I agree with Cards. Daddy ball has a tendency to become very diminished as you get older. But here is the trade off. I would rather a coach be committed to a group of kids when the going get tough rather than one who does not have a kid in the game and just up and quits because the stress is too high.
Here are the facts. Most coaching positions are not paid. If a dad, who only wants the best for his daughter, puts together something special he has to assume all the responsibilities. This is everything from schedule, setting up insurance, paperwork for turneys, communication with parents, etc. Its not a EZ gig. All dads get involved because of their kids. Nobody says " Heck I needed more stress in my life, I want to deal with delusional parents. Let me go coach a travel team!" Yes there are exceptions. Kids go off to college, grandparents coach, you come down from 18u and want to do it all over again, etc. so non parent coaches do coach, however they are rare. The point is parent coaches are as much a part of the game as the girls are.
I think more parents should thank the coach for what they are doing, rather than be critical because of daddy/mommy ball. Its EZ to be critical. EVERY parent should do two things before the first day of 10U 1. Spend a weekend at 18U and observe. watch the kids, watch the parents, watch the coaches. See how calm everyone is? See how much fun they are having? See no crazy parents yelling? 2. Become a hotel mom/dad. Make reservations for a group of 11-12 families and see how enjoyable that nonsense is. That is only a taste of the logistical nightmare a coach goes through each weekend at a tourney.
I digress to a quote from the movie A few good men 1992. Adapted for Fastpitch
Son, we live in a world that has softball games, and those games have to be coached. Who's gonna do it? You? You, (insert any parent)? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for your DD, and you curse the coach. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That losing this game, while tragic, probably made the team better. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, help these girls. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me to coach, you need me to coach. We use words like fastball, commitment, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent coaching something we love. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the leadership of the coaching that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a clipboard, and stand at a base. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.