I know this isn't politics, but as I reflected on it, it struck me that if we can't handle something this simple, I have little hope that the bigger issues can't be dealt with properly.

I coach a U-11 travel baseball team in a "B" division ("A" division teams get the top 12 players in town, we get the next 12). We're playing our second game on Mother's Day. When we arrived at the field, I noticed that it's not really a baseball field, but more of a softball field - i.e. no mound, etc. - and that the field isn't lined (as per league rules).

No worries, we proceed to play the game. By the second inning, I notice a lot of our pitches going in the dirt and see that the opposing team's batters are standing waaaaaaay back, maybe 2-3 feet behind the plate. I tell the umpire the kids are out of the box. He ignores me (I umpired for 20 years, so I know how we learn to tune things out) so I repeat it. The third base calls time, blustering that I can't distract the batter, etc. OK, I get it. The umpire addresses the issue and we proceed.

Ends up being a tight game and in the bottom of the last inning, we're up by one run. There are runners on second and third. The opposing team begins razzing our catcher, taunting him - all of them and at the top of their lungs. Wait a minute, I yell, so me asking the ump to have the kids move up in the box is a distraction, but your kids can taunt my catcher?

The third base coach smirks and says, "I didn't hear anything."

Me: Then you're either playing stupid or your deaf.

He starts stomping toward me, yelling about how this is supposed to be a good day and what's my problem. I tell him there is no problem, just offer me the same courtesy I afforded you and tell your kids to stop taunting my catcher.

At this point, he gets literally three inches from my face and yells, "You motherf***er," balls up his fist ... and then my assistant coach jumps in and splits it up.

The umpire decided not to toss the guy and the game finished.

Now, why post this here? Well, there are all sorts of simple things in this story that remind me of our politics today. First - the field. Look, there are some simple, basic rules that you're supposed to follow. Your field should have a mound. You have to line the field. Businesses - don't be immoral greed-driven morons. Legislators - you're there to serve the people, not your party.

Then there's civil deceny. So you teach your kids to taunt the opposing team? What gives? Democrats, Republicans - show some respect. Stop denegrating the other party. Stop trying to gain power by pushing down you opponent.

And, for God's sake, keep things in perspective. Every little thing is NOT the end of the world. People will make mistakes. People will do things you don't agree with. But keep it in perspective.

Finally - discipline must be enforced. Hey, everyone makes mistakes, that's OK. But if there are penalties associated with your mistakes, you must take them. You drop the f-bomb at a youth sporting event, you get ejected and suspended. That doesn't make you a criminal or even a bad person, as long as you learn from the mistake. But you can't give folks like that a free pass. Remember Baretta? Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

OK, end rant.

Back to Obama being the end of Western Civilization as we know it and the Republicans covertly trying to crush the Middle Class.

Did you purposefully omit the part where he had to pick his teeth up off of the ground?

Rebel: One of my assistants is a former UFC participant. I tremble to think how ugly this could have gotten.

:)

From the "Character Counts" sports email list...

Quote:It’s Not Easy – Or Employable – Being Green

You’re the new girls soccer coach and want to introduce your coaching philosophy to the parents of the 6- and 7-year-olds. Hint: Don’t send an e-mail like this, which Michael Kinahan of Scituate, Massachusetts, did:

Quote:Team 7 will be called Green Death. I expect 110% at every game and practice. We do not cater to superstars but prefer the gritty determination of journeymen who bring their lunch pail to work every week, chase every ball, and dig in corners like a Michael Vick pit bull.

Winning is fun and losing is for losers. While we may not win every game (excuse me, I just got a little nauseated), I expect us to fight for every loose ball and play every shift as if it were the finals of the World Cup.

While I spent a good Saturday morning listening to the legal-liability BS, which included a 30-minute dissertation on how we need to baby the kids and especially the refs, I was disgusted. Kids will run, fall, get bruises, and bleed a little. Big deal, it's good for them (but I do hope the other team is the one bleeding).

My heckling of the refs is helping them develop as people. If the refs can't handle a little criticism, they should turn in their whistle. The political correctness police are not welcome on my sidelines.

America's youth is becoming fat, lazy, and non-competitive because competition is viewed as bad. Competition is good and important to the evolution of our species and our survival in what has become an increasingly competitive global economy and dangerous world. Do you go to a job interview and not care about winning? Don't animals eat what they kill?

Then he added this note to parents:

Resist the urge to become sweat-xedo-wearing yuppies who sit on the sidelines in your LL Bean chairs sipping mocha-latte-half-caf-chinos while discussing reality TV and home decorating with other feeble-minded folks. I want to hear cheering. I want to hear encouragement. I want to get the team pumped up and know they are playing for something. Who’s with me? Go Green Death!

