For anyone just catching up on the situation, there was a major incident in Tuesday's Sumter v. Lexington game. In a nutshell, Sumter batter drops his bat, charges the mound, puts pitcher in choke hold/head lock, benches empty, etc. Multiple ejections, on both sides.
At the time this occurred, Lexington (4 seed) was beating Sumter (No 1), 4-2 in the bottom of the 7th. I BELIEVE there were 2 outs, but would not swear to that. Despite leading the game when SUMTER'S batter charged the mound, Lexington was declared the loser by forfeit because after the ejections, they did not have enough players to continue.
The infamous State Committee, met yesterday, cancelled last night's game, and changed the series to a best of 3. No players are suspended, not even the one that charged the mound and assaulted the pitcher. No teams are disqualified, as two out of state teams were during a previous brawl in Sumter several years ago.
As one Legion coach told me yesterday, the Lesson Learned from all of this is if you are ever in danger of losing to a weak team, have somebody charge the mound. There will be no repercussions and you will get a Complete Do Over. This coach also told me that within minutes of Legree Oswald's decision, he was getting texts from college coaches telling him how badly Oswald had handled this, and what a black eye this was for Legion Baseball in S.C. No argument here.
I have been following Legion baseball in SC since 2005, my son's first year. There have ALWAYS been a lot of controversial, politically based shenanigans. This is just another classic example. And from what I have heard about some of the other stuff going on this year, things are getting worse rather than better. Case in point, Inman Post ousts it's long time Athletic Officer/Coach. What does Oswald and his cronies do? They give him his own team, totally unaffiliated with the Union Post. Since when are non-Legion teams allowed to play Legion baseball? As a result of this dubious move, Union ends up with two teams, neither of which is very good, and neither of which has enough players. Multiple forfeits ensue. Of course, despite being terrible, both teams make the "playoffs."
And this is just a drop in the bucket. I am hearing all sorts of stories about teams playing fast and loose with the roster rules, while the powers that be turn a blind eye. The rule is 18 guys. Yes, it's a ridiculously low number, but if you use more than that you're cheating. Earlier this week, Inman and Walhalla were allowed to play two 7 inning double-headers, rather than 4 9-inning games. I thought 9 inning games were sacrosanct in Legion baseball, especially in the playoffs? The stated reason was cut down on travel, but that's nonsense. Teams in some leagues travel further than that for regular season games. But, those 7 inning games really help, especially when you have pitchers on vacation.
But, back to the Sumter situation. For a player to charge the mound and assault a pitcher, and get off scot free, is absurd. This kid is lucky he wasn't charged with assault. MLB, not exactly the epitome of discipline or sportsmanship, would suspend a guy multiple games for something like this. But, in SC it's just swept under the rug.
I have heard the Legion Pledge/Code of Sportsmanship so many times I know it by heart. Oswald and his Committee have now rendered the PLEDGE MEANINGLESS. I'm sorry, but attacking a player from the opposing team does NOT keep the RULES, keep faith with his teammates, keep his TEMPER, etc.
The Legion Baseball Rule Book also provides "...players who...conduct themselves in an unsportsmanlike manner THAT WOULD DISCREDIT THIS PROGRAM may be removed by the department baseball committee." If charging the mound and physically assaulting a pitcher doesn't qualify, what does? But, it's not just the player who has discredited the program, it is Oswald and cohorts. You expect kids to do stupid things. Adults should know better.
To Oswald and the other members of the state committee I stay this, IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE. Thank you for your years of service, but it is time to step aside. As much as I hate to say it, Legion baseball is dying in South Carolina. You can blame it on travel ball, HS coaches, kids, and parents all you want. (And to a certain extent, you are right). But, you need to look in the mirror. YOU are also part of the problem. If it is to survive, Legion baseball needs to CHANGE. If you are incapable of changing with the times, step aside and let people who are take your place. There are people out there with a lot of good ideas ready to take the lead. LET THEM LEAD.
It's time to get rid of these ridiculous 9 inning games. It's time to increase rosters from 18 to 22, or more. It's time to institute pitch counts and mandatory days of rest for pitchers. And don't give me the "tradition" BS. What is more important to you, tradition or player health? Tradition or quality of play? Tradition or declining participation? Tradition or extinction?
