Kern letter May21

Consider the intent

To the editor:

I wanted to express my sympathy to the Central High School baseball team in regard to the recent ruling to suspend six players and coach Steve Williams for a violation committed in the offseason.

Rules are rules, but I truly believe the intent to commit a violation should be taken into consideration as well.

There was no intent to commit the violations. Therefore, the boys should have been allowed to repeat what we did in 1994. This year, the best high school team in the state will not win the class 4 title.

Competition is about the best team winning. How someone prepares for the season should not be a factor. Proper preparation is the key to success. This is a shame.

ROBERT KERN

Imperial, Mo.

Columnist off base

To the editor:

As usual, your sports columnist doesn't know what he's talking about.

He wrote that everyone was after Steve Williams' job as the Central High School baseball coach because he had a losing season.

That's not true. Everyone was after Steve's job for several other issues -- all of which should have gotten him removed -- that were addressed in a petition presented to the school board last year. The board did nothing.

Marty, get your facts right.

HOMER HUSKEY

Cape Girardeau