We are already nearing the end of the second weekend of January and here in our little town the weekend marked the beginning of
registration for little league. I must admit that the joy and expectation of seeing my children play ball and to participate myself has been robbed from me and
in a somewhat lesser way stolen from my children. Still almost two years removed from any real involvement within the league any thought of participation with
the league only leaves me with feelings of disgust and distrust. True those responsible have since left, resigned or been replaced, but still the stigma
remains of a broken trust.
Six years ago when my family relocated to this small town I looked forward to my boys playing ball and maybe even help coach their teams throughout the years. The first year of participation with my oldest son wasn't bad. But as the following years passed and our involvement grew it became apparent that there were different classifications of respect within the league. If you were born and breed in the local area you were awarded certain privileges and allowances, slightly over those born in other parts of the state or region. Lowest in rank were those from the far off other areas of the country. In my case being an outsider from the far off and a larger man with a somewhat intimidating appearance who spoke with a different accent than that of the local folk I stood out and was looked at by many with disapproval; which really wasn't too much of a problem for me as I was there to help where I could and be an example and encouragement to the kids.
Maybe I was just naïve in thinking that little league was a place for children to have fun playing ball, learn about the game, build sportsmanship and through it all try to win games; but most importantly have fun. Maybe I was naïve in thinking that those who served as managers, coaches and supporting parents were to be roles models for our children to look up to. I am going to tell you the competition, not between the kids, but between the managers, coaches and parents was, to say it nicely, disgusting. The pride and egos of some adult mangers and coaches believing they must win at all costs and maybe subconsciously living vicariously through their children was repulsive. I have been involved in sports of one kind or another for over 40 years whether it be myself as a child or adult playing, coaching or managing and I have never seen, anywhere else, such a disrespectful gathering of adults for a children's sporting event in my life. Now, I must be fair and say that this conduct was not everyone as there were some parents, managers and coaches who would handle themselves honorably given the environment, but that was a very small percentage. Most of the problem would arise when managers or coaches unable to discipline themselves would lose control over certain events during a game which thus poured fuel and provide the spark igniting the ire of disgruntled spectators. What great (sarcasm) role models … it wasn't too long ago that such managers, coaches and parents would have been removed form participation.
Perhaps my biggest disappointment, even in light of what has previously been said, came two years ago with the lack of integrity displayed by league management to not even enforce league rules when they are blatantly broken. When a team manager singled out and refused to play a child (not my child) who was dressed for a game expecting to play because the child had missed a practice during spring break school vacation. League rules stated at the time that any child who showed up dressed for a game must play in the game unless previously suspended through league board disciplinary action. This manager who was less than fond of the child had tried several times to have the boy removed from his team because the youth was less skilled than his other teammates. The assistant coach reminded the team manager of the league rule and yet the manager still refused to play the child. The assistant coach not wishing to deprive the child of his right to play and also not wishing to be associated with the breaking of league rules, immediately informed league board members of the manager's intent. The informed league board members then immediately approached the team manager (who was also a league board member) and reminded him that he was under obligations to play the child. The manager immediately exploded, swearing and uttering profanities in front of the team and loud enough for others in the ballpark to hear, stating he was manager and could do what he wanted then said he would quit if required to play the child. He again was told he was to play the child to which the manager then did quit storming out of the dugout, playing filed, ballpark and stormed off to the parking lot continuing to spew curses. The assistant coach was then placed in charge of the team for the game by those other league board members.
Sounds like a good ending, right? Not. A few minutes later the president of the league shows up at the dugout pulling the assistant coach aside. He tells the assistant coach that the manager wants to return to his team but doesn't feel comfortable with the assistant coach being there. The league president then removes the assistant coach from the team and reinstates the team manager. The child who this was all about never did play in that game. Now, understand the assistant coach was an 'outsider', while the team manager was a 'local'.
I can not begin to tell how many rules, principles and codes of conduct where broken that day - written and unwritten, moral and ethical. Even though many other board members and parents objected, the team manager was allowed to continue coaching the team and remain a board member throughout the year while the assistant coach was outcast. As time passed the matter was covered up by certain league officials - through hearsay, but no official league memo or statement was ever released. It appears that if you are a board member with a big mouth filled with vulgar adjectives who throws a hissy fit the league will bend its rules and cover up violations to appease a hometown local even at the expense of the children.
