Obnoxious fans aka hooligans. They’re not just at European soccer matches anymore.

We had a problem in our Classic I league a few years ago where refs were threatening to not work and clubs couldn’t get parents to volunteer as field marshalls, it was so bad. They instituted a “Silent Saturday” which seemed to work — at least the most offensive parents placed themselves far away from the sidelines, like in the trees, up on hills or in their cars (maybe with binoculars).

What’s an embarrassed Team Mom* to do?

Serve them Tootsie Pops!

A savvy Team Mom brought along a supply of Tootsie pops, which she gently and wordlessly handed to any parents who started to get verbal. It worked and the pops became a staple at our games from then on.

$$$ Fundraising idea $$$ stock your concession stand with Tootsie Pops, and make sure all team managers are aware of the availability. Delight the siblings who are dragged to the games and provide a handy “disciplinary tool” for unruly adults!

* or frustrated Ref Assignor, or volunteer Field Marshall