Sunday, April 23, 2017

Ballpark brawl (Updated)

It appears a fight broke out at the baseball park in Ridgeland Friday night.  The video below shows two men being separated by a crowd of bystanders by the concession stand.  


A Clinton and Madison team were playing each other in a 12 & under baseball game.  Clinton inserted a new catcher into the game.  A witness said he had to suit up and he was trying to find his mask.  The Madison side began screaming that Clinton was stalling.  It got pretty heated and the Clinton coach took the field and told the crowd they were not stalling and that his catcher was trying to get out there. Some more yelling and screaming took place until the scene briefly calmed down.

The black man who was knocked down in the video is a parent who helps the Clinton team.  He left and went over to the concession stand.  Someone called him the you-know-what word and it went downhill from there.  Meridian Mayor Percy Bland (who is black) was present and attempted to calm him down.  Then Mayor Bland's bodyguard came flying into the scene.  The Clinton parent was knocked to the ground.  The cracking sound heard in the video is the sound of his femur breaking into two pieces.

It is not known if anyone has been arrested.  JJ has attempted to contact Ridgeland Police to obtain more information but to no avail.  Please email kingfish1935@gmail.com if you have any additional information. 




Update: The Ridgeland Police Department just issued (11:15 AM 4/24/17) this statement:



The Ridgeland Police Department responded to 235 W. School Street (Freedom Ridge Park) on Friday, April 21, 2017, approximately 7:05 pm on a reported physical altercation between two men.  Upon the officers’ arrival, the parties were separated and they were interviewed by officers related to the events.  Statements obtained indicated coaches of a youth baseball program and from opposing teams got into a verbal altercation after one of the coaches was ejected from the game.  The verbal altercation continued outside the playing field and led to a physical confrontation between the two coaches.  The coaches have been identified as Leroi Gray of Clinton, MS and Eric Johnson of Marion, MS.  Gray was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.  The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time. 

During the verbal altercation, several parties were involved in an attempt to deescalate the dispute.  One of these parties has been identified as Meridian Mayor Percy Bland but he had no involvement in the disagreement other than attempting to separate the parties.

The case is under active investigation and at this time, no criminal charges have been filed against anyone involved.  Investigators will be re-interviewing the parties involved as well as any witnesses to the altercation.  Ridgeland Police Department is in possession of a segment of video from the confrontation and will be reviewing this piece of evidence.  This video only shows one portion of the events and in determining the proper course which to proceed, additional information related to events pre-video is being sought.  This is an active case investigation and no evidence will be released at this point by Ridgeland PD.

Any questions should be directed to the Ridgeland Police Department, Office of the Chief of Police at 601-853-2014 or 601-856-2121.

JJ stands by the information posted above.  

143 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was told the black male in the salmon colored shirt is the mayor of Meridian and the one who threw the sucker punch was a city of Meridian cop.

Anonymous said...

Ridgeland is lost.

Anonymous said...

Looks like that white trash from Madison is spreading to the south.

Anonymous said...

This is different than most of your fights. In this one, people rushed in to pull the other fighter away when the other one went down. In most of your fights the people who rush in after someone is down are moving in to gang up on the fighter who's down.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure that video will make the rounds at whatever jail the white fellow lands in. I don't care how bad he is, his day is coming.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure it had something to do with 9 year olds having fun. That guy should be banned for life.

Anonymous said...

5:53...Actually you're not 'sure' of anything at all.

Anonymous said...

What was the beef?

Anonymous said...

There should be something like sex offender status for people who show their ass at little league games/kids' soccer games. Something like a 5 year, 500 ft ban from all children's sporting events or practices. I don't care why these guys were fighting. Take it somewhere else.

Anonymous said...

The good news: none of them have been missing any meals.

Anonymous said...

At least this one was settled man to man without pulling out any firearms.

Anonymous said...

Roid rage, and a few years of watching MMA on pay per view will do that to you. YOU DONT KNOW WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO BRO. DON'T SPEAK TO ME AGAIN BRO.

Straight off of vice TV. Can't wait to see how Mr. Guest handles this.

Anonymous said...

I bet his kid is proud. Yep, that's my dad. That's what the kid will tell all his friends at Pearl Elementary on Monday.

