For the past few weeks, myself and one of my co-workers have been inundated with emails and sometimes telephone calls from “concerned parents” regarding alleged “fraudulent acts” by the Oak Harbor Youth Football League.

Everything from grievance policies being ignored, to retaliatory behavior, to alleged fraudulent claims that the OHYFL is a non-profit organization.

Some league officials and coaches have resigned their positions due to the turmoil. Many of these men and women have been associated with the organization for years, and them leaving will hurt over the long haul.

First of all I don’t care about allegations of impropriety, that doesn’t concern me and is something the adult members of the league are going to have to get figured out on their own.

Sure as heck, a peewee football player isn’t going to be able to help determine whether a 990 form needs to be filed with the IRS.

What does concern me is all this garbage and infighting among concerned parents is taking the fun out of the game for the kids, and isn’t that what the league is supposed to be about? Teaching the kids the fundamentals on how the game of football is played and having fun.

Don Isaksen, president of the North Cascade Youth Football League, the organization that oversees operations of the OHYFL and about a dozen other leagues, informed me that some of the complaints were made by a few “disgruntled parents” who felt their kids were not getting enough playing time.

This is also a concern for me.

If my kid came to every practice, worked to the best of his or her ability and did what they were told, they should get some game time on the field — no matter how good or bad a player they are.

People, you will rue the day when you allow Oak Harbor to become a “football crazy” town like those you’d find in Pennsylvania and Texas.

You know what I’m talking about — the kind of town were parents think little Jimmy’s college scholarship depends on his team winning the midget league championship and only the best kids on the team get to play in games.

“You gotta win at any cost, hear me? If you don’t, Nebraska ain’t gonna be interested in you.” Stuff like that.

Another concern is allegations that certain coaches have grabbed ahold of players and belittled them in front of their teammates for such heinous offenses such as failing to make a block or missing a tackle.

I’ll tell you what, if I had a kid playing on one of the teams, a coach better not put his hands on him! If he did, the coach and I would surely have an exchange of words after the game.

Instead of berating, some coaches need to pay more attention to unsportsmanlike conduct by members of their teams, which was another allegation, and one that is guaranteed to draw you a yellow flag from the officials sooner or later.

Another problem with youth sports is certain coaches expect professional play from little kids and they better not make any mistakes.

Shoot, if the punishment befitted the crime, coach Mike Holmgren would have beaten half the Seahawks players to death with a wooden club last season.

Some parents, as soon as they get their kids in the car, begin analyzing the game play-by-play and asking questions.

Talk about taking all the fun out of everything.

Here is a bit of advice.

Whether your kid’s team wins 27-0 or loses by the same score, the best thing a parent can do at the conclusion of the game is to wipe your player’s sweaty brow with the sleeve of your jacket, put your arm around his shoulder pads and say, “Buddy, you and your teammates played their hearts out today.”

I guarantee you’ll earn a truckload of respect and if your kids want to talk more about the game, they will.

If not, they will come back next week with a smile on their faces and be ready to play some knock head on the gridiron.