'Sports Rage' Spoiling Kids' Games

More than 20 million children compete in organized sports in America -- but the fun and games are increasingly being spoiled by what is being called "sports rage."

The programs in which those kids compete are meant to teach them sportsmanship and discipline -- two qualities that an increasing number of their parents seem to be lacking when they take their games much too seriously, reports CBS News Correspondent Hattie Kauffman.

In the most recent high-profile outbreak of sports rage, felony assault charges could be brought this week against the father and uncle of one of South High School's star football players in Torrance, Calif.

Coach Brett Peabody is still recovering from a vicious beating. He says, "All I can tell you is it was extremely scary.... I have never been so scared in my life."

Just moments after his son's team lost this close game, John Martinez Sr. allegedly snapped and went after the coach.

Police officer Dave Crespin says, "The man was assaulted in front of his wife and his children...There's just no excuse for it."

Martinez reportedly was upset that his son wasn't playing enough.

Crespin recounts: "The coach said, 'I'll talk to you later on about it. I don't want to deal with it right now.' The next thing he knew, a couple of people had him on the ground and were hitting him and assaulting him."

Martinez and his brother, who joined in the beating, were arrested.

One week after the attack, Coach Peabody was back on the sidelines, but everything had changed, from the noticeable limp to a constant police escort.

"I felt like I was looking over my shoulder all night, to be quite honest with you," he says. "What's most perplexing to me is that I really thought I had an outstanding relationship with the father, and that's why it's really so stunning and hard for me to deal with."

It's happening across the country, from high school to youth leagues. And it's not just football.

Lamont Henry, South High's basketball coach, says, "My attitude is enough is enough. I think parents are getting too personal, too involved in the games."

In Massachusetts, a fistfight between two parents at a children's hockey game ended in death for a father of four and charges of manslaughter.

When a high school basketball player in San Antonio punched an opponent, he blamed it on pressure from adults.

"What's changed?" says high school basketball coach Jim Quick. "The kids have changed. There's a lack of respect for authority, of any kind, and that comes from the parents."

It used to be coaches who were accused of stepping over the line, says sports psychologist Shari Kuchenbecker. "And now, those same youth organizations are concerned primarily about the behaviors of the parents. Coaches are now in jeopardy."

"As parents, we should be rising above," says high school parent Bill Hixson. "We're supposed to teach more than just inning or losing. We should be able to teach how to conduct ourselves in difficult situations even when things don't go your way."

Martinez told a local newspaper he was sorry for assaulting Coach Peabody. The coach says it is too late.

He says he is "absolutely" going to press charges, adding, "I think Mr. Martinez should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I think there needs to be a line drawn in the sand."

Coach Peabody says this season may be his last, given what he and his family have had to endure.

He says, "I think they still want to see me involved, because they know how much I love coaching. That's the thing that really bothers me. I love to coach."

The dad, John Martinez Sr., told CBS News he will accept whatever punishment is handed down.

He said that ironically he'd heard about sports rage before and never thought he would be caught up in it.