What happened at Sandburg?

Don't know what the violation was but they will forfeit their first 4 games. That's to bad, they where going to play LT today.

Chicago Tribune

Too bad for Sandburg.

Great feeder programs.

Nice program.

Fast...That is why I was thinking that they should have brought up the sophs and played the rest of the season with them.

Those "contracts" give you 3 chances (usually).

Hey guys I'm a freshman on the Sandburg team here. I don't have any business telling what happened but they are suspended for the first 4 games. Let's just say they didn't make a smart decision. So much for #1 in state but there's no doubt in my mind those guys will work hard to make up for a stupid mistake.

I'm sure not more than two weeks ago these kids signed some kind of contract agreeing to abstain from these activites. I suppose you can't single these kids out because we have created a culture where it's OK if you don't get caught.

I agree with Beenthere...bring up the Sophs. at least for a while. These kids were not able to keep the commitment they were bound to. Lots of talk about commitment, but it's a lot more than working hard in the offseason...it's being responsible to your teamates, your coaches and anyone else who gives a rat's rear end about your team.

If the same thing happened with my kid the failure to be a good member of the program and teamate would be a major issue at home, much more so than at school.

was it just their varsity that got suspended? Cuz when we face you guys, I wanna play face you at full strength. (Freshmen)

Just varsity. We'll be ready to play ya guys. Should be a good game. We're pretty solid over here. How bout you guys?

Fastball, Do not know who named you judge, jury and executioner. We need to remember these are 16,17 and 18 year old boys. No excuses, sounds like they are being punished for their mistakes. Would anyone condone their mistakes? probably not. I was that age once and played ball, made my share of mistakes and then some. Also, through the process of maturity learned from them and grew, life's lessons? I do not know what is worse, teenagers making mistakes or adults sitting back and judging them. I was once told if you are not a part of the solution, you are then a part of the problem. Fastball, I am sure your son has probably never done anything wrong, good for you, do not be so quick to judge others. Your son has probably stuck to every commitment he has ever made? Has he never left a team he committed to? Sainthood is only a small step away. I am sure these boys and their parents are quite embarrassed by the situatuion, as they should be. Thankfully, no one was injured or worse and hopefully many very important lessons learned. Best wishes to all the Ball players, even those foolish enough to make mistakes!!

Nicely done High Heat I totally agree with you

I deleted my comments on the poor kids who were busted for breaking team rules. I also apologize to the guys who put me in my place.

Please tell me what to say next time if I'm allowed to speak.

And no my kids...not one of the four even approaches perfection, but what does that have to do with it? If you know anything about my kids not fullfilling a commitment, please PM me with the info...I'd like to know about it....just make sure what you say publicly is accurate.

Making a mistake is one thing...breaking the law is another.

While I am not in anyway condoning the behavior of the Sandburg players, people make mistakes. It is in our nature. You can argue that is breaking the law, which is true they are breaking the law, but does that mean it is not a mistake.
A quick look at dictionary.com shows that mistake means, an error or fault resulting from defective judgment, deficient knowledge, or carelessness. They were careless and made a mistake. Let them serve their time and then let time them play.
Also, reagrding the judgement of these players by people on this board. None of us were at the scene and none of us know what truely happened. The closest to the situation, TP, hasn't even shared what has happened. Rumors are all any of us have heard. Obviously something wrong was done, but we do not know the actions that these players took or what was going through their minds as it happened. Also, many of the "prized athletes" from the area have committed this crime as well. This stuff goes on all the time it is just rare that people get caught.
It is in the best interest for everyone to just let this topic go. What happened, happened, and while it was wrong for them to do, they have paid their price, so let things go.

Thanks to all who have supported me in PM's.

Young people make mistakes and our job as adults is to hold them accountable and help them learn."

Sandburg Coach, quoted in the Tribune

I thought a long time about posting is this thread, posting my take on this issue. In the end I decided it was too personal of an issue for my comments. Let Sandburgs own community of parents, coaches, teachers, students and peers take care of this issue. I read the the Trib article and even the liberal press didn't hop up on their pulpit and give us an editorial on this , they stuck to the facts.