Ridgeland youth sports would not be able to pay the light bill without the commuters from Pearl, Byram and Flora.

Anonymous said...

Wish someone would have yelled "Worldstar!!"

Anonymous said...

Apparently many of you were there when this happened. We know from the video who finished the fight. What we don't know is who started it. Either way this type of behavior is deplorable. By the way @9:06, if you find Ridgeland sports programs so lacking then stay away. Should Ridgeland deny youth of other cites the chance to participate in sports programs? I think not!

Cash Me Ousside How Bou Dah said...

You just gotta wonder what started this, people have become so ignorant and prideful that they can't just shut up, and have forgotten how to behave in public. And, what an amazing example for the yoots! I'd also love to hear the weak excuse this moron gives his boss (I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he has/had a job).

Anonymous said...

9:13 Do you need a time machine to travel back to 2011!

Anonymous said...

The white guy throwing the punches is from meridian, the black guy in orange shirt in beginning of video is Mayor Bland from Meridian, white guy said he was Mayor's body guard. Madison had nothing to do wit it.

Anonymous said...

Story involves the mayor of Meridian and the coach/officer who is in charge of his security.

Anonymous said...

9:29, doesn't matter what started it. You don't beat a guy into the ground at a youth sporting event.


You sound like a 10 year old. But he started it!

Anonymous said...

You can move into Madison county if you like. That doesn't change you one bit.

Anonymous said...

This is an example of "those people" that Mayor Gene was emailing people about. Condemn all the apartments and this white POS can buy one of those starter homes in Gluckstadt.

Anonymous said...

Ridgeland closed the Dock intending to keep folks like this out. Now they just hang out at the kids ball fields.

Anonymous said...

Meridian Mayor gets to bring a security guard to Ridgeland ball fields? Hell just give the meridian team the first place trophy and send them home. Not worth all of that over a tee ball game.

State Fan said...

That explains it! Meridian being that close to the line, no wonder they behave like Alabama fans. I couldn't tell exactly but it sounded like the white guy hollered RMFT.

Anonymous said...

@10:22
Sorry, but the City of Ridgeland had nothing to do with closing The Dock. That was the Flim Flam Man.

Anonymous said...

Ridgeland didn't exactly put up a fight to save the Dock did they?

Anonymous said...

Starter home in Gluckstadt???? I thought I wuz "moving on up" when I came here. You just can't get above your raising any more.

Anonymous said...

In a nice town, at a family-friendly park for kids and youth, you act like morons. You should be embarrassed. But I bet your are not. You are probably walking around bragging to your buddies at work today. Idiot. Friggin' idiot. All involved are idiots.

Anonymous said...

Wish it would have ended with a good Tazing!

Anonymous said...

Massive disappointment awaits those waiting to hear from RPD or the DA. Sounds like the perp is part of the good ole boy system. They take care of their own.

Anonymous said...

Hilarious to see someone from NorthEast Jerkson think they are from the Upper East Side gentry. Did it hurt little Fauntleroy's feelings when MC beat Prep? Or, does it hurt every year when MC has twice the NM finalists as St. Andrews? Little cotton welfare boys can't compete in the real world, but Momma's money and the tax man and lobbyists will keep the unearned income flowing. Run off to Richer Hicks Club and console yourself. (Remember, it's right next to McDonalds and that strip club turned into Bonsai. Classssssssseeeeee!) Why, I'll have to drive my pickup truck with a hound dog in it back to my starter home in Gluckstadt after changin' tires all day in Pearl. Well, at least the headmasters have actual doctorates at some of these lowly public schools. Poor things.

Anonymous said...

It doesnt look like anyone was fighting until the bodyguard showed up. It looks like the mayor and the guy were standing off but not actually fighting. Im sure this would make the papers had this been regular folks. Im sure this guy is a ex cop or something and they will sweep it under home plate.

Anonymous said...

MC has twice the national merit finalists than St Andrews? Wow. And they only have twenty times more students.

And those PhDs are worthless for anything except pushing pencils and raping PERS.

Anonymous said...

How is that guy not in jail?

Meridian Today said...

If anyone can confirm with certainty that the tall man in the video is Mayor Bland of Meridian please contact us at http://meridiantoday.com using our contact form.

Anonymous said...

First Costco. Now this.

