Little League Pledge
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February 2, 2011
He stands at the plate with heart pounding fast.
The bases are loaded; the die has been cast.
Mom and Dad cannot help him, he stands alone,
A hit at this moment would send the team home.
The ball meets the plate, he swings and misses
There's a groan from the crowd, with some boos and some hisses.
A thoughtless voice cries: "Strike out the bum."
Tears fill his eyes, the game's no longer fun.
So open your heart and give him a break,
For it's moments like this,a man can make.
Keep this in mind when you hear someone forget
He's just child, not an adult yet.
Sideline Suggestions (10 Things Kids Say They Don't Want Their Parents to Do)
By Darrell J. Burnett, Ph.D.
1. Don't yell out instructions. During the game I'm trying to concentrate on what the coach says and working on what I've been practicing. It's easier for me to do my best if you save instructions and reminders for practice or just before the game.
2. Don't put down the officials. This embarrasses me and I sometimes wonder whether the official is going to be tougher on me because my parents yell.
3. Don't yell at me in public. It will just make things worse because I'll be upset, embarrassed, or worried that you're going to yell at me the next time I do something "wrong."
4. Don't yell at the coach. When you yell about who gets to play what position, it just stirs things up and takes away from the fun.
5. Don't put down my teammates. Don't make put-down remarks about any ofmy teammates who make mistakes. It takes away from our team spirit.
6. Don't put down the other team. When you do this you're not giving us a very good example of sportsmanship so we get mixed messages about being "good sports."
7. Don't lose your cool. I love to see you excited about the game, but there's no reason to get so upset that you lose your temper! It's our game and all the attention is supposed to be on us.
8. Don't lecture me about mistakes after the game. Those rides home in the car after the game are not a good time for lectures about how I messed up -- I already feel bad. We can talk later, but please stay calm, and don't forget to mention things I did well during game!
9. Don't forget how to laugh and have fun. Sometimes it's hard for me to relax and have fun during the game when I look over and see you so tense and worried.
10. Don't forget that it's just a game! Odds are, I'm not going to make a career out of playing sports. I know I may get upset if we lose, but I also know that I’m usually feeling better after we go get a pizza. I need to be reminded sometimes that it’s just a game.
(From Playbook for Kids: A Parent's Guide to Help Kids Get the Most Out of Sports. The Gatorade Company)
1. Don't yell out instructions. During the game I'm trying to concentrate on what the coach says and working on what I've been practicing. It's easier for me to do my best if you save instructions and reminders for practice or just before the game.
2. Don't put down the officials. This embarrasses me and I sometimes wonder whether the official is going to be tougher on me because my parents yell.
3. Don't yell at me in public. It will just make things worse because I'll be upset, embarrassed, or worried that you're going to yell at me the next time I do something "wrong."
4. Don't yell at the coach. When you yell about who gets to play what position, it just stirs things up and takes away from the fun.
5. Don't put down my teammates. Don't make put-down remarks about any ofmy teammates who make mistakes. It takes away from our team spirit.
6. Don't put down the other team. When you do this you're not giving us a very good example of sportsmanship so we get mixed messages about being "good sports."
7. Don't lose your cool. I love to see you excited about the game, but there's no reason to get so upset that you lose your temper! It's our game and all the attention is supposed to be on us.
8. Don't lecture me about mistakes after the game. Those rides home in the car after the game are not a good time for lectures about how I messed up -- I already feel bad. We can talk later, but please stay calm, and don't forget to mention things I did well during game!
9. Don't forget how to laugh and have fun. Sometimes it's hard for me to relax and have fun during the game when I look over and see you so tense and worried.
10. Don't forget that it's just a game! Odds are, I'm not going to make a career out of playing sports. I know I may get upset if we lose, but I also know that I’m usually feeling better after we go get a pizza. I need to be reminded sometimes that it’s just a game.
(From Playbook for Kids: A Parent's Guide to Help Kids Get the Most Out of Sports. The Gatorade Company)
