Letters to the Editor 07-20-1998
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Another View Of Girl's Softball Game - KCH Appreciated - Wagon Wheel Deserving Of Support - More On Softball Controversy
Another View Of Girl's Softball Game
Editor, Times-Union:This is in response to Don Garber's letter that was in your column on July 15.
We feel compelled to write this letter not to defend ourselves, but to present the facts. The league Mr. Garber is referring to is the Warsaw Girl's Softball League and yes, his starting pitcher was injured the night of our game.
Our league rule clearly states that before a last-year minor league player can be brought up to play in the next age group, the team making the request has to have nine or less players playing that night. The team requesting minor league players is allowed to bring up enough players to make a roster of 10 players. Mr. Garber already had 10 major-league players, which according to our rules, all 10 players can play in the inning (three outfielders with one rover). So in other words, for Mr. Garber to have his "minor-league" pitcher play, one of his "major-league" players would be required to sit the bench. Please explain to us how this would be fair to have a girl that is a member of his team to have to sit out and watch the game, while someone that is not on his team walk on and be able to play. During the controversy, the president of the league was consulted and agreed the "minor-league" player should not be allowed to pitch. Also, two other board members were consulted and they were in agreement as well.
With reference to your "Slap in the Face No. 1," regarding us taking out our starting pitcher, yes, we did, but if you noticed throughout the season, when the opportunity would allow us to, we always tried to work in other pitchers to pitch. As a coach, you should always be prepared for injuries, vacations, etc., and we're sorry you didn't have the foresight to prepare another pitcher during the season as a backup.
With reference to your "Slap in the Face No. 2," we are not sure what you are referring to. We did not make comments asking you to give up.
With reference to "Slap in the Face No. 3," that was the umpire's call, not ours. You were told the same time we were that the game was over.
You stated in your letter that you just wanted to play and it was just a recreational league. If this is the case, Mr. Garber, then why during the conversation, did you repeatedly tell us to call the game because you guys weren't going to play without a pitcher? Is that really fair to your team? You had two girls that pitched for you and they did a nice job. What a slap in the face to them that you didn't have enough confidence in their ability to let them pitch, but instead, you had to try and bring up a "minor-league" pitcher.
You congratulated us on a hollow victory. Mr. Garber, we felt bad the game was played under those circumstances. We would have preferred your starting pitcher could have played. No one likes to see kids injured.
No, Mr. Garber, we didn't find a loophole to change a game into a practice game. It was a league rule. And yes, Mr. Garber, you have the same rule book as we do. They were handed out at the beginning of the season. You just chose to ignore the rule, and in turn, tried to sacrifice a major league player for your own personal reasons. To your team, they played well, and nothing should be taken away from them.
With the tourney coming up, let us ask you something. We have a couple of key players that are going to be gone, but we will have enough players to roster 10 players. Will you allow us to call up "minor-league" players to fill their positions? I don't think so, and besides, we wouldn't even dream of doing that to our current players. We have faith in our players and we have confidence they will play well regardless of the win-loss outcome.
So we must ask, your point?
Mark and Kay Poling
Warsaw
Jane Wyatt
Winona Lake
KCH Appreciated
Editor, Times-Union:Over the last two years I have been in and out of Kosciusko Community Hospital several times with a heart condition, and while on all of my visits I have received the best of care possible with all the departments at KCH. Everyone is very pleasant and very concerned for my quick recovery.
On June 25, I was admitted again and placed in ICU. A few hours later I went into cardiac arrest. Thanks to the quick reaction and professionalism of the staff, they were able to bring me back to my loved ones! Due to the numerous times I have been in KCH, a lot of the staff have become like family to me, and I wish to thank you for your care and concern for my recovery and friendship. It will never be forgotten, and very much appreciated. And for the ICU staff that night on June 25, there are not enough words to say thank you. And a special thanks to Fred and Stephanie. And also I thank the good Lord for my second chance in life.
To the KCH board members, you should be proud of your staff. You have a great team and they are not appreciated enough in my book.
