Unbelievable - Have You Seen This Before?

[Bill_B]

Our team had fifteen rostered players for Nationals in Midland with one pickup to make sixteen total. One of the rostered players was a pitcher. This pitcher came to us about 3/4 through the season and the players and parents developed a strong bond and welcomed the pitcher heartily.

When we arrived at Midland this pitcher was nowhere to be found. Her parents did not call and did not respond to calls. We were all concerned that she may be out in the desert somewhere in trouble and not able to get help. Our players were upset and a lot of effort was expended trying to discover whether this pitcher was okay.

We contacted someone who is a friend of the parents of the pitcher and found that they were not hurt. Furthermore, they did not even attempt to make the trip to Midland. There was no call to let us know. They simply did not show.

Has this ever happened to anyone else when the stakes were so high?

[DonnieS]

>> Has this ever happened to anyone else when the stakes were so high? <<

We had it happen once and what we think happened is that the family could not afford to go but was too embarrassed to tell us. This family had also never traveled out of our state and we wondered if that was a factor. Do this long enough and it gets to where nothing surprises you anymore, but holy gee, ASA nationals, I feel my bp rising just thinking about that.

[Fasterpitch]

It had to be a money issue. It was probably best for that family in the long run. Nationals can drain money like crazy. Food bill alone was out of this world.

Bet it was tough on your team. How did they do without her.

[Sftbll4ever]

Bet it was tough on your team. How did they do without her.

They won National's!!! HAHAHAHA

[sportzjunky]

>>>It had to be a money issue.<<<

Joining a team 3/4 of the way usually doesnt count much in fundraising money to offset expenses, assuming thats how the bulk of money was being derived. Plus its a PI parents not returning calls. Embarrassed or upset about the role they figured thier daughter may play in Nats for the $ they dish out?

We had a girl last year who couldnt go because her parents werent getting along. Ugly divorce about a year prior and the dad found a young blond hottie almost 20 years younger then the mom in the interim. The first time the dad showed up with the new girlfriend I thought it was a older cousin or something. The other moms on the team had a field day, including my wife with romper room jokes, etc... Anyways, the dad screamed poverty about Nats and wanted the mom to take some of the child support and help pay the balance after fundraising money was dispersed. The mom, pissed about blondie, told him to stick it since he had just bought a new SUV for the blondie. The dad said, fine, the kid wont go then. The kid was crushed... We found another player to go(worked out) and that very talented young player is still sitting because of her parents. She hasnt recovered and didnt even play wreckball in fall or this past spring. I sure hope that kid ends up playing ball again, even if its HS ball in spring. GREAT kid. I hated that dad in the end because his daughter had worked for months with us, the girls loved herand she our starting 3B and 1.5 weeks before we left he said he was pulling his DD because of finances. The icing on the cake was this dad also wanted his daughters portion of the fundraising money(in cash) because we took the plane ticket the team bought (thru fundraising) and GAVE it(transfered name) to the player willing to travel with us.

Point is, I am almost sure that kid wanted to be there. Parents jack everything up.

[Judd]

money is a very touchy subject and people dont like to discuss it. Right its tough for alot of people and there is nothing to be ashamed of. I think if parents were upfront and honest, a solution could be found. Surely someone would have let this kid stay with them and looked out for them? Then parents would have only had to pay for ticket and food.

[skateORdie]

Sorry to hear about that.
If your looking for another pitcher, I know a "few" good ones. One of them did pretty well at nationals. I think her name is Nancy. SHe great! Its her parents that could give you some grief..... lol lol
congrats to LL black
rick

[Bill_B]

Sorry to hear about that.
If your looking for another pitcher, I know a "few" good ones. One of them did pretty well at nationals. I think her name is Nancy. SHe great! Its her parents that could give you some grief..... lol lol
congrats to LL black
rick

Yuk yuk We did come out okay after all. One of these times Nancy is going to be healthy. Last year she had a problem with her hip at nationals. This year she had a 102 fever, cough, sniffles, etc... Those LL Black players are something else! Thanks for the congrats. It is ironic that our late-add pitcher could have participated in a truly memorable event and passed it up for some unknown reason.

[Tucson]

If I found out (on short notice) that we weren't going to be able to go to nationals, I would call and lie. But, I wouldn't just "not show up."

[coolstuff]

Some people are just too proud to ask for financial help, let alone admit their financial problems. That's not a criticism, BTW, it's just how some people feel.

I wonder if the pitcher in question and her family had some other issue about the team? I assume they left a team to join this team? If everything was rosy and cozy, why refuse to return calls? Why not call and make up some lie to save face (as was mentioned)?

There is something missing from this story.