Guest redneckman Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 Parents cry foul at John Battle High School Monday, May 05, 2008 - 11:10 AM BY Brian T Smith Sports Writer Send e-mail Biography Email to a Friend Printer Friendly BRISTOL, Va. – A red pick-up truck parked on a small hill overlooking the baseball field at John Battle High School last Wednesday afternoon. Tim Woods sat inside the truck. Woods drove out to the field, curious. He felt good. Relaxed. Proud. Woods had spoken and the people had listened. Plus, it was a nice day. The sun was out, spring was in full-bloom and a light breeze had Woods feeling like change was in the air. But once Woods arrived at the field, parked his truck and took a good look around, his curiosity was replaced by rage. Woods counted the players on the field, put names with faces, and saw that nothing had changed. Eighth-graders from Wallace Middle School were still playing and practicing on the high school’s junior varsity baseball team. Meanwhile, capable ninth- and 10th-graders still were being lost in the shuffle. Woods was at a loss. "This school is crazy," said Woods, a 34-year-old resident of Bristol, Va., and father of Timmy Woods, a ninth-grade outfielder for the Trojans. And Woods was furious. "I’m ready to beat the hell out of all of these people," he said. Woods thought he’d made progress. He had delivered a well-received three-minute speech to the Washington County School Board the night before, outlining the frustration and confusion that had plagued many John Battle ninth- and 10th-grade baseball players and their parents since early March. And Wednesday morning, Woods learned that Washington County School Superintendent Allen Lee had heeded his words – Lee had placed an immediate ban on all eighth-graders playing junior varsity baseball while he conducted a formal investigation. But as Woods sat inside his pickup, there were things he didn’t know. Just a few hours after Lee had placed the ban, he suddenly removed it. Eighth-graders could still play – which in the world of Trojan JV baseball meant that older players again were going to be shining the pine. Woods’ two-month-long fight was only just beginning. Fundamentals or a state championship? First there were rumors. Then there were accusations. And then there was drama. The rumors started in March. John Battle was trying to become a baseball powerhouse. John Battle was trying to build a state champion. John Battle was creating a farm system – a pipeline that would produce well-skilled and ahead-of-schedule JV players who could feed the Trojans’ varsity squad. The rumors grew. An early copy of John Battle’s JV roster provided to the Herald Courier showed 20 players on the team. Seven were eighth-graders, while the remaining 13 were ninth- and 10th-graders. It was all the proof that frustrated John Battle parents needed. Throughout the season, eighth-graders started and played most of the games, while older players rode the bench – some seeing as little as an inning of play. Then the accusations began. John Battle’s coaches were telling ninth- and 10th-graders that they legally couldn’t cut them from the team, but that they also didn’t have to play them. John Battle’s coaches appeared to be playing kids based on their last names and connections. The coaches admitted that they weren’t trying to teach fundamentals; they were trying to build a winner. And the drama soon followed. Several ninth- and 10th-graders quit the team when they realized their attempt to play JV baseball for the Trojans was an exercise in futility. And as March rolled into April, a group of concerned John Battle parents began to converge. "The whole time [this was going on], I told my son, ‘Son, I‘ll go through the channels and get this took care of,’ " Woods said. Interpretations and misunderstandings Woods was not the only John Battle parent who took his fight public. William Wilson, a Bristol, Va., resident and father of Trojans ninth-grade outfielder Logan Wilson, joined Woods at Tuesday evening’s Washington County School Board meeting. "My primary reason for being here is to ask you to revisit your policies on eighth-grade participation in JV sports," Wilson told the board, reading from a prepared statement. "If there are not enough high school players, then and only then should eighth-graders be allowed to participate." Wilson based his speech around a rule enacted by Washington County Public Schools governing interscholastic athletics, a measure that frustrated John Battle parents have come to regard as the centerpiece of their fight. The rule – adopted Oct. 13, 1986, and revised three times since, the last on May 2, 2005 – states: Eighth-grade students may participate on junior varsity teams. However, eighth-graders will not replace ninth- or 10th-graders on the junior varsity teams. To Wilson, Woods and numerous other John Battle parents who requested anonymity because they feared retaliation against their sons, the ruling is simple and clear: ninth- and 10th-graders are to take the field and play before eighth-graders in JV baseball games. To Trojans Athletic Director and varsity baseball coach Larry Cannon, the rule is far from clear. "To our understanding, the policy was vague," Cannon said. "And we didn’t go into this trying to cover anything up with anybody. As far as we understood – and so did everybody else – we went [through] what we thought [were] the channels, as far as bringing eighth-graders up. And our intention is just to build a program. "You know, when I came in last year and took this over, we could see that our guys needed some work. They needed some hands-on-type work. And we brought the eighth-graders up … we were just wanting to get our hands on all the ballplayers that we could, not to keep people from playing." Cannon was the only John Battle representative who agreed to comment for this article. Trojans Principal Jeff Hawkins asked if the Herald Courier was going to write a "positive story," then refused to comment, while Trojan JV baseball coach Kevin Perrigan referred all questions to Cannon. Cannon stood his ground while answering a series of accusations John