Anonymous said...

There are ALWAYS 2 sides to every story! The Clinton coach was ejected from the game for continually shouting expletives (in front of 20+ 12 year olds!). Instead of leaving the park as instructed, he proceeded toward the opposing team's side to start a fight (per his words - again, expletives were used). At that point, punches were throw (which, agreed, should've NEVER happened!). The video conveniently leaves all of this out. Statements of this account were given to the Ridgeland PD.

Anonymous said...

Glad Ridgeland kept that Costco out....

Anonymous said...

to 9:29 P.M.

This was not a City of Ridgeland event. A private company sponsors these "tournaments" on a weekly basis and uses various baseball venues around Jackson for the weekly events. They are not only privately sponsored but totally "for profit" enterprises. This is not the same as baseball teams sponsored by leagues such as the old Babe Ruth League or Dixie Youth League. That is what is called "Rec Ball".....this stuff is called "Travel ball" and is all about money. This private corporation should be held responsible for any damages to person or property.... not Ridgeland!!

Kingfish said...

Travel ball? Uh oh.

Anonymous said...

The good news: none of them have been missing any meals.

Comment of the thread! Looks like they chose this field because of the proximity to Mama Hamil's. I doubt many of those Bro types could go more than 3 hours without a heapin' helpin' of deep fried pot roast, cooked in pure lard and smothered in gravy.

How many pick-em-up trucks with Yeti Cooler stickers were in the parking lot during this melee? I'm betting over 30.

Anonymous said...

Wait, for profit entities are using our taxpayer funded ball fields? Is that why I can't get on the field during the week to play catch with my kids? Fields are always closed for maintenance. Wow.

Anonymous said...

So the guys leg broke from the fall? And the guy just kept pounding him.

Anonymous said...

Not an impressive news release by Ridgeland. I can't see how this beating was justified no matter what was said or done prior to this. Definitely the beginning of a cover up for a roid pumping LE brother.

Anonymous said...

Remind me to be nice to the Meridian Mayor!

Anonymous said...

This is what happens when you mix viagra and red bull.

Anonymous said...

So here we are again with an incident in the 'burbs. Jackson residents gleefully bray about the apparent deterioration of said 'burbs, and then we find out, yet again, that the root of the problem lies somewhere in Hinds County. And as a bonus, the "Madison Central is as good as any private school"/"No it's not" crowd showed up. That's a week's worth of sniping packed into one Monday morning. Hang on, kids! This could be a wild week!

Anonymous said...

Ask any of the officials that I call high school and college games with...they won't step foot on a youth ball field because of the parental abuse. I don't know why these parks departments let fans get so verbal and intense. 12 year olds. Wow.

Fans berating a kid that can't find his mask. What is wrong with people?

Anonymous said...

I have attended one of these weekend for profit tournaments to see one of my girlfriends nephews play. Its absolutely sickening to see the parents at these things and how seriously they take it. Lots of overweight dads trying to relive the glory days(when they probably didn't even start when they were on the team)and rocking flat bill caps and drinking beer in the parking lots between games pushing their kids to be something they weren't. They take all the fun out of it and it gets nasty between the parents of the teams playing and the kids are on the field enjoying a good game between them and kids they know from school or other activities.

Anonymous said...

1:28 Having coached in these tourneys for the past 7-8 years this post has a lot of truth(and made me laugh!).

I will say that when I watch these games without a kid involved I do think everyone is taking things to seriously. However, when my kid is playing you just can't help to get "more involved". Just got to be able to keep from going to far like this video shows.

StraightOuttaTheStrawberryPatch said...

Apartments, Costco, now this??!?!? Build that wall Mayor Mary!

Anonymous said...

Maybe Ridgeland should start a wrasslin' league for "big" boys.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

To all fat ass Madison/Hinds/Rankin County fathers rocking your untucked Bass Pro fishing shirts at the youth game:

Your son is not going to play baseball in the majors. It ain't gonna happen, so you can quit yelling at him from the baseline between swigs of Miller Lite. Losing this game isn't going to hurt his chances of getting a tryout with the Orioles. Striking out is not cause for you to berate the volunteer ump with threats of "cans of whoop ass" being opened. Nobody remembers the outcome of this game after the season is up, if that long.

