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Hard to imagine this happening-Jay Bergman is one of the finest coaches I've ever known. Never even a hint of this type of behavior in the past. Is the pressure to win becoming so great that
good coaches go over the edge or could this be just an isolated incident that maybe a "smart alec" remark by a player caused the coach to lose it?

There is no excuse for this happening for whatever reason.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/local/orl-bergman...orl-sports-headlines
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Oops! The kid is a National Honor Society member and psychology major. Who is pushing who's buttons? I think a transfer is in order.

Just put the kid at the end of the bench, and rag him in team meetings till he quits, like other coaches do. Thats more fun for the rest of the team anyways. Smile
Last edited by Dad04
quote:
UCF AD Orsini called Bergman's conduct "unacceptable" and said in addition to the suspension, an official letter of reprimand was placed in Bergman's file and that he has agreed to undergo counseling.


quote:
When reached by phone Monday, Kate Bunnell, Tyler's mother, said she had no comment. "If you want to talk to someone, talk to the UCF athletic department," she said.


Its his moms fault for answering the phone, I guess.

By the way the 18 year old is 150 pounds soaking wet. Coach is a real tough guy.Tyler

Doesn't appear to be over. Maybe it will be someday. Hopefully they can work it out and get past this. Bergman is a legend and the kid is obviously a bright, talented young man.
Last edited by Dad04
TR is right we do not know what happened, however, because there was no argument from the coach, he may have been in the wrong. That being said there comes a time in life where you don't run home to mom and dad everytime you have an issue. Shet happens in the dugout that should stay in the dugout and be resolved or be escalated within the schools athletic department. If that can't be done, then spill the beans.
Last edited by rz1
quote:
Did Coach choke him or is that the way it is being interpreted ?


quote:
A source close to the UCF athletic department told the Sentinel that Bergman put his hands around the neck of a player during a disagreement in the dugout.


quote:
Orsini said Bergman didn't dispute the player's account and immediately was suspended.
quote:
A source close to the UCF athletic department told the Sentinel that Bergman put his hands around the neck of a player during a disagreement in the dugout.

I quess I don't like the "A source close to..." phrase. There is a lot of "artistic liberty" with that comment. Who knows it may have been the cleaning lady who heard it at the vending machine.

I think my knee jerk reaction is from a similar event where a teacher went to a kid during a dicussion and said "I could just ring your neck", with her hands at the base of his neck, not choking.

Did it happen, yes.
Did she admit to it, yes.
Was it blown out of proportion by an onlooker, very much so.
Did the media report the facts. No way

quote:
Orsini said Bergman didn't dispute the player's account and immediately was suspended.


Sometimes when the intent is not there you still have no arguement and you suck it up and take your medicine. Meanwhile, the media has a hayday. My point we were not there, if a choke happened, is that not an assualt by law, where's the cop, 1 game suspension, must have been real serious. Does anyone think that if he actually choked a kid, society would allow a misily 1 game suspension. Confused
Last edited by rz1
We had a similar incident on my sons HS team 12 years ago--the coach was an od warhouse-- the stud pitcher basically told Coach to "f" himself-- in a flash coach had the kid by the throat up against the fence with his feet off the ground-- the entire team saw it as did the parents in attendance--the kid apologized, became quite contrite and pitched well the rest of year

It was all handled "within house"--no parental reprecussions--coach did not choke the player--he just "pinned him" to the fence--
quote:
I don't care what a kid says. I just don't see the need for, or have the ability justifying, touching a player

I know it's far fetched and stretching the the situation to the max but if a coach asks a pitcher to retaliate for one of his guys getting beaned, is that ok? Or, does every assualt situation have it's own set of rules?

I know it is not on the same plane but the coach is asking for an assualt of another player.

TR, If Dad04 senior physically resembles Dad04 Junior I doubt there were many issues around the house that needed a belt, just common sense. Wink
Last edited by rz1
Bergman not being in the dugout would have been cause for someone to ask questions. Bergman got hot (he does, many coaches do), the kid told his folks (he's a frosh, probably shook, potentially feeling guilty or painting a rosier picture of his part of the incident), and the parents called (OK, so they're not Jock Parents, no "rub some dirt on it and walk it off" here). Neither the parents nor Bergman are promoting their side to the press; the AD's office is doing the usual. This is as close to 'leaving it in the dugout' as possible given that the Sentinel wrote a story.

By the way, rz, not really ---- Buddy's way better looking Wink
But that swat is dad's choice. NOT coach's choice. Coach has to be looking at this like a professional. If he does the professional thing; in other words a punishment appropriate (running, suspension, gear duty for a week, whatever....) he stays off the news page and on the sports page where he belongs. The guy has had a long career and one mistake I'm not here to villify him, just we should all learn from his mistake.
quote:
Originally posted by TRhit:
Now we have moms being quoted in the press


Horrors! As if Moms --- what --- would have nothing of interest or import to say in the press or regarding baseball?

As Dad04 pointed out, she answered the phone and directed the questioner to the AD.

I found it odd that you commented the way you did, TR, given your history of chastising the press for prejucicial reporting.
quote:
Why are they calling MOMMY ???

The kid is in college and growing up, hopefully!

This was kind of my point. The coach got a 1 game suspension. In todays world of coaching punishments this must have been a very minor issue that should not have involved the kid calling home. At the same time it may have been an innocent phone call where the incident was taken out of context and it escalated from there. Who knows, we were not there.

Bottom line I feel is the 1 game suspension speaks for itself. The Univ had to set a precident regardless of the severity, they could not give the impression that it was brushed under the rug and not dealt with and at the same time they are sending a subliminal statement that it was not a big deal.
Last edited by rz1
quote:
The Univ had to set a precident regardless of the severity, they could not give the impression that it was brushed under the rug and not dealt with and at the same time they are sending a subliminal statement that it was not a big deal.


Probably all true. Bergman's been there forever.

The kid can flat pitch. 14 k's in 7 innings. Can the kid stay there after this?
Given that the Sentinel elected to publish the story and that the parents made the complaint that took it out of the dugout, a phone call was made to the parents. Kate Bunnell answered the phone. "Mommy" wasn't called, the parents making the complaint were.

You're putting some spin on it yourself.

And my issue is with the deprecatory way you're refering to Mom and Mommy.
Last edited by Orlando
This a perfect example of how the media can take a situation that was already being dealt with and turn it into a he said / she said issue. They did not have enough facts to qualify the incident as a headline and then left it up to the readers to put their own "spin" on it. The loser in the form of embarassment is the player, his family, the team, and the coach. The winner is the press and their 1st ammendment right of half-truths.
Last edited by rz1
TR

Hitting a child at any age is called assault and battery.

The coach was wrong.

Never have put my hands on my son's or any player except in a nurturing way...like on their shoulder or to help correct a batting or pitching position.

Not that I haven't had coaches be physical in anger with me and other players, but I didn't like it then and I don't like it now when I hear about it or see it happen.

At a local high school a wrestling coach put his hands on a kid in anger...just kind of lifted him off the ground by the shirt. The little creep then notified the A.D. and the coach was fired. He has never coached again as the league gave him the death-sentence.

When I played many years ago coaches were like gods and could pretty much do what they wanted. Times have changed and coaches need to understand the environment that that are operating with.

If you put your hands on a player in anger expect to get suspended or fired.

In our area, where I live, if you raise your voice (yell) it could be the end of your coaching career.

Best advice for a coach, coach by using goals and objectives...leave the personality and ego and home.

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