|
SPORTSMANSHIP IS PARAMOUNT IN MAJOR SPORTS
Just about every year at this time I send out my mandate to the teams pertaining to sportsmanship and field conduct. I know that it is not like it was in 1950's or the 1960's for that matter. I know that Ozzie Osbourne has replaced Ozzie and Harriet. I know that good manners have been lost somewhere in the vortex of the mass media and the culture. Acting foolish and having a bad attitiude seems to be de rigueur (required by the current fashion, culture or custom). It was not like that years ago.
I played college football in the old Southern Conference during the late 60's and early 70's, East Carolina, The Citadel, Richmond, Furman and William and Mary. The competition was fierce on each and every Saturday night. However, after just about every tackle someone on the opponents teams would help you up, pat you on your butt and send you back to your huddle. Yes, you can compete hard and fierce without losing your respect for the opponent and even more without losing respect for yourself.
I have had the honor of umpiring some games in my league this year and I have witnessed some wonderful gestures of sportsmanship by some teams. Where on the other hand I have had to stop games within the first couple of innings call time out, walked into the middle of the field and tell both teams that if they continued the bad behavior the game would end immediately. Now, if they are acting like that with me I do feel sorry for my umpires. Half the time the culprits of the bad behavior have never even put on a jock before. Pretenders who want to go out and display their bad behavior in front of a crowd and mess it up for everyone.
My umpires are on call to report any and every incident of miscreant behavior by any player.I did a double header in Nassau, because I heard there was a player who causing problems. He was a problem from the beginning. I told him to stand down and I took it up with his manager on Monday. The clock is ticking. Two players were removed from the league Sunday night and cannot play again in the Major Sports.I umpired the doubleheader. One of those players was a problem each and every time he played. Nasty, surly and just a bad sportsman. He is now history. Another player was affecting a good softball team that plays in the morning. A very good team with some good guys and good athletes. They took the initiative and told the player that he was a distraction. One more player is on the cusp.
Gentlemen, enjoy the softball experience, the competition, the interaction with the teammates, the interaction with the opponent and the thrill of being out there playing a great game for all.
Please read this article for further illustration of the effects and consequences of bad sportsmanship.
|