For the first time to my knowledge Mullica Rec baseball has had cuts on it's Senior League Prep team. From what I understand there are anywhere from 6 to 10 kids who were cut from the program. This is probably an illegal practice because the Rec association receives Township taxpayer money but that is besides the point. The program should be open to all Mullica kids who wish to participate, pay the required fee, & meet the age requirements. Not to take away anything from the people who volunteer their time with the Rec Assoc but I believe a better decision/arrangement could have, and should be made. And not just for this group of kids but future groups as well. Perhaps if there was not enough kids for two teams then there could have been one large team where all the kids would be given the opportunity to play in the games and not just a certain chosen few. But that is not the case because the Mullica Rec has lost focus on what they are there for. Their own web site states "Our Kids Come First, Winning Is A Distant Second!". If that were the case then all the kids would be on a team and have the opportunity to play, lose, & yes even win together. Is it not just as important to teach the better players that there may be times when they have to sit the bench and cheer on their team mates? Or is it one sided where only the good players play and the not so good players are expected to sit the bench and cheer on their team members? Or again is it just about winning? Besides all this there are players on the team who play on two or even three other teams and there are even some who play high school ball as well!! To me that's just ridiculous and the epitome of greed and selfishness. To my understanding some of the kids who were cut managed to get on other teams outside the township but what a shame they were forced to do that. There should be room for all our kids and now these displaced kids and the ones who are not playing are going to miss the last few years to play amongst their friends who they have been playing with since they were little boys. Plus the fact that the ones who were cut are probably the ones who need the Rec the most, for the extra practice & skill building, before moving on to High school ball. But again, it's no longer about the kids, it's just about winning and the kids who can win games.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
139 comments:
AMEN !!!
Did any of the Recreation Association members children or any coaches children get cut?
Was there someone available to coach if they put together a second team?
This isn't the first time a complaint like this has been aired and probably won't be the last.
The Rec Association receiving taxpayer money shouldn't be a "besides the point" either. If they accept the money and are part of the Township and the Township lists them on their website, links up their events, then ALL CHILDREN OF MULLICA TOWNSHIP should be able to play. It's not an exclusive club here.
I think the Rec Association sometimes needs to be reminded they aren't exclusive and if you take taxpayer funding, use taxpayer dollars to pay for equipment, field upkeep, etc.,then you have to include all. Unfortunately, it's the same ones running everything and as it always goes, their kids tend to get priority.
My child got cut. They told me there was no room. How in the hell do you have know room for the children, which is a crock! every child should play, even if they are good or not. its about the children, not favoritizm..And this was my child last year before high school.he has benn playing every year.But they had room for my other child.Are you kidding me. let me do that to your kids and see how it feels. The township should do something about this. its not right at all. or fire the people in charge.
I feel bad for the kids because the reality of it all is these kids that were cut have a slim if no chance of being on a high school baseball team. The Rec Association offered a chance for all kids to play regardless of how fine tuned their skill level was. The Rec Association always put the child first over the sport particulary the players self esteem. If this story is correct and these kids were cut it just destroyed any confidence they had in themselves and implies that they're "losers."
Do do that to children is both cruel and inexcusable.
Its really ashame that the leaders of the MTRA do not have the best interests of the kids at heart. Its all ego with these people and the other writer is right.....its the same people controlling everything so that their kids get on the team, play the most and are in line for their awards. Its just a matter of time before the MTRA just packs up shop. Its been financially mismanaged for years now and the once subtle manipulation and favoritism has mushroomed into complete disregard. Shame on the MTRA!!!!
Dawn - its all about the tournaments and winning!!!! These people are out of control. And its not just with baseball and softball. The MTRA does not want to have to sit a "better" player during rec because they view it as a practice squad for their tournament and travel teams. So, instead, they take twp. money and cut your kid. God forbid that their child sits a few innings so someone else can play. Its unbelievable.....and shameful. Why anyone is involved in the MTRA is beyond me.
why not come to the meetings and voice your opinion and when it time to vote for offices in the group you can put you name up to run
I thought the Rec had a policy about all kids playing until tournament time and then they would have tryouts for tournament ball that takes place in late June through July. I can only guess that they did not have another coach. Could someone comment?
I agree with the last comment. Go to the meetings, volunteer time to coach. Even if there were enough kids for a second team, and there is no one to coach them, it's virtually impossible to carry 20 kids on a roster and get them all playing time. It just never works and someone always ends up not happy!!
Are you telling me that you need me to come to your meetings and tell you what is right and what is wrong? Hmmm 20 kids on a team. 9 needed to play the field. One inning 9 play the next inning a different 9 play, that's 18 kids that just played and if your bright enough you can figure out a way to rotate the other 2 kids in sometime during the next 5 or 6 innings. Stop makeing excusses for your inability to do the RIGHT thing!
@ posting 8:41 pm... obviously, you are aware of an issue which lead to the decision to cut kids... care to comment on gadfly since I am still waiting for a courtesy call from someone representing the Recreation Association notifying me that my son was cut and offering an explanation as to why?
Don't point fingers and place blame on others for shameful decisions the Association has made. Let's get real...These are the same decisions that would be made regardless if I or any other parent had attended the meetings. Were there notices or emails sent asking people to coach if that was the reason for the cuts? I've never received one... but I do receive the emails to help the Association with fundraisers, the concession stand, the money making part of the volunteering.
I do believe there are kids playing for the Rec Association that have the opportunity to play high school ball as well.... how fair is that? Isn't playing on one team enough especially when there are kids that aren't offered the chance to play at all?
How about I bring my son to the next Rec meeting and maybe someone can explain to him why he can't play with his friends. The same friends that he's played with for the past 10 years?
You are right,someone always ends up not happy, unfortunately it's the kids...
Stop making excuses for the nitwits that run the MTRA. I cant believe that nobody, not one person, would not have stepped up to coach if presented with the prospect of having to cut kids. My advice is to keep your kids away from the MTRA.
To the 7:38PM author - I would not want to have anything to do with the MTRA.....I suspect many others feel the same way....
To the 8:21PM author - if you play 6 or 7 innings and you have 20 players on a REC team...you are telling me its impossible for 9 kids to play 3 or 4 innings and the other 11 kids to play 3 or 4 innings????? Its REC....not the Phillies.....its suppose to be fun and give kids a chance to play. Unfortunately, those in charge arent interested in sharing so much precious playing time....even though many of the kids play on 2 and 3 teams.........these people are idiots - pure and simple!
The MTRA doesnt even have the common courtesy to even inform parents/kids that they got cut with an explanation as to why nor do they ask if anyone is interested in coaching???? As Larry would say, "Huh?". But yes, lets make excuses for them, lets attend the meetings and complain. See how far that gets you. I have a better idea...how about all MTRA leaders take a course in decency.
My grandfather had a common saying when confronted with an impossible task...and I think it applies to the MTRA. He would say, "Son, you can't shine shit." No matter how much the MTRA "leadership" tries to spin things, they will always stink.
Does anyone know how much taxpayer money is given to the MTRA?
From the comments here,it appears that the MTRA is acting like an exclusive,private club. This behavior has to be stopped or else they should stop representing their group at fundraisers as associated with Mullica Twp.
They are being so unfair to the kids.
Since municipal funds support the MTRA, disgruntled parents who feel that their kids are getting the short stick should address their concerns to the town council. The council has the obligation to assure that the money is being spent fairly, for all of Mullica's kids who want to play sports.
