Sports and Legal Issue Spotting: Attention Teachers, Parents, and Students

Spring in Texas: It’s Baseball Season, and Kids Love Being Involved in Sports!

Today is opening day for the Texas Rangers, kicking off a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox. For many families, baseball in Texas is a “Big as Dallas” tradition. Moms and dads are known to take a day off from work, maybe pull the kids from school and head to Arlington to take it all in. Believe it or not, some people disagree with the penchant for pennants, and when a co-parent takes their kid out of school, we can run into problems. 

Texas Rangers 2025 Full Season Schedule

Sports and extracurricular activities end up being a point of contention in co-parenting, not only when the kids want to go to games but also when the kids want to play sports in school and club organizations. The research and notoriety surrounding traumatic brain injury and other injury concerns affect many parents who are ultimately concerned with the safety of their children. 

A few legal issues can arise that concern parents, not only in co-parenting situations but also among school administrators and others connected to sports and activities. Sometimes, parents need to lawyer up and sue the school. Whether as a parent, your beef is with a co-parent, another parent, a coach, or an administrator, there are times to take the bench, and there are times to step up to bat. 

Southlake Divorce and Family Law Attorney Leslie Barrows Fields Sports-Related Issues

If your co-parent is pitching a fit or you are catching signs that they are about to call for a time out, Leslie Barrows and her team at the Barrows Firm can help you with the safety equipment and measures to protect yourself from foul balls and bad calls. For a consultation with Attorney Leslie Barrows at the Barrows Firm in Southlake, please contact the firm for an appointment. 

‍Be a Fan and Listen to the Barrows Firm Law Review Podcast on Spreaker 

Disputes Among Co-Parents Regarding Athletics and Other Activities 

Parents need not be divorced and co-parenting to argue over their kids playing sports or getting involved in extracurricular activities with which the other parent objects. The difference is when it’s a post-decree co-parenting disagreement, things can escalate to the point of legal action. The prevalence of research and news regarding student safety fuels the cause for concern with contact sports, which leads to conflict among decision makers. 

If co-parenting, it is common that both parents are joint custodial conservators for purposes of decision making on children’s activities. Even though one parent may be the primary parent with rights in determining the kids’ primary residence and with whom they spend the majority of their time, the other parent may still raise concerns and escalate to litigation on a modification or enforcement case when things heat up and civility melts away. 

Using Mediation for Resolving Scheuling and Safety Conflicts Outside of Court 

When co-parents have new problems with sports and extracurriculars, even theater, it doesn’t matter what the beef is, it can be resolved outside of court through mediation, saving everyone the time and resources needed for litigation. Even if one party has a solid argument about a material and substantial change in circumstances that would give rise to a meritorious modification claim, that’s a big deal and can end up causing more pain than the relief it could bring. 

Being the one on the pitcher’s mound calling the shots is a good place to start because when you are the one who has the winning fact pattern, you’re being the leader when you agree to resolve conflict through mediation. The other side is likely going to advise their client that it’s in their best interest to be reasonable. But if we can’t be reasonable, we get to work and are always ready to play ball. 

School Law and Issues in Texas, Civil, and Administrative Relief 

Another issue not so far out in left field is school law and issues with administrations and organizational leadership. What happens with your kid is injured, and you know in your heart that the school or group you trusted failed you, subjected your child to harm, and their negligence has a cost that must be paid? 

Remember Friday Night Lights? Remember when the quarterback who wasn’t properly trained to block a tackle ended up paralyzed? Yes, they sued the school and Coach Taylor. That, folks, is a very real situation, and it can happen to any kid on any field, in any independent school district, or private leagues and club sports. 

‍Blog Article Photo Attribution: Distractify.com article, “In 'Friday Night Lights,’ Jason Street’s Future Includes Some Serious Emotional Recovery.” By Alex West, Published Aug 4, 2024.

Additional Issues When Parents, Schools, and Administrators Clash

Title IX ensures equal opportunity for all students, boys and girls, in athletics. When students are unfairly denied access to participation due to gender discrimination or other forms of bias, it may be time to prepare for litigation. In addition to Title IX, there can be issues regarding sports eligibility, scholarships, and disciplinary issues affecting students’ ability to participate in sports. 

While the Barrows Firm isn’t necessarily a school law firm, Leslie Barrows is significantly connected and respected, with friendly but fierce colleagues who will suit up and go to bat for you and your family when it’s necessary to intervene in these types of situations. There are layers of administrative law and procedures specific to schools and administrative codes, so be prepared for a significant experience if that is the route you choose. And if you’re a betting person, you can be that the best play is letting your opponent know you are ready to go to the mat and wrestle for justice. 

Enjoy Spring, Summer, and Fall Sports. The Barrows Firm Always Wishes You and Your Children Well

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