Baseball
fans of a certain age well remember the antics of much-hired
and -fired New York Yankees manager Billy
Martin. Martin was notorious for kicking dirt on umpires
and otherwise having extreme anger outbursts over what
he perceived as lousy calls.
It’s safe to say Billy Martin wasn’t exactly a role model for good
sportsmanship. But if local athletic programs are any indication, he didn’t
learn his bad behavior as a Little Leaguer. Coaches these days are all about
treating opposing teams with respect.
“...(C)oaching ... carries with it an awesome responsibility to exhibit
and teach sportsmanship to your players and their parents,” youth soccer
coach Jerry Gasser said. Gasser has coached recreational soccer through competitive
State League First Division teams. His four daughters have all played soccer;
the oldest is on a soccer scholarship at the University of Houston.
“In order to (teach sportsmanship) you must first teach and also demand
that your players and parents respect their opponents. No matter how well or
how poorly your opponent may play the game, they deserve respect. ... ridicule
and trash-talking should not be tolerated by a responsible coach.”
Catholic
Herald Parenting is a supplement of the Catholic Herald
published eight times annually, September to May. It is
intended to help parents pass on the Catholic faith to
their children.