What makes the matter all the more sad is the child who did not get to play that game was a short time later (within a couple of weeks) diagnosed with leukemia. Through those events I lost all respect for the league and those who protected the guilty and through misrepresentation of rules allowed this crime to take place. Yes, it is a crime to rob a child of the privilege to play baseball because of the pride of a manager who only wants to win for his ego. A crime was committed and the guilty walked free, while the innocent loses more than a couple of innings of play.
Since that time, as I said earlier, those who partook in the above described atrocity have either moved away, resigned or been replaced. I know the league authority has since changed and taken great strides to distance themselves from previous administrations. I have some good friends who are now on the league board. I have only a little doubt remaining that the majority of those in charge today are trying to remove the stigma and reputation of years past and I commend them for it and wish them the best in their efforts.
My oldest son was a member of that team and was exposed firsthand (like myself) to the antics of the manager, the blatant disrespect for the rules and his teammates. My son initially wanted to quit the team because he lost respect for the manager. I told him it was his choice to make and gave him some things to think about. He finally decided he didn't want to let his teammates down so he finished out the season, but his joy was gone. He took last year off from playing. He did inquire about playing this year, but there is no real desire on his part to go back into that environment. In many ways he now has a tainted view of little league. As for me I can't help but view little league with the sense of a dark shadowy cloud hanging overhead and a feeling of trepidation. I find it real hard to trust those who run the league - even today, not because of anything they have done, but because of past occurrences.
Further, I think it is important to teach my children to do the right thing even when it is unpopular, to stand up for what they know is right. Not to be involved with or to overlook corruption. A question I must ask is, what kind of role models and sportsmanship am I, will I, be exposing them too should I allow them, should they desire to partake in little league again? As parents we have a responsibility to protect, teach and nurture our children along the lines of Biblical righteous living and not to willing expose them to sinful behaviors, reactions and teachings of the world. I find it scary enough that some Christian parents have no choice but to send and expose their children to 5 - 7 hours of daily anti-God government curriculum of the public school system. And I certainly don't need to take the chance of exposing my children to little league managers, coaches and parents who have a history of acting badly. I know things have gotten somewhat better within the league, but I am still guarded. A trust was broken and a joy stolen.
Six years ago when my family relocated to this small town I looked forward to my boys playing ball and maybe even help coach their teams throughout the years. The first year of participation with my oldest son wasn't bad. But as the following years passed and our involvement grew it became apparent that there were different classifications of respect within the league. If you were born and breed in the local area you were awarded certain privileges and allowances, slightly over those born in other parts of the state or region. Lowest in rank were those from the far off other areas of the country. In my case being an outsider from the far off and a larger man with a somewhat intimidating appearance who spoke with a different accent than that of the local folk I stood out and was looked at by many with disapproval; which really wasn't too much of a problem for me as I was there to help where I could and be an example and encouragement to the kids.
Maybe I was just naïve in thinking that little league was a place for children to have fun playing ball, learn about the game, build sportsmanship and through it all try to win games; but most importantly have fun. Maybe I was naïve in thinking that those who served as managers, coaches and supporting parents were to be roles models for our children to look up to. I am going to tell you the competition, not between the kids, but between the managers, coaches and parents was, to say it nicely, disgusting. The pride and egos of some adult mangers and coaches believing they must win at all costs and maybe subconsciously living vicariously through their children was repulsive. I have been involved in sports of one kind or another for over 40 years whether it be myself as a child or adult playing, coaching or managing and I have never seen, anywhere else, such a disrespectful gathering of adults for a children's sporting event in my life. Now, I must be fair and say that this conduct was not everyone as there were some parents, managers and coaches who would handle themselves honorably given the environment, but that was a very small percentage. Most of the problem would arise when managers or coaches unable to discipline themselves would lose control over certain events during a game which thus poured fuel and provide the spark igniting the ire of disgruntled spectators. What great (sarcasm) role models … it wasn't too long ago that such managers, coaches and parents would have been removed form participation.
