League Gives Safety Highest Priority

* Re: hard ball vs. “safety” ball.

As a board member of the Rancho Niguel Little League, I am perplexed at the allegations made by Ms. Nancy Feingold against the Little League board ( Letters, May 21). She accuses the board of being autocratic and unsympathetic, yet from the very early stages of this controversy the board has allowed single A-level coaches to use the “safety” ball at their discretion. This decision was made because of our regard for those member parents who asked that this particular ball be utilized.

Ms. Feingold also accuses the board of having secret meetings to exclude those with opposing views. The truth is that there have never been any secret meetings. The board conducts regularly scheduled meetings which begin with an open forum. Our Little League board, like those around the country, is made up of concerned parents who place safety as the highest priority. These parent volunteers put in upward of 20 hours per week so that our children will have a safe and enjoyable Little League experience. Too often within volunteer organizations it is easy for those who watch the work being done to criticize those who do the work. Concerning the issue of the safety ball, there are many factors which contribute to safe play. These factors involve tasks, however, that require volunteers to accomplish them. Our board consists of individuals who give no thought to giving that extra effort to assure the safety of our children.

This was an extremely successful year for the vast number of children and parents of Rancho Niguel Little League. If for some reason it did not meet the expectations of some, I would remind those individuals that we are still accepting names as candidates for next year’s board of directors.

RON DAVIS

Board of directors

Rancho Niguel Little League