First I want to start off by saying there are two sides to every story. I am no longer a member of the Braves organization, my children did play for the organization for over 6 years. I also work in the consession stand during home games. I am familiar with the people within and running the organization.

This is for Mr. John D. Yohe,
In May of this year you said that you signed up your children for football and cheerleading. You also said that you received fundraiser notice at the sign ups and blamed the misplacement of the notice on your children. During the second week of practice the fundraiser packets were then handed out, stating when money for fundraiser or buyout was due, I guess that was also misplaced. There were also reminders that went out three times, hum lost? In September of this year there was a parents meeting, a vote was passed that Kids Sit If Not Paid you attended the meeting.

On the night in question when you approached members of the Braves it wasn't done in a dignified manner. You approaced the female member yelling at her and continued to yell while she was walking to the President of the organization( who at the time was coaching). You did this infront of parents and children. You were then told if you didn't like the stipulations that you were told to drop the equipment and leave. Wonder why?



What you need to understand Mr. Yohe is that these people are volunteers there for your children all of our children. Taking time out with their own families to do something for yours.

We have fundraisers to raise money for equipment to keep the children safe and for insurance. It takes a lot of time and money to run an organization like this. I am sick and tired of people like you who complain about anything and everything and do nothing. Well I am telling you if you don't like the way things are going get involved or just keep your mouth shut.

One other thing, I know that if you were unable to pay the money the organization would have been more than happy to work with you.

MBohan

First I want to start off by saying there are two sides to every story. I am no longer a member of the Braves organization, my children did play for the organization for over 6 years. I also work in the consession stand during home games. I am familiar with the people within and running the organization.

This is for Mr. John D. Yohe,
In May of this year you said that you signed up your children for football and cheerleading. You also said that you received fundraiser notice at the sign ups and blamed the misplacement of the notice on your children. During the second week of practice the fundraiser packets were then handed out, stating when money for fundraiser or buyout was due, I guess that was also misplaced. There were also reminders that went out three times, hum lost? In September of this year there was a parents meeting, a vote was passed that Kids Sit If Not Paid you attended the meeting.

On the night in question when you approached members of the Braves it wasn't done in a dignified manner. You approaced the female member yelling at her and continued to yell while she was walking to the President of the organization( who at the time was coaching). You did this infront of parents and children. You were then told if you didn't like the stipulations that you were told to drop the equipment and leave. Wonder why?



What you need to understand Mr. Yohe is that these people are volunteers there for your children all of our children. Taking time out with their own families to do something for yours.

We have fundraisers to raise money for equipment to keep the children safe and for insurance. It takes a lot of time and money to run an organization like this. I am sick and tired of people like you who complain about anything and everything and do nothing. Well I am telling you if you don't like the way things are going get involved or just keep your mouth shut.

One other thing, I know that if you were unable to pay the money the organization would have been more than happy to work with you.

MBohanLancaster OnlinePosted Today, 08:42 AM

I don't know what Mr. Yohe thought he was getting into.

The way that district is run, look to pay for activites at school, if they offer them at all.

Youth athletics are typically run by fundraising. People are told upfront about buyouts. This guy sounds like he is upset because his family was irresponsible.

Blaming the kids for lost paperwork is pretty weak.

Yep-give the kids a reason to use the same excuse with their teachers as well, lol.

lol yea really sorry teacher my parents lost my homework its not my fault.

All I can say is. This did not happen as it was described in an earlier response. Not one time did I cause a scene. In fact it was the person I approached who had to make it known she wasn't happy that I asked her a question. It was not my kids fault that we didn't participate in the fundraiser. Mine completely. Kids are just kids, as an adult I should have been on top of it. But I won't sit here and listen as people that have no knowledge of this situation ACT like they know what was said or how myself or my wife were treated, or say we acted poorly because that is simply not true.

We got a letter on a Tuesday night that if we didn't pay the $50.00 he would not be able to play on Sunday. I thought this was pretty harsh, but we went to the practice field to see what we would be able to work out. Not to fight with anyone, not to act indignant, ask for special treatment. Just to see if they were really not going to let my son play on Sunday if we couldn't pay right then. I never once raised my voice, threatened anyone or treated anyone badly. My wife as well.

Because of the way the gentleman was approached by the lady I supposedly yelled at, he wasn't trying to hear anything we had to say. All I wanted to know is if we couldn't come up with the money that night would they be the ones to tell my son he couldn't play anymore. NEVER did I ask to NOT pay the money, or for any special treatment. I just asked a few simple questions about the fundraising and if everyone was subject to this. The whole time we were treated disrespectful and condescendingly. Sorry I don't look like your typical business man father. I have long hair, tattoos, earrings, and a fake leg. Maybe this had something to do with it. Maybe because we don't know a lot of people and keep to our selves we got treated different. I have no idea. But to get talked to the way we did was unacceptable. If you have a position where you have to deal with parents, you should treat them as such.

