Actually, the reason I used the cursing example is that I have first hand experience of families making changes in their homes when one of their boys is on our team.
I don't stop my players from talking trash at the other team, with the one caveat that they must never curse, and NEVER take the Lord's name in vain.
To be honest, some of the boys have an easier time of this than their mothers. I was continually benching one of our star players for taking the Lord's name. His parents were no better. The mother complained to me. I told her it was a Catholic League and we couldn't have it there and it really didn't matter what she allowed in her own house. Well, to make a long story short, cursing is now forbidden in that house. The mother eventually ended up thanking me for the more civil tone in her home.
Honestly, most parents appreciate rules and are happy to abide by them if they know them in advance.
Honestly, most parents appreciate rules and are happy to abide by them if they know them in advance. >>
That's good to hear. I guess we are more high strung here in NJ.
Father pleads guilty to beating coach with bat
Man gets fine, community service for attack at Little League practice
Friday, July 23, 2004
A Livingston father pleaded guilty yesterday to beating a Little League baseball coach with an aluminum bat in front of a team of 7-year-olds.
David Lomita, 43, apologized in Livingston Municipal Court to Livingston residents, the baseball league, the children and the coach, David Kramer, for the April 10 incident.
"I'd like to apologize to all of the families affected by this, the town of Livingston and also the Little League children who were obviously affected by this," said Lomita. "And to Mr. Kramer."
Lomita's attorney, Frank Arleo, described the incident as unfortunate.
"Had he realized the impact, I think he would've thought twice," said Arleo.
Kramer, who suffered minor injuries to the head, leg and arm from the beating, did not speak during the proceedings. Afterward, he said he accepts the apology, but he isn't sure if he will return to coaching.
"I'm just hoping he understands the magnitude of what's involved," said Kramer. "I hope it wasn't an act."
The Livingston American Little League had suspended both men from attending any games.
Lomita, in exchange for his guilty plea, must pay a $1,000 fine and perform 30 hours of community service. Judge Robert Jones also ordered that Lomita must consult a counselor to see if he has anger management issues.
Jones scolded Lomita, saying the altercation could have been deadly. Lomita charged the field during practice and beat the coach in retaliation for a snide remark Kramer made earlier. A group of boys, including Kramer's son, witnessed the beating.
"It's one thing to push each other and one thing to use fists," said Jones. "When you pick up that bat, you can kill somebody."
Jones said Lomita was lucky the charges had been downgraded from an indictable offense in Superior Court to municipal court. Lomita was originally slapped with assault and weapons charges, which carry a stiffer penalty if convicted.
"If you were in any other county but Essex, you wouldn't be standing in municipal court at this point," said Jones. "When you picked up a bat, you could've killed somebody. That's never going to happen again, right?"
He added, "I hope and pray we never see this happening again."
The two men did not speak to each other during or after court.
Pat Ippolito, president of the Livingston American Little League, said he is glad the incident is over. He said the league's board of directors will have to consider whether either man will be allowed to participate in future Little League activities.
"We're happy it died down, and we're happy it's over with," said Ippolito.