Crossing The Line

To the Editor:

In his Bits & Pieces column of last week’s Newtown Bee Kim Harmon wrote about the dedication of those who give their time and effort to coach our children in the Newtown sports programs and how, unfortunately, they are occasionally exposed to verbal abuse from players and parents. Debbie and I have been extremely fortunate to have had outstanding people coach our sons in baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, and soccer over the years and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all.

I respect the commitment of those who help us nurture our children but I would like to pose this question: Is there ever a point at which a coach can make decisions that are so negligent that they defeat the purpose of serving the good of the athletes? I am referring to this year’s selection process for the Newtown High School baseball teams. This letter seeks to expose an injustice that stripped at least seven deserving upperclassmen of their opportunity to play varsity baseball for Newtown High School this year.

On February 4 a letter was sent to the parents of prospective Newtown High School baseball players from Carl Strait, this year’s new varsity baseball coach for Newtown High School. In this letter Mr Strait introduced himself and outlined his objectives for this year’s program. In addition to meeting grade requirements the letter stated:

“Your sons will be evaluated on the following criteria (in this order):

1) Enthusiasm: Is the athlete enthusiastic towards being a student of the game (coachable) and being part of a team?

2) Sportsmanship: Does the athlete respect the game, teammates, and coaches?

3) Fitness: Is the athlete in playing shape? Has the athlete been working during the off-season on his conditioning?

4) Knowledge: What does the athlete know about his position? What does the athlete know about the game? Is the athlete willing to learn?

5) Skills: Does the athlete have the skills to play baseball at the high school level? Has the athlete been working on his skills during the off-season?”

Mr Strait was the JV coach last year and he knows these athletes, their talents, and their commitment to the baseball program. I had the opportunity to attend nearly every JV game last year and enjoyed watching these boys play. Every one of these athletes who I am referring to that were cut this year started either on the JV or varsity team last year. They are talented upperclassmen and good kids who deserve to be on this year’s varsity team.

The focus of the Newtown High School baseball program seems to have shifted dramatically in a direction that is puzzling to say the least. High school sports should be competitive and also enjoyable for the participants. Many of the deserving upperclassmen have not been included and many underclassmen are occupying those slots. In addition the varsity roster has been reduced from 16 to 12 players. Is this a rebuilding program? If it is then it is wrong! There is a natural process whereby underclassmen play freshman and JV sports and eventually mature into varsity positions. “Rebuilding” means the eliminating of older, more highly skilled ballplayers in order to force feed younger, less-experienced players to expedite their eventual opportunity to occupy these positions. This is an accepted and reasonable practice for professional sports teams and corporations that are unloading expensive players or middle management. Hopefully a talented 45-year-old corporate cast-off will find another position, but a talented high school junior or senior is only a junior or senior once. Can we justify eliminating their experience to enhance the experience of a younger freshman or sophomore just entering the system? Unless there is a uniquely talented case these underclassmen should have the opportunity to compete on the varsity level when they become juniors and seniors.

The older athlete deserves the opportunity to play on the varsity level if he exhibits the attitude, enthusiasm, and talent equal to or superior to that of a younger player. Seniority should be a significant factor if high school sports are to remain on a moral high ground.

This letter is not intended to try to reverse any decisions. They have been made and the team is set. Unfortunately the talent level will not be what it could have been and that is unfair to both those that were cut and those that made the team. I am writing this letter because it is my only recourse as a parent to create a public awareness of this unfortunate situation in the hope that it does not occur again in the future.

Tim Reilly

94 Mountain View Drive, Newtown                             April 8, 2003