Jim Ansel took the hill for the Marlins and scattered six hit over seven innings, while striking out 9 Hummers. Marlins batters picked up where they left off in the regular season finale. The Marlins 2 thru 7 hitters combined for 13 hits in 6 innings against one of the regular season's most dominant pitchers. The key hits were provided by Mr. Ansel and "Rookie of the Year" candidate Mike Cleary. Game two of the series is scheduled for 6:15 Thursday night at the A-diamond in Central Park.
The Marlins played a fine game and beat the Hummnbirds Tuesday night. It is too bad that the game was marred by the disgraceful display of unsportsman like conduct of the Marlins first base coach Jim Latoure. And it is a shame that the umpires and even the president of the league, who plays on the Marlins, could let such behavior stand. In the first inning after repeatedly threatening the first baseman for the Marlins with physical violence in an expletive laced diatribe for simply rooting on a member of his own team, he launched into a homophobic rant. I am just glad that my wife and two children were not there to see this maniac ruin what would otherwise had been an enjoyable evening of baseball and I would suggest that as long as the league condones this kind of behavior by doing nothing about it other players should think twice about bringing their kids to the ballpark when the Marlins are on the field.
I agree with the level of sportsmanship (or lack there of) by more than a few individuals, on various teams, THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. Two quick points: 1- I do have to disagree with the statement of the president condoning such behavior. In fact, John said several times to the entire team last night to zip up your mouths and play the game. I don't think HIS character in this matter such be criticized or doubted. 2- As far as bringing family members to the game...I have been very hesitant to bring my 9 year old because of such instances. The first and only game she attended was last years' Championship game. Enough said.
I hope in the future everyone can conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.
There is a big difference in questioning a call and threatening someone with a violent act; one is against the law and one is not. Nevertheless, it is up to the league to enforce the rules of the game. I realize that the president of the league was involved in the game and was not aware of what was going on the field with his first base coach but having been made aware of his outlandish behavior I would hope that some action would be taken to prevent future incidents. I did not mean to besmirch the character of the president of the league. The league should make a rule that whenever a player or a coach threatens another player with violence that they should be tossed from the game. It would nice if the players felt that it was ok to bring their kids to the games.
The President of the league is still a player and manager so he should be exempt from the decision because he does not want to hurt his team with a suspension or whatever. The decision should be made by the board. Something should be done if he threatened people. But the question is will they do anything or is signing a code of conduct a big waste of time.
On point 2 of this thread, I could not agree more. I have been asked on several occasions this year where my 9 year old son has been. As many of you know he use to come to most every game. The reality is that the language used during many games is deplorable. And for what purpose or reason? Because someone grounded out or because vocabularies are so limited that no other word(s) can be thought of?
Baseball is supposed to be a fun experience. It use to be a family-oriented experience as well. I for one would love to see it get back to that.
You guys are right on about the Code of Conduct and wanting it enforced, but some of those calling for action are doing so for reasons other than that of the good of the league. There was quite a bit of instigation from the Hummers to get Jimmy going, and he regretted his actions. I talked to him by phone last night and the last thing he wants is to put John Reel, the Marlins, or this League in a bad light. So he has decided to take matter in his own hands and give himself a suspension for the rest of the semi-final series against the Hummers. He said that he felt too emotional while playing against his old mates and did not want to lose his temper again. I think that was pretty admirable for a guy that loves to play in the big games as much as this guy. Now lets see if we can do away with all the griping about every little call that goes against us. That kind of childish, selfish behavior is what gets the whole thing started. Some of those calling for Jimmy's head are the worst offenders. I will be the first to agree that there were some questionable calls Tuesday night, but it was ridiculous how many times the umps had to threaten ejections, before they had to pull the trigger late in the game. Yes, the games mean more now, but that doesn't mean that the umpires need to be perfect, and certainly doesn't mean that it is ok to scream your head off because you got strike two called on a pitch you thought was a little low or outside. Grow the hell up! Go into games assuming the bad calls are going to happen and prepare yourself to handle it , or we are doomed to see a repeat of some of these embarrassing moments. The better team will eventually win regardless of how many calls don't go their way.