Apparently, not many were. After protests from parents and the Scituate Soccer Board, Kinahan resigned before the season started. One reader of the Quincy Patriot Ledger summed it up best:

Quote:Too bad these girls will have their coach replaced by some Starbucks-sipping, Land Rover-driving parent with no love and/or knowledge of the game. But on the bright side, everyone will get a trophy and there will be oranges for all during timeouts. I’d let my daughter play for this man in a heartbeat.

You did omit the part about who won, winning is everything.

The thing about baseball is they played in the same sandlot, as you, so you have to do the same thing as them, only better, to win. It's like the strike zone. purely subjective. Who watches the watchmen?

Spirit of Competition.

I really enjoy reading BGSU's posts. I too wish there was a return to civility and constructive compromise for the good of the people, and less partisanship. Just wish I had his patience, instead of getting pissed off by it all the time.

You're one of the main culprits of the incivility.

Since Sum asked, here's how it ended...

Men on second and third, no outs. With a 2-0 count, my lefty signals for a coach. "I'm done," he says.

OK, we bring in Billy, who hasn't pitched for us all year. His first pitch goes in the dirt, 3-0 count. Forget it. I tell the ump we'll walk that batter. That run doesn't matter.

Billy then proceeds to strike out the side on 12 pitches. Good guys 8, bad guys 7. Game over.

Winning isn't everything, but I'll admit that it felt pretty good to come out on top that time.

I45Owl - thanks for re-posting that. What a great story. That illustrates a point to - it's not either/or. It's not black or white. There are plenty of grades in between that are what you should strive for.

I don't baby my players or coddle them. They practice hard and they play hard. And they play to win. When they make a mistake, I point it out and help them work to avoid making it a second time. But I always stress the importance of sportsmanship and they exhibit consistently.

And I officiated for many, many years. I don't think coaches should just sit idly and watch me make a mistake or misinterpret a rule. I'm OK with coaches airing their grievances. It's part of the game. But there are lines that cannot be crossed. Again, the answers aren't on the extreme edges.

You can be civil and still be aggressive. You can be polite but still play with fire. These things are not mutually exclusive.

(05-12-2009 12:12 PM)Rebel Wrote:  You're one of the main culprits of the incivility.

(05-12-2009 02:40 PM)BGSUalum1987 Wrote:  I45Owl - thanks for re-posting that. What a great story. That illustrates a point to - it's not either/or. It's not black or white. There are plenty of grades in between that are what you should strive for.

I don't baby my players or coddle them. They practice hard and they play hard. And they play to win. When they make a mistake, I point it out and help them work to avoid making it a second time. But I always stress the importance of sportsmanship and they exhibit consistently.

And I officiated for many, many years. I don't think coaches should just sit idly and watch me make a mistake or misinterpret a rule. I'm OK with coaches airing their grievances. It's part of the game. But there are lines that cannot be crossed. Again, the answers aren't on the extreme edges.

You can be civil and still be aggressive. You can be polite but still play with fire. These things are not mutually exclusive.

Baseball is a different culture than soccer. I don't really advocate the letter that I posted here, either - I think it's pretty ridiculous for 7 year olds. I'd be more accepting of it for older kids.

I think his comment on what he's doing for the referees is absolute crap though - he's feeding his own ego there. I'm tolerant of coaches when I've done a poor job as a soccer referee, but I will say categorically I've never been helped as a referee by the poor behavior of a coach, parent, or player, unless dismissing them from the contest can qualify as "help".

With regards to the competitive spirit, that's all well and good. But, I am a believer in specific constructive criticism and specific truthful praise. I've tended more towards the one than the other at various times. Since I would rather the girls make their own decisions and be self-motivated than motivated by John Belushi "who's with me" speeches, I'm a bit underwhelmed by the tone of the guy's letter.

IMHO, What success a guy like that will have in a recreational league will probably have more to do with the fact that lesser quality players are likely to quit his team than it will be with actually instructing and motivating the players. If he were to continue, he may gradually be left with some of the better athletes that were willing to tolerate him.

(05-12-2009 03:00 PM)cb4029 Wrote:  

(05-12-2009 12:12 PM)Rebel Wrote:  You're one of the main culprits of the incivility.

racist.

I've been involved in Dixie Youth Baseball for over 20 years. I have seen so many instances of outrageous behavior by coaches and parents that at this point I will only come to the park and pick up trash and help with maintenance. I refuse to watch or participate in anything having to do with the games.

Funny though...I have NEVER seen a kid in any game show outrageous unsportsmanlike conduct. It is ALWAYS the adults.