Level of instruction at FCA Softball Sports Camp in SoCal

[ssarge]

This is a bigoted statement by Sam and for you sarge to say its not becuz you know Sam is just as ridiculous of a statement.

I didn't use the word "bigotry," which is pretty inflamatory.

Here is what I said:

I said: I'm a Christian - most important thing in my life. And I don't find Sam's comments prejudiced or insulting.

I just read Sam's comments again. I still don't find them prejudiced or insulting.

So, in this case, I'm IN the targeted group. And am not offended. Perhaps you feel I should be? You won't convince me of that. For all kinds of reasons. Starting with a desire to model behavior I believe to be appropriate for the group of which I am a part. An endeavor in which I regularly fail, but nontheless receive encouragement from the Group Leader for continued effort.

Sam Say's "but pretty good for a christian clinic."
Change the word Christian with "Jewish"
" Mexican"
" Black "
" White "
" ect.."

Those comments wouldn't offend me either. The difference is that I am a PART of the first group, and still not offended. I am also a member of one of the racial groups you mentioned, and may be a part of the ect. [sic] group (not sure). Still not offended.

Sam, you flat out said its good for a christian clinic ,Which means you are either surprised that christians can coach softball or you hate christians [sic] for what they believe.

Another possibility - which Sam presents - is that Christians represent a subset of the total universe of softball coaches and instructors, and a subset will never be as strong as the total pool.

Sam said: The point was merely factual...if you are going to have solely Fellowship of Christian Athlete instructors, you are cutting out a lot of high quality instructors. Its a filter. Nothing more, nothing less.

And I am certain Sam does not hate Christians, because I know he doesn't hate me. I have no idea whether he shares my beliefs, as we have never spoken about it. But I know he RESPECTS my beliefs, because I know he respects me. And I actually think he respects me as a softball coach (though perhaps I give myself too much credit there - LOL).


I would SO urge you not to be offended by a comment such as this.

I would also urge people who are interested in attending a clinic to go to THIS clinic, for the reasons I detailed in my post above. I reiterate that spirituality is a wonderful component in anyone's life. FCA is a a great organization. And I trust Sam in his opinion that the quality of the clinic will be pretty high.

Best regards,

Scott

[jofus]

Sam Say's "but pretty good for a christian clinic."
Change the word Christian with "Jewish"
" Mexican"
" Black "
" White "
" ect.."
This is a bigoted statement by Sam and for you sarge to say its not becuz you know Sam is just as ridiculous of a statement.
Sam, you flat out said its good for a christian clinic ,Which means you are either surprised that christians can coach softball or you hate christians for what they believe.
Sam,you are a bigoted little man.

Sigh...some people just look for something to argue about, obviously.

I didn't have any problems with Sam's first post (and, like Ssarge, I also belong in that group, and proudly), and his response/explanation made perfect sense and should have cleared it up for anyone who may have mistaken his first statement, IMHO.

[traveldude]

Everyone has knee-jerk reactions when religion or race is mentioned. Sam was making a point which I agreed with. He was also commenting himself to a question, that to me raised eyebrows. The person asked what level of instruction would be provided at the FCA camp? Well FCA peeps, why would the level of instruction at your camp be any different than your average instructional camp? I have been in softball for many years and my DD is wrapping up her College playing years, we are a Christian family that live in SoCal. We chose to stay in high level, "NON LABELED" camps and instruction. Whenever an organization decides to label themselves base meerly on race or religion it's wrong. Would there be a?
Latin clinic for base running.
The Muslim 3 day conditioning camp
The Caucasion fastpitch league
Just making up examples... Someone posted sam as a biggot? Yet Sam doesn't have a team, clinic or organization which is custom tailored, labeled, or only allows the exact shape, size, color and religion to play or attend his events. Does the FCA allow "anyone" to attend their clinic? Probably yes because there is a fee involved. Does FCA allow "anyone" to become part of their organization...such as a coach or player? We have been a Christian family for generations. But this coming up in Kids sports baffles me.
My DD is in her 3rd year of playing ball at a SoCal University. I have attended every game but 2 in 3 years. I have never and I mean never heard the announcer say..." now starteing at 1st base African American, Jane Do. Now pitching....Jewish faith Sue Smith.
I think you get my point. Keep in mind this is my opinion only. We never attended any segregated aspect of softball. Race, religion, geography should not matter in sports. It wasn't the kind of example we wanted for our DD. So to wrap up this entended post If you want to create your on association,league,team or clinics based on race or religion at least consider what it looks like to other people or players that don't fit into you're group.
Traveldude (SoCal) 15 years