Get over yourselves. And lose some weight, please.

Anonymous said...

A Madison team or a Marion team?

Anonymous said...

Who is the behemoth in red that makes an appearance at 00:27 a bodyguard for?

Anonymous said...

Weird comments about an interesting post -- how in the world Jackson even fits into the conversation is lost on me, much less the number (not percentage) of National Merit Finalists in MC vs SA. But, guess that's just the mentality of some JJ comments.

My question is --- what was the Mayor of Meridian, along with his bodyguard, doing here. There wasn't a team from Meridian playing. Were they attending on official business? I assume that the bodyguard is on the payroll, and it being a weekend probably on overtime. Admittidly that is just an assumption but is part of my question. If he was being on official duty, does this open up the City of Meridian for liability due to the over-vigilant activity in performing his bodyguarding?

Appears that the Mayor was trying to mediate a disagreement between the black man whose leg ended up being broken and someone else altogether, not involved in the fight. But his 'bodyguard' who appears to be a strong believer in the benefits of 'roids decided to get involved an attacked the man with no apparent provocation. Will be interesting to see if/when the RPD responds, or more probable when they don't.

Anonymous said...

Where do they find these coaches, and how does the organization screen them? What a great example for our kids!

Anonymous said...

If the Clinton parent's femur was broken, then someone needs to be held accountable. Let's start with Mr. white shirt black shorts who came running up and plowed into the other guy, screaming something like, "YOU DON'T F*** WITH ME!"

Fine, tough guy. Let's let the police f*** with you when they knock on your door and arrest you. Then all the inmates at the Madison County lockup will f*** with you as you spend time in their domain. After that, the attorneys for the guy with the broken femur will be happy to f*** with you, as will the insurance companies that will put liability on you and your tough boasting. Next, your banker who holds the note on your $53,000 Silverado will do some serious f***ing when he's towing your ride to the repo lot.

The only one who won't f*** with you is your wife, when she dumps you.

Hope it was worth it, buckaroo.

Anonymous said...

3:09, great question - if the mayor's bodyguard was acting outside of his official capacity, he may be on his own; however he is a police officer and it could be sold to a judge that he's duty bound to prevent, mitigate, or respond to illegal activity wherever he sees it (considering the individual circumstances). Tricky, and there's NO way to make everybody happy.

Today's lesson - don't start nuthin' ain gon be nuthin'

Anonymous said...

I'm not certain what I'm watching. Someone help me out.

So the tall guy in the orange polo is the mayor of Meridian? He's talking to a shorter guy who I assume is the Clinton parent. So is the white guy who came running into the fray the mayor's bodyguard?

That's what the write-up says. So, what is the reason for the bodyguard's attack? The tall guy (assumed to be the mayor) doesn't appear to be in danger, at least not anything meriting such an attack.

And who called the Clinton parent a n****r? Was it the bodyguard (who protects a black mayor)? Or was it some other parent who wasn't in this fight?

Anonymous said...

All I can say is thank goodness for the fat guy in the yellow shirt and the floppy hat who came walking in at the end and "helped". Without him, who knows where this would have gone.

Anonymous said...

In the words of former Gov. Kirk Fordice, "I'll whip your ass!" RIP Kirk. Your legacy endures.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone have an even remotely accurate account of what happened? KF was way off the mark, though he "stands by the information."

Police state the fight was between 2 coaches and that the Mayor Meridian was attempting to deescalate. As to the why he was there, Marion (where the team is from) is next to Meridian.

Everyone else seems to say that a bodyguard of the Mayor is the one charging in. Is this guy the coach of the team from Marion? Was the guy from Clinton laying hands on the Mayor and the bodyguard overreacted?

Regardless, cussing at a game is gutter trash. Getting thrown out and then engaging others outside after getting thrown out is beyond gutter trash.

These games DO matter. They matter to the kids playing them and too many parents/coaches lose complete sight of that. That it is for the kids. There are lessons learned in adversity and in things that appear to not go your way (home cooking umpires, etc). Those lessons should not include how to make an ass of oneself and the games children play.

Anonymous said...

These two fellows are in need of a Christmas hug from Ginger

Johnny Weir said...

I was there. The fight happened over comments about COSTCO to near Bridgewater & Reunion!

Donald Trump said...

