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Sportsmanship Lessons from Little League

by Josh Cagliani
09/19/2007

The Little League World Series Champions from Warner Robins reminded us all what sportsmanship really is when they cheered up the Japanese team they defeated 3-2 several weeks ago in Williamsport, Pa.

After the completion of the game, the Japanese players were visibly disappointed and began crying while still on the field. In a display of good sportsmanship, each player on the Warner Robins team reached out to a player on the Japanese team and gave a hug, a pat on the back and words of encouragement.

This type of behavior was expected from these boys. “I was really waiting for the kids to turn around and see it,” President of Warner Robins American Little League Roman Jones said.

Is it possible that adults could take a lesson about sportsmanship from these boys? “I think they can definitely learn a lot from these kids,” 21-year-old Alan Hanson said.

There have been numerous instances where athletes have set a bad example for the impressionable youth.

Zinedine Zidane, a French soccer player, headbutted Marco Materazzi from the Italian soccer team in last years World Cup. Zidane was the captain of the French national team and its most recognizable figure. There was no excuse for his actions on the field.

Bad sportsmanship is not just a problem in soccer. Todd Bertuzzi, a Canadian hockey player, sucker-punched Steve Moore from behind during a game, breaking three vertebrae in Moore’s neck.

This type of behavior should not be tolerated by anyone, especially in front of children.

Athletes aren’t the only people that need to show better sportsmanship. Increasingly, parents are getting involved in their children’s games.

Young children want to go out and have some fun with their friends. Parents have no business interfering with the game. Adults should be teaching children how to play the game the right way.

It’s embarrassing to watch a parent go out on the field to yell at an umpire or referee. Children and adults need to recognize this is unacceptable behavior.

It’s okay for parents to get excited for their children, but once they cross the line and step on the field, the excitement can turn to violence. There have been cases where parents have entered the field of play to instigate violence with other parents or officials.

The parent’s actions could be detrimental to the self-esteem and well-being of the children. “They don’t realize the impact they are having on the kids,” Jones said.

So who should children be watching to learn better sportsmanship? Perhaps, other kids, especially when they act like the boys from Warner Robins.

Everyone should take a lesson from the Warner Robins players on how to act. We could learn a lot about the spirit of sportsmanship from them.