Battle parents and junior varsity players leveled at him and the school’s JV program. And while Cannon expressed sympathy for the frustrated parents, he also said that a coach’s first priority is to win ball games. "When it came to be, it just happened to be that there were some of the eighth-graders that seemed to be playing a little bit better at the time than those other guys," Cannon said. "And in order to build a program, you know, you go out there to win. And having all those guys there, every day, every week, we were committed to however many players we had." "I broke down in tears" As far apart as Cannon’s views are from those of Woods, Wilson and numerous other upset John Battle parents, they all agree on one major issue: The focus of high school sports has changed drastically in recent times. Making a name for oneself in Little League, then quickly moving up through the ranks of JV ball has become essential if a player has any hope of starring on a school’s varsity squad. And Woods and Wilson already know the ugly truth: If their sons can’t even make it onto the field in JV, then they have little to no hope of ever fulfilling the simple yet cherished dream of one day playing varsity ball on a high school baseball team. Woods recounted how his son recently called him after a game, sounding happier and more enthused than he’d been in months. Woods figured his son had gone 4-for-4 or hit a game-winning home run. Woods soon learned, though, that the motivation for his son’s elation was much more basic. Timmy had played his second inning of the year at the end of John Battle’s 8-5 victory over Abingdon on April 21. "He called me and said, ‘Dad, I’m on cloud nine,’ " Woods said. "I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ He said, ‘I got the best birthday present I could ever want. Dad, I got to play one inning and I got to bat twice. And I put the ball [in play] twice.’ And I broke down in tears in my truck." The son soon shared his father’s sadness. "For me, it makes me feel like they gave me a slap in my face," the 15-year-old said. End game Now, Woods and Wilson are unsure where they should turn. Woods said that his next step could involve a discrimination lawsuit, while Wilson sounded resigned to the idea that many ninth- and 10th-graders on John Battle’s JV team have wasted a season. And the temporary victory Woods and Wilson claimed last Wednesday when schools Superintendent Lee banned eighth-graders from playing JV ball was erased quickly when Lee lifted the ban a few hours later. Lee explained his decision by saying that smaller schools such as Holston depend on the use of eighth-grade middle schoolers when fielding a junior varsity team, and that he wanted to make sure "we’re doing the right thing at all four of our high schools, not just at John Battle." However, Herschel Stevens, a School Board member, adamantly disputed Lee’s decision to remove the ban and questioned the motivations of Lee and of John Battle’s baseball coaches. "I’m glad the [John Battle] parents stood up, because their children have spent the time in the trenches, waiting to get there," Stevens said. "I don’t care whether they win a game or not. They could have two left feet and [not even be able] to throw a ball; it doesn’t make a difference. "We’re not in the athletic business, we’re in the education business." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 WOW!!! What a bunch of crybabies!!! "My son doesn't get to play because of the little 8th graders..." BLAH! BLAH! BLAH! Maybe those 8th graders are BETTER than what they've got with the 9th and 10th graders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubbycurrence 10 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Parents cry foul at John Battle High School "We’re not in the athletic business, we’re in the education business." [/ QUOTE ] I guess that would be the reasoning behind firing of the football coach at John Battle this year and the the football coach at Abingdon last year. If this is the case, take down all scoreboards in Washington County, because you need not keep score. Give them a grade after the game and a trophy to each kid at the end of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornholio 10 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 I would say your right club sports are next in Washed up County Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealgame 10 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 wow...you know your kids not good enough when 8th graders are playin over him, so why even try. it's sad that every sport in every school in the county may get punished because of one crybaby parent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 [ QUOTE ] wow...you know your kids not good enough when 8th graders are playin over him, so why even try. it's sad that every sport in every school in the county may get punished because of one crybaby parent [/ QUOTE ] No, it isn't sad...it's quite deserving... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealgame 10 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 the kids involved in jv sports in washington county deserve to be punished because of one parent crying? thats like saying everybody in the family should be put in jail when someone commits a crime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 [ QUOTE ] the kids involved in jv sports in washington county deserve to be punished because of one parent crying? thats like saying everybody in the family should be put in jail when someone commits a crime [/ QUOTE ] Since you are fairly "new" here...there isn't much love for Washington Co. high schools, their sports programs, their parents, and/or their school administrators. If all their programs turn into "club sports", they deserve it and not many on this board will care or miss them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornholio 10 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Leave them in the VHSL so we can have a whipping boy in the SWD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeper1 10 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 in what sport has abingdon been the swd whipping boy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futbolking 766 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Maybe Tim Woods should work with his son a little more on the fundamentals of baseball and try to help him become a better player, rather than whine and cry about 8th graders taking his place. 