Tuzigoot,

Nice post. I understand everyone's postion.
I am sure coach (also the Principal) Sutor will know how to handle the situation.
It is time to move on. jmo

Not sure why anyone would be embarrassed to take a position or post on this issue, Fastball.

We are all entitled to our opinions and everyone's opinion has some merit. Some more than others, to be sure.

I've had my sons violate the Code of Conduct and it cost them dearly. Did they learn a lesson? No, because they continued to go and hang out with the same crowd. Busted a 2nd time because of a picture taken by a cheerleader showing a beer bottle on a table in the background. Can't fight that kind of stuff.

If I was the coach of the team and I lost so many players to the same "incident" so that I didn't have enough players to play and had to forfeit games, I would resign.

Whatever character traits that the coach has tried to instill in the team members...hasn't worked.

Considering that they have one or two stud pitchers and a couple of other outstanding position players, it is very disappointing to see it happen to them.

-----

Isn't Sandburg the same school that had that young man (baseball player) take his own life a few years ago? Anyone remember?

I'm not embarrassed Beenthere. I'm just not keen on someone who may have a dog in that fight bringing my son into it. I agree with you, your kids, my kids and many others make these kinds of decisions. If they do, they need to know they did something wrong. IMO they will not correct their behavior if serious consequences are not the result. And like it or not this is a problem.

And that's all I have to say about that.-Forest Gump

I gotta agree that people make mistakes. I can tell you right now those guys on that varsity team (being someone who knows some of them) are great guys and know what they did was wrong. They are being held accountable and not only was the team as a whole talked to but each was individually talked to. They made 1 mistake that by the way I can tell you at least 50% most likely tons more of the whole high school does everyday. They know it was wrong and are being punished for it and when they get back into play I have no doubt in my mind they'll be working harder than ever.

Honestly I don't see how anybody can sit there and say that they're a bad group for making this single mistake. It happens..big whoop. Sutor is a top notch coach and he knows what to do with them so leave it to him.

I guess what I would like to know is why the forfeits, why not pull up whoever you have and at least play the games otherwise aren't you punishing the entire team for the actions of a few? I also beleive that many of the schools don't really follow there Honor Code at all. It all depends on the school and the specific sport.

line...I agree with you. Of course, we don't know exactly how many were "involved".

Assuming a varsity team fields 18-23 players, I would think that those that weren't involved, and a few sophomores, could have represented the school for the 4 varsity games...until the penalty for the others has been served.

lineshot, the code of conduct or "honor code" isn't the same for every school. Believe me, I wish it were. I can name some schools in our area where a slap on the hands has become commonplace whereas, certain schools are very severe. Here, for your first infraction, you lose 1/3rd of the season. Second infraction, you are gone.

Agree or disagree, Sandburg's coach has decided to send his entire program a message. I respect that.

We've only played a couple of games this year but in one game, the opposing coach, a legend, came up to me and commented on the few "hardliners" left with regards to discipline. I'm talking about seasoned coaches that get their player's respect but you don't mess around AT ALL. We easily named off several "hardline" coaches who have resigned. Great baseball people no longer coaching kids. It is a shame. JMHO!

I understand coach25, I wish it was the same.

Tuz,

Since when is the Tribune liberal? They are a wealthy Republican organization.

Fastball,

I don't know what these kids did. However, I think the punishment should fit the crime. In our society we gernerally give people more than one chance. Even the "three strikes and your out" stuff in California got repealled. I beleive in puishment, and for it to be effective it should be swift and harsh. But I don't believe high school kids are past redemtion and shouldn't be given a chance to learn and grow. Let's see how these kids do the rest of the season and see if they have learned and then we can see if the system worked.

Bballdad,

What version of the Tribune do you read? And, what is a "Republican organization"? The Tribune is one of the most liberal rags being printed today. Do you ever read their editorials? Give it a try sometime and then read the editorial page in the Sun-Times and you'll see the difference, big time. Why do you think certain groups have threatened boycotts of the Sun-Times from time to time? Too conservative for some of their readers of the sports page and the funnies.

