Last Chance Tournament Response

[falcons]

The thread on this past weekend's last chance tournament disappeared before I had a chance to respond, but I did want to respond. I won't hide behind some lame screen name - this is Tom Peronto, the "chokee" in the unfortunate incident that took place. Let me preface this by saying Mike and I have spoken since and worked out a lot of things, so this is not intended to impune Mike. We are both very sorry it happened and neither of us is proud to have been involved. Let me also say that I don't claim to be an angel-I've done plenty of things on the field I'm not particularly proud of. I've also done a lot of things in and for the game I am proud of. Over the years, I've volunteered countless hours not just to my players and teams, but to working exposure camps for many of Gary's tournaments and exposure camps for Surf City tournaments, helping kids from all over the country. Mike has also volunteered many hours helping kids from all over at all levels. To SoCalDreamer, who started the thread on the incident, unless you were one of the 6 or 7 people within 8 to 10 feet of the incident, you have no right to pass judgement. You bring the Cruisers name into it-neither Mel nor the any of the Cruisers players or parents deserve to be dragged into this. Neither do any of the Renegades kids. You didn't hear anything more than second hand hearsay and you make a bold statement that both coaches should have been more than warned. You're half right. You along with the TD deemed both parties were fighting-that's like saying a bank teller is guilty of bank robbery because he/she handed the money to the robber. Standing there getting choked hardly represents fighting. An unbiased coach not attached to either the Cruisers or the Renegades was within 6 or 8 feet of the incident and heard every word and saw the whole thing unfold and immediately offered name and phone number and willingness to testify on my behalf as to what happened. What happened between us was a black eye on softball, but the lack of effort and action by the TD was worse. Didn't really want to spend time getting the whole story-there was a fight, both parties are guilty, I can go back to my lawn chair. Then follow it up with an e-mail the next day to the Cruisers, laced with legal jargon (obviously consulted a lawyer), citing ASA rules about fighting. First of all PGF plays under NFHS rules, not ASA. Secondly, he could find the rule about fighting but not the section about leaving the coach's box, entering an opposing teams dugout or physically attacking an opposing coach. Their final report indicated the action did not even warrant ejection from the game. NFHS rules specify a suspension from coaching for such actions (not saying I want Mike suwspended-it's over, he needs to coach his team-simply pointing out lack of technicality by the TD). Justified the warning to me citing I've been thrown out of a game in the past. Yes, for arguing with umpires, not physically attacking another coach or player or umpire. The TD blackened softball's other eye and bloodied the nose. It was a blatant display of what the game has become about - money! Mel and the Cruisers don't deserve any repercussions connected to this - I resigned from coaching the Cruisers after reading the junk posted Monday by people who weren't even there and after considering the treatment I received from the TD. Mike and I are both sorry it happened and we've come to terms. Now please get back to what the game is supposed to be about and let it die.

[Little Bird]

How did you let another man put his hands around your neck? Did he catch you off-guard?

[NumeroUno]

Falcons I have two problems with your post, if you and Fox worked things out you should of left it alone. You work things out with him and come back on here and throw him back under the bus. Second the TD should not be there to baby sit you two and for you to bash him here is unacceptable. He has done more for softball then most people could do in 10 life times. You have his number man up and call him

[heretostay]

To Thomas "the weasel" Peronto what kind of man are you? How in the world do you let Fox put the squeeze on you?

You talk to Fox and basically shake hands admitting you are both morons then you come to heybucket and still talk smack. I know it is hard to tell you this but don't be such a wimp, if you have a problem with the TD call him he deserves that much. Don't come on here and bash a guy that has done so much for the sport. Softball did not get a black eye and a bloody nose like you said, softball is now a better place that Tom "the wimp" Peronto has stepped down. There is no crying in softball Tommy Boy. Yesterday everyone thought Fox was the idiot now after your post people probably understand why he went Rambo on your punk ass.

BTW quitting is NEVER the answer put some lotion on the red marks on your neck, dust yourself off and get back to the girls.

[zephyrcoach]

http://www.championsofcharacter.org/d/N ... oaches.pdf

[Dugout Dad]

The thread on .......blah blah blah.......poor me........blah blah blah............ let it die.

This is how that reads.

[ontheblack]

Peronto gets mugged and its his fault? The TD issued a warning (actually a threat of being banned for all future tournaments) to a coach for defending himself while Fox should have been ejected from the game and the tournament.

I dont give a shit what the TD has done for softball in the past or what he does going forward, that was the wrong move and it excused the worst on field behavior of a coach in SoCal in a long time.

Fox is lucky that it was Peronto. Others would have taken Fox out, and some would have pressed charges for assault. Tom doesn't and you asswipes ridicule him because he attempts to set the record straight? Give me a break. His only mistake was trying to do that on HB where a smartass comment is a badge of honor.

The black eye is on SCF for allowing Fox back on the field for his next game and the Renegades for not issuing a public apology for the inexcusable behavior of their 18G coach. If you guys dont understand that, then maybe its time for you to step away from the game for awhile as well.

[Gilly]

I saw the whole thing happen from the outside of the dugout. Fox's reaction to what was said was not proportionate. I feel bad for the poor girl in the dugout who was a couple of feet away from the whole incident. Later, I noticed her crying. The TD should have warned Fox, not Peronto. All Peronto was doing was defending himself and his team.

Peronto should press charges. It is unacceptable behavior that should have been dealt with better.

[watchtonsofsoftball]

Im with ontheblack. Dude comes in to say his side of what happened, didnt press charges, I think he is atleast afforded the right to say his peace. Its hard when you see people getting the story wrong ( and it goes wrong real fast) and posting on heybucket. I dont think Peronto comes off as a wimp, he just showed some restraint. I couldnt do that if someone put his hands on me. Maybe he couldnt defend himself properly and thats why he didnt react but STILL, you guys want him and Fox to throw down, REALLY? Not saying the TD is wrong completely here as he has a lot on his plate, but maybe he should have got the full story and probably left out the threat of banning him from all tournaments in the future. I mean dude just got an indian burn on his neck. And Fox probably should have sat out the rest of the tourney with a threat of being banned with any future violence on the field. Talking smack is one thing, putting your hands on someone on the softball field is ridiculous at best.

[NumeroUno]

The two coaches talked and put it behind them, why bring it up again. That is all I am saying.