I was involved with the Rec years ago when my kids were younger. There are always issues and problems. That is not to say that the Rec is right on every issue presented. The Rec should comment, for the record, on what happened in this case. Every kid should play, period. That is why I asked about the possibly of not enough coaches. If the Rec cannot offer a decent explaination then shame on them. I would ask, is there anyone out there that is available to coach these kids and form a second team?
As someone who played baseball through college I'll put in my two cents. At this point in a kids playing career you are past the point of the everyone plays mentality. You can not have twenty players on a team and expect everyone to play every other inning. It doesn't work that way. This is a sport, the object is to win, like it or not. Not everyone is able to play the sport at the next level. Now years back some townships would have a "JV" team that would travel and play other "JV" teams. I'm not sure if anyone does this anymore with several townships playing only internal games. I know its tough for the kids that are cut, but the only thing to do is practice, practice and then practice to try and get better at the game and try again.
When my kid played, I recall senior baseball having A and B teams, with the A team being the best players. Parents who's kids were the best players tended to participate more. Maybe the MTRA couldn't find any interested parents to coach a B team. The obvious solution would be to split the kids into two equally matched teams and then the parental participation might be better divided to support two teams.
It seems to me that if the township program cannot accomodate all the kids who want to play then those who are not playing on other teams should have first priority. That way more kids can have a chance to play. Those who are on two or three other teams or on a high school team, as the writer suggests, should be last. Its only fair to the others who also want to play.
To the 9:55AM writer, you must have struck out alot....because you just swung and missed again!!! STRIKE THREE. This is REC ball. By definition, REC ball is for all kids, there should not be cuts and it should NOT be all about winning. That is what travel teams, AAU teams and HS ball can be all about.......at those levels the best players will and should play. But again, this is REC ball. Open to all kids. It may be the last chance many of these kids will have to play organized baseball. I suggest that you join the MTRA leadership team...you will fit right in to this band of misfits.
@ 9.55am...Yes the object to baseball is to win and also to have fun with it. this is not the pro's, and this is not college, This is about the kids not about who is the best. because my son is great and got cut. Everybody wanted him. even in football, he was awesome and never played before. so what is the excuse now..ITS ABOUT FAVORITSM. always had been, changing rules all the time,and does not tell the parents at all. And as for the meetings go, they are a waste. I've been to them and express my voice.But it goes though one ear out the next. this is all bullshit! and i did help out with the consession stand and so did my kids father! I have an idea! Take the kids that are playing now and sit them out this year! And the kids that are not playing right now, let them take there spot!..i bet you a war would happend..I will never sign my kids up for anything with MTRA, And i would not recommed anyone to. And i have 3 boys. But that's my opinion! That goes for any sport!
And also! i did go right to the people in charged saturday night! and he said to me. you didn't call me, i said no i spoke with your wife, and he says that's why. So that is the reason, why my kid can't play is because i didn't call you. ARE YOU FRIGGING KIDDING ME! WHATEVER. I lost all respect. I'll send my kids to hammonton, they take every child..good or not. because its about the kids. and there is no I in team..
Pulling your kids out of the MTRA is just what the "nitwits" would love. That would leave them with their "special" kids, all the money and no problems from people who have the nerve to interfere with their elite plans.
The best plan would be to have every kid you know sign up to play and demand that the MTRA treat each child fairly. That's the way a community Rec.should be run.
11:20
I was a pitcher, so no, your are incorrect. Let me explain something to you if you didnt already know, life is not fair, I had plenty of coaches that cut players better than the player they kept due to favoritism. You can not and I will repeat, can not, have 20 kids on a interleague team. It just doesnt work. Would you have pitchers switch each inning? My suggestion would be to try and field a "JV" team if possible. I do believe that anyone who was cut should be refunded their money if they are not playing. And as for your fit right in comment. You right, I do fit right in and currently help coach. I would like to think I can help some kids become better with what I learned after playing for 20 years. But at the same time I know not every kid is cut out to play baseball or other sports for that matter. You have two choices, get better or move on.
Why would taxpayer money not be the point? It is the point. How much do Mullica's taxpayers contribute each year to youth sports? Who is paying for the fields, the lighting and the maintenance? There should be no valid reason why parents would not allow their children to particpate. You just need a set of published rules that everyone needs to follow and not make them up as you go to suit the particular situation. Ultimately, the township is responsible for what goes on.
I really hope that the MTRA is proud of themselves. It makes me wonder how they sleep at night.
Well Mr. College pitcher who is also a coach. Let me point a couple of things out for you because you must have went to college on a sports scholarship and not for your intellect. If you pass away early because of a horrible disease or a terrible accident then you can say "Well life just isn't fair". But when it comes to things in life that are well within peoples control then the "life isn't fair" saying has to be given more scrutiny. By the way did you ever notice it's always the person/people who haven't been hurt or affected that uses that saying? When it comes to Township Rec sports that are paid for Tax dollars then things need to be different! If 20 kids are too many for one team then did anyone think to have two teams? I'm sure a few kids from each team would've played on both to give the desired/required roster of 12. But maybe that didn't happen because the people in charge had their kids on a team so the hell with the rest of the kids. A "I got mine" attitude so the hell with you. Do you think it is fair that a kid get to play HS ball, travel ball, & Rec ball yet another kid is left out or sits the bench the entire season? I always love when people like you say "well if the kids want to play then they need to get better"!! But how do you expect them to get better when they don't get the chance to play? I've seen good kids sit the bench because the coaches kid, who wasn't as good, was playing. Let me ask you a question. Do you think it will be fair when a kid who is playing on 3 teams (who cannot possibly attend a majority of the Rec practices)just gets to show up on game day and play while another kid who has attended all the Rec practices has to sit the bench? Now don't get me wrong I know one of the perks of being a coach is to ensure that your kid gets to play, but we all can't be coaches now can we? Rec sports needs to be open to all who have the desire to play and pay the required fees. Rec sports is about the kids playing with one another and building their skills so if they decide to play HS sports they'll be more prepared. If you want to have your own "special" team where you get to pick and choose your players and your only goal is "winning" then do it with your own money. Don't use the tax payer dollars and the money made from fund raisers from countless numbers of donators and volunteers. This money was meant for all the kids and not just the kids of "your" choosing. I may not coach but I've volunteered for Rec functions, helped raise money, and even got thousands of dollars worth of work & materials donated to help build the Rec fields & facilities. So when I'm told that my kid can't play well I hope you can understand my ire and disdain towards the Rec. As a further note I wasn't told my kid couldn't play, in fact I wasn't told anything. I found out through the grape vine one day before the so called "try outs". I use the word try outs loosely because if they were really try outs then all the parents who had registered their kids would have been given ample and proper notice. To this day no one from the Rec has even given us a courtesy call to tell us that our kid didn't make the team or that we would get our money back. Why do you think that is? I think it is because the Rec members know they are wrong and are ashamed of their actions. To my knowledge no notice was given. I'm sure It was decided before these so called try outs who was and who wasn't going to be on the team. The simple fact of the matter is the people on the Rec were too selfish & lazy to come up with a solution to the problem. They took the easy way out and just discarded a bunch of kids like they were yesterdays trash.
For those of you that asked:
The Rec gets $5,000 a year from the township.
There was a person who offered to coach a "B" team but he did not receive any help or support from the Rec.
