Driving back from walking at the lake today, I decided to go a different route so I could wash my car.

The way I went took me by this elementary school, which I knew was there, but also by a little league baseball game, which I didn't know was played there because I never noticed the little baseball diamond that was there. I think it's relatively new, because I've lived in this area for decades now, though it's probably been at least a year since I've been on this street.

What surprised me was just how many parents were there. I mean, these were little kids, but the place was packed. There were cars parked on both sides of the street, and more cars coming. There were many parents there in their folding chairs, as there were no bleachers, and they were making a lot of noise.

This always freaks me out, because I remember when I was a kid playing little league. It was rare that parents showed up. Unless the parent was a coach, it was mainly kids who'd show up to watch other kids play. There would be the concession stand that had lots of candy and some soda, though back then not hotdogs and nachos.

I think it's good that parents are participating in their kids activities these days, yet I also worry. I know that some parents lose their minds when things don't go their kid's way, sometimes when their kids aren't playing enough, and sometimes they'll yell at coaches for both how they coach and what they do with these kids.

It's the wildest thing in the world to me; how times have changed.