8th graders ARE allowed after all to play J.V. baseball. We'll probably see him in the police blotters soon where he's beaten up a little league umpire or coach or something. What's this guy teaching his son anyway? It's certainly NOT that hard work and perserverence pays off. He's teaching him that everybody should wait in line for a handout!!! I wish I was a Washington County resident so I could give this guy a piece of my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 [ QUOTE ] in what sport has abingdon been the swd whipping boy? [/ QUOTE ] Football. Other than one good year, Abingdon has had their butts handed to them by most SWD teams for many, many years... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bucfan64 307 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 This is just another example of the impending Socialist Doom of America. 1. Don't keep score 2. Ban violent sports and let everyone play communist kickball 3. Give everyone on the team a trophy 4. Even though little johnny's team got beat by 100 goals, ooops we aren't supposed to keep score, tell him that he is just as good as the kid that kept bouncing soccer balls off of his head all night. 5. Raise TAxes 6. Make the ball fields more community friendly, by adding fresh paint and flowers, this will discourage coaches from making decisions that might seem hurtful to others. 7. put all kids on ritalin, this way we can shun our responsibilities as parents and blame OUR CHILDS lack of self esteem on some EVIL COACH 8. Dont' require anyone to be responsible for their actions, remember it's always someone elses fault. AFter all it takes a village to raise a child! 9. Oh yeah, don't require them to practice, some kids just can't make it to practice, GOD KNOWS that NOBODY WOULD ever be guilty of being lazy, so we shouldn't punish them for not being there 10. Equal playing time for everyone, regardless of talent, number of practices attended and ability. It's all about EQUALITY! 11. Raise Taxes Again 12. Build a Wall around Washington County to keep THE evil HATE MONGERING FASCIST away from our children! Finally, lets all build a camp fire and sing KUMBAYA as we hug and love our enemies to death! God this stuff kills me........................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trublue 939 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 ......."not every kid made the team"...... http://www.cmt.com/videos/bucky-covington/133268/a-different-world.jhtml Mr. "G" if this video doesn't meet federal/state guidelines on this site (ha-ha) ....pls. remove it in your kindest manner... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokie07 11 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 [ QUOTE ] ......."not every kid made the team"...... http://www.cmt.com/videos/bucky-covington/133268/a-different-world.jhtml Mr. "G" if this video doesn't meet federal/state guidelines on this site (ha-ha) ....pls. remove it in your kindest manner... [/ QUOTE ] Your link is broken. When in doubt, go through YouTube! http://youtube.com/watch?v=3AlrFOBmdVI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trublue 939 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Thanks H7....it will open for me from your site but I guess I have "the touch". Thanks for going to the trouble of finding it and posting the you tube link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokie07 11 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 No problem, trublue! I like that song so I figured I would help you out. Haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeper1 10 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 youre not getting me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swvafball 10 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 GMAN - I know you like to hate on Abingdon every chance you get, but "many, many years" is not accurate. The last 10-12 years or so - yes; they didn't play them in the early/mid 90s - so that is out; they held their own through the 70s/80s - definitely not a "whipping boy" during that time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 [ QUOTE ] GMAN - I know you like to hate on Abingdon every chance you get, but "many, many years" is not accurate. The last 10-12 years or so - yes; they didn't play them in the early/mid 90s - so that is out; they held their own through the 70s/80s - definitely not a "whipping boy" during that time [/ QUOTE ] Well, considering you only have to go back 25 years or so to find the last time Abingdon beat Graham on the football field up until this past season...you have a point...<rolls eyes>... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swvafball 10 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 My bad - I will edit my post - they haven't been the whipping boy of the SWD until the last 10 years; however, they have been the whipping boy of Graham since football existed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HurricaneWarning 212 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 I think it`s pretty funny when the papers always predict Abingdon will beat Marion in football(like this year) and they never get it done. Marion has beat them five out of the last seven years. GMan, maybe you can answer a question for me. Marion beat Graham in football in the playoffs last year. Do you know when the last time Marion beat you guys before that? I know it has been quite some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubbycurrence 10 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 1975 during the Johnny Wilson, David Oblinger, and one of those Crewy lads time period, would be my guess. 1982 7-6, Graham went for the win and missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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