The problem with A and B teams are that frequently it isn't about skill level but about who knows whom. If you are the friend of the coaches' kid you are in and so on. If we must have A and B teams, make it a public try out with everyone knowing the rules and with everyone who is interested seeing the kids in the tryouts. There may still be disagreement but at least the public got a chance to judge for themselves.
Re: The 9:22 post
I don't know whether the $5,000 is accurate but you left out the cost of use and maintenance of the fields at taxpayer expense.
8:59.....Amen Sister! (or brother).
9:22 I'm not sure what help and support is needed. Did the REC say "no uniforms for you"? Did the coach have a criminal record? Take the remaining kids and coach the team. Do we need our hands held? While I'm still waiting for response from the REC, which they owe the kids and taxpayers, I am skeptical of the response "someone was avaiilable to coach but got no support". PLEASE.
I know that it's an aside issue, but you didn't get your fee back? Who does the books? Where are the financial statements? Now the whole thing seems extremely fishy to me.
Dear Mr. College Pitcher,
Thank you for acknowledging the ignorance we are dealing with. You say your a coach in the township? In your own words "get better or move on"... Way to go... hope you're not giving any motivational speeches at the end of the games!!!
This is the mindset of the Recreation Association we are dealing with people! These are the same people that claim to have the best interest of YOUR kids!
But at the same time I know not everyone is cut out to coach, you have two choices, do right by the kids or move on. RIGHT... Mr. Coach of the year???
That's a good deal! Collect the fees from 10 kids then cut them out. You now have the money for the "good" players to go on trips.
Doesn't the Twp. pay for all the electric bills for the fields,too?
Has any resolution come from this or is it still "business as usual" for the MTRA?
MTRA - you should be ashamed!
It business as usual at the MTRA for the time being........
Is it any wonder that the control freaks in the MTRA are so messed up? Most of them have their hands in WAY too many things. The MTRA leaders run businesses (into the ground), are on the planning board, the school board, coach every sport imaginable (rec teams and traveling teams), only if their kid is on the team, in addition to their jobs and other responsibilities.......no wonder they are constantly screwing things up!!!!!
The biggest problem here seems to be that there is a big lack of communication going on. The league has rules that MTRA and every other town has to abide by, such as, each team has to have at least 12 players on the roster and no more than 15. That means we have to have between 24 and 30 sign ups to have 2 teams, which we didn't. So if you have 18 sign ups, what do you do? Tell the league that you are not gonna abide by their rules? Does anyone have a magic wand to fix this?
Oh and by the way, the league also states that you cannot form an A team and a B team with the same players rostered on both teams. And there was a cut off date for registering teams with the league. The MTRA had multiple sign ups and even had an extra sign up at the school for any last minute sign ups, but still didn't get enough for 2 teams. Then 2 top players were kind enough to drop out so that there were less players to get cut. Then there were parents trying to sign their kids up after all this happened, after the league registration date. So who has all the answers? Come on, i'm sure someone knows what to do. Someone out there must know all the answers.
The MTRA receives a $5000.00 stipend each year from the township. The township also cuts the grass and covers the electric bill. While this is all appreciated, it is a very small amount compared to the costs of running the program. The parents of participants primarily fund the programs. Signup fees cover everything else including uniforms, playing equipment, field maintenance (irrigation, fertilizer, field equipment etc.) So get off all your taxpayer funded bullshit. Regarding cuts, when you get to the senior level, it does become travel ball. It is the way the Atlantic Shore league is set up. "A" teams play "A" teams from other towns. The objective is to put your best 13 or 14 players up against the best from other towns. Some towns have enough to put together their next best 13 or 14 and these "B" teams then play other town "B" teams. We did not have enough and absolutely did not have a coach. Then there is the prep team, which is only for 13 year olds. This is also travel type ball. The objective here is to put together your best 13 year old players, and play the best 13 year olds from other towns. These players are prepping (hence the name prep) for their eventual rise to the "A" team. The best were picked, and the rest had to be cut. The league does not allow a town to have 2 prep teams.
All players play in MTRA rec baseball through Majors. But when you get to Senior ball, it's a different world. I agree with the former college ball player. That's life. When they're in high school, they have cuts. Are you going to bitch when they cut there next year too. At some point prior to high school they need to know that they need to make the cut or get cut. I'm sure all you naysayers are the ones that sit on the sidelines, whispering to each other and complaining about everything...and I'm betting that you never stepped foot out on the field to help out. Your do nothing attitudes are a slap in the face to every MTRA volunteer...yes I said volunteer. They get paid nothing for all the hours they put in. And some don't even have a kid in the program. But every coach out there that does have a kid in the program, also coaches and spends time with your kid...probably more recreational time than you do. So quit all your whining and bitching. You don't like it? Move on. Get out. We don't need your type. The MTRA is running strong with the other 98% of Mullicans that are good people. And the MTRA has excellent, strong leadership. So do nothing nay sayers...crawl back under your rock.
Re: 2:29 AM
This is "kids sports" not the majors. Darn, I keep forgetting, it's not about kids playing, but winning.
$5,000 stipend, cuts grass and covers the electric bill, which I'm am sure is nothing, right? C'mon smack another taxpayer in the face. Why don't you run everything and pay for everything yourself and cut the taxpayers a break then?
Volunteers run the concession stand and help out for two reasons: They have kids who play and want to be there and they won't have to sell fundraising crap for the hours spent.
It's apparent the people with complaints here have volunteered and done other things to help out.
You're protesting too damn much, put your EGO aside for a minute and think about things. There is a small group who won't relinquish control come hell or high water (and God knows we've had high water this year) and "allow" the other volunteers because you need them, but obviously they aren't up to your snotty specs.
Glad someone from the Rec finally responded, unfortunately it was the very egotistical response anticipated and never once did you admit perhaps there is a flaw in the system.
The MTRA is "running strong"? The MTRA has "strong leadership"? The MTRA author may want to check with the MTRA Treasurer and ask for a financial statement. The MTRA has been broke for the past several years because of their financial mismanagement of funds.
With the reduction in the grade school population, small towns like Mullica have a difficult time fielding teams, especially as the kids get older and find other interests. You can't field a team and a half. Here's a solution: give first priority to the kids who will show for all the practices and all the games. If someone is also playing on a private or school team there's going to be schedule conflicts. What practices or games have priority? Chances are that its the other team. The rec team is secondary. The equitable thing to do would be to give as many kids who want to play the opportunity to do so. They don't all have to play on the rec team. I think that those playing on other teams would understand this and want to be fair to their classmates who also want to play.
It seems to me that some people are using this as an opportunity to bad mouth someone that they have a personal problem with that has nothing to do with this situation.
To anonymous at 9:41 AM:
I bet you could run things WAY better right? But are too lazy to actually volunteer your time and become a member.
Does anyone know how many kids actually got cut?
Does anyone know how much it costs to register teams in the league?
From what I understand, only 1 kid was cut that actually showed up for the tryouts. And yes that was too many. The system isn't perfect and there isn't a perfect answer for it, there never will be.
From what I understand it costs like between $1,000.00 and $1,500.00 per team. So I guess that $5,000.00 from the taxpayers doesn't really go that far.
10:35 AM poster: It's comments like these that make people NOT want to be a part of something like the MTRA. Lots of people volunteer for different things and don't need to brag about all they do for this and that, they volunteer because they want to.
