Just when you think things are looking up...

(the links in the blog will open in the current window. Use your 'Back' button to return to Wagdogs.)

...you see a story like this one. A Minneapolis Junior College women's softball team lost a game against the top-rated JC team in the country because, in the bottom of the 7th inning of a 0-0 game (and while their pitcher was no-hitting the top-ranked team), their number 3 batter hit what appeared to be a game-winning home run. While rounding third on her way to home, she high-fived several teammates before reaching the plate. A normal reaction, you might say? Well the coach of the opposing team, rulebook in hand, stormed the field and demanded the batter be called out for a rules violation. Long story short, NCAA rules (which also govern JC sports) state that you're not allowed to touch a teammate (other than a baserunner) before reaching home plate. However, what I'm sure the opposing coach also knew, but did not address with the umpire, was that for a first infraction the rules clearly state that only a warning shall be issued. Game over, right? Not so fast. After a long discussion with the umpiring crew and officials at the game, the batter was declared out. The opposing team ended up winning the game in 9 innings.

Surely, the opposing coach knew the rule. If she knew enough to find the rule in the rulebook, she knew that the penalty was to issue a warning, not rule the batter out. More distressing, however, is the fact that the opposing team lost the game on a cut-and-dried play; no controversy, no "called safe when she should have been out", no "it was foul." The ball cleared the centerfield fence by more than 20 feet. The coach clearly could not accept the fact that her team lost. Rather than congratulate the opposing team on a great game and terrific win, the coach cited a "rule," talked the umpires into incorrectly applying it, and won a game that she should have by all rights lost.

Sometimes as coaches, parents, or players, our teams suffer heartbreaking or disappointing defeats. But at those times, it's important to put aside the disappointment for just a bit, congratulate the winners, and accept the outcome. Among the most important things we can teach the kids that we coach is that as long as they give their best effort, they can live with the result. I wonder how many of the girls on the eventual winning team feel good about their victory?

Posted By: Jim Roynan

Comments: