Little Leaguers Are in the Spotlight

* I happened to be watching the Little League World Series on Aug. 23. I was proud of those boys. My own son is only 3, and if he eventually wants to play Little League, I’m sure that I will be one of the loudest moms in the stands. But what I saw and the subsequent comments quoted in The Times make we want to think twice about that.

These boys are only 10, 11 and 12 years old. They are not major leaguers. They do not get paid millions of dollars to play ball. They play because they want to. They play because the game is supposed to be fun. They play because there is a chance, maybe an outside chance, that they can play in the Little League World Series and win the title.

What I saw on the field from the “adult” manager, Jim Gattis, would shame any major league manager. When the pitcher made a mental mistake in fielding the bunt which loaded the bases in that inning, the image of Gattis that was caught on national TV was not a pretty one. There were certainly no words of encouragement there for his kids.

Then Gattis, after the loss, was quoted saying, “ . . . and today we got what we deserved.” What kind of comment is that? These are kids.

Maybe it was Gattis who was worried he might not get an offer for that coaching job at a small college near his Mission Viejo home if he lost. Maybe it was he who caused the stress in the team. Maybe it was his attitude that was upsetting the kids.

I’m proud of those kids. They had the grace and maturity to handle the loss well. I can’t say the same for Gattis. I hope he’s not around when my son plays ball.

KATIE BURKE

Huntington Beach

* As a resident of Mission Viejo, I was caught up in the fun and excitement of the Little League competition.

I also happen to be an oncology nurse and was shocked and dismayed to see that manager Jim Gattis uses chewing tobacco. Chewing tobacco is a notorious carcinogen, responsible for serious illness in young men. I do hope Gattis not only reconsiders this habit for himself, but also all those young boys who look up to him as an example.

DIVEDA SPECTOR

Mission Viejo