Letters To The Editor

Boys of Summer strike out with two fans

The “Boys of Summer” have proven themselves to be spoiled, arrogant, conceited, selfcentered, self-serving brats. Yes, they are blessed with great athletic talent and ability. Yet they care less about the fans, without whom they would be just another body earning wages in the same category as rank-and-file workers. Some, whose talents are limited to athletics, could earn no more than a minimum wage.

The majority of players earn more in one season then 90 percent of their fans will in a lifetime. Yet it is because of those fans that players and owners earn such huge amounts. Neither the players nor owners have enough respect for the fans to consider the effect a strike has on them. Nor do they consider the loss of modest incomes to the many who depend on the baseball season for at least some seasonal remuneration.

Players receive huge incomes for playing a game that many would, and do, play for the shear joy of the game. Sandlot, grade school, high school, college, and business-sponsored leagues are full of participants who play the game for the fun of it. Yet these “Boys of Summer” feel they should be millionaires because of their talents. They are offended because of a salary cap that might prohibit them from being compensated at an even higher rate. Never mind that 99 percent of players earn more than your senator, congressman or president of the United States, all of whom have real responsibility. In many cases their poor individual statistics certainly do not warrant their huge salaries.

In reality, it’s the fan who bears the fault in creating these highly compensated pro athlete Frankensteins. If we, the fans, would refrain from spending our hard-earned dollars for overpriced game tickets, and cease to support the sponsors of televised games, then the players would receive only just compensation. If you want to see a real impact on baseball, then watch the effect a fan boycott would have when they return. Something would surely change then. I, for one, will never watch another pro baseball game. I will enjoy the sport at the amateur level from here on out. BENNIE BENSON Elk, Wash.

Baseball players selfish

It is final. On Aug. 12, 1994, it will go down in the record books that this was the grim day the boys of summer decided their selfish desires were above the game of baseball, one of the oldest institutions of this country.

This is ludicrous to even think of, that the players of whom the game has nurtured and raised through the years, the same players who have received fame and fortune from the game, now spit on the very game that has made them heroes in the eyes and hearts of children everywhere. “Say it ain’t so Ken, say it ain’t so Frank.”

I have grown up watching players for years and they have turned into my idols displaying their heroic prowess on the baseball field. Now, we as fans must become accustomed to watching our beloved heroes wage war in court instead of watching them come up with the diving catch to stay alive or the clutch hit in the bottom of the ninth to win it all.

Reality is that baseball is a multi-billion dollar business of which the major components that insure its success are the players. The problem is that all sides are trying to capitalize on baseball. The major-league minimum for the players is $109,000. This is more than enough to support themselves and their family. The players have nothing to complain about. Like any youngster, I would gladly give all I own to play ball for my hometown team. This is the same dream of thousands of kids who play in little leagues and sandlots, or just stand around in their back yard swinging at pebbles pretending to be Frank Thomas or Ken Griffey Jr. hitting the one that wins it all.

The game of baseball has withstood the times for more than 150 years. It has pulled the nation out of turmoil and depression. Baseball is a chance for the people to come together and channel their energy in a positive fashion, for the fans to cheer for their heroes and boo their opponents. This is a monumental year for baseball. Records will be shattered, streaks will be kept alive and the fan’s love of their game can only grow to new dimensions. Let’s leave the clutch hits, the cheers from the fans, the triumphant feeling of accomplishment and the unstoppable desire to win, for the players. Leave the business aspect of baseball to the George Steinbrenners of the world. Ask not what baseball can do for you, but what you can do for baseball. Let’s play ball … for the fans and for the game itself. ERIC CHEN Bonners Ferry

Parents set bad example

I must agree with Howard Anstine (president of the Inland Empire Baseball Umpires Association), fans are goofy at times.

As an umpire, I just completed my second year of officiating, which included one month of summer baseball for 9-12-year-olds.

When I officiated the high school games that included some varsity A games, JV games, and C squad, the players would sometimes question my calls about balls and strikes, and some judgment calls about being safe or out. Yet, when I did the summer league for the 9-12-year-olds, it was the parents who got carried away and questioned my judgment calls, balls and strikes.

I was always taught to respect officials whether it be football, baseball or basketball.

It’s been written that you learn things from your parents while growing up, and in this case it must be true. LEO SPILKER Medical Lake

`Skins’ still insensitive

I am writing regarding Tony Gabriel’s article “Team should try Skins” for its nickname.

The Washington (NFL) team, and all others using names referring to American Indians, should change their names completely. They are demeaning.

I have many American Indian friends and a lot of them refer to each other as “Skins.”

Dropping the “Red” from Redskins makes no difference, it still has the same meaning. It is still disrespectful. LINDA SNEVA Spokane

People `push’ animals

I usually read all the articles I find on hunting and fishing, including magazines and The Spokesman-Review.

I have been hunting and fishing for 56 or 57 years and I’m still going strong. I believe I have a little knowledge of the two sports. In the article I read (Letters, July 24, by Jill Herman), “Hunters are scary,” you say people don’t know the difference (between a bear and a slug). Well, lady, I hope you can tell the difference between hunters and those scary people, because they are miles apart.

Bears are not pests, and if they are, people are the blame most of the time.

Development with people pushing these animals together with less feed in winter is scary. That’s killing more animals than hunters. By the way, Mr. (Rich) Landers, keep up the good work. ANGELO SURIANO Colbert, Wash.