WHAT DO YOU SAY WE HAVE AN END TO THE YEAR THAT WE CAN ALL TALK ABOUT BECAUSE OF HOW GREAT THE BASEBALL WAS, AND NOT ALL THIS CRAP!!!!
Where's the board? Where's anyone in authority? We voted for you guys, you are the caretakers of the league. Where are you?
First, this incident has to be investigated, interviews made, facts determined. Second, there has to be a decision, an outcome. And your findings should be reported to the rank and file.
I don't believe this can be swept away in a simple show of self-policing, which amounts to not showing up for a game in which, I gather, Mr. LaTourre wasn't going to pitch anyway. One way or the other, the league has to make a statement here.
This thread has attracted many readers. For one minute, consider the scenerio where, playing in an over-38 men's baseball league, you are -- if reports are true -- cursed at and threatened with violence. That is: You are playing a baseball game and someone is cursing at you, threatening to beat you up.
Why is that okay?!
Why do our umpires fail to respond?
The League MUST respond. Swiftyl and decisively.
Instead, by doing nothing, by saying nothing, the elected Members of the Board only allow this situation fester. This isn't the time to hide; it's time to make a statement about this league and where we want it to go. What is acceptable and what is not? Who are we? Who do we want to be?
Add my name to the long list of those who are very, very disappointed -- yet not in the least surprised.
NO, the games all mean the same, which is nothing, nada, zip, in the big picture. Maybe these incidents wouldn't happen during the playoffs, if when we take the field we try to remember that aside from us, there isn't anyone who cares which team is the CDMSBL champion.
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"It ain't the heat, it's the humility." Yogi Berra
For the record; nobody from the Hummnbirds was trying to get Mr LaToure going. The last thing in the world anyone would want to do would be to get Mr laToure going since this was not an isolated situation. He lashed out at our bench in the same way when our two teams met in the regular season, NOT A PLAYOFF SITUATION, and threatened to kick in the teeth of one of our players. Again the umpires did nothing. His actions and language were completely unprovoked.
"There was quite a bit of instigation from the Hummers to get Jimmy going.."
The only thing the Hummers did to get him going was showing up to play the game. This incident happened in the bottom of the first inning. Must have been a whole lot of "pre-game" instigating from the Hummers!!! After all, we have so much free time before the game after riding over an hour to get there in the first place. There is a big difference from dropping an occasional "F-Bomb" in the heat of the moment (still not OK but understandable) and the behavior shown on Tuesday night. It seems LaTourre came to that game with one purpose in mind. Unfortunately it wasn't to play ball.
Yeah, I'm sure that their might be someone out there that believes that Jim physically threatened some Hummer who was minding his P's and Q's and in no way was instigating Jim. That person would not be me! You won't have to worry about him tonight. He won't be there to threaten anyone. All you have to do is show up, shut up, and play ball.
Well - last year it was the final game of the playoffs where there were issues. It was a bad way to end a season and a poor ending to a good game up to the point where the umpire decided to not finish the game due to a malfunction in personal behavior. Everyone makes mistakes - game called - umpire took charge - end of story!
I didn't witness the "tirade" at this year’s game but I'm sure it was colorful. I was coaching third base last year when the brown stuff hit the fan. So, I know they are "special" moments to be looked back at with great fondness.
This is a basic recap of my post after last year’s season which unfortunately I feel the need to re-post this season:
If when you take the field, you can't shut your mouth or control your emotions - stay at home. Stay at home and put your head in a vice cranked down so tight that it will prevent your from physically being able to get out of your house. It's possible - I read about it in the Enquirer! C'mon - you guys know who you are. Buy the vice!
