Sportsmanship is in the Eye of the Beholder

[14-H]

Gleason is not the first person to ever have said this. But, as usual, I cannot help but comment on something with which I strenuously disagree. I will use the words of a little known park recreation director to express how I think about this comment. Here they are:

Why do people lose? What was done that contributed to the losing effort? These questions often take a back seat to allegations of cheating or assessing blame to a game official. Too often the blame is placed on the fault of someone else as to why a team or individual has lost. The most important lessons of the game are handling losing in a respectful manner. One cannot learn those lessons unless they accept and learn from mistakes. This includes dealing with uncontrollable mistakes such as a poor or missed call by an official.

It is true that what might be considered bad sportsmanship in one arena might be considered good in another. But there is no doubt that certain behavior is just in poor taste no matter what the situation is. Unfortunately, I saw a lot of that at this year's nationals.

[Racerkyle20]

Sorry you feel that way Ed. What a lot of people forget in this world is that no one is perfect. If you're a believer you recognize that there is only one person that is.

In Racing, Referee's, turn judges, officials, drivers, cameramen, etc all make mistakes. We are all human. In my line of work I see a lot of people making poor choices (as do you Ed). Have I made poor choices the last two nationals? Yes. I can admit that. Admitting that is the first step toward correction to make myself a better person in this one and only life I get.

Do we need to keep around on public forms after the fact? No. If you wanted to give your dissapproving opinon to the person this post is geared toward in private I have no problem with that. Throwing them under the bus in a public forum for all of world to see a little childish. I think it's time we all move on.

Did Patrick need to put the pictures of the ASH final first turn up? No, but he thought it worthy of others opinons. Did he ever state his opinon on the situation? yes after he got more opinons and reversed his orginal stance.

On a side note, I never got the opportunity to tell MHRA what a great job they did last week. I will continue (even though my luck at Grass lake hasn't been the best) to come to any national events they produce.

Again I think it's time we all move on. Dayton and Yelm record runs are coming up. Let's all go fast and turn left.

[reed28n]

Sportsmanship

I don't really think that Ed's post is an attact on anyone. The quote is worthy of sharing about sportmanship.

Sportmanship 3 hours after an event is easy.

Sportsmanship immediately after an occurance is something to be admired. When in the heat of the battle you conduct yourself in a respectful manor.

At all of our events we should all be aware that we are representing not only ourselves but our sport, our team and family. And be aware we are being observed by the youngest in our sport. What are the take aways we want to send our young participants home with.

I don't believe that we are ever quite done with our delevopment in this arena and we all need support and coaching.

So the next time your teamate comes in off the course ready throw his helmet or head toward someone to have words with them, grab him by the jacket and help to cool him down.

[csh12M]

The sum of our choices

I think sportsmanship is a great lesson that can be learned through racing. My biggest regret in my 28 years of racing is how I acted at Whitney Point in 2009 after the CSH finals. Whenever I find myself starting to yell or get excited I try and reflect on that.

Racing is not fair, sometimes you get screwed and sometimes you catch a break you did not deserve. As I get older I realize that life is the same way. How you react to these moments and the decisions you make determine the person you are.

I have tried not to comment on the Nationals threads, being that I will be perceived as obviously biased. However, I can assure everyone that MHRA has NO BIAS towards any racers in any other part of the country. In 2009 we disqualified the CSR National Champion (and MHRA member) for a technical disqualification. In 2012 on Sat. in the finals I had to disqualify Nik. Miskerik and Elec Hutchinson for lane changes. I hated to do it but two referees saw it the same way. Mark and Elec did the most amount of work within the club to make the Nationals happen.

I think it is natural to look at the events that happen specifically to you and apply supporting conclusions that suit your feeling and argument. If you step back and look at all the data I believe you will draw the conclusion that, we tried to be as fair as possible to everyone. Regardless of what part of the country you are from.

Great post above Scott!

[xcsp700]

fun

It is all about having fun and enjoying time spent with family and friends after all we dont get paid to race and we spend a lot of money to participate. winning is cool but it is not all its about some times you are the bug and some times you are the windshield

[pops67g]

Sign of the times?

There is a rather disturbing attitude today that if a hoped-for outcome in something was not achieved then there must be someone or something else that was responsible. It just couldn't be lack of talent or poor preparation or whatever.

[bill boyes]

You know, People are just plain MAD. They are mad at ABPA for no rule book nor Propeller, They are mad at our government, our leadership, world events our news media and many others things in today's daily life. We are Very frustrated what is happening to us and our country. I am not trying to make a political statement here but are we better off than 4 years ago? Do we trust our elected ones? Does our future concern you? These concerns do filter down and effect how we conduct our lives.

[dwilderacer]

yes Mr. Reed

I feel the same. I consider myself a good sportsman, yet my sister can tell you that I have had some slips and hope that I learned from my mistakes. Let us all just try our best to be a good example to the spectators and children in the pits!

[mdaspit]

You know, People are just plain MAD. They are mad at ABPA for no rule book nor Propeller, They are mad at our government, our leadership, world events our news media and many others things in today's daily life. We are Very frustrated what is happening to us and our country. I am not trying to make a political statement here but are we better off than 4 years ago? Do we trust our elected ones? Does our future concern you? These concerns do filter down and effect how we conduct our lives.

Absolutely right on the money...

It's called "Zeitgeist".

[propnuts]

Really?

I am not trying to make a political statement here but are we better off than 4 years ago?

I love you Bill, but that is the sorriest excuse for a non-political statement I have ever seen.

As to Nationals, I guess I miss all the fun stuff.

Also, I WAS at Whitney Point in 2009 and I don't even remember whatever it is that CSH12M is regretting so much. Don't be too hard on yourselves fellas, like the man said, learn and move on. Life is too short to carry around a bunch of useless baggage like that.

[dholt]

Better off than 4 years ago?

Puh-leeeeeeeze.

What about better off than 12 years ago?

And now back to our conversation about sportsmanship in racing.

[kampkurz]

Better off than 4 years ago?

Puh-leeeeeeeze.

What about better off than 12 years ago?

And now back to our conversation about sportsmanship in racing.

Thank you Dana. This is a boat racing forum people. Wave your political flags elsewhere please.

[L. Allen]

For me boatracing is all about fun, spending time with lifelong friends and family, and helping and appreciating one other. When you grow up in it, it's in your blood.
Sportsmanship is what it is all about! Grace, respect and dignity -- win or lose --and is more easily achieved with consistent application and observance of the rules of fair play.
That's my two cents from the lawn chair.

[Dave M]

Wow

It takes a ton of crap to get me fired up to the point of flying off the handle at the races.

Are you guys failing to see what is going on ? You have some of the very most passionate people about what they do with their recreation. We all put a lot of time, money, and effort into racing boats. When this nit picking stuff goes on, do you honestly expect someone to sit and take it on the chin ? You are dillusional if you do. People can only take so much crap before they get riled up. And it has been piling up for years. Fix the problem, don't make excuses. A lot of problems exist, otherwise the annual meeting would not last for nearly a week........

[Art K]

True,true true !Art K