Youth baseball president suspended for racist Facebook comments

Oak Lawn (Ill.)Westside Baseball Club president John Kelly was suspended from the league for one year after making racist comments about the late Whitney Houston on his Facebook page last week. Kelly, who is white, was upset about the media coverage surrounding Houston's death. His post read, "I'm so sick of reading about this dumb stupid N----- Whitney Houston." Kelly told the Chicago Sun-Times in an interview, "I didn't even know I put it in until after I sent it." As someone who uses Facebook quite frequently, I can tell you that you can delete a post immediately after sending it. Kelly meant to send that post.

He went on to tell the newspaper that Houston wasn't a good role model for kids - given her history of addiction. And I submit that Kelly is not a good role model for kids either - given his history of racism. The biggest problem with racism is the effect it has on others. If an ignorant bigot wants to sit in his living room and shout epithets at his television, so what?! It's when said bigot has a position of authority or influence - especially over children - that creates the issue. Teachers can't be racists. Coaches can't be racists. Executives can't be racists. Presidents of youth baseball leagues that instruct and influence thousands of kids can't be racists.

Even when confronted about the content of his comments, Kelly stood by his ignorance. "I do stand behind everything I said except the 'n'-word. I regret using that adjective. Does that make me a racist? Are you kidding me? It was the farthest thing from my mind. I have some amazing friends who are black." Again, the frightening part is that he was in charge of children. This is why we do what we do with the blog, clinic, the Brigade and other events. We're trying to change perspectives. We're trying to change how adults think about the responsibility they have to kids.

Incidentally, it was a parent of one of the league's African-American children who first reported Kelly's post. What is that parent supposed to think about the league now? If a coach and league president can use such language about a celebrity he didn't know, what could he be saying about the child when he drops a fly ball or misses the cutoff man? Don't let questions like these cloud the reputation of your league. Understand that we coach for the success of children on and off the field. We must know our role and embrace it.

If you're in or near the St. Louis area and coach youth baseball or softball, I'd like to invite you to a very special and FREE program this weekend. Just click on the icon at the top of this page for the Coach It Right! Baseball Clinic (email subscribers click here). Many of us have been told to leave places better than when we found them. Let's do the same for our kids. Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol