During the course of photographing a softball game, you end up in areas where you can hear conversations between umpires, coaches, fans, and players. Sometimes the talk is funny, sometimes interesting, and on occasion the words uttered reveal the character of the individual. Such was the case at a recent high school softball game.

"Keep your mouth shut and call the pitch," yelled the coach to his catcher. The player had questioned the previous pitch that was off target, got past the catcher, and advanced the runner from third base for the score. The ball was not where the catcher expected it and as a result went past her to the backstop (error on the catcher). The next pitch came sailing across the plate in seemingly perfect form. "Ball" motioned the plate umpire. "That's not a strike?" The coach was beginning to lose his cool early in the game as he yelled once again at the umpire. Later in the game, with runners on 1st and 3rd bases, the field umpire made the wrong call when he signaled a runner out on a force. The same coach ran onto the field, straight at the umpire, and started yelling. "That wasn't a force!" Then when a close play at 1st base did not go his way, the coach again screamed at the officials. Finally, late into the game, the coach turned his wrath on one of his players as he bellowed, "Ask for help! What do you think, of course she was safe."

Next time you are at a sporting event, no matter what the age or skill level, watch the people who should be leading or setting "the example." When a coach or official loses control, all eyes turn to them. Silently, the same thought races through most of the crowd. "What's up with the jerk?" When the team members are minors, parents will shudder but few will speak up and complain. In some cases, the parents are afraid of the anger turning toward them. In other cases, they do not want to affect the game or their child's chances of playing in the game. Why are you involved in the game? Are you just a fan or are you there for your child? We wonder why kids have lost respect for adults. I was taught you had to earn respect. Next time the coach screams at a player or an official, the next time an official retaliates, try holding up a reminder sign: " What happened to respect?" Or maybe, " Your actions are being recorded for the six o' clock news." Your action may cause people to think and change their behavior.