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NewslettersBG's lack of Youth sports coverage
Submitted by Bftgrits on Mon, 2008-05-12 21:26.
Can anyone tell me why the BG does not report ANYthing on Bft Co PALS youth sports? The only time you ever see anything it's the standings.These are never up to date or correct. I personally don't think it would take much effort to cover a sporting event.Drive out to any ball field or PALS complex on a Sat and you'll find plenty to write about.These little kids devote so much time and play their hearts out.I think they deserve some kind of recognition other than when they make it to Allstars,etc..??
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Oh boy here we go again.I hope you know that BG can't possibly cover ever sporting event going on here in Bft.
No...Your kidding!! I had no Idea.
This blog wasn't posted for critical people like yourself. If you don't agree fine,but keep your useless comments to your own issues.
Thanks :)
No...Your kidding!! I had no Idea.
This blog wasn't posted for critical people like yourself. If you don't agree fine,but keep your useless comments to your own issues.
Thanks :)
I can post on whatever blog I want to thank you very much.Everyones entititled to an opinion.
Right. It's more important to cover supposed haunted houses 5 months out of hallowe'en.
But that's just one house, versus a dozen pee-wee games every Saturday! my daughter cheered for BC PALS fotball a couple years ago. I don't even remember them keping score.
I wasn't saying they should cover every single game.Your right there are a lot of games.A lot of different age groups. Not sure about peewee score keeping but they do keep score for the 8&9 yr olds and up. I was simply stating that some coverage of the "little" kids in this town would be nice.That's all.
Perhaps the various teams could designate a parent who would volunteer to either write a small blurb on the games or at least call in scores and highlghts to a Gazette sports hotline. The paper can't even cover middle school tournament play, let alone the recreational leagues. I doubt that the paper would have a problem printing accurate information, but I can see the budgetary constraints with coverage by reporters. Another suggestion would be the use of student reporter/contributors. There are probably a lot of budding sportswriters out there.
That is a great idea. Thank you for your positive suggestion.It's always nice to know there are still people willing to help instead of criticize.
I've seen it where the coaches submit for coverage and the scores are covered in a scoreboard section...up to the coach...minimal editing on behalf of the paper.
BG used to have write ups on youth games long ago. Less teams back then. Also no reporter present, the information on the games was "called" in by the scorekeeper of the event. I was a scorekeeper while in high school and had the responsibility of calling the sports editor every morning with the scores, and highlights of each game. I'm sure BG would still give space for an article if the effort from the PALS employees who are there. But there you have it, PALS staff really does not care about this type of stuff. There is no pride in PALS programs, just an extra job for these scorekeepers. I made $2.10 an hour scorekeeping for youth games, did it for the fun of it. Oh the years of Basil Green and a baseball/softball program with pride...
It is a good thing the gazette wasn't at Burton Wells tonight to witness just how pathetic PALS has become! I have been involved with PALS most of my life: playing, coaching, now my children play. I am so furious right now I will have to think long and hard about wether my kids will go back.
Robrena,
How could you make such a cruel statement about a segment of society that is made up mostly of handicapped individuals? Everyone knows that in order to be an umpire one must be legally blind! Some leagues even require deafness or the lack of discernable speech before hiring an umpire. There is the Americans With Disabilities Act, and you may have just violated it. Don't pick on the handicapped,lol!
Just kidding, I've played, coached, or umpired for most of my life, and love the game! And yes, there are some umps who just don't have it and it's sad when they affect the outcome of a game rather than just officiating it as they should. Think about it though, and don't remove your kids, they shouldn't pay the price for one bad ump. To the kids it's always a game, and they get over the bad calls far more quickly than we do.
We have had some big issues with the umpires also. It's been so bad that everyone there including the other team and their coach were questioning the calls.They do have some really good umpires ,but they could do without a few.
Bad calls you learn to deal with. This incident went a lot further than that. The kids were scared.