10:48 AM: Isn't there a registration fee and field sponsors and don't you raise money from the advertising signs, concession stand?
$5,000 doesn't go far, but you are conveniently forgetting field maintenance, in which the Township employees do and the electric bill, which I am sure isn't cheap for all the lighting.
If the uniforms and all that are covered by the fees, then what does the $5,000 go towards? Aren't the fees $70 for one child, $130 for two for baseball/softball? That gets you pretty close to the $1,000, not including sign sponsorship money and other funds raised, doesn't it?
This is an ongoing problem and it's not new this year. It's generally kept between the MTRA and it just happened someone brought it out to the public this year.
To 10:49 poster
No its the people that complain about the volunteers that do their best to run the organization for the kids, that cause other people not want to be a part of the organization. Who in their right mind would want to volunteer their time, get no respect, get called names, and not even get a "Thank you" for their efforts? The only time anyone says anything about those people is to bitch them out, and most of the time they are puttin them down without knowing all the facts or have a real answer to the problem themselves. Most of the answers that people are coming up with are not "real" answers. They might sound good, but without knowing the WHOLE story, they are not "real" answers to the problem, just fuel for the fire, making the problem worse.
The real answer is to require that the players attend a certain percentage of practices to play in games. If you are on Travel Teams or other leagues then you don't have the time to devote to the Rec. Do the decent thing and let someone else who does not have the opportunity to play somewhere else play the Rec league. That is the area where the MTRA has failed to make the right decision/s. I'm not putting the volunteers down, I'm a volunteer myself and I know it is at times a thankless job.
"From what I understand, only 1 kid was cut that actually showed up for the tryouts. And yes that was too many. The system isn't perfect and there isn't a perfect answer for it, there never will be."
The right thing to have done would have been to ask those on multiple teams to step aside to let him play, assuming the one cut wasn't playing on another team himself.
Michael Jordan got cut from his High School basketball team....so for the nitwit college pitcher, who probably only consumed pitchers of beer instead of hitters, put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Sign sponsorships? I don't see many signs hanging. The township only mows the grass. That's their contribution to the field maintenance. They don't fix the fences, fertilize the grass, change the light bulbs, repair the concession stand, repair the the dug outs, pay for new helmets, bats, balls, catcher's equipment, batting cage nets, pitching machines, the list goes on. Last year the coaches pitched in their own money to install clay at the batter's boxes and pitcher's mound on the senior field. And it's always the same people doing all the work (The people who are getting bad mouthed).The new lighting is what put the MTRA in a little bit of a bind.
I believe that the rec fields were built with taxpayer money and that the town pays the liability insurance so the town contributes much more than the $5,000 that was previously mentioned.
Also, let's not forget that the $5,000 is split between baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, and wrestling. (I think I got all the sports)
If you don't go to the meetings or volunteer you shouldn't complain. The Rec doesn't receive money from the Township.Come out to a meeting and ask how much it is to start another team, application fees don't cover it.It's the people on the side that does nothing and complains the loudest.The Rec is always looking for volunteers. Get involved or shut up I'm tired of hearing you cry
My name is Joe Harrison and i coach prep and i would like for someone to tell me who i cut, O wait you cant i NEVER cut anybody in fact im still short 1 player. And the rules at our level do state only 15 players per roster. I have 14!!!!!!!!!I may not be the best coach out here, but i am out here.
Is there a problem with MTRA funds? Why isn't there a financial statement? Doesn't the financial statement have to be approved at meetings from time to time?
To the 8:48am poster
Financial mismanagement? Wow, I don't know of any major financial problems involving MTRA
MTRA meetings. First Tuesday of every month. Elwood Firehouse meeting room. 7:30
There is a updated financial statement handed out and read by the treasurer, for not only the rec as a whole, but also each individual sport.
Spend a little time at a monthly meeting. You may learn something. Most notably the real facts.
And if the MTRA mis-manages it funds, how was it able to save the tens of thousands of dollars needed to install lights on the senior boys field last year? Let's stop the false acusations already.
I have a couple of questions since you are going to throw out titles but no names. Who is Mr. college Pitcher? Is all the money getting divided up equally through the different levels? Why does the girl's team get full uniforms and the boys don't?
Since the MTRA does receive some funding from the township everyone who is a taxpayer has a right to ask questions on how the money is spent. That being said I agree if you want to know how the money is spent then go to a Rec meeting or ask to see a financial statement from the township, don't throw around accusations of financial mismanagement.
What I will say though is that since the MTRA does receive taxpayers dollars, no matter how small you feel they are, then it should be required that every child who applies to play, pays the required fees, & meets the age requirements should be allowed to play. They should also be required to be on no other teams and should also have to attend a certain percentage of practices in order to play in the games. That would be the FAIR thing to do.
I've been a volunteer in the township for over 21 years. I've donated time & labor and had machinery donated to help build the Rec fields, Pinecone Zone, and concession stand. I've donated time & effort in years past to help prepare the fields. Countless numbers of other people have donated their time and efforts to the Rec as well. I think I would be safe in assuming in saying that those that volunteered did not volunteer just for a certain group of kids. They donated for ALL the kids. Past, present, and future. Do you think if you are currently a member of the MTRA that it is only your efforts today that count? What about the efforts of the people who came before you and the efforts of the people who will come after you? What about the people who volunteered and donated this year? Don't their kids deserve to play? Do you think their efforts are just for a certain few kids or are they for ALL the kids of Mullica?
I certainly did not donate my time and efforts so my kid could be looked over and not even given the chance to play or even the decency of a simple phone call. To this date no one from the Rec has even extended us this one courtesy.
And I did not just donate my time and efforts for my own kids. I did it for ALL Mullica kids, so this could be a great place for ALL of them to grow up, and not just a certain chosen few.
So when people say if you don't volunteer you don't have the right to bitch they are dead wrong. Whether you volunteer or not is not the issue here. What is the issue is what is right and what is wrong and cutting kids (especially when others are playing on two & three other leagues) is dead wrong!! No matter how you slice it!
The problem wasn't a lack of coaches, the problem was a lack of understanding, fairness, and compassion for the kids who do not have an opportunity to play anywhere else besides on the Rec league.
The problem is this attitude that winning is all that matters. The attitude that only the good players are worth our efforts. That only they need to be groomed to play High school ball because the others aren't worth the time and distract us from our REAL goal of winning games and making our good player great ones.
If there was not enough kids for two teams did anyone think to have one large team to train and practice together until a few more kids could be found or recruited in order to have two teams? At least that would've been better. If it didn't work out then at least you could say you tried your all. But instead these kids were just cut without any kid of notice.
It's not just that they were cut. It was the way it was handled or shall I say the "lack" of handling it. At least have the decency to give a kid a call to let them know they are not on the team, instead of having to find it out through the "grape vine".
If it were not for my wife and I asking questions and being involved we would probably still be sitting home, waiting for a phone call on when the first practice would be or shopping at Dick's for baseball gear that would never be used.
It's the lack of being responsible & compassionate that is inexcusable, especially for a volunteer!
