OT: I guess you can file this one under "Actions Have Consequences" (Little League)...

[MtNittany]

Little League removes softball team from World Series over social media post

The Atlee Junior League softball team show in a previous team photo. (Junior League World Series)
The Atlee Junior League softball team was removed from the World Series championship game on Saturday after posting an inappropriate photo on social media.


The photo in question was taken moments after Atlee defeated Kirkland American in the semifinals on Friday.

Here’s a look.

@espn2news

Wow in Kirkland WA today. Junior League Softball pic.twitter.com/PSO5CwomsB

— Vin (@Vin99272529) August 5, 2017

“After discovering a recent inappropriate social media post involving members of Atlee Little League’s Junior League Softball tournament team, the Little League® International Tournament Committee has removed the Southeast Region from the 2017 Junior League Softball World Series for violation of Little League’s policies regarding unsportsmanlike conduct, inappropriate use of social media, and the high standard that Little League International holds for all its participants.”

As a result of the disqualification, Kirkland American was given Atlee’s spot in the championship game.

Atlee manager Scott Currie was clear in stating that the photo reflected poor sportsmanship, but wasn’t convinced the post was enough to “justify the disqualification.”

“Somebody got a hold of it. I guess they ran it through to Williamsport,” Currie said. “Williamsport decided to disqualify us.”

Coach Chris Mardigian added that the photo was in response to the treatment Atlee players received from members of the Kirkland American team during their visit. Kirkland serves as the host city for the tournament.

That may explain his team’s actions, but it doesn’t justify them. It’s a truly unfortunate way for a team’s memorable journey to end. But it’s also a good lesson on the importance of making good decisions and acting responsibly at all times.

 

[BobPSU92]

What is this world coming to? Was it appropriate? No. Was it good sportsmanship? No. Was it worthy of disqualification? Of course not. They won on the field. They're kids who got caught up in the moment. It was a teaching moment for sure for their coaches and parents, but disqualification is over the top.

I'm sure the snowflakes who lost to them feel better. To some, including the snowflakes, that's all that matters. Total bullshit.

 

[MtNittany]

I don't necessarily agree w/ the disqualification, but LL is certainly within their rights to do it.

 

[PSU.:.]

Hahaha. No surprise. Got a pander to the everyone's delicate sensitivity these days
Ridiculous

 

[MtNittany]

Hahaha. No surprise. Got a pander to the everyone's delicate sensitivity these days
Ridiculous

Hometown newspaper comments seem to agree with LL.

richmond.com article

 

[BobPSU92]

Hometown newspaper comments seem to agree with LL.

richmond.com article

It's popular to be PC. I'm not surprised that someone writing for a newspaper agrees with the decision. We live in a snowflake society.

I'm reminded of Andrew Dice Clay when an offended woman walks out on one of his shows:

Dice imitating the woman: You're supposed to be nice to people.

Dice: F-ck you!

 

[Obliviax]

apparently, the opposing team had two people thrown out of the semi-final game for stealing and relaying signals. What is ironic is it is now that team, the sign stealers, that will replace this team in the finals.

Personally, I think a social media posting isn't cause for dismissal. I can understand the coach having a stern conversation with them. Do you now monitor all social media and throw out a gal that made a sick post a year earlier?

 

[BobPSU92]

apparently, the opposing team had two people thrown out of the semi-final game for stealing and relaying signals. What is ironic is it is now that team, the sign stealers, that will replace this team in the finals.

Holy crap. That's a great message to send to kids.

 

[MtNittany]

apparently, the opposing team had two people thrown out of the semi-final game for stealing and relaying signals. What is ironic is it is now that team, the sign stealers, that will replace this team in the finals.

Personally, I think a social media posting isn't cause for dismissal. I can understand the coach having a stern conversation with them. Do you now monitor all social media and throw out a gal that made a sick post a year earlier?

I think LL's position is social media postings (IN UNIFORM, in the dugout, WITH the LL patch) such as posted above violate their bylaws. It's hard to argue against that. The previous game's sign stealing was dealt with within the rules, so it's really a non-factor.

 

[Art]

Holy crap. That's a great message to send to kids.

And do you think a reprimand for the social media post would have had any effect? Not in this day and age. Might have limited the punishment by suspending the offending players for the next game or the rest of the tournament, though.

 

[MtNittany]

And do you think a reprimand for the social media post would have had any effect? Not in this day and age. Might have limited the punishment by suspending the offending players for the next game or the rest of the tournament, though.

You can't suspend 6 players on a (at most) 12 player team and continue to compete anyway. Unless they allow alternates to play, which I'm sure they don't.

 

[Art]

You can't suspend 6 players on a (at most) 12 player team and continue to compete anyway. Unless they allow alternates to play, which I'm sure they don't.

