Parents often take great pride in their children's athletic success. For example, parents likely show positive emotion when their child gets a hit in a game-winning situation, but too often also show negative emotion when their child strikes out. If your athlete's success is linked to your self-esteem as a parent, or maybe if you have high hopes for your child to play at higher levels, then emotional reactions and bad sportsmanship are more likely to happen. At the end of the day, baseball is just a game, it's supposed to be fun and enjoyable for everyone involved. In a year, it won't matter if someone made an error in the second inning of today's game.

So how do you know if you've lost perspective of youth sports? One way to find out is to ask a coach or parent that knows you, sees you at practice and games, and that you trust. Another way is to check for these warning signs:

• Conversations at home are dominated by baseball. Either hours are spent reviewing and breaking down opponents, or they are spent giving your child feedback on their performance in the last game or practice they had.
• Your child has little time to spend with friends because of the amount of time devoted to sports outside of practice and games, restricting their social activity.
• Your child's education has become a second priority to competition and talent development.
• During games or practices, your child often looks to you for approval.
• Your child is overly nervous about practicing or playing, especially in front of you.
• Arguments between you and your child are often related to baseball or other sports.

This article was provided through PCA’s partnership with USA Baseball. For more information about keeping perspective in youth sports and other valuable tips, please visit USA Baseball’s Amateur Resource Center by clicking the link below.