CLUELESS, CLUELESS, CLUELESS, that's what you people are. You make such false accusations that this bitching is actually funny. I am not a baseball parent so I will not comment on that, however, I am a softball parent who volunteers a lot of my time to the REC. I am involved in the MTRA. If there is any organization that has their agenda together it is them. The MTRA consists of people who put a lot of time in with the kids,the fields several far away meetings and all other obligations that go with it. Do you realize that before your games your Rec coaches and MTRA people are at the fields early taking care of them, raking, lining, and dragging them before and after the games. This is in addition to working full time jobs, taking care of our families our homes and running our children all over gods creation. To SIT and complain about the MTRA is very offensive to me. I do attend meetings, and the only people that I see there, are the MTRA members. It is very rare to see any parents at these meetings, although all are welcome. So for you parents who are complaining about the MTRA, you really have no right. If you did in fact attend these meetings you would know what was going on, not just with your kids but financially. After the pledge of allegiance the financial report is the first thing given, there is no hiding monies or anything like that. It is all out in the open for all to see. If you want to become a member of an organization who doesn't let you know their financial situation, go move to Mays Landing, or Galloway, where a lot of money is stolen every year right from their REC accounts. That is public record if you would like to look that one up. Some people just LOVE to read and write negative stuff, cause it makes them feel better about their own shortcomings. If you want to talk or see negativism turn on your television and see what is going on in the real world. That my friend, is what you should be bitching about. Let me know how that turns out, since I will be at the field volunteering my time to help the kids. And, oh yeah by the way, the girls don't get full uniforms either, but if you were at the field helping out you might know that. And next time you want to complain where all the money is at, I will tell you how to turn on the the lights at the senior field, you can bring your beach chair there and SIT and complain, that is where all the money is at!!!!!!
"Anonymous said...
The real answer is to require that the players attend a certain percentage of practices to play in games. If you are on Travel Teams or other leagues then you don't have the time to devote to the Rec. Do the decent thing and let someone else who does not have the opportunity to play somewhere else play the Rec league. That is the area where the MTRA has failed to make the right decision/s."
This is the crux of the matter that seems to reoccur year after year.
Dear 9:20PM poster - well done my friend....well done. You have perfectly articulated and encapsulated this entire debacle. Is this a Gadfly record for the number of comments generated by one submission?
The 920PM poster should be the President of the MTRA!!!!!!
10:36 PM- Clueless, Clueless, Clueless, you are the one not getting it. You're great, pat yourselves on the back and now stop being so defensive and think about how this all started. "OUR KIDS COME FIRST, WINNING IS A DISTANT SECOND", is this not your motto?
The 9:20 PM poster hit the nail on the head: it's about the kids and being fair. There are plenty of times when life isn't fair when you're an adult, let the kids be kids and play ball.
Everybody keeps posting about the $5000 the township gives the Rec. Yes, the township cuts the grass, and yes, they pay the electric. But how do you think these fields are playable. It is because of the irrigation maintenance and fertilization that goes into making our rec fields look that way. If you go around all the towns in the rec league. We are constantly getting props on how nice our fields look. And unfortunately $5000 doesn't go that far in the maintenance of 4 baseball fields and 2 soccer fields. Just let those fields go without all that work done for a year and see what you have, you would have garbage fields. So focus on something else. Plus, there is a volunteer clean-up day to go get those fields in shape after the winter, and it is usually the same faces out there every year. Someone said you volunteer because you want too, and that is correct, but if more people did it, they would understand the runnings of the leagues and all the time and work that goes into fielding teams, instead of sitting on the sidelines and speculating about it like you know what's going on. Because that is obviously untrue or there wouldn't even be a discussion here.
To the 9:20 poster:
Once again someone thinks they have all the answers. Your solution sounds great. You stated: "If there was not enough kids for two teams did anyone think to have one large team to train and practice together until a few more kids could be found or recruited in order to have two teams? At least that would've been better. If it didn't work out then at least you could say you tried your all. But instead these kids were just cut without any kid of notice."
So what your saying is that the kids should have been strung along till the last minute, then cut. I bet that would have worked out a lot better. As far as not letting the kids that play in high school or on travel teams play in the rec, that just isn't right either. They have been playing rec since they were old enough to play, and now you are gonna tell them they aren't allowed anymore? If you told every kid at every level that same thing, you would only have a handful of kids playing for the rec. So what I'm saying is that there is no answer to the problem that everyone will agree to. The solution to one person's problem will just start a problem for someone else.
If you have to ration who can play or not, let the kids who aren't already playing on other teams have preference. That would be the fairest way to handle it.
@ 10:11am poster... Are you related to Mr. College Pitcher?
@ 10:56am poster...EXACTLY... plain and simple.
To the 9:20 poster:
What don't you get? On your first comment about stringing the kids along.....Since you don't understand I will spell it out for you. What I'm saying is that the Rec should have been up front and honest with the kids and the parents from the get go. At least saying "Hey kids/parents we have too many kids for one team but not enough for two so what we are going to do is practice together for a couple of weeks. During that time we will try to find/recruit a few more kids so we can have two teams and then you all can play. If we don't find enough kids then there will have to be cuts." At least the kids/parents at that time could have made a decision whether or not they wanted to proceed with the league. They could have made an informed decision. But that is not how it was handled. To this date still no calls or communication from the Rec saying my kid is not playing. I guess you think that is the proper way to handle it?
On your second comment about the kids playing ball in other leagues.....Gee what's more fair? A kid who is playing ball on two different leagues also getting to play on the Rec and take up a spot that my kid could've taken (who also has been playing since he was "old enough to play")?
So as far as not being able to please everyone you are right but I don't think that a parent who's kid plays in two or three leagues has a leg to stand on when it comes to making the argument that their kid is not in Mullica Rec ball when there are other Mullica kids who depend on Mullica Rec ball as their ONLY league to play in. I say to those parents stop being PIGS! Isn't it enough that your kid plays ball in other leagues? You got to take away the only chance for playing ball from another kid? How greedy, depraved, & shallow are you? Amazing!!
The more postings I read written by MTRA members and you know which ones they are, the more scary you seem to me. You aren't looking at the KIDS in any of this. You are taking this all so personally for basically someone asking for the decency of a phone call. Can't you just stop and admit someone messed up, apologize and move on?
re 12:48pm
The MTRA members are appearing scary to me,too.
The post written by a volunteer at 2:29 am was especially jarring.
Excerpts:
"So get off your taxpayer funded bullshit"
"So quit all your whining and bitching. You don't like it? Move on. Get out. We don't need your type."
"...crawl back under your rock."
I don't have a child involved in the MTRA but I am a taxpayer in Mullica. If this is the type of person that is running the programs, I can see why there is such unfairness towards the kids and disrespect for the parents.
Taxpayer funded means that ALL kids play for the fun of the game. I am very angry that this person has taken our hard earned money and used our land for his own selfish goals of winning at all costs.
This person needs to fund his own team and pay to use the land.
All kids get to play or we should just stop wasting our money on an "Elite" few. We are not appreciated by this group,so let's just "move on","Get out","crawl under our rocks" and take our "bullshit" funding with us.
To everyone making comments about other kids playing on other leagues:
Did you know that a few kids didn't sign up because they "thought" they were gonna play in high school, but got cut? If they, along with a few that missed all the sign ups, and tried to sign up after the cut off date, would have signed up, we would have had enough players for 2 teams. Then you wouldn't have any problems with the high school kids playing then, right? But I guess that was the rec's fault, too.
To the 10:56 am poster:
Is there some kind of committee that has a list of all the players and all the teams that they play on? Or do you have that list?
