Letters To The Editor

Not all players bad

Spokane Metro Softball Association had more than 1,800 softball games this year. Out of that, there were six or seven hearings held on ballplayers abusing umpires. Nothing like the Post Falls incident. A very small minority or one bad runin like Post Falls and Chuck Stewart has condemned all softball players (Recreation Page, July 22).

Softball is played for fun and recreation, but remember, once the umpire says, “Play ball,” it turns into a competitive game.

We are taught as youngsters not to be a loser. Winning - whether in sports or in everyday life - is important to all of us. Ballplayers in the Spokane Metro Softball Association (more than 98 percent) conduct themselves in a very respectful manner. We should not be condemned for a couple of wrongdoings, especially one in Post Falls.

Respect, not only for the other team, coach, and fans, but also for the “man in blue,” is given by Spokane softball players.

Training and education in rules, consistency in game performance and respect from the umpires toward ballplayers and coaches is needed. DON LOVE Spokane

Trophy hunters care

I would like to make one comment about the anti-trophy-hunter dissertation by Roxanne Lawler (guest column, July 24).

Last month, I attended the Selkirk Crest Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet and money-raising event in Sandpoint. Those attending, who would probably be considered “trophy hunters,” raised thousands of dollars for the preservation of elk habitat.

In addition, these same “trophy hunters” planted grass on hundreds of miles of abandoned logging roads last year to provide improved wildlife grazing.

This type of action is consistent of those who are friends of animals, not someone sitting on their fat easy chairs griping about something they know little about, and who probably contribute less. JIM HUDSON Laclede, Idaho

Ballplayers helped As a former professional baseball player, I’ve been wracking my brain trying to think of a way to help the financially strapped major leaguers in their hour of need.

I considered sending them a loaf of bread each. But then I got to thinking I couldn’t afford that many loaves on my minimum Veterans Administration pension.

So I decided to just buy one loaf and send a half piece each to a group of these poor, unfortunate souls.

I almost cried as I saw Will Clark, Tom Glavine and Steve Howe pouring out their hearts on TV about their terrible plight.

So I put a half piece of whole wheat into three envelopes and slapped a 29-cent stamp on them and rushed down to the post office with emergency supplies for these three at least.

Gosh, it’s a good feeling to know I’ve been able to help the needy. I just feel good all over! BOB PALMER Opportunity