Okay, then suspend the six and if the team can't field the required number it forfeits the game. Same result, but a bit more nuanced.

 

[Obliviax]

I think LL's position is social media postings (IN UNIFORM, in the dugout, WITH the LL patch) such as posted above violate their bylaws. It's hard to argue against that. The previous game's sign stealing was dealt with within the rules, so it's really a non-factor.

its a good point....have to wonder where the adult supervision was for 12 ~ 14 year olds. If they were in uniform and in the duggout, their should have been coaches/parents around. I can tell you if my 13 year old was giving the camera the finger, she'd get an earful.

Also, a good lesson in social media. Not sure who posted it or why, but kids today need to learn how damaging social media is. Prosecutors and HR departments go to social media as the first step in vetting people. Things are often taken out of context and nobody understands "talking $hit" and sarcasm.

 

[MtNittany]

Okay, then suspend the six and if the team can't field the required number it forfeits the game. Same result, but a bit more nuanced.

JVP had choir boys (literally) out there cleaning the stadium along side the same ones that lost their cool downtown. Correct?

 

[Art]

JVP had choir boys (literally) out there cleaning the stadium along side the same ones that lost their cool downtown. Correct?

And? Should he have done that? I guess the logic in the stadium cleaning is that the guilt of the offenders is compounded by the knowledge that innocent teammates share the punishment. Same holds true here, except that Little League fell short by not naming the offenders specifically. So an innocent player thinks the Little League is punishing her for the transgressions of her teammates instead of thinking that he suspended teammates let her down. Nuance, I know, but often teaching is in the nuance.

 

[massimoManca II]

What is this world coming to? Was it appropriate? No. Was it good sportsmanship? No. Was it worthy of disqualification? Of course not. They won on the field. They're kids who got caught up in the moment. It was a teaching moment for sure for their coaches and parents, but disqualification is over the top.

I'm sure the snowflakes who lost to them feel better. To some, including the snowflakes, that's all that matters. Total bullshit.

If it's in the LL rulebook then there's really no boo-hoo issue here... rules are rules...

the more one goes around bemoaning political-correctness, the more it sounds like their panties have "snowflake" printed across 'em

 

[Woodpecker]

OK, I'm old and don't "do" social media (apart from LinkedIn [professional] and this board [anonymous]) but can you guys please 'splain to me who these classy ladies were flipping off when they posted the photo? Anyone/Everyone following them? What were they trying to say? I would have thought that their emotions would have been more upbeat than F U but, as I said, I'm old.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Maybe this perhaps overly harsh lesson might deter one of these dewy-eyed lasses from sexting their boyfriend du jour in a few years

 

[MtNittany]

And? Should he have done that? I guess the logic in the stadium cleaning is that the guilt of the offenders is compounded by the knowledge that innocent teammates share the punishment. Same holds true here, except that Little League fell short by not naming the offenders specifically. So an innocent player thinks the Little League is punishing her for the transgressions of her teammates instead of thinking that he suspended teammates let her down. Nuance, I know, but often teaching is in the nuance.

They used even less nuance. They removed the entire SE Region from the tournament, thereby technically punishing everyone in the region. Nuance must not be one of their priorities.

 

[Art]

They used even less nuance. They removed the entire SE Region from the tournament, thereby technically punishing everyone in the region. Nuance must not be one of their priorities.

Seriously? I'm not following this closely, but I believe that the rest of the "SE Region" was previously eliminated. And if some folks from, say, Louisiana feel that they are no longer represented because "their" team was ejected from a softball tournament, I'll send them a box of Kleenex and they can share it as they commiserate.

 

[MtNittany]

Seriously? I'm not following this closely, but I believe that the rest of the "SE Region" was previously eliminated. And if some folks from, say, Louisiana feel that they are no longer represented because "their" team was ejected from a softball tournament, I'll send them a box of Kleenex and they can share it as they commiserate.

Actually I was joking (using their words).

 

[Art]

Actually I was joking (using their words).

Gotcha, but, beyond the kids, I think too many folks are taking this thing way too seriously. Frankly, I have no sympathy for the girls in the picture. That's the cowardly way. You got a problem with someone else's behavior, get up close and personal and let them know it.

 

[TenerHallTerror]

this is how it starts

 

[MtNittany]

this is how it starts

The patches on the arm sleeve?

 

[psuro]

I have no Issue with them getting tossed. I read this article earlier this week and they referenced written rules regarding social media use.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

I don't have any kids.....for which children everywhere are probably rejoicing.....but just hate to see young ladies that age acting like that. All I can say is hopefully it wasn't their coach or one of their parents taking the pic!

 

[psuro]

Not to go down this rabbit hole but......do parents teach their kids to be respectful anymore?

