Dear Editor,
I am writing in regards to the recent baseball tournament held in Jasper on the weekend of May 27-29th, 2016.
As a spectator and a grandparent of one of the High Prairie peewee “A” players I was appalled and very disappointed in the actions displayed by the coach and management of the host team the “Jasper Bears” as well with the tournament organizers.
The incident in question took place when the manager/official scorekeeper for the Bears pointed out that one of the High Prairie players that was batting was not listed on the roster, which turned out to be an oversight.
The manager for the Bears proceeded to call the game a forfeit due to this oversight in the top of the second inning, the game was terminated and the Jasper team walked off.
I feel that this was done in very poor taste and not necessary and could have been handled in a more professional manner (possibly an “out” with the game carrying on?).
Our team travelled five hours for this tournament and the fact that they are only 11-12 year olds who just want to play ball makes this a travesty.
One other point I would like to mention is that the boy in question that was left off the roster in error was playing organized baseball for the first time, this was his first trip to Jasper and he had never had the joy of seeing the mountains. Don’t you think this should be about the children and not the adults, after all they are not in the pros. I believe the High Prairie Chiefs deserve a written apology.
Debbie Nelson
High Prairie, Alberta
