Negativity: It Affects Everyone

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Everyone wants to see success in their children. The actions of the team have a huge impact on how an experience goes. Negativity is such a divisive thing. Whether it is a parent, coach, fan or team member. The lasting impression of how your team is viewed can come down to constant bad mouthing by even one person. As I look through several of the comments, I believe most people want to have an experience that is fun but demanding. These things can be done in a great environment. Not everyone is gonna be happy all the time. Could be playing time, tough coaching, overbearing parents who just want what's "best" for their kids. At the end of the day we all want to see kids succeed and love this sport. If you coach, play, or chase your daughter all over creation, don't forget that this is something everyone takes responsibility for. Let's not let our negative actions define how people view an entire group. When it is all said and done, we are all responsible for our own actions. Respect the game.

 

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How would you define negative actions?

 

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How would you define negative actions?

I define it as...if you hurt my feelings. :lmao:

 

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Lol. Blue Ice, you are quite the card. We've all seen the families that constantly bad mouth and criticize every child but their own. Or the opposite, the parent that absolutely saps the joy out of their own child. The coach who never has a positive word to say. The "DD" that disrupts the team with their selfish actions. Life is tough. No doubt. We grow stronger through adversity. There are definite lines. No reason a person can't enjoy being competitive and hard headed. If you can't define it, it probably applies. To settle for mediocrity is unacceptable. No one will tell you differently. Life is too short to live in misery.

 

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I will let the original poster respond, but this thread hits a chord with me for sure. I am assuming that the poster is referring to those people, 90% of the time it's parents, who are sitting on the sideline watching the games and telling anyone who will listen how the coaches don't know what they're doing, aren't playing their daughter enough or in the right position, etc. And often the coaches don't hear about it or know it when it's happening ... they usually do hear about it at some point though. And worse yet, you know the girls are hearing about it too. I've had several girls I coached in the past several years who by all appearances seemed to be having a blast playing on the team, but they had "poisonous" parents who complained to the girls enough that they either convinced them they weren't having fun, and/or who the girls just didn't enjoy it any more because they were tired of hearing it from their parents. I agree 100% that the parent is being irresponsible for their actions when they choose to voice it like that, and it has torn down way too many teams.

 

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I define it as...if you hurt my feelings. :lmao:

That's why I asked. I was worried that is what the OP was trying to say.

 

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That's why I asked. I was worried that is what the OP was trying to say.

On the contrary, I just love the sport.

 

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Life is filled with negativity, sometimes you just have to learn to deal with it. Hoping that everyone will stop being negative so we all can enjoy a sport is a little....how should I put it.....CRAZY!!!! Just sayin'......

 

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If you allow the garbage into the 6" between your ears it stays there..... Don't let it in and enjoy the game.....

 

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If you allow the garbage into the 6" between your ears it stays there..... Don't let it in and enjoy the game.....

So true Hilliarddad3! ... softball parallels life once again! Spend time worrying about all that's negative and risk never rising above the gloom. Spend time seeing the positive and being a positive example ... the future somehow always stays bright!

 

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My theory is negativity is the response of a person who has no control over the outcome they are seeking. A parent or player spews negativity over the things mentioned above. A coach may spew negativity because he/she can't control what's going on in the stands or may not be able to get the outcome he/she desires from their team or individual players, especially if it is impacted by negative parents. From a coach's perspective, I do not think there should be any value in what parents have to say about coaching decisions. I'm not saying parents are not entitled to their opinion. But a coach is the person who takes the risk of putting himself/herself out there to make decisions for the benefit of eleven or twelve players in an effort to orchestrate their team. The parent assumes little risk by stating their opinions unless they become hostile or detrimental to the health of the team. The showcase world is a little different. Parents take greater risks with their behavior in the stands as they can have a greater impact on how players from their team are recruited. Please remember that for the benefit of the players. And I agree with Hilliarddad3 and tjsmize2. Enjoy the game. It goes fast...