Home › Forums › Open Discussion › WS Little League Calls it Quits with White Center
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April 30, 2010 at 4:27 am #594670
mercigalMemberDoes anyone know why the majority of WS T-Ballers have voted to stop playing with the kids from Southwest (White Center & Burien)? On the face of it, this decision seems stupid.
April 30, 2010 at 5:05 am #693570
sandybeachMemberDoes this have anything to do with the drunken person who had to be removed from the dugout by the police before a game? The same person who managed to cut them self pretty badly and then proceed to bleed all over the dugout? This didn’t sound like a safe place for the kids to be. I have heard this story from two sources in the last week.
April 30, 2010 at 5:53 am #693571
mercigalMemberI didn’t know about the homeless fellow. Was it at a southwest league park? I was under the impression WS league backed out of playing the rest of the games with white center because they didn’t like the kids. They accused them of playing rough.
April 30, 2010 at 6:14 am #693572
JanSParticipantso…if it’s because of rough play, aren’t there adults in charge to tell them to cut it out? Who’s running the asylum?
April 30, 2010 at 2:20 pm #693573
pamMemberI would contact a board member and ask them directly. Here is a link to the contact list from their website: http://www.westseattlelittleleague.com/contact.html
April 30, 2010 at 4:16 pm #693574
mercigalMemberThe SW parents were there to tell them to cut it out, but some of the WS parents were still angry about it–thought that White Center kids are naturally aggressive! Thanks pam for the link!
April 30, 2010 at 5:01 pm #693575
SmittyParticipantFirst I heard of it.
When we played them (at their place) we “mercy ruled” them but they all seemed like good kids (and parents) to me. No issues at all. It’s too bad because I believe the “interleauge” play was a result of the SWLL not having enough teams – hope they can continue playing.
April 30, 2010 at 7:30 pm #693576
Mark TeraoParticipantAs West Seattle Little League President I would like to try and clear up any confusion on the West Seattle Little League (WSLL) and Southwest Little League (SWLL) Inter-League.
Unfortunately SWLL have been unable to field enough teams to compete in a full season within their area.
WSLL has been happy to step up and provide SWLL a place where they are able to play a full season of baseball.
All in all the Inter-League has been successful for both leagues and I hope SWLL feels the same way. The Managers and Coaches I have met have been great as have the players and parents. Everyone appears to be enjoying themselves.
To cover the posts in this blog:
The mention of the intoxicated man in the dugout that had to be forcibly removed by three Sheriffs, strapped to a gurney and taken away in an aid car resulting in blood being left in the dugout was not at a T-Ball game but was at a Majors game at the White Center fields. Though an eye opening experience and a good life lesson learned for the players it is not one that alone will end an agreement to Inter-League.
The T-Ball incident was a verbal altercation between WSLL and SWLL parents disagreeing with the way the game was being played. I will not get into the details as all we have is he said she said type information. The result however was two of the four WSLL league teams have decided to withdraw from playing the second scheduled game against the SWLL team. The other two WSLL teams have kept the scheduled games against the SWLL team.
It is important that we do not blow this out of proportion.
The purpose of the Inter-League is to allow all of the kids in SWLL to be able to play baseball.
WSLL does not have any ill will towards any of the kids of SWLL. As a member of Little League no matter the boundary line all of the kids are part of the same Little League family.
My Inter-League goal this season is to help insure that WSLL is a good host to SWLL and have a great season together. To provide good clean competition while allowing the Managers and coaches to teach all of the players good sportsmanship and lead by example. Most importantly we are here to help teach our players life lessons to help them in their growth to become good citizens through baseball.
If you have any additional questions or comments please feel to contact us at wsllinfo@yahoo.com
Thank you,
Mark Terao
President
West Seattle Little League
April 30, 2010 at 8:11 pm #693577
charlabobParticipantIt sounds like some of the adults could use some life lessons. But, as a LL grandparent, I’ve seen that in many other places.
I looked on the White Center Blog but didn’t see any discussion of this there. OP might want to post the question there too.
