Bob Cummesky ?letters to the editor
I”m sorry to see that Kelseyville Softball Coach Greg Giusti felt it necessary to make an incorrect and inflammatory remark regarding the protest from the Middletown staff during the game on April 24th. The protest in the second inning was done professionally and in a manner that is required under softball and League rules.
The Kelseyville pitcher was using a motion that was obviously illegal under rule 6 article 4 sections C & D. The protest was made against the motion, not the pitcher. Protests are only allowed for rules interpretations, not judgment calls. The umpires in this contest heard our complaint and agreed that it was a protestable situation. After the protest was made, no further remarks regarding the motion were made, as none were necessary.
The comment made by Coach Giusti that we continued to bark and harass the pitcher for three more innings was totally false. In fact, the pitcher was never harassed or barked at by myself or Coach Lisa Rogers. Our issue was with the pitching motion, not the pitcher.
Rules are made to protect the integrity of the game. Pitching rules are sometimes tough to understand and enforce as there are so many variables. It is imperative that they be enforced fairly and equitably to make the game fair for all. Whether it gives a player an “advantage” or not is unimportant. It is important that pitchers learn early in their careers what they can and cannot do. To get to post-season with a motion that is illegal but allowed, is detrimental to both the player and the team.
The protest was never withdrawn as stated in the article. A protest becomes moot if the team making the protest wins the contest. It is not necessary to withdraw the protest. We will however, not hesitate to protest our next game against Kelseyville if the same situation arises.
I have been a high school softball coach for 28 years including five as an assistant at Middletown, and 22 at Redwood High School in Marin County with 18 as head or co-head coach. I have also been a pitching coach for over 20 years and was in fact Sabrina Lyon”s pitching coach until her transfer to Kelseyville this winter. She is a wonderful young lady who has worked very hard to get where she is and I wish her nothing but success. I have never, nor will I ever in my coaching career harass or ride a player on an opposing team for any reason and I will not allow my players to do so either. Hopefully, this issue can be put to bed and the girls can play the game.
Bob Cummesky
Assistant Coach
