October 26, 2008

Robin Pyle

When a parent pulled a gun at a local youth soccer game last weekend because his daughter wasn't getting enough playing time, it was the third time this decade a parent has pulled a gun at an area youth sports event.

Parents also scream at coaches and swear at umpires and referees ... setting poor examples for their embarrassed children.

 "It seems to be getting worse every year," said David Murphy, who has officiated numerous youth sporting events for more than 35 years. "Parents have become more and more abusive."

Many youth sports leagues have parent codes of conduct, but it doesn't stop everyone.

"A few apples spoil the whole bunch," Murphy said, adding most parents get an A on conduct. "One abusive parent at a ball game and it can ruin the whole ball game."

Most of the time bad parent conduct doesn't escalate into something more, but it has happened.

Lubbock Police Sgt. Ross Hester said police usually arrest two or three parents a year for threatening an official at a sporting event. Those parents get charged with Class B misdemeanor assault charges, an elevated charge because it involves sporting event officials.

The 25-year-old man who pulled out a gun Oct, 18 at the Berl Huffman Athletic Complex faces aggravated assault charges, officials said.

League officials say a few parents each year are escorted off the property during a game because of behavior.

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