Dads and sons going to a baseball game is virtually a rite of passage in America, a bonding time that lingers long in a son's memory. And dads don't have to do much more than show up. But showing up isn't enough for some folks. Simply sharing some time with the kids wasn't glorious enough for William Ligue Jr., who incited his 15-year-old son to charge the field with him and attack a baseline coach.

Ligue had enough foresight to call his sister: "Watch the news tonight." He had enough sense to hand his valuables to his younger son before leaving the stands. He simply lacked the maturity to steer his son on a course toward civility and respect.

Ligue's older son was piled on by the coach's team. He was arrested and held at a juvenile detention facility, sentenced to probation, and later sent to a juvenile boot camp as punishment. He was also publicly condemned by government officials and ridiculed by comedians on national television. All thanks to his father.

Ligue's younger son got to find his own ride home the night of the ball game. He got to face shame and mockery from schoolmates and teachers. He got to live without his dad and his brother for a while. All thanks to his father.

Ligue himself got a quickly waning burst of fame, a felony charge of aggravated battery, and a light sentence of two and a half years probation and community service. And he left a heritage of humiliation for his impressionable sons. Their memory of this bonding time with their father will certainly linger long. And that's a pity.