1. These are KIDS.
2. This is a GAME.
3. Coaches are VOLUNTEERS.
4. Umpires are HUMAN.
5. Your child is NOT being scouted by the Braves today.

Anonymous said...

who won the game?

Anonymous said...

They must have some really good burgers at that concession stand.

Anonymous said...

5:14 - I heard the fight broke out over the last hot dog.

Anonymous said...

@ 4:22, how does anyone make any money at this? You can't tell me that the coaches give up their weekends, pay for hotels, gas and meals on their own dime, all because they LURVE dem chirrens ---- c'mon, there's a payday somewhere... And isn't there a ballfield in Meridian...A quick online search reveals some fine baseball facilities in the Meridian area.

Kingfish said...

Google travel ball

Anonymous said...

what a racket

Anonymous said...

Travel ball....an orthopaedist's dream!

Anonymous said...

4:22 Spot on. Incidents like this are what drive volunteers away from the game. Braves scouts won't be at the game, but you better have a damned good excuse for baseball experts mama and daddy on why you subbed their precious junior out.

Anonymous said...

And these coaches get paid salaries to coach travel ball on the fields I can't even walk on? But pay for?

Anonymous said...

Omg- none of you, including Kingfish, has any clue what the real story is. This is amazing to watch the comments from people who know NOTHING. The mayor's bodyguard is also a Meridian cop AND the PAID coach of a team from Madison. He has since been relieved of his duties. It is commonplace to have paid coaches in travel ball-who don't have a kid on the team-so as to remove the "daddy-ball" aspect from the situation.

Anonymous said...

Contrary to what some think, Madison "the county" is quite mixed racially and I'm sure a jury is not going to smile on Mr Body Guard unless there is some huge part of the story missing. And the black coach that was mauled can thank his lucky stars if that guy really is the mayor's body guard because then the city of Meridian and it's insurance company will be writing the checks.

But I still can't get past the Madison parents cat calling and hissing the kid that couldn't find his mask. And then following the coach to the concession stand?

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen this many comments since the hottie tennis instructor got fired at River Hills. JJ readers love a good sports story.

Anonymous said...

Somebody needs a new coach. He should be coaching street thuggery and smack talking. Not really skills 12 year old baseball players need

Anonymous said...

8:16....are you telling me that the parents of a travel team from Madison went to Meridian of all places to find a salaried coach for a 12 year old team? I had no idea the pickings were so slim for 12 year old baseball coaches.

Cast the net a little wider next time and include candidates from Scooba and Quitman.

The Hostility State on full display said...

If something like this happens near you, then do not get involved. In fact, head the other way.

Did they pay his mileage, too? said...

This is one of the funniest comment threads I have read on JJ in a long time! Whoever said they need a Christmas hug from Ginger made me burst out laughing!

I'm really sorry for the guy who got his leg broken. Not so much for Mr. Bodyguard/Cop/Coach/All Around Tough Guy. I hope he gets thrown in the pokey.

So a bunch of Madison parents hired this roid-fueled moron to drive 90 minutes each way to teach their pre-teen kids how to curse, lose their temper, jump a guy who wasn't prepared for a fight, then scream "YOU DON'T WANNA F WITH ME!" at a man who was on the ground with a broken leg?

Great hire, guys. Maybe you can fill that position with a Parchman parolee if Kimbo Slice there goes away for the rest of the season.

Anonymous said...

Zip to 0:27 and repeat after me...

THAT'S A HUGE BITCH!

Anonymous said...

" Or, does it hurt every year when MC has twice the NM finalists as St. Andrews? "

Same old, same old, from the fanatically jealous commenter who will never understand proportions, percentages, fractions, etc. MCHS is a great public school, and their success keeps our property values up. However, there is a difference some families appreciate and are willing to pay for when it comes to their kids' education. However, explaining it to you is like trying to explain lobster thermidor to someone who has never eaten anywhere but McDonald's in his life.

Anonymous said...

lol at those who don't think travel ball exists.

Their heads will explode when they hear about the gangbangers and rappers subsidizing and traveling with the b ball travel teams. Talk about your crowd being overly involved!

Anonymous said...

Seriously. Close to 100 comments. And the guy is still roaming free. What happened to the power of JJ readers?

Anonymous said...

