Win at all costs?

I think in this post I'll evolve from the worst story out there to the more positive stories at the end. First I introduce the story of Mark Downs, a potential candidate for the express lane to Hell. Mr. Downs is a coach of an 8 year old tee ball team in Pennsylvania. He was arrested the other day for alledgedly paying one of his players $25 to injure a mentally disabled teammate so that the boy could not play. This is by far the most disturbing little league story I've heard in some time. The standard story involves some scuffle over a missed call or coaching decision. This however, was premeditated all in the name of being 'more competitive.' The league rules state that everyone on the team must play at 3 innings of every game, and Mr. Downs felt it was necessary to eliminate a player from his roster to improve his chances. It's a tee ball team for Christ's sake. It's about the kids having fun not coaches living out the delusions of past competitive grandeur vicariously through the kids. Just because you thought you could play back in the day doesn't mean you need to indoctrinate 8 year olds to the win at all costs mentality. Stick to beer league softball and leave the little league coaching to those who can teach the game the right way. I hope they throw the book at this clown because his actions were utterly hideous.

And one small aside to the sports radio callers who have been suggesting (while still admitting that these are heinous actions) that the mentally disabled kid involved should stick to the Special Olympics, please put down the intoxicants and step back from your phone. In these early levels of competitive sports there should be no limits on who can play. Allowing the handicapped to participate gives them the opportunity to make friends and gain acceptance from the unaffected kids who can be merciless to people with disabilities until they understand and get to know them as people. To isolate them to their own league does nothing for the kids and in fact may single them out further.

But that's just my opinion and I'm usually wrong and in cases involving the developmentally challenged a little biased because I used to work with them earlier in my life...

Normal Features
44 days until 'Paranoid Times'
86 days to get 'Beyond the Sadness'

and to facilitate commets from the gallery...
Still awaiting info and 'Loud Alarms' and 'Broken Bride'

The gas cans and song lyrics will return tonight following another nap. Thanks for reading.
/rant