Sports

[PerryJ]

I am curious if any Catholics have experienced issues with sports. I am from St Louis and sports overide Christianity. Parents of our parish and the surrounding parishes will do anything to win. The Priest is aware and attempts to stop the behavior but it is pervasive. Our sports has parents that go to Church regularly and those that do not both exhibit very poor behavior. I have seen a whole team’s parents drunk at a 10:00 soccer game yeling and cussing at the referee. Coaches are constantly yelling at referees. Many of these referees are high school Catholic kids from our parishes. People stack their team and roster illegal players just to win. Is this a St Louis issue or do all Catholic communities expereince this behavior.

 

[petitfleur]

We could write a book about our local soccer club! You would not believe it! Honestly, my husband stood up against it and in some circles we are the center of malicious gossip that is starting to affect our kids. It is shocking.
The upside is my DH just started his own soccer club!!! It has caused quite a stir in our little town. The board members are all parents who went through what we went through and is not just about sports, but on values and morals for both parents and kids. He has three teams right now and there is lots of interest for more. We haven’t personally experienced this but I hear there is a lot of bullying that goes on in the girls leagues. The kids know DH won’t put up with that. I am quite proud.

 

[puzzleannie]

I . I have seen a whole team’s parents drunk at a 10:00 soccer game yeling and cussing at the referee. .

if this is happening at a sporting event at a Catholic school, by parents of the Catholic school students, and the administration is not addressing it they are in violation of the Child Safety and Ethical Conduct in Ministry rules adopted by the US Bishops and in force in almost every US Diocese including St. Louis. Time to get the person in charge of compliance for this policy involved, usually the vicar General or someone he has delegated.

 

[LSK]

I have seen sad and shocking behavior at games by parents…and if you can report it, do so.

 

[garn9173]

I’m glad my son has never expressed an interest in sports. I CAN"T STAND youth sports and i’m a college sports, NFL, & MLB junkie.

 

[EasterJoy]

These are issues for the league’s board. If it is a Catholic league, the diocese ought to be notified, as well, preferably by the pastor who has made attempts to clean things up. Even with a secular board, the complaint of a priest, minister, or officer of the court who has witnessed the behavior and does not have a child on either team would carry extra weight.

In the end, after the coaches have been advised that rules will be strictly enforced, the referees need the authority to eject offenders and call forfeits when necessary. There is no reason for this sort of thing to be tolerated in any league at any level, but especially not in youth sports.

As for the ringers, Little League requires birth certificates and proof of legal residence before accepting players into the pool from which teams are formed. These problems can be addressed, if there is a will to do it.

 

[EasterJoy]

I’m glad my son has never expressed an interest in sports. I CAN"T STAND youth sports and i’m a college sports, NFL, & MLB junkie.

Our kids had no interest in organized sports until 5th grade, but we’ve enjoyed their participation in sports very much since they started. We’ve had very good experiences at the local level, both in Little League and in the state independent junior baseball league. It all comes down to whether or not those at the top are serious about having a healthy environment for players to enjoy the sport and develop their skills. A great many selfless and committed people are responsible for making that happen. They are out there, and more and more have decided that they are not going to let destructive influences take over youth sports.