Beenthere;
It seems the Coach punished the "team" as a whole for a reason. They are a "team" win or lose. If they brought up other players to fill in for the select few - no one would be learning anything. You win and lose together - if you play or sit the bench - Its a TEAM sport

baseball2009, I want to get this straight, if one or two players or 5 screw up you should then punish the entire team because it is a team sport? So when you sign the honor code you are saying if someone on my team screws up we will all take the punishment. Sorry I bring kids up and play the games, I don't punish the entire team for a few others making mistakes.

baseball2009...I understand what you are saying.

Read a few articles since this item came up on the boards and it seems that 18 of the 21 members of the varsity were at a party where liquor was available.

My earlier point was that if the coach hasn't been able to get it through the varsity members (not knowing how many were allegedly involved)heads before the season begins, doesn't matter what happens afterwards.

I would have resigned.

Woops! Who did the Trib endorse for president?

Lineshot,
The team as a whole was punished because of the contract we have signed. Our contract at Sandburg clearly says that if you are in the presence of something that will break our contract you must leave or be held accountable. Therefore the whole team was held accountable. Sophomores got their own games to play so varsity had to forfeit.

tp, didn't know that there was so many that were in trouble. I originally thought it was 4 players not most of the team.

I think that everyone on this website should respect the privacy of the players, their school, and their families. The situation should be an internal situation at the school, and everyone else should mind their own business and worry about their own kids or team.

TPBulldogs- I think as a member of the Sandburg baseball program, you should respect your peers and coaches, and not be the inside reporter of what is going on.

Everyone makes mistakes, but I don't think it is necessary to publicly criticize anyone about their choices. Obviously the players messed up, and they know that. Leave it up to the school, the coaches, the players, and their families to settle it themselves and get back on track.

As a player and a teenager, I really don't agree with the whole "They made a mistake, lets see if they learn from it" card. True, some of them may not touch alcohol or be at a party for the rest of their high school career, but the majority of them will be out drinking come summer time. In a lot of these players minds, they have nothing to lose. It's a shame that it may take a D-1 scholarship just to follow the law.

I agree with copeland and the rest of you who beleive that it is wrong for teenagers...especially high school athletes to drink and make "decisions" that would effect them and the rest of the team...It doesnt matter if you have a scholarship of this is your last year..we play baseball for our school and we represent our school and the others at our school..it always hurts to see or hear about people from your school being arrested because you realize that someones life is altered by one rational decision. I for one am not the type of kid who parties all the time...in fact i rarely attend parties and me and the boys on the team have fun hanging out at a house or goin out to eat after a big win..I realized a long time ago that its not worth one night of partying to lose something you love...i lost two seasons of high school ball because of bad grades and nothing will get in my way of playing to my fullest potential this season. I have everything in order now and im even going to play in college. I am signing with mike palmer over at harper community college and im looking forward to representing my team and lake park the way it should be.

I'm not really being an inside reporter when everything I've said has already been put in articles. Honestly this thread should be over and done with. Nothin else to say on the matter.

the....

Has nothing to do with "privacy" of players.

What has been discussed was all over the papers, i.e., public record.

I think it is relevant when it affects an entire team/school and a varsity program of any kind.

Moreover, if it can help other kids not fall into the same trap, then it should be discussed and discussed vigorously.

LPbaseball:

That's a great story that you shared. I am excited for you that you "have everything in order now" and that you will play in college. You should be very proud of yourself. I am for you. Congratulations and good luck this year and at Harper.

quote:

Originally posted by TPBulldogs35:
Honestly this thread should be over and done with.

I respectfully disagree. I think this is a great "teaching moment," not only for ALL high school athletes, but for all the parents of high school athletes.

All I can add to this thread is that the Trib is a liberal paper.....heck, my brother writes a column for them, which makes them left of Ted Kennedy.