PARENTS NEED A LESSON IN SPORTSMANSHIP : OUT-OF-CONTROL GROWN-UPS TURNING KIDS' GAMES INTO THREATENING CONFRONTATIONS.

Byline: Steve Soboroff 

THIS fall the Los Angeles Department Recreation and Parks is encouraging more girls, as well as boys, to participate in athletic programs.

With the amazing successes of the Mark McGuire-Sammy Sosa '98 season in baseball, and the USA Women's World Cup championship team in soccer, we are expecting record enrollments at parks in every neighborhood.

Let's use this opportunity to take advantage of America's renewed excitement for participatory sports. Through after-school and weekend programs, children can be taught to work hard and compete to the best of their abilities.

Through proper coaching, our children will learn to play fair and respect others. In a city as dynamic and diverse as Los Angeles, these are the very qualities we need in today's children and tomorrow's leaders.

Be aware, however, that a very negative scenario is becoming increasingly common at playgrounds across the country: Young people playing team sports are interrupted by a profanity-shouting parent who objects to an umpire's call, a coach's decision or another parent's commentary.

Other recent incidents have involved parents of players on opposing teams, exchanging insults in the stands which, all too often, leads to serious violence.

As president of the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Commission, I have visited hundreds of ballfields and basketball blacktops in every neighborhood of our city. More and more, I hear disturbing stories about out-of-control adults turning children's games into threatening, and sometimes dangerous, confrontations.

All too many of us have been witness to ridiculous parental behavior during a game or practice.

In a time when we are all deeply concerned about violence, values and the loss of civility in our society, this overly aggressive behavior is simply unacceptable.

Today, everyone from politicians to entertainers to professional athletes gain media attention with their bad attitudes. Children learn by imitating and negativity has become the norm. If sportsmanship lessons can not be learned on our neighborhood playing fields, then where can they? Now, more than ever, parents have a responsibility to provide positive role models. Our common-sense solution holds adults accountable for their actions - a lesson every child must learn.

We can begin by taking every opportunity to teach right from wrong - in the home, in our schools and on the playing field. Besides being fun, sports build character by developing discipline and teamwork. Unfortunately, one parent's rage can ruin the experience for all of the young athletes that are participating.

Allowing children to be exposed to verbal and physical abuse defeats the whole purpose of organized sports. By insisting on a higher standard through sportsmanship, we are setting a good example for our sons and daughters.

Of course, this one proposal won't, by itself, solve the problem of youth violence. It is, however, one practical and proactive step in the right direction. We owe it to our kids and ourselves to make this simple pledge.