John Canzano I also would like to thank you for reporting on this story regardless it being about my daughter. There is to much of this going on around the country and it is taking the fun out of sports for the kids and is really dangerous. This kind of thing can really leave a lasting impression on young kids and make them not want to play anymore. Thankfully thats not the case with Brinley. Her mother and I have had lots of talks with her reassuring her she did nothing wrong. Telling her it's not her fault that she's taller faster and stronger than most girls her age. Also it was heard that our pitcher that started the game for Astoria was pitching to fast. That pitcher is literally the smallest girl on our team. I think she's maybe and I mean maybe 4'8 so yeah those coachs were just looking for something. Thank you once again for two great articles. And if you could can you thank Lillie Brooks for me. She is an amazing young lady.
AWESOME Patrick!!! Thank you for sharing this with all of us!! This is the kind of detail and insight you can't get with a traditional daily sports section anymore and makes this forum so amazing!!! You and your wife sound like fantastic parents!!!
I think people forget sometimes how different kids at various ages are. I mentor youth soccer officials who referee 8 and 9 year olds, and the disparity in sizes is amazing. To think the coach came ranting about birth certificates to the umpire - the BCs would have been checked beforehand. G-luck to your daughter moving forward.
I was a 14 y/o umpire for what used to be Boys Club baseball back in the last century. I studied the rule book extensively, because that is what the club gave each umpire, that and a box of brand new game balls, 2 per game. I was paid $5.00 per game. I took it seriously and tried to do my best. I learned how to make calls quickly, and how to assertively sell the calls on the field. I believe such skills are highly transferable to adult life and translate to many walks of life. As I see it, your daughter is gaining excellent life skills and it seems that she really does enjoy umpiring, in spite of its negatives. I wish her good luck!
Edit: Oops, I misread the post and my response was misdirected. My apologies. I certainly second those who encourage Brinley to hang in there and keep playing. She will likely find, as time passes and others in her age group mature, many will catch up to her and the differences will not be so great.
Nice work Mom and Dad! We need more parents like you in this world and less like the idiot that ruined the day for you daughter, her team and the other team. I have two daughters as well and had to go through this many times coaching their teams 20 years ago. Also hats off to you John. I love you writing articles like this and it is why I read you.
Freaking out over 11 year old softball. Good God, people... get some fricking perspective. Great job, Lillie, it's awesome when a 17 year old gets to be the adult in the room.
Thanks for the followup on the 2 kids in the center of the storm. Based on my experiences with today's youth, we have some pretty great kids in this world.
I did basketball officiating as a high school student. I did it because of I had to earn money, I might as well involve something I loved (basketball). Several friends did it as well. I am thankful that parents and coaches didn't behave like this back then. A high school student is doing this for a small paycheck and because they love the game and want to help kids get better.
In response to JC's column earlier this week about this incident, I posted a long comment re-telling some of my experiences as a 17 year old umpiring PeeWee league games. I won't repeat the whole thing, but I can tell you from experience that parents and coaches DID behave this way back then.
My own impression from over 70 years on this earth is that human nature doesn't change a whole heck of a lot from generation to generation. Most people just tend to remember "the good old days" in a romanticized, air brushed version. The good, the bad, and the ugly have always been with us and always will be. Perhaps the thing that's really changed is the speed of reporting on every unsavory incident and universal access to that reporting via social media.
Everything everywhere today is recorded (either by a phone or a security camera) which makes incidents like this one seem more prevalent than previous generations where equally reprehensible behavior was there, but since it wasn't recorded, it was forgotten about and not appropriately called out.
In my opinion, it's no different than perceived increased wildlife sightings. Bears, cougars, deer, coyotes, foxes, etc... have been visiting backyards in the wee hours of the night for generations. It only seems these instances have increased in frequency because every back porch now has a camera.
I am the father of Brinley Stephens. I woukd like to reach out and thank Lillie Brooks for the kind words and encouragement she said to my daughter. I would also like to thank her for getting in-between those coachs and Brinley. She was really scared of them she told me and her mom. Something like this is just horrible and as an adult going after an 11 year old girl because she's tall is ridiculous. Now im sure if Brinley would've stood there and struck out all game long and didn't hit the ball there wouldn't of been a problem. But like you already told the coach she has already been vetted so drop it. He was just looking for any reason to blow up on you and that reason came when Brinley hit the ball. Im so sorry that happened to you. You are a great person and I truly appreciate what you did for my daughter. Thank you.
We need more Lillie Brooks in youth sports, but for that to happen coaches and parents need to come back to earth and be rational and respectful humans.
I predict a great future for Lillie - hopefully she can succeed in politics with a level-headed and calm approach, (haven't seen too much of that lately, have we?). Great young person!
Level headed and calm doesn't seem to be garnering popular support in current politics. I wish her success and happiness in whatever endeavor she embarks on.
The sad thing today, Chuck, is that level-headed and calm doesn't get you many clicks or engagements these days. Until we fix that problem, if we ever do, the loud and obnoxious win.
I really enjoyed reading these two stories. I don’t know if The Oregonian would have allowed you to publish one, let alone both of these stories. Keep up the good work with your selection of stories. Lillie’s parents must be very proud of her.
John Canzano I also would like to thank you for reporting on this story regardless it being about my daughter. There is to much of this going on around the country and it is taking the fun out of sports for the kids and is really dangerous. This kind of thing can really leave a lasting impression on young kids and make them not want to play anymore. Thankfully thats not the case with Brinley. Her mother and I have had lots of talks with her reassuring her she did nothing wrong. Telling her it's not her fault that she's taller faster and stronger than most girls her age. Also it was heard that our pitcher that started the game for Astoria was pitching to fast. That pitcher is literally the smallest girl on our team. I think she's maybe and I mean maybe 4'8 so yeah those coachs were just looking for something. Thank you once again for two great articles. And if you could can you thank Lillie Brooks for me. She is an amazing young lady.