I got a call from someone who was at the game Robrena was talking about. This person had seen my earlier response and called to tell me what had happened. I must say before I go further that this source is 100% reliable and unbiased. It seems that a coach and one of the umpires had a discussion that turned to discord (as happens in baseball and softball, but is usually resolved quickly and peacefully). The coach was apparently not being loud but it is unclear what he said to the umpire. The coach apparently turned to leave the field and the umpire followed and addressed the coach in an agitating manner. The umpire then followed the coach into the dugout which was filled with young players. The umpire continued to berate the coach in the presence of the players until several of the players exited the dugout screaming with fear. The coach left the complex and the game had been ruined. More than one player was removed from the game by their parents.
This is indeed a serious situation and it needs to be addressed by PALS! The job of an umpire is to officiate the game, call plays fairly and impartially, and make certain that the rules are followed. His other job is to maintain order in a professional manner and see to it that the playing environment is safe for all concerned. It is far beyond the scope of reasonable thought for an umpire to further agitate any situation. For a PALS official to follow another adult into a dugout to continue any sort of discord in front of these kids is a travesty to say the least! These are sensitive and impressionable children who came to play a game, and to have fun. The behavior of this umpire borders on monsterous. From what I know, this umpire and his brother who also umpires for PALS have been on quite a tear this season, and that they have had several similar incidents so far. These guys should resign out of common decency and stay away from children, and if they don't, PALS should permanently remove them! This incident calls for a serious investigation and indicates the need for better screening of the officials who work these games.
Now you know why I am so furious. It goes far beyond the bad calls, we all know in any sport that an umpire has the power to make any call he wants to and we pretty much have to take it. If it had gotten physical in the dugout one of those girls would have gotten hurt.
I work in a public service job. Often I have to deal with irate people. No matter what those people say to me I have to remain calm and handle the situation in a professional manner. This umpire is expected to maintain some sort of dignity. PALS should look at this incident as an embarrassment to the whole program. My daughter could not eat last night and went to bed sick. These girls should not have had to go through a traumatic experience playing the game the love. The umpire should lose his job.
of stuff has been going on for years with PALS (at least softball). one of those so called "rules we ran into 2 yrs ago, if you dont attempt to move and the ball hits you you dont walk. never heard of this. looked online through all the rules. no luck. calls showing obvious biased to one team. it really is bad. but my kids really like playing and i try my best to explain that sometimes even adults dont play fair.
If it is at all possible. That rule has been a rule since the days of people leaning into the pitch to get hit and get a free base. I understand that sometimes sometimes the pitch may come in too fast for the batter to have the time to react, but it is at the discretion of the umpire to decide if the batter had time to move and if the batter made a reasonable attempt to get out of the way. That's not bias. That's just rules.
I am embarrased and disgusted by the events that took place last night. I have four children and they all have and three still participate in youth sports through PALS. Events like this and a few rotten apples only make the entire program look bad from PALS all the way down to coaches and umps.
I have coached soccer and softball and baseball for at least 15 years now, and for the most part, PALS runs a good youth program. For the most part, the volunteer coaches have the best interest of the kids at heart and would never let things get out of hand like they did, and for the most part, brace yourself if you know me, the umpires do a good job of officiating the games.
One incident does not make a league, and no matter what league, people will always disagree with coaches' decisions of with ump's and ref's calls.
I try to use every situation, be it good or bad, to teach my kids something, but that's just me.
these girls (most of them) were in their first year after coach pitch. the other team kept switching pitchers and the girl really didnt know it was going to hit her. ever parent on both teams were upset at this ump. so the other team intentionally walked the girl. it was a bad call by the ump. and no there is no written law for little league that i found that says that. if it does please point where.
It's in the Dixie Youth Softball rules which you can find on their website
http://softball.dixie.org/Home_52.htm
(F) — When a pitched ball not struck at touches any part of the batter’s person or clothing while she is in the batter’s box. It does not matter if the ball strikes the ground before hitting her. The batter’s hands are not to be considered as part of the bat.
EFFECT: 8:02 (F) — The ball is dead and the batter is entitled to one base without liability to be put out unless she made no effort to avoid being hit. In this case, the plate umpire calls either a ball or a strike.
