I decided to cross the bridge and approach the group of parents who were milling about at the bleachers talking quietly amongst themselves. They didn't seem the least bit bothered by what had just happened. I wondered if the comments I heard were a common occurrence.

I kindly asked one of the parents what the age group of the children was. He said "ten." I asked if the coach always talked to the children in that manner. There was no response.

I then asked, "That is acceptable to you?" A mom spoke up and in a tone that sounded like she was defending the coach, told me that "well, he is the coach." Like that made it okay? I said emphatically, "A coach does not talk to ten year old children in that manner."

When I turned away to leave, the same mom said in what sounded like a sarcastic manner, "Thanks for your concern though."

I could not believe what just happened. I tried to understand what was worse- the coach yelling and berating a ten year old in front of his teammates, their parents and anyone else who was within a half mile of the park or the parents who did nothing except defend the coach and his behaviour as if was part of his coaching duties.

It was obvious to me at this point that this was not the first time the coach let into someone as he just did.

I know this kind of behaviour from adults is not uncommon in organized youth sports, unfortunately, but when did we as a society start accepting it as the norm? When did it become okay for a coach to yell and scream at a ten year old child at a soccer practice? Why didn't one of the parents step up and say something? Where was the parent of the child that was berated?

As far as I am concerned, this sort of behaviour only serves to strip children of their self-esteem when in fact playing team sports should be doing just the opposite.