It was painful when they were really little and I often wondered--sometimes working my outer monologue rather than my inner one--on the necessity of organized sports at such a young age. There were other parents that regarded me as ignorant and I was shunned. "Don't talk to that one," I could hear someone say behind me, "she hates sports." While that was a gross exaggeration of how I felt, I was fine to be left alone.
Over the last seven years, I have learned the rules and understand the lingo. I know what to say and when to say it. And most of all, I try not to embarrass my kids (much). I stay behind the gate, away from the players and coaches, and avoid getting emotionally invested in every little ball or strike.