By John Landsberg—-Several years ago I was a soccer referee and doing a match between a pair of third-grade teams. These were great games to referee because instead of running for an hour, you could pretty much just walk around casually. They were fun.

Keep in mind this this was not Sporting Kansas City-type soccer. These were little boys and girls simply running around kicking a ball for exercise. We used to refer to it as “bumble bee” soccer with a swarm of kids all trying to kick the ball at the same time.

The vast majority of parents thought it was great fun and were grateful their kids would be sleeping well that night. But, of course, there were a few parents who thought this was some sort of FIFA World Cup match.

One mother in particular took it way too far. She screamed for her son to run faster, kick the ball harder, blah, blah, blah. But one time as I ran past her I thought I heard her scream “Billy, trip the girl with the ball!!” I thought maybe I did not hear that correctly.

Later I heard her yell, “Billy, hit that kid!!” and that was that. At that point I stopped the match.

I went over and told the woman she had crossed a sportsmanship line that I would not allow. To my surprise she promptly told me loudly and in no uncertain terms that I could intercourse myself.

The parents were stunned. I then told her she had to leave the field or the match was over. She did leave, but unloaded on me more than any drill sergeant did when I was in the Army. And with worse language.

As it turned out, this woman was a bonafide nut job. She had done similar things to other soccer referees and Little League umpires. Believe it or not, we instituted a specific rule for her where she could only watch her son’s matches while sitting in her car. If she got out of her car the match was forfeited.

When I look back on it, this woman probably had some sort of personal issues. But I am concerned that many fans today, like her, are taking things too far at sporting events.

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Did the fans really cheer when Kansas City Chief quarterback Matt Cassel was injured earlier this season? Maybe a few did, but the vast majority were cheering when they found out he was not seriously hurt.

Did the KC fans boo when Yankee Robinson Cano floundered during the “Home Run Derby” at the All-Star game at Kauffman Stadium this year? Yes. I know I was there and I did. He deserved it. Booing is part of the game.

You pay $225 for a ticket to the Home Run Derby (normally referred to as “Batting Practice”) and the Royals’ Billy Butler wasn’t selected as Cano had promised, so I felt booing was in order. It was the only fun of the evening. How boring was the event? The fan next to me was sound asleep for two hours.

I asked Jim Sloss, who has been the announcer at high school sporting events around the area, if fans are taking things a bit too far these days.

“I think that fans are coarser today than in the past,” says Sloss, who is also known for his goofy “Sign Pro” commercials. “They sometimes forget that these are young kids out there just doing their best. They aren’t getting paid and most of them will never play in college.”

Sloss says at virtually all games he announces he opens by reading guidelines for fans to follow. Most do. As expected, a few ignore him.

“I think all fans need to dial it down a bit,” says Sloss. “Go out and cheer for your kids and encourage them, but no one benefits by screaming at the opposing players or coaches.

“Keep in mind, your kids are watching you and will be copying your actions in the future,” he adds.

Great advice.

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Sorry, but it has gotten to the point where I believe that the name “LIVESTRONG” Sporting Park should be changed to something else.

I have heard the logic that although Lance Armstrong was a convicted cheater of the highest level, his Livestrong group has raised lots of funds in the battle against cancer. Good.

Sadly, his name will be forever linked to cheating and the Livestrong name. Keep in mind, many athletes simply tie their name to a cause because it enhances their personal “brand” image. Armstrong’s cheating rumors were often overlooked or ignored because he raised so much money in the fight against cancer. Now his actions have tarnished the cause.

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On a sports level the way the Royals played this year and the way the Chiefs are playing are enough to push any Kansas Citian to the brink. But, on a positive note maybe this gives us a great opportunity to not tie our lives to sporting teams so fervently.

I’m always amazed when I speak to former players and they tell me they haven’t watched a game since they retired. If they aren’t interested in the game that paid them millions, why exactly should I live and die with a team I have to pay to watch?

Think about it. And have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

MAYBE IT IS TIME FOR SPORTS FANS TO DIAL IT DOWN A NOTCH

KC SPORTS & FITNESS

NOVEMBER 2012