Perhaps my biggest disappointment, even in light of what has previously been said, came two years ago with the lack of integrity displayed by league management to not even enforce league rules when they are blatantly broken. When a team manager singled out and refused to play a child (not my child) who was dressed for a game expecting to play because the child had missed a practice during spring break school vacation. League rules stated at the time that any child who showed up dressed for a game must play in the game unless previously suspended through league board disciplinary action. This manager who was less than fond of the child had tried several times to have the boy removed from his team because the youth was less skilled than his other teammates. The assistant coach reminded the team manager of the league rule and yet the manager still refused to play the child. The assistant coach not wishing to deprive the child of his right to play and also not wishing to be associated with the breaking of league rules, immediately informed league board members of the manager's intent. The informed league board members then immediately approached the team manager (who was also a league board member) and reminded him that he was under obligations to play the child. The manager immediately exploded, swearing and uttering profanities in front of the team and loud enough for others in the ballpark to hear, stating he was manager and could do what he wanted then said he would quit if required to play the child. He again was told he was to play the child to which the manager then did quit storming out of the dugout, playing filed, ballpark and stormed off to the parking lot continuing to spew curses. The assistant coach was then placed in charge of the team for the game by those other league board members.
Sounds like a good ending, right? Not. A few minutes later the president of the league shows up at the dugout pulling the assistant coach aside. He tells the assistant coach that the manager wants to return to his team but doesn't feel comfortable with the assistant coach being there. The league president then removes the assistant coach from the team and reinstates the team manager. The child who this was all about never did play in that game. Now, understand the assistant coach was an 'outsider', while the team manager was a 'local'.
I can not begin to tell how many rules, principles and codes of conduct where broken that day - written and unwritten, moral and ethical. Even though many other board members and parents objected, the team manager was allowed to continue coaching the team and remain a board member throughout the year while the assistant coach was outcast. As time passed the matter was covered up by certain league officials - through hearsay, but no official league memo or statement was ever released. It appears that if you are a board member with a big mouth filled with vulgar adjectives who throws a hissy fit the league will bend its rules and cover up violations to appease a hometown local even at the expense of the children.
What makes the matter all the more sad is the child who did not get to play that game was a short time later (within a couple of weeks) diagnosed with leukemia. Through those events I lost all respect for the league and those who protected the guilty and through misrepresentation of rules allowed this crime to take place. Yes, it is a crime to rob a child of the privilege to play baseball because of the pride of a manager who only wants to win for his ego. A crime was committed and the guilty walked free, while the innocent loses more than a couple of innings of play.
Since that time, as I said earlier, those who partook in the above described atrocity have either moved away, resigned or been replaced. I know the league authority has since changed and taken great strides to distance themselves from previous administrations. I have some good friends who are now on the league board. I have only a little doubt remaining that the majority of those in charge today are trying to remove the stigma and reputation of years past and I commend them for it and wish them the best in their efforts.
My oldest son was a member of that team and was exposed firsthand (like myself) to the antics of the manager, the blatant disrespect for the rules and his teammates. My son initially wanted to quit the team because he lost respect for the manager. I told him it was his choice to make and gave him some things to think about. He finally decided he didn't want to let his teammates down so he finished out the season, but his joy was gone. He took last year off from playing. He did inquire about playing this year, but there is no real desire on his part to go back into that environment. In many ways he now has a tainted view of little league. As for me I can't help but view little league with the sense of a dark shadowy cloud hanging overhead and a feeling of trepidation. I find it real hard to trust those who run the league - even today, not because of anything they have done, but because of past occurrences.
Further, I think it is important to teach my children to do the right thing even when it is unpopular, to stand up for what they know is right. Not to be involved with or to overlook corruption. A question I must ask is, what kind of role models and sportsmanship am I, will I, be exposing them too should I allow them, should they desire to partake in little league again? As parents we have a responsibility to protect, teach and nurture our children along the lines of Biblical righteous living and not to willing expose them to sinful behaviors, reactions and teachings of the world. I find it scary enough that some Christian parents have no choice but to send and expose their children to 5 - 7 hours of daily anti-God government curriculum of the public school system. And I certainly don't need to take the chance of exposing my children to little league managers, coaches and parents who have a history of acting badly. I know things have gotten somewhat better within the league, but I am still guarded. A trust was broken and a joy stolen.
