No Habla Español? then don't umpire little league
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Yet another potential award winner here... for ignoramus of the day, or perhaps potentially biggoted umpire of the year.
Actually I should be less harsh. I don't quite know what was in the mind and heart of this umpire, but still.... check out the following article. Headline is linked.
Protest filed after ump bans Spanish on field
METHUEN, Massachusetts (AP) - Coaches on a Little League team filed a protest with the league after an umpire ordered the players to stop speaking Spanish during a state tournament game this week.
Coaches said the order demoralized the Methuen players and cost the team the game.
"This never should have happened," coach Chris Mosher told the Eagle-Tribune newspaper. "These are 14-year-old kids who should not have to deal with any of this, especially in Little League baseball."
National Little League spokesman Lance Van Auken said there's no rule against players speaking Spanish or any other language on the field. But he said it's too late to reverse the decision or the outcome of the game.
"It appears the umpire was concerned that the coach or manager may have been using a language other than English ... to communicate potentially 'illegal' instructions to his players," Van Auken said in an e-mail to The Associated Press Friday. "The umpire simply overstepped his authority, and there was no malicious intent."
I'm not quite sure where to go with this one.... the ump was worried that the Spanish was going to be used to issue illegal instructions to his players?!? I know that there are issues in little league, but still, is issuing illegal instructions one of them!?!? For that matter, wouldn't those that want to cheat be just as able to cheat by flashing signs, having discussions in the dug-out area, or by making arrangements before getting on the field?!?
Oh my gawd, someone sitting somewhere is speaking some language I don't know, and they must be talking about me! I just know they're calling me trailer trash redneck Republican gringo! How dare they?!
Really, this Umpire may have had good intentions, but he went way too far, and will likely never get to umpire another game because of it. Hispanics will protest, and demand his head on a platter, and they may be right for doing so....
Actually I should be less harsh. I don't quite know what was in the mind and heart of this umpire, but still.... check out the following article. Headline is linked.
Protest filed after ump bans Spanish on field
METHUEN, Massachusetts (AP) - Coaches on a Little League team filed a protest with the league after an umpire ordered the players to stop speaking Spanish during a state tournament game this week.
Coaches said the order demoralized the Methuen players and cost the team the game.
"This never should have happened," coach Chris Mosher told the Eagle-Tribune newspaper. "These are 14-year-old kids who should not have to deal with any of this, especially in Little League baseball."
National Little League spokesman Lance Van Auken said there's no rule against players speaking Spanish or any other language on the field. But he said it's too late to reverse the decision or the outcome of the game.
"It appears the umpire was concerned that the coach or manager may have been using a language other than English ... to communicate potentially 'illegal' instructions to his players," Van Auken said in an e-mail to The Associated Press Friday. "The umpire simply overstepped his authority, and there was no malicious intent."
I'm not quite sure where to go with this one.... the ump was worried that the Spanish was going to be used to issue illegal instructions to his players?!? I know that there are issues in little league, but still, is issuing illegal instructions one of them!?!? For that matter, wouldn't those that want to cheat be just as able to cheat by flashing signs, having discussions in the dug-out area, or by making arrangements before getting on the field?!?
Oh my gawd, someone sitting somewhere is speaking some language I don't know, and they must be talking about me! I just know they're calling me trailer trash redneck Republican gringo! How dare they?!
Really, this Umpire may have had good intentions, but he went way too far, and will likely never get to umpire another game because of it. Hispanics will protest, and demand his head on a platter, and they may be right for doing so....
