from trying to help the umpire and coach to do their jobs.

Taking pictures is also a great stress reliever if your kid on the mound that day (right justbaseball). Most importantly it kept me out of most of the sideline tribal council sessions (who should be playing more, why did they bat that kid third and the ongoing debate of why the coach is an idiot). As an added bonus all the parents are usually pretty nice to me because they know I will post shots of their kids as well.

On days I don’t take pictures you will probably find me as the lone wolf watching the game from one of the outfield fences. (where I have never made a bad call or coaching decision)