By Cathy Higgins

Albany Herald

ALBANY — It’s a pretty good day on the field when a young athlete can enjoy a little healthy competition and the camaraderie of teammates.

That day is made even better when that boy or girl can look to the stands and see a parent smile affectionately and shout words of encouragement, armed with a stadium soft drink in one hand and a hot dog in the other.

But when that parent makes a scene when the game doesn’t go the child’s way, the day can be ruined for everyone involved.

“It happens from time to time,” Albany Dixie League Vice President Frank Sullivan said in a recent telephone interview.

Such occurrences typically range from taking opposition to an umpire’s decision too far to arguments breaking out between parents of competing teams.

“When it does, we address it,” Sullivan said.

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