It's the same guys every year - blah blah blah - rant rant rant. Nobody cares - nobody gives a rat’s turd about the self indulgent, self important embarrassing bull**** (not related to the rat’s turd)! We don't!
Freedom of speech? All for it! Freedom of expression? What would the world be without it, right? Freedom of uncontrollable deplorable behavior? Might have a tough time getting that petition signed.
Nobody cares about your bitching du jour. Really - just buy the big head vice - go ahead put the money down (there may be special funding through the league) and just buy it! Bolt it to your basement floor, insert your head and tighten - really tight (200-300psi) - 'cause the freak shows who make this league and this game a little bit less fun to be part of - we don't want you here. We'd prefer it if you lay still, with your head in your big ole head vice (you can even watch TV) until the end of the baseball season - but just stay at home. Please!
Did I just pontificate? Yea probably - but I feel better now. I think I'll go eat a bowl communion discs and watch a ballgame!
UNBELEIVABLE! Another year and the same ole stuff. I'm not sure why anyone is surprised it's happening again. I wasn't there for the big incident last year, and thank God I wasn't for this stuff. But, I have witnessed ridiculousness at points during the years, and it gets tiresome. And… it's embarrassing. There are almost 600 hits on just this topic alone, as there was last year, and it is more than just our league members that read this stuff. There are readers from Maine, Detroit, Delaware and other places. Get a grip fellas. Stop acting a fool and play some ball. I agree w/comments from PM, JMartin, Jimmy P, Birddog and SLounello.
Steve it is a nice thought, but I think that most of the offenders are in denial. I think that it will take somebody in a position of power to make the request that these guys stay home. They don't seem to realize what it is that they are doing. It is a shame because 98 out of 100 guys in this league really do get it. When we have extreme cases the league is going to have to put players on probation and follow through with expulsions if and when there are violations of these probations. If we don't, we risk losing what so many have worked so hard to build.
Mike - You DA Man! I agree. Most of the guys are really great and a pleasure to with and against. I just don't understand how this game can be soooooooo important at this stage in our lives that the 1% have to air out their personal dysfunction regularly - creating ill-will and an environment where bringing kids to see their fathers' play baseball is a 50/50 proposition of seeing a Courtney Love like character wandering aimlessly around the diamond - spewing profanities at the dirt and grass - shadow boxing the clouds. It gets a little whacky!
Here's my suggestion - if you lose your mind on the field (F-bombs, throwing bats, screaming matches (profanities) with umpires or opposing players) - DONE FOR THE YEAR - NO EXCEPTIONS!! Turn in your Union Card - Do Not Pass Go - license revoked (you get the idea). Yea - a little harsh but I'd certainly think twice before entering that next level of personal expression.
That's it - I've said my thing! Thanks for listening. Good luck in part 2 of your game.
Look, let's be honest, the games ARE important...or we wouldn't be here. They're just not THAT important. Bottom line is we are all playing for the same reason. We love to play the game are are fortunate to have a place to share that with others who feel the same way we do.
I agree with others who have posted here. The majority of the guys I have played against this year are a great group and have the right idea...play hard, have fun and it's OK to share some beer after the game. If anyone takes away from that then it is up to the "powers that be" to make sure it doesn't affect the rest of us by asking that person to knock it off or leave.
If you can't respect the game, keep your cool and above all ENJOY YOURSELF at these games then it may be time for you to hang 'em up.
I'm hearing that the Board should jump in and take matters into their hands. First of all, has anyone issued a formal complaint to the Board? Umpires, managers and players have the right to make a written request to the board to review an incident. It is then up to the Board to investigate and take an appropriate action if one is warranted. Look guys, the Board is not and should not be run by a bunch of vigilantes. They should react. So if language is preventing you from bringing your son/daughter/family to a game, make a written request to the Board to investigate the offending people. Name names, dates and incidences. Then let the Board do their job. But you have to be willing to report said incidents, and name names. This is OUR league and we should all participate to make it the type of league we want...
