Youth sports spectators come in all shapes and sizes. But the reality is, most of them sitting in the bleachers are somehow related to at least one player on the field.

Whether it’s mom or dad, brother or sister, grandma or grandpa, or in rarer cases, aunts or uncles, let’s face it, heading out to a youth sports game of any type isn’t high on our list of things to do if our children aren’t involved.

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However, the next time you find yourself bored on a weekend day — or maybe looking for excuses to avoid raking leaves, cleaning out the gutters or cutting the grass — why not consider going to watch a neighbor play.

My son and I did just that last weekend.

I finished my weekend chores late Sunday afternoon and so, just when my son was getting ready to head to the basement to battle on Fortnite, I suggested we head to the local football complex and watch one of his best friends play.

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Our neighbor’s dad was on the chain gang and mom had to miss the game due to a sick sibling, so we just sat in the bleachers with the team parents.

I only had to answer the “which kid is yours” question twice and each time I did, received a very cordial “how nice of you” comment.

The neighbor we came to watch didn’t see much playing time in the first half. However, the second half was when he was able to see more time on the field. With the game well in the favor of our neighbor’s team, we left the game a little early.

Our day was made when we were walking out of the bleachers and the neighbor turned around and saw us for the first time. His face lit up in surprise and as we both fist-bumped him on our way by, he graciously thanked us for coming. Both of his parents did the same via text later that evening.

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Our simple presence at a game that cost us nothing but time seemed to make the day of my son’s good friend.

And that, in turn, made my day too.

Jon Buzby has been involved in and writing about youth sports for the past 30 years, originally as a coach and board member with his now-adult son and most recently "just as a dad" with his 9- and 11-year-old sons. Jon is an award-winning writer and his latest book, “Coaching Kids Made Easier,” is available on Amazon. Send comments or future blog topics you'd like to see to JonBuzby@hotmail.com and follow him @YouthSportsBuzz on Twitter.