Well, the person you spoke to failed to mention the fact that that coach put his hands on the umpire and pushed him. Yes, that seems to be something that was not mentioned. And, as for him going into the dugout, he was simply trying to get between the coach and the bats. This umpire, who supposedly has been "on a tear" this whole season has only umpired less than a dozen times this whole season and half of those have been somewhere other than Beaufort. He has other jobs like being my husband and being a father to our children among other things. Now, I am not saying he is not guilty of letting himself get involved in a ridiculous display of childish behavior, but let us remember that it was on the part of both parties. And, the umpire should have never stooped down to that coach's level, but that coach had no right to put his hands on him. Period. So, if you want to talk about being fair and being a role-model, then let us please try and teach these children that it is not ok to shove the person calling the game nor is it ok to call him a name. And, it also is not ok to tell the umpire that he will be waiting in the parking lot for him.
I feel bad for the kids on that coach's team. It isn't fair (to the kids) that they lost due to a forfeiture as I understand they probably would have won that game. But, don't blame the umpire. Blame the coach for getting out of control in the first place. My husband has both a son and a daughter, he would be crushed if this happened to them and he understands that most of those parents are angry with him. But I just hope that at least some of the parents will explain to their kids that every action has a consequence. And, I am sure that none of those parents would have allowed themselves to be pushed by someone in anger and then just let it go.
As for him being fired....well, that won't be a problem. He will not likely call anymore games if I have anything to do with it. I think he is disgusted by what transpired last night...over a BALL GAME!!!!! Not a life or death situation, but a BALL GAME!!!! I think from now on we will simply sit in the stands and cheer for our own children, and those of the other team's as well, like we do every Saturday. We much prefer playing ball to playing politics.
...and that's the rest of the story. I too have a couple of direct connections to this incident and what Kersty has reported is true. Seem there may be an appeals hearing today concerning the forfeiture. Depending on the results of that hearing there may be more to add to this story. We can all get over emotional in the heat of competition but that's no excuse for putting your hands on someone.
I used to call time and go out and ask Blue about his day and about his family and all the while kick dirt on his shoes. We'd have a chuckle and the parents would be wondering what the heck just happened. Seems last nights incident was a little more serious.
A few years back we had a Ump nearly killed in a similar scenario.
Paul Harvey would have said: "Good Day!"
I am one of the lucky parents who got to be a witness to this lovely display of behavior by both coach and umpire! My poor daughter along with eleven other girls were stuck in the dugout with front row seats to this event! While I can not tell you what was said between the coach and umpire..my daughter unfortunately can..and her version doesn't match anything i've read on here today! As far as the coach putting his hands on the umpire..I saw both men at one point with their hands on each other! As far as when the umpire entered the dugout..the coach was already out of the dugout so there was no reason to protect anyone from the bats on the other end! Please note that I am not here to defend the coach..I just merely wanted to state what I saw and I think unfortunately the only people who could give you an honest version of this story are the 12 little girls in the dugout!
As far as the forfeiture, the parents were told by a PALS employee that this game would be finished at a later date. I think it would be a real shame for anyone to punish these girls for the acts of a coach that they did not get a say in choosing! If anyone should be punished here it should be the adults involved!
I was there and my daughter was in the dugout, the coach never "shoved" the umpire, as he states. The umpire walked up to the coach at his dugout and "bowed up" and pushed his self into the coach's score book. And yes there are many witnesses to that. Perhaps, if the umpire knew the rules of girl's fastpitch softball then none of this would have transpired. The coach was simply questioning a call that was made about the pitching coach not being allowed to go to the pitcher on the field and talk to her. Since when can't the "pitching coach" go to the mound to talk to his or her pitcher? None of us have ever heard of this "rule". But apparently there is a "Situational Rule Book" that only the umpires have a copy of, or as I understand it from another umpire, only these 2 umpires have a copy of. Go figure!
Yes, it got way out of hand last night, but the coach was leaving the dugout as he was asked to do, actually opening the other gate to leave when the umpire was going into the dugout, so getting between him and the bats is ridiculous. I was there, you are only hearing what your husband wants you to hear. The coach only called him a name after he had already made a slanderous remark about the coach's previous employment. Come on now...please. And tell me why WAS the umpire continually throwing many personal remarks (including one about someone in his family) at the coach that had absolutely nothing to do with the game or the call. I will tell you, he was trying to provoke the coach, EVEN AS HE WAS LEAVING. My daughter and some of the other girls heard the umpire tell the coach "I will beat your a**", and that was as he was starting to charge into the dugout. That was also when the girls started screaming out of fear, so you tell me.