April 30, 2010 at 9:47 pm #693578
mercigalMemberThanks for the response, Mark. I appreciate your candor and details. I was not at the T-Ball game in which the “incident” took place, but it seems really extreme to cancel remaining games with other teams in the league that weren’t even a part of the original disagreement, especially mid-way through the season. If there is a disagreement on baseball rules (I must be naive to believe that all baseball games follow the same rules?) then another solution would have been to sit both leagues down and agree on proper procedures. From an outsider’s perspective, WSLL’s decision to cancel games comes across as “we don’t want to play with you anymore.” At the very least, unless personal safety is an issue, then wait until the end of the season to stop interleague play. IMHO :)
April 30, 2010 at 9:49 pm #693579
mercigalMember@charlabob–have you seen this sort of politics in your past experiences with little league? Or are you refering to parents needing to “grow up”? :)
April 30, 2010 at 10:24 pm #693580
cofpjMemberas a parent of the SWLL Tball game that this incident happened at, I would like to say the following. It is very unfortunate that the parents involved in this disagreement created such a bad environment for our 5 and 6 year olds that our coach choose to cancel the remaining 2 innings of play. As you may or may not know most of the coaching staff are volunteer parents and family members of the all teams and out there to show our kids how to play Americas past time and have fun. In no way is there any malicious training going on, nor is there any hatred between SWLL and WSLL that I am aware of. The incidence that happend was purely over reaction on the adults end and the kids were thank goodness completely unaware of the big issue at hand. I feel it is very sad that if the adults who thought there was a problem didn’t decide at that time to let their coach know. There fore letting the coaches figure out what to do next. Instead the adults / spectators choose to yell and scream not only at our 3rd base coach but the parents of our team as well. The fact that we are now not going to be able to play anywhere from 1-3 games that were originally in our schedule is also very sad to me. As this is the first year my child has played and he enjoys it so much, being with his new friends, being outside, learning a new sport and enjoying being a little kid…
I would hope that the two leagues / coaches could set up a meeting and try to work out the differences. But if that is not the case, then shame on you.. these kids are out there to learn and have fun.. Not worry about the adults not being able to handle their frustrations in the proper way…
April 30, 2010 at 10:32 pm #693581
JanSParticipantmaybe the parents should just be banned from attending the games. I know, I know…that’s impossible. But, geez, this is supposed to be something fun for the kids. It’s the over the top parents who turn it into too much of a competition, who go overboard, get downright mean and ugly at times. Now explain to me what kind of fun is that for your kids?
Maybe all that’s needed is a bit of duct tape over the mouths of these people :)
April 30, 2010 at 10:46 pm #693582
GenHillOneParticipantSuck it up “adults” – it’s t-ball fcs. With any luck, this game will be in your life for the next decade and you won’t have the luxury of packing up your toys and going home when you disagree. And the kids were unaware of what was going on? Good! But that means it was between the parents and it’s up to the parents to work it out.
April 30, 2010 at 11:01 pm #693583
charlabobParticipantI’ve seen it and been part of it (years ago when I was an accidental assistat coach –BF too busy to coach and his kids wouldn’t get to play unless they had coaches.) I just think life lessons are often better aimed at adults. And I think it’s unlikely that the kids aren’t aware — your games with “them” are suddenly cancelled? Hmmmm…..
April 30, 2010 at 11:29 pm #693584
mercigalMemberWhat these last posts are saying, that is what I was trying to get at by starting this thread. Just because the adults couldn’t get along doesn’t mean the kids can’t get along. Why prevent the kids from playing the game just because the adults don’t like the rules? Again, unless the kids are in threat of physical harm, it doesn’t make sense to cancel the games. And since WSLL appears to be in the position of power (“we have more kids so we’ll LET SWLL play with us”), the fact that they are canceling the games seems elitist.