Mark Wood
Warsaw
Wagon Wheel Deserving Of Support
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing you again to tell you how much I like the Wagon Wheel Theatre which has been a part of your community for many years. I spend some of the summer in this area and enjoy the Wagon Wheel immensely. I first learned to enjoy live theater during World War II when I was stationed in New York City, and my uncle gave me tickets to the Broadway shows.
Your theater in Warsaw compares very favorably to shows in much larger cities. In fact, they are much better than many staged in my home town of Indianapolis. It makes me rather sad to see that your theater does not have larger crowds. The director is very talented and everyone concerned works extremely hard to make the shows so well performed.
I would urge you to enjoy an evening of live theater in the round and see for yourself how wonderful the experience can be. This applies to all ages. You almost become a part of the action, the performance is so realistic. The Wagon Wheel deserves your support and is a real credit to a town your size. Please don't let it slip away!
Alan Levinson
Indianapolis
More On Softball Controversy
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in response to the letter submitted by Mr. Donald E. Garber on July 15.
The league rules state that if there are not enough team members to fill the roster, minor league players are prohibited from joining the team.
Mr. Garber's point was made, indeed he had no pitcher. If a minor league player had been pulled up then one of his team members who showed up to play would have sat out while a player who was not even at the same level of play was in the game.
I believe Mr. Garber put a value of win or lose on the game. Yes, it is nice to leave the field with a victory, but when you have a true enjoyment of what you are doing the score no longer matters.
If, in fact, Coach Garber's players were yelling "let's play anyway," they were exhibiting a desire to play win or lose. He should have let them play and let the score go.
Mr. Garber, you congratulated Jane Wyatt and Mark Poling for their hollow victory. Did you ever feel "hollow" emotionally when you were going to sit one of your players out to have better odds at winning?
The Warsaw Girl's Softball League and the CCAC provide a place for softball players to enjoy themselves while sharpening their skills. What is to be learned by showing up, working your hardest and then sitting the bench to a minor league girl that your coach believes will help the team more than you? You have also found a "loophole," one to make something out of nothing.
Rules are rules, they can't and should not be changed for extenuating circumstances. But the love for the game can change and it is not fair for you to take that away from someone.
Erin Shalley
Scorpions Team Member
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- Another View Of Girl's Softball Game - KCH Appreciated - Wagon Wheel Deserving Of Support - More On Softball Controversy
Another View Of Girl's Softball Game
Editor, Times-Union:This is in response to Don Garber's letter that was in your column on July 15.
We feel compelled to write this letter not to defend ourselves, but to present the facts. The league Mr. Garber is referring to is the Warsaw Girl's Softball League and yes, his starting pitcher was injured the night of our game.
Our league rule clearly states that before a last-year minor league player can be brought up to play in the next age group, the team making the request has to have nine or less players playing that night. The team requesting minor league players is allowed to bring up enough players to make a roster of 10 players. Mr. Garber already had 10 major-league players, which according to our rules, all 10 players can play in the inning (three outfielders with one rover). So in other words, for Mr. Garber to have his "minor-league" pitcher play, one of his "major-league" players would be required to sit the bench. Please explain to us how this would be fair to have a girl that is a member of his team to have to sit out and watch the game, while someone that is not on his team walk on and be able to play. During the controversy, the president of the league was consulted and agreed the "minor-league" player should not be allowed to pitch. Also, two other board members were consulted and they were in agreement as well.
With reference to your "Slap in the Face No. 1," regarding us taking out our starting pitcher, yes, we did, but if you noticed throughout the season, when the opportunity would allow us to, we always tried to work in other pitchers to pitch. As a coach, you should always be prepared for injuries, vacations, etc., and we're sorry you didn't have the foresight to prepare another pitcher during the season as a backup.
With reference to your "Slap in the Face No. 2," we are not sure what you are referring to. We did not make comments asking you to give up.
With reference to "Slap in the Face No. 3," that was the umpire's call, not ours. You were told the same time we were that the game was over.
You stated in your letter that you just wanted to play and it was just a recreational league. If this is the case, Mr. Garber, then why during the conversation, did you repeatedly tell us to call the game because you guys weren't going to play without a pitcher? Is that really fair to your team? You had two girls that pitched for you and they did a nice job. What a slap in the face to them that you didn't have enough confidence in their ability to let them pitch, but instead, you had to try and bring up a "minor-league" pitcher.
