The Players Might Have Lost, but the Coach Is a Real Loser

I was utterly horrified at the behavior and the attitude of Mission Viejo Little League Coach Jim Gattis. His words to his players, mercilessly recorded by the TV coverage, were reminiscent of the “bad guy” coach in “The Bad News Bears.”

Eric Karros is quoted as saying of this man who coached him in Alaska: “It was the first time I played baseball in a situation where you were there only to win. You were not there to have fun.” Great for those little guys from Mission Viejo, eh?

Said Jim Gattis: “In baseball, you get what you deserve. And today, we got what we deserved. We did not play well.”

In my opinion, this man does not belong anywhere near Little League athletes.

DON WEINMAN

Ojai

*

I watched two teams play their hearts out in Williamsport. Both deserved to win. I watched two managers in action. One, Jaime Luna, showed his belief in his kids. He was supportive and gave them a chance. The other, Jim Gattis, told his kids they got what they deserved, a loss. He took out a pitcher he allowed to pitch 90-plus pitches of no-hit baseball by telling him, “You can’t throw anymore.”

I wasn’t there in Williamsport and I don’t know either Jaime Luca or Jim Gattis. I manage Little League, and coach AYSO and youth basketball for my three kids. I think I will try to emulate Jaime Luna. The kids deserve to know that they are all winners just by participating. They deserve to have fun.

MICHAEL MELLMAN

Manhattan Beach

*

Hats off to the Mission Viejo club and their valiant performance in the Little League World Series. From an ex-Little Leaguer who never got the opportunity to get stomped by supposed 12-year-old Taiwanese giants, I’d classify the 1997 Series as a classic.

Here’s wishing the Mission Viejo kids a world of future success with the hope that a setback in a mere ballgame serves them as a reminder that real achievement is not measured on an outfield scoreboard.

CHUCK ROSE

Temple City

*

Would it not have been a better, magnanimous, decent, respectful, right thing to do, inviting the Little League champions from Mexico to Disneyland?

JOHNNY MAGNUS

Burbank