The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, August 4, 1995                 TAG: 9508020178
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER       PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   65 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS - CHESAPEAKE

Proud of baseball

Let me start by saying my husband and I moved to Hickory from Greenbrier in September 1994 and neither of us serve on a committee, as a coach or a board member of Great Bridge Boys Baseball.

Response to the letter to the editor from Pam Pike (The Clipper, July 23): We have two sons who played in the Pony League for Great Bridge for the first time this summer. This age group is extremely competitive as boys have been playing ball for quite a few years. (Both of ours started at age 5). Although our oldest son had made ``All-Stars'' in other associations, I worried his chances might be lessened because he was new to the area and my husband wasn't coaching. Guess what? Our son was a member of the 1994 Great Bridge American Pony All-Star team his first year at Great Bridge, based on, among other things, his ability, attitude and education.

There were four Amateur Athletics Union members on this team as well. Should they not be allowed to play or be selected because they are good ball players? Certainly the professional basketball and tennis players on the U.S. Olympic teams would beg to differ. I am not by any means implying that Ms. Pike's son is not a dedicated, talented young ball player. I also do not think our younger son is any less an ``all-star'' in baseball or in life because he did not make a baseball team.

Rather than placing the blame on someone or something, we inspired our son to strive harder to be a better baseball player and a better person. Ten-year-old children get their feelings hurt all the time. Some still cry when they strike out. Does this mean the umpire has something against that child? It's up to parents to communicate the proper lesson to be learned.

This is baseball, Ms. Pike. It's a game. It's supposed to be fun. It sounds to me as if you were the one most disappointed your child did not make the team.

Response to the letter to the editor from Betsy Patterson (The Clipper, July 16): We live about 3/8-mile from the new baseball complex, and we are probably the residents most affected by the traffic down Eason Road. I do not see fanatical, raving, crazy parents driving past our home on the way to play baseball. What I do see are people who honk and wave, have lawn chairs and blankets, children in baseball uniforms and younger children with anxious faces that can't wait till they're old enough to play ball. I see families enjoying America's favorite pastime with other families.

I would only ask Ms. Patterson that if her neighbor placed his targets pointing toward their yard instead of the complex, no matter how good a marksman, wouldn't she be concerned if a bullet wandered her way? If a bullet found its way to her house from the lot across the street, would she not call the police?

Our boys will play baseball at that complex for two more years. Will I move when they are done? No. I hope that the Charlton-Mott Complex and other facilities like it will be there and available to our sons' children. This complex is an asset to our community.

I want people to know that the opinions of some are not necessarily the opinions of all the residents in the Hickory community. I consider myself proud and fortunate to be associated with this community as well as Great Bridge Boys Baseball.

Paula Ambrose

Benefit Road by CNB