Letter To The Editor, Parks and Rec

Dear Editor,

I think there should be stricter rules on who can coach a little league team in our local parks and rec program. For some reason, it seems to bring out the worst in these "coaches" and many parents. One of my family members played T-Ball last year and he enjoyed it pretty good. I was at every one of his games. I've had kids in the league in other years, too. Unfortunately, his coaches took it way more seriously than he did, they yelled at the umpires pretty much every game, and once even yelled at the opposing team's coach. Before somebody asks me, "if you know so much, why don't you coach?" I never played baseball (just like this particular coach) so I don't feel I'm qualified to be a coach. I'm glad some of these people are volunteering their time to do this, but is it because they love these kids and the game, or is it because they're trying to live out some fantasy through the kids? There seems to be one or two coaches in every league that ruin it for everyone. I don't understand why somebody can't do something about it.

This and other problems are not just in T-ball, either. Some of my friends are parents and coaches in other leagues, and this is an ongoing issue. We have a park director that doesn't seem to have much say-so because of  a "board" of folks that are supposed to enforce the rules. The problem with that has been, some of the board members go by one set of local rules for one occasion, some go by another for a different one. It's confusing to say the least. We pay $45 per kid to play on fields that are in horrible condition, most of the umpires are kids that are usually texting during games, most of which don't even know the rules,or won't stand up to rude parents or unqualified coaches,  and there never seems to be anybody in charge when you need them. Some of these board members are guilty of screaming at the umpires the louder than anybody!

I've heard some people say that there's not enough money to keep the fields up, to pay for decent umpires (or to properly train the ones we got), or to use both the Brownsville and Chalybeate Fields. The Chalybeate fields may as well be used for hay...at least our tax dollars could be used for something. If that's the case, then why not? Who makes these decisions? Is it the Judge Executive? The Fiscal Court? Who? Our kids deserve better than this, and I, for one, think there should be more of an effort to make our ballparks a better environment and a better experience for our youth. It's all about them...not coaches, umpires, etc. Is it possible to have some sort of anonymous survey to ask which coaches should or shouldn't be allowed? Also ask if there are any board members that have caused problems? People won't speak up if they have to put their name on it...you might offend the coach you go to church with! 
Thank you for your time.
Tyler Johnson