12:28, I'm sorry, but that "lobster thermidor" comment is straight out of Batman Lego Land. You do realize that, I hope. ROFLMAO. 6 year olds believe it's "classy." Go to YouTube and have a nice meal at the Continental Breakfast/Key and Peele version. "Baked to perfection." No one is jealous of someone with a 5 figure income in Mississippi.

Anonymous said...

The Clinton team probably was stalling, a common baseball practice when you are trying to run out the clock. Why would they sub a catcher at that time? That is rare. The other team had no right to get angry about it. That is what you call coaching. You watch the clock. Tournament ball has wonderful attributes. Most coaches are honorable men who are volunteers. Many teach these boys how to be respectable young men. They teach them how to win, but also how to behave when you lose. You shouldn't judge the whole sport based on this incident. Also, I am appalled that some of you would call all of the dad's fat?!?! There are some majorly athletic dad's at these events.

Anonymous said...

Toddlers sit and play in that exact area at every game. They could have been trampled. Both are wrong. The Clinton man was looking for a fight, and he got it.

Anonymous said...

Mayor Percy Bland, who was there to watch his son play in the tournament, says things began heating up after one of the coaches - identified by Ridgeland police as Leroi Gray, of Clinton - was ejected from the game.

"One of their coaches on the other team was ejected from the game, came over to our side to try to basically fight one of our parents," the mayor says.

Ridgeland police say the verbal altercation then turned physical. Meridian's coach, Meridian Police Officer Eric Johnson, is seen fighting Gray. That's when the mayor stepped in.

Anonymous said...

I didn't say anyone was fat. I simply observed that they looked "majorly" hungry and anxious to get to the concession stand.

Anonymous said...

There are some majorly athletic dad's at these events.

I'd suggest you watch that video. Unless you consider league bowling and competitive Krystal burger eating to be athletic, you need to reassess.

Anonymous said...

9:29 - the "dad's" what was fat??

Anonymous said...

10:36 - seriously?? Ok- DAD's is written as a singular possessive noun and should have been just a plural noun (DADS). Does that make you feel better??? Get a life. Also, 10:30 - I watched the video. I saw people of all body shapes. What video did you watch? Why don't you put a picture of yourself up so we can critique it?

Anonymous said...

11:08 - I have a life; it's on this forum fighting against the abuse of innocent apostrophes.

Anonymous said...

Let's go to the next game (Wear your body armor in case Mr. Roidrage hasn't been arrested yet) and count the ratio of athletic dads to Mama Hamil's poster boys. It'll be 3-1 at least.

A picture of me? Well, I'm not trying to recapture my life's apex of coming in second in the 1991 Community College Regionals through my pre-teen son. More importantly, I'm not keen on being jumped by an out of control peewee baseball coach who might consider any criticism to be f-ing with him. And we all know, as we watched him scream in front of women and children, that we don't want to f with him.

Anonymous said...

Finally we get a pro-Meridian body guard attempt to justify what happened. Probably the body guard.

Still not justified. But if you were there, exactly what was the coach ejected for?

Anonymous said...

I thought 'travel ball' was a basketball penalty following the sound of a whistle.

Anonymous said...

Parents pay all that money for professional coaches supposedly for the superior training the kids get. If that is what it's all about.....why do they keep score?

Oh, its not about the training is it? It's about recruiting kids as far away as Meridian to play on a team "from" Madison on Madison's tax payer funded fields. Its about winning the 12 year old world championship.

Did you know there is a tournament somewhere in the south every weekend that calls itself the "world championship"? It's a suckers game for parents willing to put up the money.

Anonymous said...

Travel ball sounds a whole lot like the pageant racket, hire a "coach", travel all around, pay the fees, etc., and wind up broke with a daughter who looks and behaves like Honey Boo Boo.

Anonymous said...

I am so sad I have come to the end of this thread. Devastated really.

Anonymous said...