Legion baseball remains a good program, but it could be so much better, if you let it.
At the time this occurred, Lexington (4 seed) was beating Sumter (No 1), 4-2 in the bottom of the 7th. I BELIEVE there were 2 outs, but would not swear to that. Despite leading the game when SUMTER'S batter charged the mound, Lexington was declared the loser by forfeit because after the ejections, they did not have enough players to continue.
The infamous State Committee, met yesterday, cancelled last night's game, and changed the series to a best of 3. No players are suspended, not even the one that charged the mound and assaulted the pitcher. No teams are disqualified, as two out of state teams were during a previous brawl in Sumter several years ago.
As one Legion coach told me yesterday, the Lesson Learned from all of this is if you are ever in danger of losing to a weak team, have somebody charge the mound. There will be no repercussions and you will get a Complete Do Over. This coach also told me that within minutes of Legree Oswald's decision, he was getting texts from college coaches telling him how badly Oswald had handled this, and what a black eye this was for Legion Baseball in S.C. No argument here.
I have been following Legion baseball in SC since 2005, my son's first year. There have ALWAYS been a lot of controversial, politically based shenanigans. This is just another classic example. And from what I have heard about some of the other stuff going on this year, things are getting worse rather than better. Case in point, Inman Post ousts it's long time Athletic Officer/Coach. What does Oswald and his cronies do? They give him his own team, totally unaffiliated with the Union Post. Since when are non-Legion teams allowed to play Legion baseball? As a result of this dubious move, Union ends up with two teams, neither of which is very good, and neither of which has enough players. Multiple forfeits ensue. Of course, despite being terrible, both teams make the "playoffs."
And this is just a drop in the bucket. I am hearing all sorts of stories about teams playing fast and loose with the roster rules, while the powers that be turn a blind eye. The rule is 18 guys. Yes, it's a ridiculously low number, but if you use more than that you're cheating. Earlier this week, Inman and Walhalla were allowed to play two 7 inning double-headers, rather than 4 9-inning games. I thought 9 inning games were sacrosanct in Legion baseball, especially in the playoffs? The stated reason was cut down on travel, but that's nonsense. Teams in some leagues travel further than that for regular season games. But, those 7 inning games really help, especially when you have pitchers on vacation.
But, back to the Sumter situation. For a player to charge the mound and assault a pitcher, and get off scot free, is absurd. This kid is lucky he wasn't charged with assault. MLB, not exactly the epitome of discipline or sportsmanship, would suspend a guy multiple games for something like this. But, in SC it's just swept under the rug.
I have heard the Legion Pledge/Code of Sportsmanship so many times I know it by heart. Oswald and his Committee have now rendered the PLEDGE MEANINGLESS. I'm sorry, but attacking a player from the opposing team does NOT keep the RULES, keep faith with his teammates, keep his TEMPER, etc.
The Legion Baseball Rule Book also provides "...players who...conduct themselves in an unsportsmanlike manner THAT WOULD DISCREDIT THIS PROGRAM may be removed by the department baseball committee." If charging the mound and physically assaulting a pitcher doesn't qualify, what does? But, it's not just the player who has discredited the program, it is Oswald and cohorts. You expect kids to do stupid things. Adults should know better.
To Oswald and the other members of the state committee I stay this, IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE. Thank you for your years of service, but it is time to step aside. As much as I hate to say it, Legion baseball is dying in South Carolina. You can blame it on travel ball, HS coaches, kids, and parents all you want. (And to a certain extent, you are right). But, you need to look in the mirror. YOU are also part of the problem. If it is to survive, Legion baseball needs to CHANGE. If you are incapable of changing with the times, step aside and let people who are take your place. There are people out there with a lot of good ideas ready to take the lead. LET THEM LEAD.
It's time to get rid of these ridiculous 9 inning games. It's time to increase rosters from 18 to 22, or more. It's time to institute pitch counts and mandatory days of rest for pitchers. And don't give me the "tradition" BS. What is more important to you, tradition or player health? Tradition or quality of play? Tradition or declining participation? Tradition or extinction?
Legion baseball remains a good program, but it could be so much better, if you let it.
