The checks are in the mail....right?

Probably a good move, but please allow us to continue the discussion without the FM references as this behavior is not exclusive to their school.

Having been privy to countless conversations with players I can tell you that at some level it is happening in every locker room.

So, here's the ugly truth. Boys are disgusting and they like to be physical. It starts with towell snapping and turns into nude wrestling. They do these things to be gross. The grosser the better, but they draw the line at kissing and sodomy because in their minds that would be G*A*Y. They mean no harm. Like I mentioned in my last post, very few parents have enough experience in locker rooms to teach their kids locker room etiquette. Parents beware. Locker rooms aren't cathedrals. They smell bad and the kids lounge around naked, cussing and swearing, and scratching their nuts on the kid next to them. (for the clueless, that paragraph... hyperbole mixed with sarcasm)

Oh and PD, I'm sorry you deleted my last post because I really liked my creative use of the avatars. The sword fighters being my favorite.

Texas Crude -- I knew there was a risk that deleting the discussion would delete someone's best work.

Crude wins post of the year. Anyone that can work in nude wrestling and sodomy with a big word like hyperbole while not being vulgar is the post of the year winner!!!

One thing you are right on, Crude, is one thing does lead to another. Kids will push limits until they find their boundries. Dismissing unacceptable behavior as "boys will be boys", "no harm intended", "that goes on everywhere" only reinforces the behavior as acceptable and allows it to continue ... and you're on the slippery slope of not knowing how/when to draw the line. I believe our kids deserve better than that.

I too think there is a fine line between "boys being boys" and unacceptable behavior. I say that without knowing the details of recent incidents. I suppose the best thing for a coach to do is call the teams together -- in one room -- all ages -- with their parents or without -- and indicate that such behavior will not be tolerated. Draw a hard line. Period. No "tradition" should include humiliation or physical harm to anyone.

quote:

I too think there is a fine line between "boys being boys" and unacceptable behavior. I say that without knowing the details of recent incidents. I suppose the best thing for a coach to do is call the teams together -- in one room -- all ages -- with their parents or without -- and indicate that such behavior will not be tolerated. Draw a hard line. Period. No "tradition" should include humiliation or physical harm to anyone.

Agree 100%, except WITH parents is an absolute must if it's to be taken seriously and if it is hoped to be effective.

I see a lot of good coming from this discussion. You have many people thinking about what's going on and possible solutions before it effects another student or coach.

Though I don't feel like anyone was tramatized by that type of behavior, it can defenatley be humilating.

I also feel that there is a difference as to what's unacceptable behavior and acceptable bad behavior. (That's why I'm Texas Crude)

For example:

my 18 y/o kid drinking a few beers with his friends on the Fourth of July is acceptable bad behavior. My 18 y/o kid drinking MY beer with his friends... unacceptable.

The parents that are concerned about this need to bring it up at their parent or booster club meeting and get it out in the open so that the folks that don't follow this forum can have their eyes opened a little.

Then the coach can tell the boys what he expects from them regarding this specific subject. This way everyone has their backside covered.

From the October 13 booster club meeting minutes at a local high school: "Coach S also spoke with the class and addressed conduct, attitude and actions both on the field and off, in class and out, off campus and how it reflects on the district, the school, the coaches and most importantly their parents. He told them that from this day forward they will face consequences such as extra conditioning, game(s) suspension and removal from the program if their conduct does not reflect the character of this program."

Now what does everybody think?

Any idea on who is going to take over ar FM for the rest of the year? Someone on the staff or try to bring in someone from the outside?

iluvgoodbaseball -- I think that coach should have had the support of the administration before establishing a "rule" that could not be enforced. Hypothetically speaking, of course.

Panther Dad,
In the "hypothetical" case mentioned these rules could be enforced by the administration. The fact that they may choose not to enforce them is their choice. The wrong one by the way in my opinion considering the circumstances.

Same thread, different title.
Although less parent bashing by some.

quote:

Originally posted by handyrandy:
Any idea on who is going to take over ar FM for the rest of the year? Someone on the staff or try to bring in someone from the outside?

Great question! I wonder if the nay sayers/unhappy supporters from the past will get who they want? And if they do, will it make them happy? I also wonder how they'll feel if they don't win.

Marty Amrine has been named interim Head coach for the remainder of the year. He has been the JV coach since last year. The team is familiar with him and at least relieved they have someone they know, coaching them. All this mess has been very hard on the 17 Seniors on this team who wonder what kind of effect this has on them and their futures. Even when none of them were involved they are still considered guilty by association. It's over, past, done.... Let's get on with supporting our boys in their pursuit of great baseball and also supporting Coach Amrine with the task that has been dropped in his lap, building good charactered baseball players and young men.

Good post 4rhptx21.

quote:

Originally posted by workinghard:
Same thread, different title.
Although less parent bashing by some.

When I followed up the post from PD, my intentions were to discuss locker room beahvior in general and not to rehash or redirect an old subject.

No single school holds sole dominion when it comes to horseplay. It happens in every locker room, and the things that are going on have not been taught by any parent. We never knew what T-bagging was until we heard it on Howard.

Players deal with it differently and so do their parents. Me? I let my kid handle it. I can't follow him around to the gym, or every class, or party, or date. I have to let him grow up, and give him a chance to make mistakes. It's part of becoming a man. If he encounters something that he isn't ready for, I'm here to help if he asks. I'm not going to fight all of his battles for him.

quote:

Originally posted by 4RHPTX21:
Marty Amrine has been named interim Head coach for the remainder of the year. He has been the JV coach since last year.... (now this) has been dropped in his lap, building good charactered baseball players and young men.

In the famous words of McNairy County Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser, "walk tall and carry a big stick"!!!

Good Luck Coach Amrine! GED10DaD

Agree with the concept Gunemdown. But exactly how big a stick can an interim HC carry in that situation. Naming a coach as interim, in my opinion, is the worst thing they could do if they really want to change things.

Husk,
Depends on the coach.... I don't know Coach Amrine, but you don't take that job, even iterim HC without some concessions from the district and latitude to have/get control of the program. I do think it's important to stabalize the environment for those players not involved in the "hazing" (ridiculous word for their behavior). In that regard, getting someone in place that has some history wih those boys may be just the right medicine. Just my .02 cents worth.

And I think an Old Hickory DSF Fungo will be just the right stick!!! GED10DaD

I'm with ya on the stick. Maybe "the rock" is between movies and available! I could hear it at the first booster club meeting...."can you smellllllllllllll what the rock is cookin".

Heard a wise pastor say "Most of these pots are better left unstirred."

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Crude:

So, here's the ugly truth. Boys are disgusting and they like to be physical. It starts with towell snapping and turns into nude wrestling. They do these things to be gross. The grosser the better, but they draw the line at kissing and sodomy because in their minds that would be G*A*Y. They mean no harm. Like I mentioned in my last post, very few parents have enough experience in locker rooms to teach their kids locker room etiquette. Parents beware. Locker rooms aren't cathedrals. They smell bad and the kids lounge around naked, cussing and swearing, and scratching their nuts on the kid next to them. (for the clueless, that paragraph... hyperbole mixed with sarcasm)

Add to that the fact that the boys are atheletes who got where they are by succeeding in an aggressive environment and you have...well...an age old problem.