How can you know (at the time of tryouts) who plays on what teams when high school didn't make their cuts yet?
Why does everyone think they have all the answers?
Yes you are right, the MTRA did make a mistake. They let parents sign up their kids weeks after the original cut off date. They should not take any sign ups after the cut off date. If parents can't get their act together and get to the sign ups when everyone else does, then why should the MTRA make special accommodations for them. But they did, and they are still the bad guys. Last minute sign ups that didn't get to the coaches on time, screwed things up for a couple of teams.
Still not addressing the real issue, keep yourselves on the defense. DO THE RIGHT THING is the only answer.
To Dawn:
About the first comment you made:
Did you sign your kid up on time, before any cuts were made?
Maybe if you did, (and the high school kids that didn't, cause they "thought" they were gonna make the high school team) there would have been enough kids for 2 teams.
And if your kid isn't 16 years old, he can still play.
OK. What is THE RIGHT THING?
And I bet what you "think" is THE RIGHT THING, is what benefits YOU.
That's what EVERYONE that posts anything on here says.
Their answer only benefits them.
I've heard there were members of the MTRA who were against these cuts when the subject came up during meetings but their objections were either ignored or brushed aside. Not surprising because I know for the majority the MTRA has members that are good people and that care whats best and fair for our children. Of course coming from me this is all hear say and I would invite anyone from the MTRA who has the courage to do what's right to come forward, elaborate and leave your comments here.
Courtesy and decency. If they had been straight forward about the kids being cut, people would have been disappointed, but at least treated with some sort of dignity. That's the RIGHT THING TO DO AND WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. END OF STORY.
OK Folks one more time.....If your playing on other leagues then you don't have time for the Rec. If kids who played on other leagues were not allowed to play Rec ball then "Everyone" who wanted to play baseball this year would be playing right now! As far as late & extended sign ups. I can only assume that they had extended sign ups because there were not enough kids for even one team. Because if there were more than enough kids for one team then why have extended sign ups, right? The only other answer for extended sign ups is that they were trying to get enough kids for two teams. But if that were the case you would have to think that it would be in the backs of their minds that if we do not get enough kids for a second team then we will have to cut the extended sign up kids. OK so are you with me so far? So I wonder how many extended sign up kids are playing on the current team and how many "on time" sign up kids got cut? I'm sure the answer would be very interesting and enlightening to say the least.
Oh by the way. The members of the MTRA know which kids play ball every year. They would have known well in advance the problem they were going to face this year. It was the same problem that coaches of previous years past had faced with this group of kids. The difference is that in previous years those coaches found ways to work around the problem and keep ALL of the kids playing. The conscious decision to cut kids was made weeks before any "extended" sign ups. The "need" to cut kids was kept a little secret until the 11th hour. In fact it is still being kept a secret because as far as I know not one parent of a kid who was cut was ever officially told by the MTRA.
Re 4:50 pm
I'm following your logic and would love to know the answer to your questions.
It would also be nice to know if any of the cut kids at least got their fees reimbursed.
4:32 pm states that there were members of the MTRA that were against the cuts but they were ignored and brushed aside. It looks like the wrong people are making the decisions for the MTRA.
I've heard things, for years, about this group. Maybe it's time to straighten things out. I always thought that if even one dollar of public money went into an activity, it would mean that everyone was included. By that reasoning,any cuts would be illegal.
Can anyone explain to me how cuts are legally being done?
I guess some of us can agree to disagree. The bottom line is that not everyone always makes the right decisions, and that's OK. I hope that certain protocols will be placed to help avoid the same issue if possible. I like to think that we all raise our kids in a similar fashion teaching them ethics, morals and compassion. We've all known each other in one way, shape or form for many years. We've looked out for each others kids. To see my son disappointed and hurt was extremely frustrating. It was hard to make him understand the "politics" of matters. He's a kid... he walked away with the impression he wasn't good enough and that makes me angry and sad. Volunteering is the key to our communities success and to read some of the angry and egotistical postings is surprising. At the end of the day I'm sure if you felt things weren't handled in a fair manner with any of your children you would respond the same way.
What's done is done and we will move on. We will continue to support our community, our kids and our friends, who also happen to be members of the MTRA.
"What's done is done and we will move on." ...and nothing will change and we'll read about a similar situation again sometime on Gadfly next year.
re 7:01 pm
Are you kidding me??? Your kid gets cut and you know what's going on in the inner circles and now you turn around and want to support your "friends" in the MTRA. Did somebody show up at your door with a weapon?
Perhaps the township should set some "terms & conditions" on the financial & other support it gives to the MTRA to ensure that ALL of the township's children are treated fairly and benefit from said support? Because I'm sure that if the MTRA found itself in a legal pickle that the Township would also be held liable from the support it gives to the MTRA.
ATTN: Town Council Members. A complete and thorough investigation of the MTRA is in order. Many insightful questions were asked by the public in this forum that deserve answers. What, if any, responsibility does the MTRA have to not cut children from its youth programs given its receipt of taxpayer money? Perhaps the MTRA is participating in a baseball league that does not conform to the guidelines that should be in place regarding rules as it relates to the number of children allowed on a roster and other such unknown rules that may not be in the spirit of what MTRA baseball should be all about. Town Council should investigate these and other matters as it relates to the MTRA and respond here or in some other public forum to communicate said findings to the public. As it is obvious that the public has no influence over the leaders of the MTRA, it is up to our Town Council to investigate these matters and make appropriate changes to the MTRA bylaws as it relates to ALL sports. If the MTRA should resist such efforts, then the Town Council should not only pull the $5,000.00 stipend, but also cease paying for the lighting and maintenance of the fields as well as any other such support of the MTRA. I would also suggest that once these MTRA bylaws are modified, they are made available to the entire public, most likely from the town website or other town controlled site as to make everyone aware of the rules as they relate to the MTRA. In this way, the entire town can be informed of the workings and rules of the MTRA. The more people that know what SHOULD be going on , the more likely the MTRA leaders will do the right thing and be held accountable for their boorish behavior. We all await your findings.
To the 4:29 poster:
Not sure exactly what you are talking about.
Most of the postings/answers I've seen on here (except the ones from I suspect MTRA members) benefits EVERYONE and not just a "certain" few.
RE 5:54 pm:
Isn't high school sports COMPLETELY funded by taxpayers?
Then I guess high schools are illegally making cuts too.
All you have to do is go to the meetings!!! The first Tuesday of every month at the firehouse. But no one does!!! If more people would go, maybe there wouldn't be this whole mess going on right now.
The difference between high school sports and Rec sports is: High school is SUPPOSED TO BE COMPETITIVE AND Rec sports is RECREATIONAL.
RE: 4:50 pm
You are absolutely right when you say that you assumed they had extended the sign ups to try to get more players for the senior league. It was just an assumption. The extended sign ups were for the ENTIRE rec league, not just the Senior league. For the parents that needed more time to get to the sign up tables.(Once again, for the ENTIRE rec league.) The MTRA members have to worry about the whole rec league, not just 1 team (unlike anyone else posting comments on here)they have multiple situations that they have to deal with concerning the entire program. And I will be the first person to say "Thank you" to them.
RE: 11:50
That's has nothing to do with what the posting at 5:54 pm said. It says "I always thought that if even one dollar of public money went into an activity, it would mean that everyone was included. By that reasoning,any cuts would be illegal."
