Editor:
For many parents and children, spring means time for baseball. Since 2006, one or both of my sons has played on a team for the SW Colorado Youth Baseball Little League. Throughout these years, we have had some mediocre coaches but many dedicated, amazing coaches who volunteer their time and have the patience and skills to teach these children to play, love, and have fun as baseball players. I have the utmost respect and gratitude for these coaches and the rest of the people who make little league happen in Cortez.
This season my son’s coach did not meet those standards. Practices were scarce. Many of the practices scheduled by the coach, he arrived to disgustingly late, if a practice was scheduled at all. Many parents of children on this team began to see a team of kids who became discouraged. No respect was given to these children by their coach. He was absent from many games. It is well known that several others had volunteered to coach in this league. Most who volunteer plan to have the time to fulfill this responsibility.
Respect must be earned by children, as well. The title “coach” does not command respect if you do not behave like a good coach or even a mediocre one. I find it sad that many of these children seem discouraged by this season. They are a wonderful group of boys and girls who I hope do not give up on baseball due to the lack of respect for them shown this season.
The coach did not attend any of the All Star pick meetings, showing even more disrespect for these kids. It doesn’t matter if any of them made the All Star team or not; this coach is ultimately not supporting or respecting his position as coach of his team or SWCYB little league baseball and his position as a board member.
Megan Byers
Cortez
