• Originally published July 11, 2008 at 8:03 p.m., updated July 11, 2008 at 8:03 p.m.

We were delighted to view the video online of the Victoria Northeast team taking the District 27 baseball championship for 11- and 12-year old boys earlier this week.

If you haven’t seen the video, check it out at victoriaadvocate.com. You’ll see a heart-warming piece featuring dedicated kids and a well-spoken volunteer coach describing their run to the championship.

You’ll feel the excitement of the boys as they get the last put-out and throw their gloves in the air in celebration.

You’ll view proud parents in the stands, smiling, sharing a high-five, and cheering on their sons at the plate and in the field.

What you won’t see, thankfully, is any evidence of the type of behavior that, in the minds of some, threatens to ruin youth sports for our kids.

By all accounts, the District 27 championship was conducted with the proper focus on sportsmanship and good behavior. All involved are to be commended for that.

However, one doesn’t have to look very hard to find instances of far less positive conduct plaguing youth sports.

Overzealous coaches. Rude parents. Foul and abusive language directed toward officials and the other team. Kids “playing” a sport not to have fun, but because they’ve forced into it.

Unfortunately, these incidents are prevalent in every sport and on every playing field on which our youth participate. Many are turned off by youth sports today because of such ill-mannered behavior.

We’re not even talking about physical attacks by parents against each other, officials, or even youth players who have made the news throughout the country. That’s not just appalling behavior, it’s criminal, and should be dealt with harshly.

We’re most concerned about a growing acceptance of boorishness and lack of sportsmanship on our youth athletic fields. It happens on the soccer pitch, on the football gridiron, on the baseball diamond; indeed, anywhere our sons and daughters gather to compete, to learn the importance of teamwork, and to have fun.

Many try to explain it away by noting the growing opportunities for kids to earn a living as professional athletes. High pressure brings high stress, and it’s not a good thing in youth sports.

Others point to parents living an athletic dream through their children and thus excuse deplorable conduct as simply passion for their child’s sport.

Hogwash, we say.

We’re reminded of the wisdom expressed in the “Youth Sports Code of Conduct” that many youth leagues require parents to sign:

I will remember that the game is for the youth participants—not the adults.

I pledge to provide positive support, care and encouragement for my child while participating in youth sports activities.

I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and other spectators at all times.

I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child ahead of my personal desire to win.

I will support the coaches and officials working with my child, in order to encourage and facilitate a positive and enjoyable experience for all.

I will direct my child to treat other players, coaches, spectators and officials with courtesy and respect.

I will keep in perspective that participation in youth sports is primarily about fun and learning.

I will encourage my child that playing to win is important, but displaying good sportsmanship at all times is equally important.

Amen to that. Let’s all pledge to use the smiling faces of the champion Victoria Northeast baseball team as inspiration to improve the element of sportsmanship and fun in youth sports.

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