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'Adult Behavior' Signs Take Aim At Poor Sportsmanship From Parents

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. (CBS) -- The Buffalo Grove Park District has joined another northwest suburban park district in reminding parents and other spectators that youth sports are not a life-and-death matter.

WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports "adult behavior" signs have been posted in a number of Buffalo Grove parks; aimed at adults who take youth sports too seriously, and can ruin the fun with negative behavior.

The signs remind coaches, parents and spectators the only reason kids want to play sports is because it's fun, and that adults shouldn't ruin it. They also ask adults not to shout at the umps or refs.

Nearby Hoffman Estates had done something similar earlier at its ice rink.

Among the reminders on the signs is a note that "of the hundreds of thousands of children who have ever played youth sports in Buffalo Grove, very few have gone on to play professionally.

"It is highly unlikely that any college recruiters or professional scouts are watching these games; so, let's keep it all about having fun and being pressure-free."

The signs also remind parents that winning or losing at youth sports won't affect their children's ability to get into college, nor will it impact their financial future.

The signs stress "this is a game being played by children."

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