A girls’ softball team aged 12-14 faced a tough lesson about the long-lasting impact of social media when a Snapchat post led to their disqualification from the Junior League World Series. This incident serves as a crucial reminder for kids and teens that their online actions can have serious consequences.
The Atlee junior league softball team from Mechanicsville, Virginia, found themselves out of the championship game after one of their players shared a Snapchat photo. This image featured six team members displaying their middle fingers with the caption, “Watch out host,” aimed at their upcoming opponents. Just the day before, Atlee had secured a narrow 1-0 victory against the Kirkland team, which had been marred by the ejection of two players and a coach from Kirkland for cheating.
Despite the team’s coach and players issuing apologies to their rivals, the matter escalated. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Little League World Series head office made the decision to disqualify Atlee just hours before their scheduled game. Kevin Fountain, a spokesperson for Little League, stated, “Upon discovering an inappropriate social media post involving members of Atlee Little League’s Junior League Softball tournament team, the Tournament Committee has removed the Southeast Region from the 2017 Junior League Softball World Series for violating policies regarding unsportsmanlike conduct and improper social media use.”
Scott Currie, the Atlee manager, expressed his disagreement with the League’s actions. “It’s a travesty for these girls,” he remarked. “Yes, they made a mistake, but I don’t believe the punishment fits the crime.” Currie pointed out that the League’s own guidelines suggest that coaches should handle such disciplinary issues, which he believed he did by having the team apologize.
The controversy surrounding the disqualification has sparked significant discussion, with coach Chris Mardigian suggesting that the girls’ Snap was in retaliation for poor treatment from the Kirkland team. However, the key takeaway for teens and their parents remains clear: the internet is forever.
While many of us may have made similar mistakes in our youth, the difference today is that these actions can be captured and shared online, potentially leading to long-lasting repercussions. Junior high and high school students need to be aware of the seriousness of their online presence, as even seemingly minor missteps can lead to significant consequences.
As parents, it’s essential to instill the understanding that anything shared online is public. Although it may seem unfair for this generation to exercise more caution than previous ones, it’s a reality of living in the digital age. For the Atlee team, the loss of a championship opportunity serves as a potent reminder of the importance of thinking before posting. They are likely to remember this lesson well into the future.
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Summary
A softball team was disqualified from a championship game after a player posted an inappropriate Snapchat photo, highlighting the lasting effects of social media. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for young athletes about the importance of being mindful of their online actions.