So then high school sports are illegal too.
Re: 11:35 poster. Why would the average citizen, who doesn't have children or doesn't have children in sports attend a MTRA meeting? I guess, as a taxpayer, I made the assumption, which always bites you in the ass, that all was well and you were grateful to the township.
However, upon reading the MTRA postings, all is is NOT WELL and you are all obvious egotistical ingrates.
I have to agree with 3:22 PM poster; the taxpayers don't give you enough money, the Road Department "just cuts the grass", which is I guess is free in your eyes and no one answered has answered about the electric bill costs, another freebie I guess. So don't take the money from us, run it how you want, and you pay the Township for use of the fields. Oh, and then you can get your own insurance too, because I'm betting the Township pays for that too, yet another freebie for you. It's a WIN-WIN.
For the record, a MTRA member obviously started this post and opened a whole can of worms. Now, as a taxpayer, we expect answers. I hope the township committee does ask for a meeting, as I am curious as to how you will control yourselves and also would love to know the actual costs of the township cutting the grass and what the actual electrical bills are costing our community.
And when you are in High school and they cut you they usually tell you about it!!
It seems to me that the person that posted the original post obviously didn't know what the hell they were talking about. They got all the facts wrong and started all this trouble. What a moron.
And the MTRA members are morons too for volunteering their time and putting up with all this bullshit.
It sounds like Mullica is full of morons.
To the 12:18 poster:
Yea I got no idea that my kid (& other kids) is sitting home not playing baseball yet there are kids on this team in two or three other leagues......I'm such a moron!!
It was the Mullica Rec that opened up this can of worms when they made the choice to make the wrong decisions. They made their bed and now they are either going to have to lie in it or make things right. The ball has always been in their court.
I appreciate them being volunteers because I'm one myself but that does not excuse me from making the right decisions.
My fortune cookie at lunch reads "Out of confusion comes new patterns". Hmmm how appropriate.
To the 11:35am poster:
I bet you have a lot of people at this next meeting.
But then that will be it. They won't show up ever again. Unless they find another witch hunt to get involved in.
1:46 PM No one additional is going to the meeting. No witch hunt. Stop stirring the pot. All this has done is aired the dirty laundry of the Rec Assoc.
Let's rename it the "Wreck" Association...
Yea if you went to the meetings you would see that there isn't any dirty laundry.
What happens in the Rec stays in the Rec
RE3:15 pm
If you read the 11:35 am post from someone who obviously does goes to the meetings, you would get the impression that there is a lot of dirty laundry. This person is imploring people to attend the meetings because... "maybe there wouldn't be this whole mess going on right now"
This will be my last posting on this subject. The rest of my actions will take place outside of this forum.
The difference between High school ball and Rec ball: Yes High school is paid for with tax dollars but those tax dollars are used to fund all school activities from A to Z. It is known up front in High school sports that the main goal is winning therefore there will be cuts and only the best players will be chosen.
Rec is for recreation and learning. Their motto & mantra is "Where our kids come first & winning is a distant second". If that is really the case then how were the cuts made? Was it on a 1st come 1st serve basis or was it by who were the better players or who had an "in" with the MTRA? Hmmm I didn't see any notice this year that cuts were going to be needed so you better get your kid signed up on a 1st come basis. That at least would have been more fair then the current situation. That would have given the kids ample opportunity to find other leagues to play for. But that is not how this played out. This was kept in the back room in the dark and only amongst the MTRA members. It was a decision that was made so that only the better players made the team because it is not about the kids, it is about winning. Do me a favor and change your motto because it is a farse and a slap in the face. Again to this date, no calls, no notices, no apologies, only excuses and continued slaps in the face!!
Join the MTRA? Come to the meetings? Been there, done that, before there even was an MTRA. Now, as back then, I am volunteer firefighter in the township 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for 21 years. How much more do you require?
Signed,
Jonathan Fowler
#1 Village Moron
Jody, you are not the moron here.
To #1 Village Moron
Thank you for all your service! And thank you to all the "Morons" of this town who are trying to clean up the dirt that been covering this town for years.
I am a parent who had problems with the rec, went to the required 3 meetings to become a member. I served on a committee to review and change some of the bylaws to make it more fair, presented models that other communities were using and why they were using it. I and served on this project for months only to have the changes defeated in a vote. It was obvious that they were never going to change but to shut us up, they had us work on a committee for almost a year thinking that we were making a difference. All that work and at the end, it was a no change. I never went back.
Mr. Fowler for President and Vice President of the MTRA!!! Someone with common sense who would do right by the children of Mullica.
People like the 9:42PM poster should be running the MTRA along with Mr. Fowler. The Mullica committee HAS to take control of this situation, conduct an investigation into this matter, make changes that the MTRA MUST abide by or lose all taxpayer support. The results of this investigation should be made public along with all of the new bylaws so that the public can be aware of the rules. For too long now, the MTRA has run roughshod over the children and parents of Mullica. They consistently do things half ass, in back rooms, without any apparent oversight by any governing body. The MTRA feigns concern and asks people to get involved, only to be ignored as the 9:42PM poster has stated. Its all one big power play and ego trip for these people to ensure that their children get their ego's stroked and to grab their awards. Far too many people have weighed in with complaints and far too many others remain SILENT in order to "protect" their friendships with MTRA members.....the same parents whose children are discriminated against by their "friends". Go figure!
re 9:42pm
Thank you for sharing your story. You put in a lot of effort trying to make things better for the kids. You have also shown that other communities put the interests of the children first.
What is so unnerving about this whole situation is that the leadership of the MTRA clearly believe that nothing they are doing is wrong.
I first want to say that my kids had some great, dedicated coaches and I never felt that they or their teammates were ever discriminated against because they were not the coaches' kids, in their younger grades. Even today, my kids recall their coaches' fairness, instruction, recognition and encouragement for them to try their hardest to be skilled players, which has helped them to gain self-confidence and to love playing sports today.
But as the kids get older, the motivation in the MTRA management changes, to prepare certain kids for high school and college sports rather than be primarily recreational. I think that's when the problems start to arise. Competition begins to overtake fair play. The rec loses sight of its true role. Parents put their kids on select travels team to improve their skills and then expect the rec team to cater to their goals of advancing their own kids first and this becomes the prevailing attitude. This sometimes results in the rest of rec kids being left behind. Have no delusions, kids are smart and they know when the're being treated unfairly. Those lessons stay with them for life.
This might all well and good if the rec was another private organization, where competition is the stated goal, but its not. The rec is suppose to be there for all the kids and to be operated in a fair manner so that at the end of the day all the kids feel like they were treated fairly.
I think that there needs to be a review of the criteria as to how the rec teams are selected and operated, especially in the latter grades, so that some guidelines can be established to promote fairness and inclusiveness in the process.
The thing that strikes me as being funny is that the naysayers keep referring to their children as "kids".The boys that play on the Senior League team are 14 years old. Don't we want to start treating them like they are young men?
My father was in combat when he was 17 yrs old, and I am quite sure that my grandfather was not babying him to the point of saying that it was his God-giving right to be on a team that he was not qualified to make at the age of 14!
When you become a teenager, you need to come to the reality that everyone does not deserve a "participation trophy" just because your mommy drives you to practice every day.In the "real world" adults fail everyday. They lose their jobs, don't earn a raise, miss out on a promotion, etc. How old do they have to be, before that have to start learning this reality?
