Monday, April 20, 2009

Greetings

Hello Bloggers,

This blog is dedicated to arguably the most dedicated group of people that you will encounter in sports at all levels: the parents.
These good folks are loving, caring individuals who will do anything possible to see their children succeed in sports, or any other endeavor for that matter. Our parents are our No. 1 cheerleaders and top advocates. However, there are times when their level of support goes overboard and that is when they head into the territory of being obsessive and fanatical.
That is when they become the "Strait-Jacket Parent."
Over the course of 22 years of covering sports in St. Louis, I have come across many a strait-jacket parent. Many are good friends and some are even in my own family. They come from different races, social classes, nationalalites and from all walks of life. They all have one thing in common. They want to see their children be the best and they will do just about anything to make that happen. Even if it means going off the deep end at times. It's incredibe what some parents have done in the name of love and support for their kids.
There are many stories to tell featuring our overzealous mothers and fathers and I have chronicled many of them in my upcoming book, "You Might Need A Jacket: Hilarious Stories of Youth Sports Parents." It will be released later this summer and you won't want to miss it. I have compiled nearly 200 little stories of straitjacket parent behavior that will have you shaking your head in disbelief and busting your guts with laughter.
I shared many such stories in the book from my own family and close friends and I will continue to do so in this blog. Many of the stories in the book were supplied by other writers and observers of youth sports, coaches, referees, the kids themselves who have told on their own parents. And yes, some parents have even confessed to their own strait-jacket behavior.
I look forward to seeing many of your entires and we enjoy the antics of our loved ones.
I cannot wait to see some of your strait-jacket parent stories.
See you soon.