I will also say that my girls will not ever play in a game that either one of these umpires are calling, and from what I understand many other parents feel the same way. It's a shame that it has to be this way.
The party I spoke with did not mention any shoving, and as a maater of fact they told me that they had not seen any contact. Possible didn't see that part of it. I know the coach involved, and he does have a temper. I don't feel that he should be coaching youngsters due to that fact. I don't disagree that he was probably responsible for much of this. But, the fact remains that an official must remain above it all and not take any of it personally. His job is to maintain order, not to further disrupt it. As I said, I have palyed, I have coached, and I have been "Blue" on many occasions. You can't be in that position and aloow yourself to lose it....NEVER! He needs to leave the kids leagues, period! Even if he had been hit, his actions were still totally wrong, he should never have entered that dugout. His actions placed those kids in danger!
First off I would like to appoligize to the parents and to the players of both teams. The umpire from last night game seems to have it in for the coach because of something outside of softball. It started monday night when everytime one of our players left the bag they would throw a yellow flag. This was the first we have ever seen this flag and it was used only on our team. Our players were getting frustrated. And then,last night's "situational" rule book.
The coach involved last night is not one of the main coaches, there are 3 other very capable coaches. The coach involved will not be allowed to participate in any other games this season. And, neither should the ump.
I hope we can move past this and bring our group of girls back together. This has been a wonderful team to coach and I would hate to have it spoiled.
That ump did not have it out for that coach...he has known of him since he was a kid,but probably hasn't seen him in years until he starting umpiring,so you can put a stop to that line of reasoning. He didn't have any problems with the guy until last night. But, I have heard from a few people that he is known for this type of behavior. Just the fact that you are ousting him from any other games this season speaks to the fact that maybe he is not as innocent in this as some proclaim. If he was, then you wouldn't ask him not to return.
I am going to stop arguing with you and everyone else on this blog because it won't matter what I have to say. I wasn't there. I am however going to say that I hope that the girls do get to play their game. It is not their fault that this happened and they should get another chance at that. My husband agrees.
Kersty,
You are right, this is about the kids and I would hope we all think that their best interest and continuing involvement are the key factors. Your tone suggests a relationship to this ump. Are you or your unnamed husband related to him? I agree with your point that the coach doesn't appear innocent, my point is and has been that the ump is supposed to be in control of himself and of the field...in a professional manner. The ump does bear the bulk of the responsibility, he is the one who should have been in control. That doesn't make the coach innocent by any means. But the ump compromised the safety of the kids when he followed the coach into the dugout....period! My overall feeling is that both the coach and the ump should either get out of baseball and softball or at least stay in the adult leagues where they can't hurt nayone.
The umpire IS my husband. I agree things got out of hand and he said some things that he probably shouldn't have. He and several others I have spoke with said he never entered the dugout. He did not put those girls in danger. He has a 3 year old daughter that he thinks the world revolves around and he knows a few of those girls on both teams. To suggest that he would put those girls in danger is ridiculous. Yes, those girls probably were scared and shame on the both the coach and the ump for allowing that to happen,but this was not going on in the dugout. And, professional is one thing,but pushing is another and there is not an umpire out there that would have shook that off and continued on...and if you say you would, then you are in denial. Now, if my husband would have hit him back, that would have been grounds for suggesting that he put those girls in danger. I have heard from several people that the guy was lucky my husband didn't push back....well, I don't agree and neither does he....that was not going to happen.... My husband is quite a bit larger than that guy, it would not have been fair nor would it have been right.
He also says he didn't barge into the dugout and tell the guy he was going to kick his a**. I know my husband better than anyone....he is capable of telling someone something like that....but he is the type that will not deny having said something like that. Believe me if he said it, he would take the credit.
I am sure that the girls will get their chance. If they didn't, that would be the real tragedy in this situation.
You were not there so, you can not say what did or did not happen. The bleacher full of spectators on that side of the field and all of the girls were.Your husband is trying to cover his A..
And, I thought you stated that you were not going to argue?????
