Letters To The Editor
Parents ruin baseball
Finally, another baseball season, finished. Relieved, yes, but not for reasons most would expect, i.e. schedule problems, etc. No, the sad fact is that I am glad to see the season over because of some apparent misjudgments on my part. When I signed my son up for summer league baseball I mistakenly thought that he would be learning a little about discipline and self-control.
Along with some good sportsmanship, while at the same time playing a sport intended to be “fun”! Unfortunately, it seems that the opposite is true. Not on behalf of the kids playing the sport, they handle themselves quite nicely. I am referring to the parents. When I listen to these people shouting and carrying on, I can’t help but feel sorry for the kids.
They have a coach who puts his heart into the game, trying to make sure each kid gets to play the same amount of time, as well as encouraging them to play their best, and at the same time tries to remind the kids that this game is for fun.
If one were to look around the bleachers, they would notice that the “scouts” very rarely show up for a game. These parents had the opportunity to coach the team, but for whatever reason or excuse, and believe me there are plenty, they couldn’t commit.
So instead, they berate and slam the person who did and ruin the fun for anyone within hearing distance of them. I feel bad for the kids whose parents continue to live vicariously through them and expect them to perform even better than they probably did at that age, and can seemingly do nothing right. I also feel for the coach, who spends hour after hour sweating the game, only to be hammered down by one of his peers for not doing a good enough job, ever.
Look around, people. Last time I looked, this position was unpaid, and if we’re not careful everything this game was about will be stripped away because of some ill-satisfied, lawnchair coaches and umpires, who can’t seem to enjoy the game! Connie Jacobs Spokane
Soccer for the birds
So, after the fans suffered through two hours of scoreless soccer at the Women’s World Cup final, they were treated to a shootout, which is only slightly more dramatic than a coin toss.
Soccer, schlocker. Terry Griner Spokane
Landers misses point
This is response to “Confusion over night speed laws knows no limits” (July 8).
Reporter Rich Landers misses the main point of why Loon Lake has an active volunteer marine patrol. A front-page article of the same issue was headlined: “Nighttime boating crash kills one.”
The 350+ members of the Loon Lake Property Owners Association strongly support our volunteer marine deputy program and we commend Sheriff Thayer of Stevens County for the support and training he gives these volunteer officers. We want the public to know that if they wish to boat on this lake, they will have to do so safely and within the law.
We encourage Mr. Landers to interview some of the homeowners around the lake and see what they think of our marine patrol. This is a very popular program. He might also want to talk to some of the kids who go to the Loon Lake School and ask them about the water safety program run by these same marine deputies.
The marine patrol is primarily interested in educating the public on boating safety and on saving lives. They do a magnificent job. It is unfortunate that they had to spoil one boater’s evening. We feel certain that the next time this boater comes to Loon Lake, he will be more careful and we will all be safer. Bill Shawl Loon Lake
Griffey’s hat OK
In response to the gentleman who complained about Ken Griffey Jr. wearing his hat backward, during the home run contest (“Cap sign of disrespect,” July 18):
At the All-Star Game, where in the rules for the home run derby does it state that you must wear your hat with the bill facing forward? Plus, any pure home run hitter knows that in order to hit the ball a long way, many factors have to come into play. Ball speed, full-arm extension and in Junior’s case, since he has a tendency to move his head slightly at contact, with the bill of his cap facing forward, a precious millisecond will be lost, thus eliminating critical airflow and upsetting the aerodynamics, which everyone knows, creates higher and longer ball lift. In other words, who cares whether he wears his hat backward, forward or inside out?
With his kind of numbers, as far as I’m concerned, Junior can wear his hat any way he wants. Joe Speranzi Spokane
Golfer takes exception
Your lead sports story on July 12, “Porter flies to victory on wings of eagle,” misquoted me as saying, “After that stupid bogey on No. 7, I started thinking, God, I’m going to shoot 78 and lose this tournament.”
It’s not unusual to be misquoted, and I’m sure the reporter didn’t intend to misquote me. What is disturbing to me is being quoted as having taken God’s name in vain.
Why the concern? Simply, God’s name is to be honored and revered. Furthermore, God’s name is to called upon by all those who seek Him and desire His help, strength, peace and forgiveness. In my case, I need all of these and then some.
Finally, I’m a Christian, a follower of Christ. Far from perfect but seeking after God. and when I say “God”, I’m speaking of the awesome, holy God who rules and reigns over all of His creation. And, you can quote me on that. Bill Porter Quincy, Wash.
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