[Strikeout King]

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Kentucky sports officials say they've seen several instances of aggression this year. They say parents are often a driving force in those situations.

"If it's just the kids and coaches, it can generally be controlled. It's when the outsiders get involved that it starts getting problematic," said Kentucky High School Athletics Association Commissioner Julian Tackett.

Last October, a father was accused of harassing a 13-year-old referee during a non-competitive soccer game. Just last week, a man was charged with assault and disorderly conduct after the Whitley County Sheriff says he went into a baseball dugout, upset over a coaching decision, and shoved the coach before putting him into a headlock.

Other parents suggested there needs to be more security at the fields.

"The access into the dugouts, I feel like they need to be gated. That stops some of them at that gate and maybe in that instant they'll think before they just charge on in," said Larry Crusenberry.

Tackett said that's an issue that they may need to look at, but they say they don't want to overdo it.

"Do you want this to seem like a prison? In theory, the fan has no right to a playing facility. Their rights stop at that gate," he said.

Tackett said incidents like that have even pushed some coaches to quit.

"They get paid pennies on the hour to coach so there comes a point in time just make the decision it's not what I want to do," he said



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