MB

Fair enough, but I thought I was pretty clear with the "...not that it doesn't happen elsewhere, but in 10 years that's the first time..." comment. It was the first time I've heard it, but I didn't say it was the first time anyone said it. I'm sure some of you have pretty much seen it all, only to get something new at the next tournament. And no, I'm not calling you know-it-alls. I live in Beaumont, by the way, so I'm not a city slicker pointing a finger. I'll try to figure out that bold function next time to help with the emphasis on my post. I guess this proves my wife is correct in that I'm the one with the communication problem! You already said you were called and told so you still havent heard what was said you have made a page and 1/2 of post on something you did not witness for your self. Slam explained the situation well- with facts, not innuendo and denial. Good luck to all.

Fair enough, but I thought I was pretty clear with the "...not that it doesn't happen elsewhere, but in 10 years that's the first time..." comment. It was the first time I've heard it, but I didn't say it was the first time anyone said it. I'm sure some of you have pretty much seen it all, only to get something new at the next tournament. And no, I'm not calling you know-it-alls. I live in Beaumont, by the way, so I'm not a city slicker pointing a finger. I'll try to figure out that bold function next time to help with the emphasis on my post. I guess this proves my wife is correct in that I'm the one with the communication problem!

Slam, I've only been around the game for the last eight years. Lots more experience on this board than what I have, but having called and coached quite a few games in that time I completely agree with your statement. Best wishes.

Sorry to hear you were so offended MB. However, with my last 6 tournaments being played in Houston I can assure you that even though some of the comments you just sited were wrong they are not specifis to SET. I myself heard some of those same comments in Cypress, Sugarland and elsewhere. In 8 years I've heard just about everything in all areas of Texas and Louisiana including someone like yourself speaking so condecending about one area. I guess the real question is " How did your team do this weekend". Maybe that's the root of your bitterness. I beleive Crush Collins 12 u beat them then Crush Thompson 14 sent them home. P88- I understand your insinuation, but my daughter was picking up so I have no allegiance. Also, my wife called me when one of the comments was made. I have no reason to believe she made it up. Not sure where you read anything that was offending or bitter. No offense intended, but it apparently was between the lines of what I wrote. I've been friends with several of the Crush coaches for years now (on Thompson, Cole and possibly Collins- not sure who all helps with them these days), and I used to coach one of the 12's and was very glad to see her playing so well. I hadn't seen her in over a year and was glad to catch up. Sorry to disappoint but I have no ax to grind against any of those coaches or teams. I guess my disclaimer didn't work as intended. As I said, hopefully it was just a few overzealous fans out there on a hot day. One frustrated parent can open his or her mouth and give everyone a bad name, whether fair or not, or even typical. If our kid is involved, none of us are immune from being that parent on any given occasion. First time out at the Crush complex, by the way. Great facility for the area that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to use. Hopefully Beaumont can have the same in the future.

I was not around on Sunday, but my wife heard several distasteful comments in the 14U's. Apparently one parent yelled for his/her daughter to knock a girl over and break her leg if she blocked the plate again. A parent on Saturday screamed at his daughter to run over a defender on the basepaths and that it would be her own fault if she was hurt. Several coaches went at it, telling each other to shut up and sit down, coach your own players, etc. My girls play mostly in the Houston area, and as a a matter of fact this was the first tournament we attended in SET in several years. We see coaches snipe at umpires and parents get huffy with their own coaches, but we don't normally hear things like direct threats of bodily harm... not that it doesn't happen elsewhere, but in 10 years that's the first time I've heard a parent tell a player to break an opponent's leg. Hopefully that was just a little frustration mixed with the first hot softball weekend, and not the typical game comments from those parents. Still doesn't make it right, but at least it's an excuse. If it was normal, I expect you guys will continue having eight team brackets half full of your own teams. Disclaimer: That's not a knock on the girls (some great ballplayers out there this weekend), the tournament hosts or the majority of parents that cheered the right way. Congrat's to the winners and best of luck the rest of the summer.