I hope this doesn't effect my kids in anyway. My opinion is mine and mine alone.....judge me if you will. But I know that there are some parents out there that would have had the same reaction and same response. Just do me and yourself a favor if you are going to paint a picture of me as a psycho.....know that I am a 45 year old man, and I am way more dignified than to start some kind of fight at a football practice that my son and daughter are at, too bad people that are part of that organization can't do the same and closed minded individuals are so judgemental.

There are better ways to handle situations like this than the way it was. My fault? Maybe.....but I don't feel that way. I'll get my band to do some free events for the football organization and we'll be the biggest fundraisers they have ever seen. But because we want to. Not because someone decided that something was mandatory. Like I said it was never about the money.....till they made it about the money. But as just one voice, who am I? Not a sheep, I'll say that. And I invite anyone that has read this to come talk to me at any of the games. i'm easy to find, look for one leg and you found me. I believe you'll be surprised.

whenever people say its not about the money .......its about that money. The bottom line is rules are set up if you don't like the rules than don't participate with that organization.

I feel for this guy. I can tell you that even in the "midget/rec" leagues cliques are formed by the parents resulting in favoritism and kids not getting the opportunity to learn and compete fairly. However, he should concentrate on getting involved or more involved. That may provide some relief. Regardless, the child should not be the one to suffer. If they practice they should play.

I was recently at a midget football event and was uphauled by the unsportsmanlike sentiment displayed by parents/ other in the stands. This is midget football folks not professional ball. Remember, the kids are watching and will emulate what they see and hear. Hopefully, there is a quick resolution to this.

appalled btw. Thats right the parents act very poorly, sounds like this guy may have acted poorly as well. Because you practice does not mean you play. Some children do not belong on a football field. A timid or poorly skilled player put himself and his teammates at risk for injury. Parents fail to see that their child is not ready or capable of playing football in the proper manner.


Cliques will need to be dealt with your enitre life it is the way of world, life is not fair.

"puts" by the way. If you practice you should play at the midget level. True some kids may not be football players, but come on.. midget football. Coaches should impart, at least minimal skills, that a young player could use to at least cover a kickoff. No doubt cliques will persist but for adults to perpetuate them in this arena is pathetic.

There are 2 sides to every story. I was also ripped off and treated unprofessionally by the so called "president of Dongeal Braves midget football. We paid our $60 registration fee, went to the physical, but due to personal reasons, my son told him that he may not play his 4th year of football. He told us to let him know. We did not show up that weekend for equipment pickup, since my son decided not to play. We did not show up for practice, but during the second week, I went to the field to ask about getting my $60 registration back, since he wasnt playing. I was told, very smuggly I might add, that it is too late, that I should have came down the first week of practice. I explained that due to some health problems, I couldnt make it down there. He flat out said, "Too bad". Even though I explained that I really needed that money back, I was told that HE was never poor a day in his life, and that he doesnt care if I need the money. It's too late. I asked him which one of the kids on the field was playing on my $60, but he couldnt answer that. I'll be the first to admit, I gave him a few choice words, and I left. It looks like Donegal Football made out on my money. That's so professional. Great president you got there. And if someone doesnt like my comments, oh well.

Tammy Little
Maytown

The problem is most of these "coaches" have no idea how to properly teach children to play football. Coaches should impart but are unskilled and teach dangerous techniques. Your kid is probably better off on the sidelines

I agree that there are 2 sides to every story, however I too have had a few run ins with the Donegal Braves Midget Program. The so called president is a joke, thank god this is his last year, however he should have been run out along time ago just like he was run out of the baseball program. To be in charge of an orginization that consists of children you need to have a heart and that guy has none!!! I have heard him on many occasions make fun of parents and their children and even his fellow coaching staff!! My children have came up thru the Braves and I am thankful for what they have learned and the experiences they had, but that came from their coaches not from the so called board members. Are they any worse than any other orginization, probably not, but when parents shell out their hard earned money for their kid to participate in an elective sport than I think the parent and child should be shown some respect. Guess what guys we are not raising NFL players here, they are kids, they just want to play football and not worry about all the politics.

Sounds to me like this issue is a combination of the parents being unorganized and ignoring mandatory conditions which were laid out for them in the beginning. I'm sure that if they approached the necessary contacts in the beginning and asked them to work with them in a POLITE way it would have been dealt with differently. the organization might not have responsded appropriately, but I have a feeling the parent in this matter didn't make it easy for them.