Sandy Supposes....

T-Ball Terror

PROMPT November 28th

Write about an experience that changed your opinion on something.

         

         

         

         

Many years ago, a lifetime really, I learned that not all volunteers are created equal. Not all people help out because of the goodness of their hearts. Bullies exist everywhere and they spew their atrocious behaviour indiscriminately.

         Picture an early Saturday morning in June with balmy weather. I was the volunteer coach of a 7 to 8-year olds' T-Ball team, girls to be specific. We had fun attempting to play a modified version of baseball. The game rules were similar and the participants still ran the bases and fielded balls. We wore team t-shirts donated by sponsors. Sure, it felt great, empowering, to win a game, but we knew that wasn't always possible. If we managed to win a game that was considered great, but if we lost we dealt with it. It wasn't the end of the world. We were a rag tag group of females. Not all of us were athletes. We experienced our own team and private triumphs. We cheered each other, and we liked to laugh.

         On this fateful morning, we encountered a father / coach. To describe him as intense would be understating it. He hollered at the girls on "his" team and belittled them. As the game was played, we were losing. As I stated, that was nothing new, or terrible. Time passed and seven innings were behind us.

         I noticed the players , coaches, and family members of the next scheduled game starting to arrive and lean on the fence. I glanced at my watch and realized our time for the diamond had expired. I approached my fellow coach and pointed this out. I gathered "my" girls to form a handshake line and we said our good-byes.

         This man exploded. He screamed in my face. He threw a bat. He waved his arms. All of this occurred in full view of all the girls.. He demanded that I stay and play two more innings. He called me several profanities and a whoosie. I calmly re-explained that our time was up and he had his win, so why would we stick around. We'd had our fun and now it was time to relinquish the field to other teams.

         He continued to vent as I walked away from him. I was neither impressed, or intimidated. I chatted with a few of "my" parents as I packed up equipment.

         Apparently, I was supposed to remain and permit him to attack me. Who knew? He followed me to the parking lot and continued his assault. I ignored him and climbed into my vehicle. The greatest shock was yet to happen. His very pregnant wife jumped up onto the running board of my truck as I reversed. I braked and waited. She was every bit a raving bully as her husband. She pounded on the window and screamed at me. Sadly, their daughters were front row witnesses to this. It seemed like an eternity, but she finally stepped off and away.She had to strike the fender as I drove away.

         I'm not going to lie and claim that I let this wash off me. The experience left me trembling. I relived it for a few days. After some contemplation, I phoned the league president to ask for advice. He'd already been contacted by parental eye witnesses and he'd requested that the other coach resign.

         I learned that some volunteers have an ulterior agenda. I also reinforced my acceptance that I am not competitive.