Whitley Co. Coaches Smoking at Middle School Game

I was at the Meece Middle (Somerset) vs. Whitley Co. middle school baseball game tonight when Whitley Co. arrived at the field. Upon exiting the bus both of Whitley's coaches immediately proceeded to light up cigarettes right by the dugout. I know it's not like they we drunk at the game or anything but to me that's just a horrible example to set for the players--Kentucky has enough trouble with teenage smoking without the coaches that lead our kid's teams doing it at the games. If you can't spend the evening without a cigarette while you're at the game you shouldn't be coaching. They didn't seem to give much guidance on the field either as their team did not even attempt to throw to a cutoff man from the outfield--every throw either went directly to the base they were throwing to or to the pitcher no matter how far out they were.

This makes me sick! Great example to set for his team. Way to go coach!

Originally Posted by BigBlueFreak

This makes me sick! Great example to set for his team. Way to go coach!

It was actually BOTH coaches, the head coach and the assistant.

I see coaches dipping all the time, in all sports. I don't do either, but is there a double standard?

I agree not a good example to the players, I personally hate to be around cigarette smoke, it takes what about an hour or so to get to Somserset from Whitley guess they couldn't wait, but.... what does smoking have to do with hitting the cutoff man?

I know the KHSAA has a policy for high school of no smoking on the field, but they don't run middle school sports.

Originally Posted by Pancake

I see coaches dipping all the time, in all sports. I don't do either, but is there a double standard?

I think there is a double standard and I think they should do neither one in front of the players.

I have always been around coaches that dip, but not smoke...

I'm not a smoker, and honestly, I believe that it is a disgusting habit. BUT, there is no difference in a coach smoking around a player than there is in that player going home and being around his parents smoking, if they smoke.

I saw the coaching staff from Grant County light one up once they got off the bus this weekend at the softball tournament I was at that was hosted by Holmes. When I brought it up to a fan from one team, he said heck our coach does it between innings when you see him leave the dugout to go behind the bus.

I'm glad I read this thread so now if my daughter starts to smoke or my boys dip I can just say they must have had a coach somewhere down the line that taught them that.

^maybe they ought to be taught not to smoke or dip.

I'm not condoning what the coaches did, but if parents take preventive measures to keep their own kids informed about the dangers of smoking then we wouldn't have to have this conversation.

By the way, nicotine is more addictive than cocaine, for those who don't know.

Just curious....

Who won the game?


I will say this at least they were not smoking in the dugout.


Althought the KHSAA does have a policy against using tobacco products on the field it is rarely enforced. But most middle school umpires are KHSAA certified and members of the local associations, and will enforce high school rules on the middle school games. (which is a good thing) IMO the umpires should also always enforce this rule (or guidline) but the bottom line is that they did not burn one in the dugout.

If it upsets you so then maybe you should contact the principal of the middle school and let him take some type of action.

Originally Posted by Apex

Just curious....

Who won the game?


I will say this at least they were not smoking in the dugout.


Althought the KHSAA does have a policy against using tobacco products on the field it is rarely enforced. But most middle school umpires are KHSAA certified and members of the local associations, and will enforce high school rules on the middle school games. (which is a good thing) IMO the umpires should also always enforce this rule (or guidline) but the bottom line is that they did not burn one in the dugout.

If it upsets you so then maybe you should contact the principal of the middle school and let him take some type of action.

Who won the game really doesn't matter. However, Somerset won both the A and the B team games to cap off a 15-3 regular season and secure the #2 seed in the conference tourney. I wasn't as concerned with any rules being broken as I was about the example being set. If the coaches are so nicotine addicted that they have to smoke while at the game (by the way the entire sports complex at Somerset is a no smoking area and is labled as such) they should have at least had the decency to have moved away from view of the players on both teams--PERIOD. Making the excuse that at least they didn't light up in the dugout ( they were actually leaning on the door or the dugout so they were 1 step outside of it) is very, very weak.

Originally Posted by AverageJoesGym

Who won the game really doesn't matter. However, Somerset won both the A and the B team games to cap off a 15-3 regular season and secure the #2 seed in the conference tourney. I wasn't as concerned with any rules being broken as I was about the example being set. If the coaches are so nicotine addicted that they have to smoke while at the game (by the way the entire sports complex at Somerset is a no smoking area and is labled as such) they should have at least had the decency to have moved away from view of the players on both teams--PERIOD. Making the excuse that at least they didn't light up in the dugout ( they were actually leaning on the door or the dugout so they were 1 step outside of it) is very, very weak.

It was not an excuse.....it was sarcastic.

Obviously, the coaches could not read or they really just did not care that it is a no smoking area, or had a basic disrespect, either way it makes Whitley County Middle School look bad, and very disapointing. that is why I recommended contacting the principal.

Originally Posted by Apex

It was not an excuse.....it was sarcastic.

Obviously, the coaches could not read or they really just did not care that it is a no smoking area, or had a basic disrespect, either way it makes Whitley County Middle School look bad, and very disapointing. that is why I recommended contacting the principal.

It came across as making an excuse for them. Particularly because of the way you asked about who won the game. My post was not made over sour grapes due to a game outcome. Somerset won the games and the coaches smoking had nothing to do with that. I was concerned about the poor example set by the coaches. However, the coaches are Whitley Co.'s problem and I'll leave their supervision up to the school's principal. We probably won't face them again this year anyway.

I remember when I was playing high school ball down at Newport, one game I was in the dugout and our coach Ray Brown was a smoker. So one time he yelled at me to come over and stand in front of him so he could have a smoke in the dugout an the umpires wouldnt see him. He was an awesome guy tho!

Oh good Lord, so they smoked a cigarette, how tragic.
Will this nonsense ever end?

Originally Posted by Pancake

I see coaches dipping all the time, in all sports. I don't do either, but is there a double standard?

Shouldn't happen either.

Originally Posted by Run To State

Oh good Lord, so they smoked a cigarette, how tragic.
Will this nonsense ever end?

Probably not.

I'm generally not in favor of "smoking bans" but a coach should not smoke where his or her players may see them. You have to much influence on them.

And as a former coach I can tell you that when I was smoking I DID smoke in front of my players but after all of the trouble I had quitting (7 years ago now!!!!!!) I wouldn't want to do anything to make a teenager think that smoking is OK. If that means walking away from them then so be it. If you want to smoke do it privately.