Little League Manager Gattis a Loser? Not by a Longshot

Wait a minute! There is nothing inherently wrong with what Coach Jim Gattis told his players after the Little League World Series. Indeed, there is something respectable, laudable and appropriate--so long as it is only part of the message.

“To get what [one] deserves” is not a bad thing. It is life. However, Coach Gattis should--and undoubtedly did--tell his players that he was proud of their efforts, that their trip through the playoffs was a great time and great fun, and that he would do it again in a heartbeat.

DAVID WINTER

Valencia

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I was disappointed after reading the harsh words directed at Jim Gattis in the Viewpoint section.

I had the pleasure of playing for Gattis both in college (Pepperdine, 1983-85) as well as in the minor leagues (Salt Lake City, 1985). The man knew the game of baseball better than anyone I had ever been around. However, he had one serious problem: He always told the truth! He was blatantly up-front and honest with his players. If you did something well, he told you so. If you didn’t do something well, he told you that too. I really appreciated that about him because I believe it made me a better player.

Little League baseball should be fun for the kids. However, nothing that I saw on television or read in the newspaper during that World Series week indicated that those kids weren’t having fun. Quite the contrary--they appeared to be having a blast! And my guess is that Gattis deserves much of the credit.

BRIAN SCHARKEY

Yorba Linda

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Being a parent of a player who represented Mission Viejo’s U.S. champion Little League team, I feel it necessary to respond to the moronic comments made by some of your readers last week regarding Coach Jim Gattis.

I find it incredible how some people in today’s society find it necessary to find fault with volunteers, who give up a tremendous amount of time teaching the future leaders of this country the importance of competition, character, responsibility and teamwork.

Jim Gattis deserves our thanks for not only taking the time to do this, but also for helping our children become fine young men.

MIKE GRIMES

Mission Viejo

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I read with dismay several letters written to you regarding Jim Gattis after the Little League World Series coverage on ABC and Bill Plaschke’s article in The Times.

As often happens when people see only a fraction of what occurs, a distorted, incomplete and inaccurate impression can result. This certainly was the case regarding Jim. I’ve coached with and against him for the last three years, watched him on and off the field in victory and defeat. In my opinion, there is no finer baseball coach a young player could hope to find.

If anyone doubts it, my advice is to come to Mission Viejo and check it out for yourself--and bring your kids and their gloves too. You’ll all be better for it, I promise.

ALLAN ELCONIN

Mission Viejo

(Elconin was known as Al Conin, the former radio voice of the Angels.)