My 16 year old son just completed a very busy baseball summer. I am still disturbed by what we experienced the last two tournaments of the season.
State Tournament - Son’s team was in the finals playing against a team from Southeast Louisiana. I will not mention names, although I should. These were not underprivileged kids, their parents pay a lot of money to send them to the high schools that this team was comprised of. The attitudes from players and coaches were horrible; cussing, screaming, running out of the dugout on every play, trying to disrupt the pitcher with chants (not nice ones). The coach went as far as kicking helmets and throwing bats once he realized his team would not come back and win. The umpire warned the team many times and was very patient with them. I was very proud of our boys and parents from our little hometown. Cajun people are very proud people and it was very hard to hold back. The boys never retaliated with words, they were never shook up, and they never stooped to the other team’s level. They retaliated with bats, pitching, and defense. Of course I am proud that they won the state tournament, but I am so much more proud of them because of the way they acted and held their composure. After the final game was over the two umpires and tournament director pulled the boys together and thanked them for having such class, respect for the game, respect for their coaches, and their parents.
Regional Tournament - One State Over
We arrived early for finals, we were watching the semi final game when a huge argument broke out between the two teams, coaches, parents, and umpires. Players were kicked out, then coaches were kicked out, then parents were kicked out. Finally, the tournament director kicked a whole team out and they had to forfeit. I was floored and disgusted, and wanted to pick up my kid and leave town. Other parents felt the same. We ended up playing the final game against a very angry team and won. After the game, same scenario, tournament director and umpires thanked our kids and coaches for being such a class act.
I am by no means saying our kids are angels, but at least they have respect for the game and all that is involved with it. I don’t know what is happening here, but it is very nasty. I blame the parents, coaches, and the kids. I have seen bad stuff at baseball games before, but nothing compared to this. What is going on my baseball people, can someone explain?
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