Dear Editor:

 

I have just finished reading Brian Campbell's August 04, 2003, article concerning Lynette Johnson, the twelve-year-old athlete who was not allowed to wear plastic beads in her hair while playing in a softball game.

 

I did not see the incident. Therefore I cannot comment as to whether Miss Johnson and her coach, Don Magruder, should have been ejected; but I can say with 100% certainty that Miss Johnson was removed from the game because she was in violation of a safety rule; not because of her skin color.  Safety rules are just that; they exist to protect all of the players on the playing field.

 

A team's head coach is the person responsible for making sure that his players are properly equipped and attired.  That means in the words of the late President Harry Truman, "The buck stops here."  Miss Lynette and her mother have no one to blame for her removal from the game except Coach Magruder.

 

My many years of experience in youth sports tell me that Miss Lynette's parents have spent a lot of money this year for her to play softball, and they should be upset with Coach Magruder for failing to do his job as head coach.  Miss Lynette's mother should not blame the people who put the safety of her daughter and the other players first with false claims of racism.  Miss Lynette's mother should put the blame where it belongs, squarely upon Coach Magruder's head.  And Coach Magruder should stop blaming other people for his mistakes. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.