America's beloved passtime

I spend a great deal of time complaining about sleazy politicians and other associated slime, but if convicted, the winner this week will be small-time loser a little closer to home.

You just can't make this stuff up.

The Post-Gazette reports that, according to charges filed against Mark Downs, the former coach of a Uniontown T-Ball team, Mr. Downs allegedly offered his eight-year-old pitcher $25 to hit an autistic kid with the baseball during practice in order to get the disabled kid to withdraw from participating in a playoff game.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06256/721322-85.stm

Then, according to testimony, and as if to further prove what a dirtball he was, the coach made up some excuse to renege on paying the pitcher his money!!!!

OK. So what have we taught our budding young Tom Seaver? Win at all costs? Be a vicious bastard because that's OK as long as you come out on top? When someone offers you money make sure you get a contract? It’s all right to pick on the handicapped kid? Well the pitcher testified against his coach which will probably be a better learning experience than anything Mr. Downs could have taught him.

I think this guy needs to go to jail for a few months.

Oh, and the kid who got hit with the ball (twice) is OK. He apparently learned the hard way to wear both a helmet and a cup.