Coelacanth

Less than classy? Well I suppose that's true. We have some rude dogs who don't know the game like they think they know the game. We have some who badger, some who complain, and some who just drone like a Greek chorus. We still don't have a monopoly on uncouth, unsportsmanlike, or boorish patronage. Disgusting things were heard from those situated down the rightfield line, too. For my part, I hope Farragut wins it all. You have the premier baseball program in our state, (and for my money,) the nicest ballpark, and some truly gifted athletes. With better circumstances, our boys might have given you a more sporting game. Good luck at the state!

Regarding the Volunteer - Crockett game : The officiating that both Pioneer varsity teams have endured this season has been abyssmal. There have been mistakes by all the referees (as there always will be) but the trend cannot be denied - DCHS is the recipient of more insensible and unexcusable bias than should be tolerated. It seems that the mentality of almost all referees has been that since the Pioneers have been bad in the past, it is somehow justifiable to see things their opponents' way. The scene tonight was embarassing. The lopsided fouls have been mentioned already, but let me assure you, there were exponentially more "fouls" than were whistled, and the antagonizing, baiting, clutching, shoving and the like by Volunteer were apparent in the boys' JV game too. (no surprise there) The officials let it go almost completely in the JV game, but tried to assert themselves in the opening minutes of the boys' varsity contest - and were out of position, slow, and basically unaware; hence the foul discrepancy. The fracas ensued when the Volunteer post player (55) kicked the Crockett post player (33) according to many witnesses. I don't need to tell any regular posters how the Volunteer kids were playing. The clueless officials had no idea who to eject, and as has been mentioned, there was a tidal wave of ill will in the gym. Their collective incompetence threatened to foster a violent melee. Sitting in the middle of the crowd, I had the sense that if indeed the parents did come to blows, the law enforcement present would have had no real means stopping it, and it would be neither difficult or unlikely for the two who were there to be overpowered and disarmed - and then mortal injury is in the cards. Mob psychology is an ugly thing. We have got to have better personnel calling games. I am a realist. I don't expect perfection. At this point, I doubt I will watch any more the rest of the year. It is just thoroughly unfair. It is the same old story, only tonight the Volunteer volatility exposed what could happen when that veneer of civilization peels away.