April 30, 2010 at 11:33 pm #693585
mercigalMember@cofpj- thank you for your input. I’m glad the yelling seemingly went on without the kids being aware of it. Would you say that maybe the incident wouldn’t have gotten out of control if someone other than parents were there (ie an umpire?) Maybe that could be a peaceful solution instead of canceling games? Also, an objective opinion on who was right? Whatever happens, I hope your son continues to enjoy playing America’s pastime :)
April 30, 2010 at 11:58 pm #693586
cofpjMemberNow don’t get me wrong, the kids were aware of this. 1. they didn’t get to finish a game. and 2. there were some pretty horrible things being said and some people that were acting not the way they do at all the other games. As for an umpire, possibly. but again, you have to remember we are talking about 5 and 6 year olds… T BALLERS. they can barely keep their concentration on the hour long game, much less think aggressively on purpose. Now there is one gentlemen that if the games were to still be played I do think he should be banned from field. As it took several people and threats of calling the police to get him to back down. He didnt care who he was using such language in front of nor did he care if he threw punches in front of these kids.. It was very unfortunate to see.
I will not allow this one STUPID incident to ruin my childs fun and excitement for the GAME. I agree PLAY BALL… GROW UP. it is so sad to see that the 5 and 6 year olds can be more grown up then a handful of adults…
May 1, 2010 at 12:00 am #693587
maplesyrupParticipantMay 1, 2010 at 12:06 am #693588
alki_2008ParticipantIt seems like most commenters are blowing this out of proportion, as someone “in the know” stated: two of the four WSLL league teams have decided to withdraw from playing the second scheduled game against the SWLL team.
This means that two of the four WSLL teams are STILL going to play against the particular SWLL team, and no games against other SWLL teams are being cancelled by any of the WSLL teams.
Personally, I’ve seen enough news stories about bad behavior by parents at youth sporting events that I wouldn’t want my kids to attend a game where the parents are already known to be combative. It can take just a split second by a single person to cause permanent trauma for all the kids (on both teams). And having someone “banned” from the field is going to mean what…having police there? Do we really want our kids to be playing on a field watched by armed guards?
People can SAY that parents SHOULD behave better, but just saying it doesn’t make it so. Better safe than sorry, IMHO.
May 1, 2010 at 12:33 am #693589
mercigalMemberActually, someone forwarded me an email from Mark in which he explained that 3 out of the 4 WS teams elected not to play SW. But let’s assume it’s only 2: There are 6 teams total-4 WS and 2 SW. 1 WS and 1 SW team argued. Why would the other WS team vote to not play against the 1 SW team, and why would both of the WS teams vote not to play against the other SW team that wasn’t even involved in the argument? Do you see how it all seems a bit reactionary? And it is bette to be safe than sorry, but safe from what? The kids aren’t getting hurt. As long as the parents keep quiet and settle their differences maturely, then what’s the big deal? Why is it so hard? I think the SW and WS leagues acted prematurely by canceling those games.
May 1, 2010 at 1:47 am #693590
sandybeachMembermercigal -you seem to have beat around the bush for answers you already knew. Why didn’t you come right out say your’e mad at WSLL parents. Your responses seem to indicate you already had all the details on what happened and approached this with ulterior motives. You also had to work in calling WSLL parents “elitists”.
May 1, 2010 at 3:59 am #693591
mercigalMember@sandybeach: I’m not mad at anyone, just curious! Someone sent me the email from Mark after his post, so actually I didn’t have any of the information beforehand. That’s why I posted the thread! Glad to hear from one SW parent-would love to hear the perspective of a WS parent. From an outsider, it does seem elitist to cancel all the games, but I’m willing to admit I could be wrong! :)
May 1, 2010 at 4:01 am #693592
mercigalMemberAnd it goes without saying that it would be great if both leagues could work together and let the kids play–that would be my ultimate ulterior motive ;)
May 1, 2010 at 4:55 am #693593
sandybeachMembermercigal -You seem to care a lot about letting the kids get to play. I agree with that. This would be a great opportunity for you to get involved with SWLL. Make a difference in some kids lives. Side note: Mark T is one of those people who does make a positive difference in kids lives. If this situation is resolvable, he is the one to fix it.
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