Wednesday, October 31, 2012

When Field of Dreams turns into Field of Nightmares



Sadly, this news report and I'm sure the police report sounds like some of the ejection reports I write after baseball / softball / basketball games. Many times they include the phrase "this guy is going to get your league / school in the papers, in a way you don't want".

It's been getting worse over the past couple of years, especially in this area, which is disheartening. Some of it, I attribute to the devastating economic downturn. You could see it coming.

But a place that for some -- especially kids -- should be a sanctuary from lifes daily frustrations, has become a place where man-kicks-dog and frustrations built elsewhere (on the job, in school), boil over.

The Field of Dreams turns into a Field of Nightmares and while I don't pretend to have all the answers one thing I do know is this cannot continue.

from the Daily Herald:
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20121029/news/710299720/

After his daughter was benched at a regional match, a Lisle man threatened to kill a high school volleyball coach and rape the man’s family members, prosecutors said Monday.
John Kasik, 61, also is accused of battering Lisle High School Athletic Director Dan Dillard during a confrontation at school offices.
 Authorities said Kasik’s temper flared after his daughter was pulled from a volleyball match that her team lost on Thursday. Afterward, he followed Dillard’s vehicle, pulled up next to him and began shouting about the game, said DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin.
Dillard invited Kasik to discuss the issue at school the following day. But Kasik went home and left numerous text messages and voice mails threatening Varsity Volleyball Coach Matt Hrubesky, Berlin said. The messages continued for about five hours, from 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., according to police.

“He left voice-mail messages telling the coach he’s going to rape his wife and daughter and kill him,” Berlin said.

Kasik arrived at the high school the following morning for a meeting that quickly turned hostile, according to the charges. At one point, Berlin said, Dillard tried to end the discussion but Kasik blocked the athletic director’s path out of the office and “bumped” him repeatedly.

 Kasik could face up to three years in prison if convicted of felony harassment. Berlin said the case was charged as a felony rather than a misdemeanor because it involved a death threat.
“It’s unfortunate when parents react this way and take their frustrations out on school personnel,” he said. “We will protect these people so they can do their jobs and not have to worry about these kinds of threats.”

Kasik has no prior criminal history in DuPage, according to court records. He is scheduled to appear Nov. 19 before Judge John Kinsella.

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Giants Top Minor League Prospects

  • 1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
  • 3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
  • 4. Tyler Beede 6-4, 215 RHP from Vanderbilt projects as top of the rotation starter when he works out his command/control issues. When he misses, he misses by a bunch.
  • 5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
  • 6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
  • 8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
  • 9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
  • 10. Shaun Anderson 6-4, 225 RHP Large frame, 3.36 K/BB rate. Can start or relieve
  • 11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
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  • 13. C.J. Hinojosa 5-10, 175 SS Scrappy IF prospect in the mold of Kelby Tomlinson, just gets it done.
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  • 2. Riley Greene 6-2, 190 OF Haggerty HS (FL) Florida commit.Best HS hitting prospect. LH bat with good eye, plate discipline and developing power.
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2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects

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