Who has class?

[jefe]

I dont care how you spin it Tennessee Mizuno KDelswick these are 11-12yo impressionable girls. Tell us how this builds positive character traits for the future? To me the coach breaking the trophy during the post game speech says if you dont win first place second isnt worth sh!t. This coach is the RickyBobby of softball. And look at Ricky Bobby's kids.

I thought softball was about positive character building traits making better adults from our youth. Tennessee Mizuno fastpitch coaches and parents you fail in my book.

JMO

[Waist-Chains]

Rick Hopkins is a great coach and puts a lot of heart into the game and coaching, and if u had to "deal" with him in the past then i don't know what to say other than he is a great coach and carries a lot of good advice to players about their future.

[ontheblack]

While I dont think there is really a good excuse to have to bust a trophy to make a point or motivate a team, I am curious as to the point of this event.

kdelswick, since you believe that these comments have no merit since we have no idea why this went down, can you throw me a bone and enlighten me a bit?

Was it because 2nd place didnt matter - only 1st, or 'this tourney is over and all that is important is Nationals', or something else? If the team does anything less than win Nationals, will the season be a failure?

When you don't win, is the temptation to destroy the other team's trophy?

[Daffy Duck]

If that team wins Nationals in Tennessee in two to three weeks...then the critics will shut up.

Everyone else who comes up short will start a new motivational trend.

[artomatic]

I am always amazed at the turns threads will take on Heybucket, and what topics strike a nerve in posters.

This thread turned from who has class to who doesn't.
Obviously, the Tennesse trophy thrasher has brought out opinions for both sides.
I believe the team is 12u, so that somewhat explains the uh...passion displayed by the team's followers.
They want to win and make a name for themselves.
If this coach's methods make them feel like their chances of winning are improved, then they are happy and don't feel like it will have an adverse effect on their 12 yr old daughters.
The pro bashers are very passionate, defend the coach, and feel like it's their own business and not anyone else's.
Other posters that aren't part of the team don't think it's that big a deal and are ok with it.

The anti trophy bashers feel that the coach isn't the best role model for 12 yr old girls.
I think as our daughters move into the older age divisions, the more someone wouldn't want their kid around this environment.
That is my stance.
No I don't think these girls are going to go straight into a life of crime, just because this coach broke their trophy.
But I do feel that this environment might contribute to these girls' thinking its normal to be in an abusive relationship later on in life when they are adults.
Yes, that is the extreme end, but I wouldn't want my daughter to accept this as normal behavior by an adult male.
As always, JMHO.

[rbi]

IMO

That coach is a complete and utter ASSHAT who has absolutely no business coaching children. You're on his team and want to defend him? Rationalize away. I'm certain you would feel the same way if one of your kid's teachers acted like that. Oh wait. Thats different. Education is far LESS important than a bunch of 12 year olds playing a game. Yeah, like that behavior would fly if a teacher pulled that emotionally unstable act and defended his assinine behavior by saying he was trying to motivate his students. That would be the end of that teacher's career unless he left the area and found a job where they didn't know he had EVER pulled that kind of stunt.

I will never ceased to be amazed at what parents condone in the context of sports but in absolutely no other context. But then again, there is no shortage of pitiful souls who long to be on reality TV.

Disgusted Squirrel

Obviously you have never played any organized sport of any kind. If you think for one minute that coaches are all smiles and kisses you would be crazy.Watch a college football game on tv and let them show clipboards,hats etc. being thrown or broken. Don't comment on things you know nothing about.

Please do NOT compare 19-22 yr old adult college scholarship athlete to 11-12 yr old little girls. Sure if a 21 yr old adult who plays for the U of Tennessee misses a block might deserve a clip board to the helmet when he comes to the sideline, but do not think for a second that a 11yr old kid is motivated by coachs smashing trophys. News flash, 11yr olds do NOT play better in fear, now a 21 yr old in fear of losing a $40,000 year scholarship, sure S**T he plays better knowing he might be going home if he doesnt get it together, little bit of difference.

[Battle]

Battle - If you read my post, you will see that you have taken things out of context. I am not looking for a fight. Peace. Catwoman

I didn't say you were looking for a fight, Catwoman. But your screen name is too sexy not to respond. AAAALLLLLLLRRRRRRR. LOL

[Skarp]

Perhaps we should create a list of "Heybucket approved" coaching tactics, and condemn any coach who doesn't conform to its prescriptions. We'll give every member veto power over every item on the list, so that nobody here is uncomfortable with any approved strategem. Coaching by least-common-denominator, if you will...

Or perhaps we could enlist Dr. Phil or some such, to tell us exactly what does or does not motivate every 11-year-old girl on the planet. In either case I'm sure we'll get a more accurate read on what's best than the actual parents of the kids involved.

[Battle]

But I do feel that this environment might contribute to these girls' thinking its normal to be in an abusive relationship later on in life when they are adults.

Arto, I have alot of respect for you. I really do. But C'mon!

[Gone in 2.6]

Phtt! Old news...The original " Bad news Bears " did the same thing in the 70's

"Hey Yankees! You can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your a$$!!!!"