By ROBERT L. LEE

Through all the areas across the southern section of this state, never have I seen such an outstanding participation by females in sporting events. But I am not just ranting and raving about those performing on the field, but the mothers on the sidelines and peering from behind the chain-link fences. While both men and women fill the stands at every sport from baseball to volleyball, notice how many mothers are sitting just a little closer to the edge of their bleacher seats with that concerned, interested look about them, and how easily they shift and stand, excited and cheering.

I know mothers are supposed to act certain ways when asked, verbally or non-verbally, to participate in a child’s event, but again, never have I seen so many mothers so genuinely excited to put work on the back burner and make sure to be in the stands for the opening pitch.

To further help me understand the subject and get a little inside perspective on the die-hard mother-fan subject, one name immediately popped into my head, Delaneuville. All other mothers, grandmothers, sisters and daughters please don’t lash out at me, like I said, there are so many who participate and give so much to help their children with everything and every sport, I had to pick one. Plus seeing Yvonne Delaneuville glued to every game, keeping tabs and the success of her daughter stuck with me. So I asked her some quick questions such as: how did you get involved, do you attend every game home or away, what is the best aspect about watching your children?

“Just how they enjoy it, how they really want to make the play,” she responded. It came as no surprise, the daughter’s love for softball, as with anything, drives her to be there early, make sandwiches for the players, anything at all needed to really support her child’s endeavors. Granted a love of the outdoors, experience with golf and swimming and a husband who should have the tatoo “Mr. Baseball,” makes the decision to be a part of every game for all of her children twice as easy, such levels of involvement can not go unnoticed. I am not sure the history of every other mother in the stands, but as Delaneuville explained, they all get off of work early to at least be in the stands in time to catch every play, whether their daughter is the one to make it or not.

“Just to be there as a friend. It is very important for a mother and daughter to be very best friends and we are. It means a lot to me and her to have that kind of relationship,” she said.

I don’t think I could ever come up with any better reason.

ROBERT L. LEE is the sports editor. He can be reached at 985-652-9545.