Thank you Patrick. You and your family did a real service by putting some sunshine on this. I apprecate you guys.
AWESOME Patrick!!! Thank you for sharing this with all of us!! This is the kind of detail and insight you can't get with a traditional daily sports section anymore and makes this forum so amazing!!! You and your wife sound like fantastic parents!!!
Tell Brinley to keep on playing ball!!
I think people forget sometimes how different kids at various ages are. I mentor youth soccer officials who referee 8 and 9 year olds, and the disparity in sizes is amazing. To think the coach came ranting about birth certificates to the umpire - the BCs would have been checked beforehand. G-luck to your daughter moving forward.
I was a 14 y/o umpire for what used to be Boys Club baseball back in the last century. I studied the rule book extensively, because that is what the club gave each umpire, that and a box of brand new game balls, 2 per game. I was paid $5.00 per game. I took it seriously and tried to do my best. I learned how to make calls quickly, and how to assertively sell the calls on the field. I believe such skills are highly transferable to adult life and translate to many walks of life. As I see it, your daughter is gaining excellent life skills and it seems that she really does enjoy umpiring, in spite of its negatives. I wish her good luck!
Edit: Oops, I misread the post and my response was misdirected. My apologies. I certainly second those who encourage Brinley to hang in there and keep playing. She will likely find, as time passes and others in her age group mature, many will catch up to her and the differences will not be so great.
You get it.
Nice work Mom and Dad! We need more parents like you in this world and less like the idiot that ruined the day for you daughter, her team and the other team. I have two daughters as well and had to go through this many times coaching their teams 20 years ago. Also hats off to you John. I love you writing articles like this and it is why I read you.
Freaking out over 11 year old softball. Good God, people... get some fricking perspective. Great job, Lillie, it's awesome when a 17 year old gets to be the adult in the room.
Exhibit 4,594,568 of why Youth Sports would be so much better if parents weren't involved.
Adults ruin everything.
Fantastic when you get "the rest of the story" John. Have a great weekend.
Thanks Mark. Appreciate you.
John, you hit a home run with this follow up article. The kids are teaching the adults how to grow up.
Thanks
Thanks Steve
😎👍
Thanks for the followup on the 2 kids in the center of the storm. Based on my experiences with today's youth, we have some pretty great kids in this world.
Great kids.
I did basketball officiating as a high school student. I did it because of I had to earn money, I might as well involve something I loved (basketball). Several friends did it as well. I am thankful that parents and coaches didn't behave like this back then. A high school student is doing this for a small paycheck and because they love the game and want to help kids get better.
Another great article! I love this one.
In response to JC's column earlier this week about this incident, I posted a long comment re-telling some of my experiences as a 17 year old umpiring PeeWee league games. I won't repeat the whole thing, but I can tell you from experience that parents and coaches DID behave this way back then.
My own impression from over 70 years on this earth is that human nature doesn't change a whole heck of a lot from generation to generation. Most people just tend to remember "the good old days" in a romanticized, air brushed version. The good, the bad, and the ugly have always been with us and always will be. Perhaps the thing that's really changed is the speed of reporting on every unsavory incident and universal access to that reporting via social media.
Everything everywhere today is recorded (either by a phone or a security camera) which makes incidents like this one seem more prevalent than previous generations where equally reprehensible behavior was there, but since it wasn't recorded, it was forgotten about and not appropriately called out.
In my opinion, it's no different than perceived increased wildlife sightings. Bears, cougars, deer, coyotes, foxes, etc... have been visiting backyards in the wee hours of the night for generations. It only seems these instances have increased in frequency because every back porch now has a camera.
Thanks for expanding upon my exact point.
I am the father of Brinley Stephens. I woukd like to reach out and thank Lillie Brooks for the kind words and encouragement she said to my daughter. I would also like to thank her for getting in-between those coachs and Brinley. She was really scared of them she told me and her mom. Something like this is just horrible and as an adult going after an 11 year old girl because she's tall is ridiculous. Now im sure if Brinley would've stood there and struck out all game long and didn't hit the ball there wouldn't of been a problem. But like you already told the coach she has already been vetted so drop it. He was just looking for any reason to blow up on you and that reason came when Brinley hit the ball. Im so sorry that happened to you. You are a great person and I truly appreciate what you did for my daughter. Thank you.
I hope that this ugly episode doesn't ruin her love of participating in sports. Truly sorry that she had to endure this.
Great column here John!
We need more Lillie Brooks in youth sports, but for that to happen coaches and parents need to come back to earth and be rational and respectful humans.
What a marvelous young lady!
Bravo!!
I predict a great future for Lillie - hopefully she can succeed in politics with a level-headed and calm approach, (haven't seen too much of that lately, have we?). Great young person!
Level headed and calm doesn't seem to be garnering popular support in current politics. I wish her success and happiness in whatever endeavor she embarks on.
The sad thing today, Chuck, is that level-headed and calm doesn't get you many clicks or engagements these days. Until we fix that problem, if we ever do, the loud and obnoxious win.
I really enjoyed reading these two stories. I don’t know if The Oregonian would have allowed you to publish one, let alone both of these stories. Keep up the good work with your selection of stories. Lillie’s parents must be very proud of her.
Happy that you are here for it.
Congratulations to Lillie Brooks for being the adult on the field. Great follow up story John.
Great article!
An ugly incident brought on by “adults”. Kudos to Lillie for being an example of
grace, peace and kindness during the situation. I truly hope those involved are reading this article today, John. Maybe they’ll learn something.
Well reported, well written, a lesson for all of us
Lillie Brooks is indeed a blessing