[SnocatzDad]

Sam Say's "but pretty good for a christian clinic."
Change the word Christian with "Jewish"
" Mexican"
" Black "
" White "
" ect.."
This is a bigoted statement by Sam and for you sarge to say its not becuz you know Sam is just as ridiculous of a statement.
Sam, you flat out said its good for a christian clinic ,Which means you are either surprised that christians can coach softball or you hate christians for what they believe.
Sam,you are a bigoted little man.

There is a difference between someone being Mexican, White, Black, Asian and someone being Christian, Jewish, Muslim. You don't choose to be Mexican, White etc, you are. You choose to be Chistian, jewish etc.. If I were a muslim and was looking at camps for my kid I would absolutely want to know if the camp was a "Christian" camp and if I found out that meant christian prayers before and after practices, and ham sandwiches provided at lunch time that's pertinent information. It might be that the camp is held by a Christian group but doesn't require or endorse christianity over other religions at the camp, but it's still info to know.

[traveldude]

Great point snocatz

[NORCALGOLD]

Snocatz say's (If I were a muslim and was looking at camps for my kid ).
Well Snocatz in Sam's world your muslim kid would "make bombs" that is another bigoted statement by Sam,
It's a shame that two of the best coaches I know are christians and in Sam's and Sarges world they could not have a quality camp becuz they don't have a atheist on thier coaching staff.
There are 1000's of examples where having a comon mindset can lead to much success in sports,school,camps and business like Norte Dame,Stanford (high IQ's only) ect.

[Sam]

Snocatz say's (If I were a muslim and was looking at camps for my kid ).
Well Snocatz in Sam's world your muslim kid would "make bombs" that is another bigoted statement by Sam,
It's a shame that two of the best coaches I know are christians and in Sam's and Sarges world they could not have a quality camp becuz they don't have a atheist on thier coaching staff.
There are 1000's of examples where having a comon mindset can lead to much success in sports,school,camps and business like Norte Dame,Stanford (high IQ's only) ect.

Thanks for binging up two crappy football programs.

Most christians actually recognize sarcasm when they see it.

The only bigot here, apparently, is you NCG. You are bigoted against anyone who has a brain and can rationally think for themselves.

I know a lot of great coaches who are christians....none of them are at this FCA clinic. You see...being a christian is one filter.....being a christian in FCA is another filter.....being a christian in the FCA and teaching at this clinic is yet another filter. My answer to this person may have been different if the instructor at the clinic was Mike Candrea or Ralph Weekly or Phil Bruder or Gary Haning. At this particular clinic they are advertising a NAIA assistant coach from a midlevel team who played DII and NAIA ball. I stand by my answer, you bigot.

[NORCALGOLD]

SAM you said ( "Do you think you would get any quality of instruction from a muslim clinic? They would try to teach your kid to make bombs")
This is a bigoted statement also.Aren't you inferring that all muslims are bombers.

[Whizzer86]

This is possibly the most rediculous route a thread on the bucket has taken. I am a Christian and a member of FCA when I was playing and found nothing wrong with the comment. The underlying motivation for an FCA camp is to spread God's word and enforce that Jesus is our savior. They are most likely providing quality instruction but not the best possible available, I didn't see the staff. However all Sam said was that for a camp that did not have softball as their first priority, it would be fine. I heard nothing more and nothing less, either way would it hurt to take your daughter to a camp where the most information she came out with was about salvation (if that is your chosen path) and might pick up a little softball on the way?

It's getting to the point in this country to where you can't answer a question without backlash from special interest groups. God help us.

[Sam]

SAM you said ( "Do you think you would get any quality of instruction from a muslim clinic? They would try to teach your kid to make bombs")
This is a bigoted statement also.Aren't you inferring that all muslims are bombers.

No, if you read what I said, I think its pretty clear that I was only referring to the muslims providing instruction at the clinic.