It has come to this: Simple civility by beaten Little Leaguers is newsworthy in an era when youth sports can be degraded by pushy parents, trash-talking players and overzealous coaches.
Players, parents and coaches from Grosse Pointe were gracious losers Friday in round one of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., as Jeff Seidel praises in a Free Press column.
"Watching this team and the parents act with so much grace and class . . . is the memory that won't fade" from a 3-0 loss in seven innings to a team from Chula Vista, Calif.
Grosse Pointe Woods-Shores assistant coach Patrick Zschering walked across the grass, right in the path of four players from California. Zschering smiled and spread out his hands, giving them high fives. . . .
“At the end of the day, they are 12,” Zschering said. “You have to give them credit.” . . .
And then, Connie Duffy walked down the sidewalk with her son, Ryan, past the parents from California: “Good game, Chula Vista!” she said. “Good game,” they said back to her.
The suburban Detroiters are back on the field Saturday night, though they need four wins to reach the final rounds. [Update: They lost 6-5 to a team from Urbandale, Iowa.]
If the boys from Michigan lose tonight, they will be kicked into a consolation game. Which means they’ll be done.
“The kids will rebound,” Mazzola said. “The message is: Have fun. You are 12 years old. Let’s play tomorrow.”
