Little League Renews Commitment to Sportsmanship
Last week I wrote about an incident at Gero Park in a piece on Teapot Despots in Little League - a piece that captured my frustrations with unsportsmanlike conduct at Gero Park.
In response to this post I had a chance to meet and correspond with MSHYB League President Tom Favia, the Player Agent, the League Disciplinarian/Head of Summer Ball and Blue Jays Chain manager. What I can tell you about these individuals is the following:
a) They are gentlemen and statesmen
b) They care deeply about MSHYB and the experience our children get from participation at Gero.
c) They sacrifice countless hours volunteering their time and energy to make our league run.
d) They are not happy with unsportsmanlike conduct.
In a swift and decisive decision, Presdient Favia circulated a league-wide directive reminding people to treat others with "some respect and common courtesy" and that youth baseball should be about "great friendships and great memories."
The individual Team Manager and Coach involved in the incident I described experienced supplemental discipline for their actions. I have come to learn that these men are family men who also volunteer their time. My belief is that they had a bad day. That, like many of our kids, they "booted a grounder." I believe they deserve a second chance to renew their focus on doing right by our kids with less focus on the scoreboard. We all make mistakes in life. I am no exception.
As to the future? I was assured that the league is committed to off-season initiatives that will strive to improve volunteer training, to clarify policies and procedures, and to advance an agenda that will continue to make sportsmanship a priority. I look forward to participating in that process as a parent and a volunteer.
Little League/MSHYB is an incredible community locally and nationwide with the capability to develop our youth into decent ball players, but even better citizens. But, this can only occur if poor sportsmanship is rooted out and dealt with in a direct and just manner. It takes a village as it is sometimes said. We must be accountable for our own conduct while reminding the person next to us to keep theirs in check too. We are all stewards of the KidsFirst culture that is often present and should always prevail at Gero Park. We must be willing, too, to ask people who get hopped-up to "tone it down" or "take five."
Gary Butter, Chain Manager for the Falcons put it best in a recent e-mail. Let "...players play, coaches coach, parents cheer...umpires ump..."
As for baseball itself? America's past-time. I think Nuke Lalouche said it best in the movie Bull Durham. "Baseball...sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes it rains....think about it."
And the good news remains...whether or not one's team/chain wins a game or loses...the snack bar is always stocked with hot dogs and ice cream to ease the pain. Funny how the kids move on quicker than most parents after a loss...
See you on the diamonds.
JKH
10:17 am on Sunday, June 3, 2012
well done
J S Beckerman
10:10 am on Monday, June 4, 2012
Interesting. MSHYB has finally decided to do what should have been done 10+ years ago. Was it based on your letter?
Am I also to assume that you received a tongue-lashing from MSHYB for bringing to light the lack of self-discipline among some managers, coaches, and parents?
Susan1
11:52 am on Monday, June 4, 2012
While I applaud any action, i would hardly call this "swift and decisive." Yes, most of the volunteer parents are wonderful, dedicated, hard-working role models. But I can hardly commend the MSHYB leadership; the bad behavior should have been addressed long ago.
20yearmiller
12:04 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
Sounds like they're doing some damage control here. However, I do have the utmost respect for Mr. Favia and can only wish all the managers would/could have the same amount of understanding and compassion as he does.
At the end of the day few make it to level 7 or an all star team, and even fewer to the HS team so don't give it too much worry. If you're kid REALLY wants to be a player, it's up to the parent to make sure the kid develops, not mshyb. There are too many kids involved to have big expectations. Ultimately, enjoy the ride, the snack bar, the camaraderie, and the little lessons learned along the way. As others have noted, it goes by very fast.
Matt Stewart
12:30 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
Listen...I think that when people respond with genuine concern and activity...one must acknowledge it. I have no personal axe to grind with anyone at MSHYB...I just want a healthy, sportsmanlike culture for my kids and others.
I have no delusions of grandeur for my kids baseball career...outside of a beer league maybe...:)
As for damage control...not so...I think it is only fair that if people take positive steps in response to a fair criticism...they should be recognized for doing so...I stand behind my original criticism and concerns about individual conduct on the diamonds...
and stand behind my reaction to the league's response...I don't have it out for MSHYB...rather...I am keen to see it a thriving success...bcuz I have an 8 year old and two seven year olds who are going to be an integral part of the culture for years to come...so that is why I care...
20yearmiller
6:10 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
What mshyb has to insist on are coaches who treat everyone involved with respect and in a calm manner, that should be mandatory. Knowing baseball is a plus, but not mandatory. The problem is there are so many managers it's very hard to keep tabs on everybody. When this select group (usually the same men) repeat the yelling, they must be yanked. That's not an easy task in such a small town where those in power might be their next door neighbor. It's up to the team parents to step up, identify and report the screamers, and, the guys in the "house" must pull them from their duties. That I have never seen happen before. Damage control? The idiot screamers kind of force the board to respond. I hope they grow the nerve to get rid of these guys.
Hedley
12:28 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
If they were taking it seriously there would be a league-wide (meaning coaches and parents) email and an announcement on the league website. Neither has occurred. They are probably too busy working on the draft of next year's crop of 7 and 8 year olds. Which chain gets first pick?
Matt Stewart
12:32 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
Incorrect...there was a league-wide email sent by Mr. Favia himself...to all chain managers, board members, and all team managers...and...it was delivered swiftly and decisively...
Hedley
12:59 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
That is not "league-wide." That is only to an insulated few. Again, if the issue was being taken seriously, the "directive" would be on the website and would have gone to everyone involved with MSHYB. It did not.
MominSH
2:44 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
Every single person on our chain received the email. Maybe other chains handled it differently?
Hedley
2:55 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
Very interesting. Just one more way the various chains act, and are treated, differently. Still the League could have sent it to everyone without relying on the individual chains to do it. Good for your chain though.
KLF
8:20 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
My chain did not get it. At least not anyone with a rank lower than manager.
J. Keogh
5:43 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
Thank you Mr. Stewart for your articles and for putting a spotlight on the issue this year. Last year when parents I know went directly to the board with similar comments and serious concerns about conduct nothing was done by the board. I guess they too should have written an article in the Patch to promote change. These parents reported that they were talked down to and have since lost confidence in the leadership.
The chain system is broken, it is the root of the over competitive nature of parents and seems to not be helpful to many players.
Is it true, that the MSHYB league rents the fields for something like $1 a year from the Township of Millburn. There are many that think that the snack bar money is used to pay for the rental of field space. What is the story?
Matt Stewart
7:19 pm on Monday, June 4, 2012
I do not know anything about the snack bar other than it is like a magnet for my 3 kids...:)
KLF
8:23 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
As a financial contributor to the league (and you are if your kid plays), you should be able to look at the books.
Steve Stone
10:03 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Roughly half of the operating revenue comes from snack bar the other half from entry fees for kids to play. No kid is turned away for financial issues. We also got money from some sponsors this year for signs in the outfield. Major operating expenses include umpires, shirts & hats, field maintenance and equipment to name a few items. The cost of leasing the fields is insignificant, but we pay to keep them in good condition. We also put money into Capital Reserves to pay for major projects such as new dug outs, backstops and score boards. There are no paid employees; we are all volunteers. The Summer Program is financed with addtional fees from those participating. There are no secrets on where the money goes.
J S Beckerman
10:03 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
As a non-profit corp, all books are open to public review by appointment.