Southeast Regional

Definitely. Players feed off the coach, whether it be good or bad.

I still say getting beaned in the back with a baseball is about the most unique situation I have ever heard of. And I growed up in a day when beanballs was common.

 

Let me ask one other question, to those who want to blame Cherryville for fighting,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, WHAT IF the Cherryville player who was hit in the back with a baseball, DID NOT GET UP? Seriously, the potential for a serious injury given what happened is out the roof. The fact that he and his teammates were able to fight back, is why they are being criticized?

In my opinion (no matter what provoked it), but what this Georgia catcher did by striking someone at point blank range IN THE BACK with a baseball was about as bad as it gets.

 

I'm not criticizing and I'm unbiased about the teams involved. But I'll tell you exactly what I would do if my teammate got intentionally hit in the back--point blank---with a ball. I'd go after the guy...talking about disrespecting the game; I can't think of many things worse than that.

I understand the point made about the memories and "what if's?" However, if the teammates stood back and did nothing to support their teammate, I can assure you that bad blood and poor chemistry would follow them the rest of their lives. Baseball is a game...but living in a community together is life. I'd rather go through life knowing who my friends are and who I can count on. Believe me, that will be remembered a lot longer than a baseball series.

I don't know if anyone else feels that way, but that's the way I feel. These guys were born in the same community in the same year. They were raised together and are best of friends. If you don't stand up for your friends..well a small community can be unforgiving.

This reminds me of the teachers telling your kids that if you get "slugged" by another student, turn your back and walk away and go tell another teacher.....sounds good and very mature, but I feel for the kid that does that. A competitor, an athlete is just not made with that DNA

 

I agree 100%. If you have to go against everything you believe in to get something, then you don't need it. There would be guilt & what ifs, but at the end of the day to know who has your back means more.

 

Completely agree.

And btw Respectthegame, when you said you are a head coach, if youre who I think you might be, your doing a great job.

 

No smoke & mirrors, I'm the Kernersville guy. Hopefully, that is who you thought & thanks!

 

What Ifs ?

Was the guy hit with the ball injured when the ball was thrown at him?Don't guys try to take SS/2nd out all the time at second base. Hitters are hit with pitches. Does this warrant bench clearing fights. Sounds to me alot of you are trying to justify a wrong with your TEAM talk. Both teams received what they deserved for unjustified behavior.

 

I get the whole take up for your team thing...Team A throws a ball at Team B and Team B comes out to take up for him...I get all that. My question is did the catcher from Team A just randomly decide to throw the ball at him or do any of you think there was provocation? I've been in games where the runner comes in and says something and catcher looks at him and I have to step in and issue warnings and tell both of them to knock it off. I read a lot about taking up for each other and it's great to know that your teammate has your back etc etc etc. I haven't seen much about going out and playing the game properly without all the extracurricular bench jockeying and popping off that goes on. Both teams are at fault but when that behavior is allowed in essence you are promoting it as coaches, commissioners, etc. I have to get this in there for those of you who think I lump everyone into the anti-Legion group. Not the case, I've seen coaches handle situation at every level...it is possible. The argument can be made that I just come on here and pick on Legion....I don't do it intentionally. I can make the argument that some come here and defend the indefensible simply because it's Legion. Whatever position you take, are any of those positions getting us closer to improving and repairing some of the things that go on? My biases I have aren't random. They're based on things I've seen and experienced. I don't assume it's all the same product but I've seen enough of it to know what's going on. I know the argument can made that it's not everyone but a few select teams...if that's the case what does anyone propose be done about it?

 

I don't believe anyone thinks the teams didn't get what they deserved. They got exactly what they deserved. What's being discussed is the validation of the bench clearing. The point about taking out a position player at a base or a hitter getting beaned by a pitcher is part of the game-- those things happen......what is not part of the game is to throw a ball at a runner returning to the dugout. If that doesn't get you out of the dugout to support your teammate, I suppose nothing will. There are many ways to pay back trashtalking or showboating during a game, but this way is not one of them.

I know this, if it was me that got intentionally hit in my back with a thrown ball, my on deck hitter got hit by a thrown catcher's glove, then proceeded to get punched in the mouth, and the opposing players come off the field towards you with bad intentions; and I look over at my dugout and a teammate is sitting on his hands with no real reaction...well, we're going to talk.

Quite frankly, I'm surprised any competitive athlete would not feel this way.

 

Yep, again you do a great job.