Cover his a** for WHAT exactly? Do you think he is worried about losing his job? He already has one of those, he doesn't need this. Give me a break! I don't think he broke any laws except for a DADDY BALL law. He likes kids and enjoys being around them,it is the supposed grown-ups that he has developed a distaste for. As for not arguing, well then quit addressing me!
You are correct, I don't know what happened except for what I have been told from other people that were there...you got me there. Feel better?
But at this point, I have heard from two of the players who state the ump was in fact in the dugout. The whole thing went badly and the best thing to do is for everyone involved to just make piece with it without jockeying for position and just move on so the kids can go back to having fun in a safe environment. And yes Kersty, I have face a parent taking a swing at me when umpiring. I ducked the punch and verbally ejected the adult. I did not retaliate, and I did not follow him off the field. An official must be above it all at all times!
He and several others I have spoke with said he never entered the dugout.
And, as for him going into the dugout, he was simply trying to get between the coach and the bats..
Hmmmm... Ok did he or did he not go into the dugout?
I have tried to keep my thoughts to myself about this, but as I keep hearing things, I feel that I must voice my opinion as well. And yes, I was at this game and my daughter was in the dugout. From what I understand, the coach has voluntarily removed himself from his coaching position. Which is an admirable thing to do, although I am not quite sure what exactly he did that was so wrong. What he did was not near as bad as what that umpire did. And from what I hear, the umpire has not taken any responsibility for his actions AT ALL. He lost his cool and put our girls in harm's way by following the coach into the dugout. And yes, he did go into the dugout, which is crazy because the coach was already on his way out of the other dugout gate. (I was right there!) He was asked to leave, so he was leaving. The ump seemed to have wanted to start something with this particular coach because he was throwing personal remarks at this coach. I heard them and so did all the little girls in the dugout. And yes the coach said something back in retaliation, AS HE WAS LEAVING. He could have mumbled all he wanted on his way out of the complex. At least he was leaving, as he was asked. My daughter heard the ump threaten the coach, she told me immediately! But has this ump taken responsibility for his actions, no he has not. He has set a fine example for these young girls to follow. If this umpire and his brother are not removed then I am ashamed of BC PALS, and my children will no longer participate in the BC PALS program. I have been a witness of numerous incidents that his brother has over-reacted to as well. I have never seen so many coaches ejected from games as I have this season and all by this same ump. If you can't take the heat then maybe you shouldn't be an umpire.
I do admire the coach for his restrain and that he has accepted responsibility for his actions.
The saddest part of this whole incident is that there are several 11/12 year-old girls who did absolutely nothing wrong, yet they were subjected to the childish antics of two grown men who should know better, and they were frightened by it. At least one of the men (the coach involved) has repeatedly apologized to them. This in no way excuses his poor behavior, but at least he has accepted responsibility for his bad behavior and voluntarily removed himself from the team. It is my understanding that there has been no apology from the umpire involved and he has, by his denial, accused those little girls of lying about what they saw and heard. Well, girls, there are many of us who know you are telling the truth - stick to your guns!
Shame on you, ump; you were being paid to be the professional and to ensure the safety of those girls on the field. You need to own up to your actions and apologize to these girls.
I agree grammy!
Has anyone contacted John Miller about this and what did he say?
I agree grammy!
Has anyone contacted John Miller about this and what did he say?
I was not directly involved, but I have been told that he was present at the hearing yesterday.
Ahhh, Thanks grammy.
I've played for PALS since I was 11. John has his moments where he's fair. Hopefully this is 1 of them.
I just wanted to say THANK YOU to all those who have supported my daughter and the 11 other girls that were in this dugout! As we are all aware we live in a very small town and rumors spread fast..some of these kids have put up with quite a bit at school and amazingly have had the strength to hold their heads high..after all, as I posted before they are probably the ONLY ones who have given an HONEST version of what happened!
I also would like to thank the coach for being a man and admitting his fault in this situation, apologizing, and removing himself for the benefit of all involved!
Lastly my daughter would like for all of you to PLEASE learn a lesson from this!! She has struggled with these events for the last few days and hopes that NO CHILD ever has to endure what she and the 11 other girls have had too!!
I just wanted to say thanks to Beaufort County PALS for doing the right thing by not punishing the girls for the actions of adults.