GDad wrote:Jitterbug wrote:Did I just read that a parent said they had no problem and still do not have a problem with their 16/17 year at the time and now a senior in college discussing personal situations with a softball coach. I know many parents require their children's teachers to be their parent and raise them but now they are allowing thier children to go to a softball coach to be a parent. Maybe I am getting to old but parenting is parenting not being your child's best friend. Using the excuse that kids do not talk with their parents is a lame excuse and requires some further discussion as to why parents do not really want to take the responsibility of being parents and permit outside people to raise their kids. Especially a 37 year old man who has no girlfriend.
The TNL organization is like an extended family. And the coach is very close to many of the players - especially the older players who played all the way from 12U or 14U through 18 Gold and are now playing in college. The coach is friends with many of their college coaches, accompanied some of the players on recruiting trips, etc.
I am not saying this is the best scenario for other players or parents, but for our extended TNL family, it has been a environment that we have accepted, enjoyed and promoted.
And, yes, parenting is parenting. But, you have to agree that girls in the 15-18 year range go through a lot of difficult phases with playing, school, friends, family, etc. I bet there are plenty of things your daughter has not discussed with you, but has discussed with a close friend.
Our coach is a close friend to many of the players and parents. Simple as that. If he had been pulling shit with the players that was out of bounds and inappropriate, we would have eventually found out about it.
Again, I sat through every day of his trial. The victim was caught in numerous lies during her testimony, the Police Detective did a sloppy and cursory investigation and the DA's office should have never brought the case to trial. Doesn't the fact that the Deputy DA came to the defense after the FIRST witness - the Police Detective - and offered a plea bargain knocking the two felony counts down to a misdemeanor - indicate how weak the evidence in their case was?
All I can say is, good thing that none of you were called to the stand and questioned about the S.O.P. of the coach and organization. You aren't painting a very pretty picture.
And without passing any judgment on Facione, isn't what you describe precisely how child predators always operate? They go out of their way to help the kids and their families, in order to place themselves above any suspicion. And how many families have thought the same thing--that if anything was going on they would have learned about it? There's a reason these guys don't get caught. Think of priests who abused hundreds without anyone ever suspecting.
Whether or not Facione is innocent, you guys are absolute fools for placing that kind of trust in him...and even worse fools for betting your kids on it.
