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18 replies

WOW Sitting in the stands

C cong1,000+ posts
Between coaching and umpiring, it has been many years since I sat in the stands of a non-pro baseball game. Most of the time when I go see HS or Middle school ball I never get close to the stands, just hang out somewhere down the line.

Last night our local Legion Team (Not really Legion ball, but the actual league affiliation is not important) was playing a championship game at a park that had a very weird layout. The only place you could actually watch the game was from the bleachers. Unfortunately for me, the bleachers were packed. It was a beautiful night for baseball but it was so hard to enjoy.

It seems that I had found a seat in the middle of the nagging parents club. 17 different non-baseball conversations going on at once with each person interjecting their little tidbit between fragmented sentences.

I had forgotten how much better an angle parents have from 75 to 100 feet away from the strike zone than the umpire does Smile I think I will ump my next game from the stands! Wink Grunts and groans on every call.... Every call that they didn't like was the umpire trying to cheat them... and they were letting him know it! Then there was the redundant parent who said the same tired things to every batter. (wait for your pitch - that's looking at it (??) - be patient - be aggressive).

Our team did not play well. They only had 3 hits, scored a couple of runs when the other pitcher started walking batters (7 in a row for 3 runs - they only scored 4 all game). They made several errors (I don't think the SS made a single play) and did not run the bases well.... (I wondered - though not aloud - how they made it to the championship game) But the lose was all the umpires fault!!

I could go in and on, but you get the idea..... I just had to do a little venting.

Not having spent much time in the stands, is this normal? How do you put up with this? My son is only 12 and will be heading into middle school in the fall. Is this what I have to look forward to for the coming years?
cong [url=http://www.youthbaseballcoaching.com/]Youth Baseball Coaching[/url] "In a child, sports build character. In adults, sports reveal character."
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FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
Cong,
I seldom sit in the stands! The stands are "hostile" environment... You need to be able to control your environment. The only way you can control it is to remain mobile. There are many plusses to being “on the move”. You have the ability to start and end conversations. You can spit seed hulls. You can change your perspective by changing your vantage point. And the most important aspect of staying on the move; you have that ability to control your level of involvement by simply distancing yourself from/or exposing yourself to the intensity of the game.
Fungo
W Will1,000+ posts
After coaching for 25 years I attended a game the following year. for 25 years I was on the bench. I never knew the game was so easy from the stands. I should have had all this advice when I coached. Should do this should do that this kid should play ss or 2b etc Why is he starting etc etc . I attended a couple more games but from the cozy confines of behind right field. It was lonely but quiet.
bkekcsbkekcs500+ posts
If I can I like to sit right behind home plate at the beginning just to get a feel for the strike zone of the day. I usually stay pretty close to that general area just because my son is usually the catcher and I like to watch him work.

On the other hand there are the chronic complainers about every call that does get a bit old. Many people are quite content to overlook the mistakes of the players and coaches while not allowing the umpire any slack.

Me, I gripe about it all, but only in the form of mumbling to myself. Smile
P P-Dog500+ posts
This is the real answer to "Why do people keep scorebooks?" You can shut off the stupic comments directed your way by waving your hand and looking carefully at your book while making notations. What's even worse than listening to the parents complaining about the ball/strke calls is hearing about Suzie's last foot operation, or whatever...
L lafmom5,000+ posts
I've been fortunate with son's HS years. We had a group of mom's that respected each other, the coach, the kids and the game. We had "our corner" were we always collected. While we were guilty on occasion of talking about someone's "foot operation" or the occasional "oh, blue!", we had a good time, supported our boys and coaches, and ejoyed many a great game. I'll miss that corner alot!

I think if someone is a jerk in anyway, the best thing to do is just remove yourself from them and allow someone else the pleasure of their company.
O OldVaman500+ posts
Generally speaking, I try to stay mostly to myself when my kids are playing, which is a good thing during baseball season (when I'm usually very quiet), and not so good during hockey season (I'm not quiet).

The interesting thing, though, is the younger the player, the louder the parents. Seems common to almost any sport. Ages 12-15 are the worst, because all the parents still have the big dream; it's amazing how much smarter we get when our kids are seniors in high school.

When I go to junior hockey games now, I'll get into good plays and bad calls. When it's more like the level I coach, I'm always yapping.

At college baseball games, it takes a lot to get me going. But, I admit, once I do, I will use the full extent of my non-swearing vocabulary to make my point.
piaa_umppiaa_ump5,000+ posts
only a few places I will watch a game............

If my son is playing..........outfield or 3rd base line..........I do not sit with the college parent group in the stands.....for all the reasons given before and the fact that as it is known that I am an umpire, I can not get away from the "was he safe/out", "whats the rule on" questions. Most parents dont understand why I do not answer....PLUS...since I have always done this, my son would not know where to look for me if I wasnt there.....he knows not to look in the stands.....

And the other spot of course is.......behind home plate....but then I'm a bit busy.....and I'm wearing the blue shirt/grey pants and mask..............
A amom500+ posts
Cong - sounds like hs ball to me- and now that you point some things out, maybe I was one of the guilty ones - when my son was pitching Big Grin

Seriously, when he pitched I didn't really talk to anyone- wanted to focus!

College is different. My husband has to stand, can't sit and watch at the same time. I sat with my daughters at first, but was drawn to a woman who VERY LOUDLY supported each and every player- knew their names, nicknames etc.

I went and introduced myself and ended up usually sitting in the general vicinity of her- a few seats away , so we could all have our space. She turned out to be the catcher's mom- no wonder we clicked!! Smile

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