 

[creamery freak]

Little League removes softball team from World Series over social media post

The Atlee Junior League softball team show in a previous team photo. (Junior League World Series)
The Atlee Junior League softball team was removed from the World Series championship game on Saturday after posting an inappropriate photo on social media.


The photo in question was taken moments after Atlee defeated Kirkland American in the semifinals on Friday.

Here’s a look.

@espn2news

Wow in Kirkland WA today. Junior League Softball pic.twitter.com/PSO5CwomsB

— Vin (@Vin99272529) August 5, 2017

“After discovering a recent inappropriate social media post involving members of Atlee Little League’s Junior League Softball tournament team, the Little League® International Tournament Committee has removed the Southeast Region from the 2017 Junior League Softball World Series for violation of Little League’s policies regarding unsportsmanlike conduct, inappropriate use of social media, and the high standard that Little League International holds for all its participants.”

As a result of the disqualification, Kirkland American was given Atlee’s spot in the championship game.

Atlee manager Scott Currie was clear in stating that the photo reflected poor sportsmanship, but wasn’t convinced the post was enough to “justify the disqualification.”

“Somebody got a hold of it. I guess they ran it through to Williamsport,” Currie said. “Williamsport decided to disqualify us.”

Coach Chris Mardigian added that the photo was in response to the treatment Atlee players received from members of the Kirkland American team during their visit. Kirkland serves as the host city for the tournament.

That may explain his team’s actions, but it doesn’t justify them. It’s a truly unfortunate way for a team’s memorable journey to end. But it’s also a good lesson on the importance of making good decisions and acting responsibly at all times.

As Dandy Don Meredith would say " Hey they are telling us they're number one!" Anyone remember the Houston Oilers MN Football game when they zoomed in on a lone fan in the end zone seats, during the 4th quarter of a beat down. Same thing happened!

 

[Connorpozlee]

Maybe this perhaps overly harsh lesson might deter one of these dewy-eyed lasses from sexting their boyfriend du jour in a few years

I have no problem with them being booted from the tournament. It is a great chance for them to learn an important lesson about the danger of social media without lifelong negative consequences.

 

[ericstratton-rushchairman]

It's popular to be PC. I'm not surprised that someone writing for a newspaper agrees with the decision. We live in a snowflake society.

I'm reminded of Andrew Dice Clay when an offended woman walks out on one of his shows:

Dice imitating the woman: You're supposed to be nice to people.

Dice: F-ck you!

Diceman reference. Outstanding... Love Dice

 

[AWS1022]

Not to go down this rabbit hole but......do parents teach their kids to be respectful anymore?

Yes they do...I've coached a lot of great kids who are very respectful. We did the same kind of stuff when we were young but we didn't have social media, camera phones, and video cameras everywhere to record everything. Put everything we did when we were younger on social media and let's see how respectful we look. Kids do stupid things...it's in their nature and it's not a new phenomenon...it's been that way for years and years. Every older generation says the same things about the younger generation and it's always been that way.

 

[Pizzaboy1]

Kids being made responsible for their actions,now there's a novel idea in 2017!

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

What is this world coming to? Was it appropriate? No. Was it good sportsmanship? No. Was it worthy of disqualification? Of course not. They won on the field. They're kids who got caught up in the moment. It was a teaching moment for sure for their coaches and parents, but disqualification is over the top.

I'm sure the snowflakes who lost to them feel better. To some, including the snowflakes, that's all that matters. Total bullshit.

What about kids who have scholarship offers pulled because of social media? They earned the offer on the field right? Limiting things to 'on the field' sort of marginalizes the spirit of good sportsmanship.

 

[Hotshoe]

It's reality, and they should have know better. No different than a UPS person doing something in their browns. They'd be gone immediately.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

This isn't about PC...it's an example of the disintegration of civility. Kids learn this sort of behavior from adults who teach them that flipping the bird to the competition is okay. No snowflakes here...the kids broke the rules in a very crass manner, and deserved whatever punishment was handed down.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Diceman reference. Outstanding... Love Dice

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

 

[Carl Spackler]

Sadly, they see others doing similar things all the time on their social media. They paid a consequence for it. People get fired for things found on social media. Life isn't fair, learn it young before it costs you a far higher price. Sure others will get away with it and far worse, right back to life ain't fair.

 

[fairgambit]

I agree with their disqualification. I made mistakes as a kid (nothing serious) and when I did, I paid a price. No one tried to explain it away. No one said "kids will be kids". I learned lessons I never forgot. Hopefully these girls learned one here.

 

[john4psu]

WIN.WITH.CLASS.

 

[BobPSU92]

What about kids who have scholarship offers pulled because of social media? They earned the offer on the field right? Limiting things to 'on the field' sort of marginalizes the spirit of good sportsmanship.

I just consider the punishment over the top for flipping the bird.