2004 Sportsmanship Award

Mustang Softball Association
Sportsmanship Award

Just what are the benefits of softball for your child?  Have you thought about it?  There have been a number of documented benefits such as self confidence, higher self esteem, healthier bodies, a sense of belonging, teamwork, and others.  But can we teach them something else?  Maybe we already are...

You’ve seen the news stories of the parental fist fights, and even a case of manslaughter.  And if you’ve been around ballparks very long, you’ve seen plenty of ugly situations at your ballpark.  What does the unsportsmanlike behavior that our kids see teach them?  Can we be very competitive and sportsmanlike at the same time?  Tough questions but MSA believes that we can be very competitive and maintain a wholesome atmosphere for our kids.

And we believe it enough to showcase it.  Beginning with this spring 2003 season we will offer a Sportsmanship Award to the team that most exemplifies good sportsmanship throughout the season.  It’s not just some pat on the back or 3” plastic trophy to relegate to a dusty shelf.  The team receiving the Sportsmanship Award will receive a “Starter” type pullover warmup jacket for the players and coaches.  The jackets will be emblazoned with the teams name as winners of the sportsmanship award.  Very nice!

So what does it take to win the award?  The award works this way:

1. The Award will based on player conduct, coach conduct, and fan conduct.

2. Each umpire will cast one vote per night for the most sportsmanlike team that they saw.

3. A coach who gets ejected disqualifies his/her team from the award.

4. All teams with paid entry into a MSA league are eligible.

5. Win/loss records do not factor into the selection.

6. Tournament play is not considered.

Does this mean a coach can’t argue a call?  No!  You are free to argue any call but just do it in a sportsmanlike manner.  Every umpire will tell you that he prefers a face to face discussion (not an argument) more than yelling or a stream of derogatory comments on his eyesight.  Loudly questioning an umpire’s IQ doesn’t teach our kids to respect people. 

Respect for fellow competitors and officials (and fellow human beings) is a good thing to teach our kids.  This would be a great thing to add to the self confidence, self esteem, and other things that participation in softball teaches.  I was told once that it’s not possible to save the world.  That may be true but we can each change our little corner of it.  Teach good sportsmanship.  Your ballpark and possibly your world will be the better for it.

The award will be funded by donations, so if you or your company would like to donate, please contact any of the MSA Board Members.

Play (Sportsmanlike) Ball!!