You congratulated us on a hollow victory. Mr. Garber, we felt bad the game was played under those circumstances. We would have preferred your starting pitcher could have played. No one likes to see kids injured.
No, Mr. Garber, we didn't find a loophole to change a game into a practice game. It was a league rule. And yes, Mr. Garber, you have the same rule book as we do. They were handed out at the beginning of the season. You just chose to ignore the rule, and in turn, tried to sacrifice a major league player for your own personal reasons. To your team, they played well, and nothing should be taken away from them.
With the tourney coming up, let us ask you something. We have a couple of key players that are going to be gone, but we will have enough players to roster 10 players. Will you allow us to call up "minor-league" players to fill their positions? I don't think so, and besides, we wouldn't even dream of doing that to our current players. We have faith in our players and we have confidence they will play well regardless of the win-loss outcome.
So we must ask, your point?
Mark and Kay Poling
Warsaw
Jane Wyatt
Winona Lake
KCH Appreciated
Editor, Times-Union:Over the last two years I have been in and out of Kosciusko Community Hospital several times with a heart condition, and while on all of my visits I have received the best of care possible with all the departments at KCH. Everyone is very pleasant and very concerned for my quick recovery.
On June 25, I was admitted again and placed in ICU. A few hours later I went into cardiac arrest. Thanks to the quick reaction and professionalism of the staff, they were able to bring me back to my loved ones! Due to the numerous times I have been in KCH, a lot of the staff have become like family to me, and I wish to thank you for your care and concern for my recovery and friendship. It will never be forgotten, and very much appreciated. And for the ICU staff that night on June 25, there are not enough words to say thank you. And a special thanks to Fred and Stephanie. And also I thank the good Lord for my second chance in life.
To the KCH board members, you should be proud of your staff. You have a great team and they are not appreciated enough in my book.
Mark Wood
Warsaw
Wagon Wheel Deserving Of Support
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing you again to tell you how much I like the Wagon Wheel Theatre which has been a part of your community for many years. I spend some of the summer in this area and enjoy the Wagon Wheel immensely. I first learned to enjoy live theater during World War II when I was stationed in New York City, and my uncle gave me tickets to the Broadway shows.
Your theater in Warsaw compares very favorably to shows in much larger cities. In fact, they are much better than many staged in my home town of Indianapolis. It makes me rather sad to see that your theater does not have larger crowds. The director is very talented and everyone concerned works extremely hard to make the shows so well performed.
I would urge you to enjoy an evening of live theater in the round and see for yourself how wonderful the experience can be. This applies to all ages. You almost become a part of the action, the performance is so realistic. The Wagon Wheel deserves your support and is a real credit to a town your size. Please don't let it slip away!
Alan Levinson
Indianapolis
More On Softball Controversy
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing in response to the letter submitted by Mr. Donald E. Garber on July 15.
The league rules state that if there are not enough team members to fill the roster, minor league players are prohibited from joining the team.
Mr. Garber's point was made, indeed he had no pitcher. If a minor league player had been pulled up then one of his team members who showed up to play would have sat out while a player who was not even at the same level of play was in the game.
I believe Mr. Garber put a value of win or lose on the game. Yes, it is nice to leave the field with a victory, but when you have a true enjoyment of what you are doing the score no longer matters.
If, in fact, Coach Garber's players were yelling "let's play anyway," they were exhibiting a desire to play win or lose. He should have let them play and let the score go.
Mr. Garber, you congratulated Jane Wyatt and Mark Poling for their hollow victory. Did you ever feel "hollow" emotionally when you were going to sit one of your players out to have better odds at winning?
The Warsaw Girl's Softball League and the CCAC provide a place for softball players to enjoy themselves while sharpening their skills. What is to be learned by showing up, working your hardest and then sitting the bench to a minor league girl that your coach believes will help the team more than you? You have also found a "loophole," one to make something out of nothing.
Rules are rules, they can't and should not be changed for extenuating circumstances. But the love for the game can change and it is not fair for you to take that away from someone.
Erin Shalley
Scorpions Team Member
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