[Rich Ives]

Tee,

As far as I can tell

1) You have never seen me coach.
2) You have never talked with players I've coached.
3) You've never talked with the parents of those kids.
4) You have not had any discussions with other coaches or parents in the league.
5) You have not had any conversations with our umpiring staff regarding me.
6) No league officer has discussed me with you.

Therefore you havs no first hand basis for knowing how I fit in the coaching world on the field.

Your perceptions are thus those you have formed by reading my writings on line, as are my perceptions of you.

You seem to take offense at my defense of Little League and youth baseball. Whatever your opinion, I believe I have a right and an obligation to present the other side of the picture. No matter your opinion, you need to recognize that millions or people each year aprticipate in youth baseball (and other sports) and welcome and enjoy the opportunity. They differ from you, but that does not make them wrong. This is not your fiefdom, and opposing opinions are allowed.

You definitely take offense that I point out that many of the posters here brush off questions and comments from those deemed inferior. You, and others, are offended that I point out that they do not yet have your knowledge. My position is that it seems irrational to both complain that they don't know and also turn your back on them when they seek the knowledge. I cannot understand why you feel both positions are acceptable.

You have a personal set of rules of conduct. While your are certainly entitled to your beliefs, the positions you take are not universally held. Instead of recognizing that others are entitled to their opinions, you belittle them. A person who doesn't give a damn if a hat is fitted or adjustable is merely someone with a different opinion.

I have no doubt about your ability as an umpire. I have no doubt that your rules knowledge is superior.

But your intolerance for others is something you need to address.

I live in a rural area where people have widely different opinions on many things. The size of the area means that we cannot go on our merry way, never to cross paths again. We have to live and work together on many occasions.

We thus have developed the ability to separate activities. Two people who, on Monday night, have a loud disagreement over a subject in one venue, can team together on Tuesday in another venue. It is a way of life. It exhibits that we recognize that "different" and "wrong" are two separate things. It illustrates that a disagreement on one subject doea not mean there cannot be agreement on another.

This ability is necessary for a small community to function, and it is a skill/trait that would serve you well to develop.