Deptford TWP. , New Jersey – The New Jersey Little League has implemented a new creative rule in an effort to cut down on the number of spectators fighting volunteer referees.
For years, officials at Little League in Deptford Township, a suburb of Philadelphia, have been saying that quite a few spectators have been yelling at umpires for calls they don’t like.
Now league officials say anyone battling with infractions may find themselves making the calls.
Spring is here and the fields are being prepared for another season of minor league baseball in Deptford.
Deptford Township Little League President Don Buzovi said the kids love the arrival of spring baseball in their community.
“The kids come to you, they’re all excited, it’s great,” he said.
He said the not-so-cool thing is a parent or a spectator fighting with the referee.
“They think the call was bad, which always amazes me that they can see the hit there better than the umpire can put his foot in the back,” Bouzovi said.
It got so bad, he said, that two of the volunteer referees quit over the course of a week.
“They come here, they get mistreated, and they don’t need to,” Bouzovi said. “So they walk away.”
Sister station of WPVI Talk to people who have witnessed similar behavior at football and youth football matches.
“If a child is pushing too hard, the parents get really aggressive,” said Paige Durham, from West Deptford.
“It’s bad sportsmanship, but it also often teaches children [that] “Winning is everything, rather than playing hard and being competitive,” said Paulsboro native Bob Little, who played football in high school and college.
And so this season, Deptford Township Little League is trying out a new rule: If you fight with guys during a game, you have to volunteer your time to referee three games before you’re allowed to come back as a spectator.
“The main goal is not for them to be able to call a baseball game, but for them to see what’s going on here, and it’s not that easy,” Bouzovi said.
WPVI Parents spoke of such an idea.
“If the parents were going to sit there and yell the whole game, they might use that energy on the field,” said Catland Tuckley, a mom in Somerdale.
Officials said they are trying to maintain a positive experience for children.
“They’re not baseball players, they’re kids. So always keep that in the back of your mind and let them play,” Bouzovi said.
If they were to use this new rule, Bozzuffi says, there would be an authorized referee as well, to make sure the calls are valid.
He adds that 99% of spectators follow the rules and have a positive attendance.
If you have a problem with a call made during one of these Youth Games, he said, bring it to your child’s coach or manager and let him handle it.
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