Game play

I went to Megan’s basketball game this week. Even though I’m busy and a single parent right now, I am trying to also be a supportive parent, so I made it to one out of two this week. As the home team, the Grizzlies didn’t have a ton of fans in the audience (audience? Did I just say audience? It just shows you how much of a sports fan I am–Not.) I mean the STANDS. As I sat down, I was surprised to hear a lot of cheering and chatter for the OTHER team. Wow. That made me feel like even more of a loser parent, because I’ve only made it to one away game so far.

But the parents–how can I put this without sounding like a jerk–well, the parents from the other team were…loud and annoying. I finally had to move because right behind me sat the loudest dad supporter for the other team. And really, I don’t mind if you cheer for your daughter and her team. We all want that, but I don’t want to be privy to every single comment you make about the team, the girls, the refs, and all that. I felt like if I cheered for MY DAUGHTER and her team, this guy might step down and punch me out.

“Why are they not calling that BLATANT foul” and “LOOK WHAT THOSE GIRLS JUST DID”, and “WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO PULL”, and on and on. Not to mention that their girls were all over our girls as well (it was a very physical game with two scrappy teams fighting for that ball).

Parents–when you go to a sporting event, it’s not your job to badmouth the ref. Those poor guys do NOT get paid enough to take verbal abuse from every single parent and fan and coach. I understand that it’s part of the game, but come on. Or to scream and say negative things at the other team. Or to make all the other parents sitting near you uncomfortable. If you must say a bunch of negative things, keep your voice down. Is that too much to ask?

Growing up, I was never a fan of watching sporting events. Perhaps this comes from having a father who would yell loudly at the tv. I remember being upstairs and hearing the yelling downstairs, and wondering why there was so much yelling. Oh, yeah, it’s a football game. I know that yelling at the tv and yelling at a game are normal, I really do. I just wasn’t a fan.

Of course, I myself get into the yelling at the intense games when my kids are playing. I remember a certain youth basketball game when Ryan told me he was going to have to move because he couldn’t sit by me if I was going to yell that much. (So maybe I AM my father’s daughter after all.)
But I wasn’t badmouthing the other team. I was yelling positive encouragement. There’s a difference.

So either I get to get my rowdy on at the games, or I need to sit on the very top row so that the loud annoying parents are in front of me, instead of behind me.

What about you? Are you a game screamer, a cheerer, or a quiet fan who comes to support their team without making a bunch of noise?