Yes, it is very unfortunate that MTRA was not able to field 2 teams, and had to cut 1 player. However, it is also very unfortuante that the team now is forced to man a squad that is so large that there are older players that were an integral part of the team last year, that now have to "ride the pine" this year. This no doubt, is to try to satisfy the parents of the younger players that were at "Prep" level last year.
As a result, MTRA is now fielding a team that is inferior to the rest of the Atlantic Shore League. Oh, I forgot, it is not suppose to be about winning. However, is it not suppose to be about building self esteem? Should the team get diluted to the point that they have to spend the season getting their asses kicked by every other "Shore Town". Where is the pride in that, and what lesson does that teach are children?
Many people today want the government to hand everything to them today, because they think they deserve it without actually earning it. If you let a teenage boy play on this team for that reason alone, you are sending him a message that he will carry with him for the rest of his life.
The tragedy with that is that you are setting him up to fail as an individual, and as an American citizen. To me, this is far more important to our young men, than to just let them stay on the team, so that they can bullshit with their buddies, and eat sunflowers seeds in the dugout, while they are watching our team get pummeled by another "A-Shore" powerhouse!
Problems with how the rec is being run begin long before the kids are 15.
The writer has lost sight of what the rec is about. If a team can no longer be inclusive for whatever the stated reasons are then it should no longer be part of the rec or at least the stated charter of the league should be changed. When I was in the service, I was part of team - many of us were just 18, still kids in many ways - that looked out for one another. We didn't write off anyone because we felt that they weren't good enough.
Ignorance is bliss!!!
The minimum direct combat age for someone in the American military is age 18. Anyone age 17 is considered to still be a child, here and in most other countries, and cannot be assigned to combat.
4/19/10
There seems to be a 180degree difference between the views of 12:15 am,8:56am and 9:59 am. A very intelligent debate has been presented.
I have to be on the side on 12:15 & 8:56 am because they represent the principals that the MTRA was based on. The MTRA's motto "Our kids come first,winning is a distant second" is totally disregarded and mocked by the remarks of 9:59am.
9:59 am's main concern is about winning and I feel that the Rec should be more about fun and good memories rather than pressure and heartbreak for these kids(yes,KIDS).
I can't imagine the pressure that the kids of these coaches must feel. If winning is everything to them,then striking out by the kid must be mentally crushing. I have a feeling that these star kids would welcome the "useless sunflower eaters" to help relieve the tension and put some fun back in the games.
To 9:59 AM. Wow - you need therapy. This is about doing what is right for the CHILDREN of Mullica Twp and not about a bitter adult losing their job.
You really missed the boat on this.
Look, instead of fighting like a bunch of little kids do something productive. Go to a meeting and be a resonable adult. Name calling is for kids. We all need to put ourselves in the other person/peoples positions. Yes, if it was my kid I would be mad but if it wasn't I wouldn't necessarily be the advocate for the other. I also wouldn't want my volunteerism to be poo-pooed either. So, instead of fighting lets all get some resonable solutions together and bring them up at the meeting. Remember , we are a community and we need to work together. Maybe the rec did make a mistake but the last time I looked no one was perfect.
Fighting "the rec" on their own turf is a waste of one's breath.(See the earlier post of the person who wason the subcommittee.) Even the previous poster says that unless its his kid, it wouldn't necessarily matter to him. So why bother?
9:24 why bother??????? Why let them get away with all this BS..... Lets stand up for what is right!!!!!
After reading all these comments, I am truly sad for the kids. You ask for ideas or solutions to make the Rec better, yet shoot down when anyone tries to keep the topic positive. Was the rec wrong in cutting kids...YES. Do I have any ideas on how to avoid the same mistake from happening next year...sadly no. Not yet. However, sitting back throwing out insults is going to fix it? Really? Being passionate about something, doesn't mean you get to throw insults at people who are giving up their time volunteering to help the kids. (Did you hear that...THE KIDS). I have read a lot of negative things on here, yet 90% of those comments have 0% helpful ideas. Maybe if half of you harness all that anger and energy and aimed it into finding a solution rather then creating a big "bitchfest" this won't be an issue next year.
Now having said that...i am sure you guys are going to take it and run with it. So have fun.
I keep reading all the comments,And all i have to say is,#1 I never got a notice about ANY sign ups or tryouts. or i would have been there, And THE FUNNY THING IS, YOU KNOW IT TO. There is always notice during report cards to sign them up. I didn't see a thing or no phone call to let me know about tryouts, I have to go to facebook to ask ?'s about this. Which is stupid. But i will be at that meeting on tuesday, I have nothing to hide and i sure the other parents don't either. They are just tired of the same BS, as i am..Just a little respect would be nice, because if it wasn't for our kids, you guys wouldn't have a job, or the funding..AND FOR JOE HARRISON, YOU ARE A GREAT COACH..I WISH YOU WHERE COACHING THE 14 YRS. BECAUSE I KNOW I WOULD OF HEARD ABOUT SIGN UPS AND TRYOUTS..SO TO THE MTRA, A LITTLE NOTICE WOULD BE NICE, THATS ALL.
It's funny how the other hundred or so players got the notices. And yes the rec did have sign ups at the teachers conferences.
Boy the Rec Clique just keep pushing buttons with a nasty remark after anyone dare question anything. Too defensive, so you must be guilty of something. "Methinks thou doth protest too much".
@7.24pm. well i didn't get any notice..AND i was at confereances and i didn't see it. BECAUSE i also ask for your info..I see you have alot to say Anonymous...And it always been about favortism..I am so tired of this back and forth, You know who i am, so come up to me and we will talk about it. And my kid is good, and in high school, when he starts next year! i know he won't get cut. like yours will. And to all the voleenters that coach for baseball and softball, thank you for your time..(truly).....Its the rules that keep changing every other day.without notice. AND TO JODY,, WELL SAID MY MAN..
To the 11:40 am poster...What don't you get? Every complainer here including you, knows exactly how the program should be run, but you volunteer no time. You have all the answers, but you drop off your kids for the true volunteers to babysit. That's ok...we're happy to do it. Someone has to care for them and show them the game. And we are not patting ourselves on the back. We didn't start this conversation. You do-nothing, whining complainers did. We're simply backing a well run organization. Like I've said before. If you think you can do better, go off and start your own organization. Your leader couldn't hold a candle to Frank Seney. Oh, that's right, you don't have the time. You don't even have the time to show up at rec meetings to find out the real deal. You just sit behind a forum and rip good people. Get a life. And for all you "know it alls" that keep complaining about the cuts, the Atlantic Shore Baseball league, which Mullica Senior Ball plays in, does not allow a roster of more than 15 players. That means that you cannot, I repeat, cannot have 20 players on a team. You also cannot have more than one prep team or One "A" team in the league. Each town is only permitted one team at each level. This is travel ball. It may not be AAU travel ball, but it is travel ball. And then each town can have a "B" team. Mullica had a coach willing to do a "B" team, but was unable to pull it off because he did not have enough leftover players from the "A" and Prep teams to field a "B" team. So unless you are willing to go out and recruit more players somehow or go to the A Shore meetings and complain about their rules if you don't like them, keep your flap shut, and stop bashing MTRA. We don't make the league rules...we simply abide by them. What was I thinking? You can't even make a MTRA meeting much less an A Shore meeting. This shit is just too funny.
Post a Comment