There are so many money ball "World Championships" (AAU, WCB, ECTB, NJBL, FABL, Triple Crown, etc) that it's hard to drive more than 3 miles without seeing one of their banners. There are dozens of sites in Orlando, Disney Orlando, ESPN Orlando, Branson, FL, CA, etc etc. Just like "scholars" events at DC, naive folks think they are paying for a "prestigious" and "exclusive" club, when it's just part of the Sports Management/Kinesiology/Turfgrass Management/etc etc industry. As ESPN put it, "the youth-sports industrial complex, where men make a living putting on tournaments for 7-year-olds, and parents subject their children to tryouts and pay good money for the right to enter into it." The pitch: "You're kid's good! Let's take him to the 'next level.' Don't you have the money to "invest" in this "quality" "competition?" Little League, as with public schools, SO-O-O-O-O beneath "those with the means." Batter up, Bobby Three Sticks.

Anonymous said...

Funny thing is that the majority of these 10 year old world champions don't ever break into the starting line-up of a high school team, much less anything beyond high school. But people keep spending the money

Next Stop Cooperstown said...

All you people think you're so tough, but you've never stood on that field with Oakleys over the brim of your cap, giving your all for the 2011 Division B Men's All Around Southeastern Regional Ark-La-Miss Spring League Competitive Softball World Championship trophy. That MEANS something!

Why don't you smartasses come out to meet me like a man and talk your shit to my face? I'll be where I'm PAID to be - at the Little Angels Pee Wee T-Ball Park and Playground, standing between the Boo Boo Bear slide and the Squirmy Wormy sandbox, if you think you got the balls!

Anonymous said...

Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger!!

Anonymous said...

Is a lobster thermidor what you keep the lobster in to keep it from drying out?

McDonald's > Lobster said...

Is a lobster thermidor what you keep the lobster in to keep it from drying out?

No, you dingbat! That's a lobster humidor!! A lobster thermidor is the device on the lobster humidor you use to set the temperature inside.

I swear, you rubes...

Anonymous said...

I have to give it up to 2:40. Post of the month.

Anonymous said...

2:30, you left out a key detail, you're paid to keep in CLOSE contact with all those boys' mothers to make sure they're kept abreast of the most intimate details of their sons' progress. And remember - what happens under the Boo Boo Bear slide, stays under the Boo Boo Bear slide.

It can get awfully lonely on the road...

Anonymous said...

I have a Yeti Lobster Thermador (sticker on cab window of '98 Dakota). Take that, bitches!

Anonymous said...

There's a reason they call it travel ball

Anonymous said...

The Mayor of Meridian is from Jackson. So really this is another example of Jackson screwing everything up.

Anonymous said...

Will there be more posts tomorrow?

Anonymous said...

Its my understanding that this was not a team from MADISON, but a team from MARION. The over-sterioded coach, body guard for Mayor, was coaching the Marion team. The Meridian Mayor's son was on the Marion team, possibly improperly.

Question: Why do most of the local media outlets continue to show the video and put this up as news, but fail to make the connection between the attacker and his position as the Mayor's bodyguard? Instead, they appear to be putting the Mayor up as a casual bystander that was the hero of the day.

Someone dropped the dreaded "N" word and got the (now) one-legged buy upset. Mayor was talking with him trying to get him to calm down but might have been a little smack mixed in. That's where the video starts.

Besides the potential liability for the City of Meridian, were the Mayor and his bodyguard in Ridgeland on official business? Does the Mayor travel in his personal automobile, or in one provided by Meridian?

Anonymous said...

The MADISON Shockers 11U (NOT MARION) playing up in 12AA against the Clinton Mayhem. Shockers were getting ready to bat in the 2nd or 3rd inning. The Mayhem catcher was in the dugout for a while looking for something and several minutes ran off of the clock. It felt like they were stalling the game. One of the Shockers parents yelled out, “come on, let’s play ball.” Then the black coach from the Clinton team yelled out, “why don’t you shut up.” It escalated after that. LeRoi used the F-word multiple times right there in front of the kids and the dugout. The umpire said, “I have had enough of your threats, you are out of here” and threw the coach out of the game. Instead of leaving the park, the Mayhem coach came over to the Shocker’s side and emptied his pockets and told one of the Shocker’s parents, “here I am big boy, what ya going to do now.” He was looking for a confrontation. Why else would he empty his pockets and throw his valuables on the ground? Coach Johnson of the Shockers DID NOT get ejected as some are saying on here. He did nothing wrong on the field of play. The mayor of Meridian has a son that plays on the Shockers. One of the coaches is the personal body guard for the mayor. The mayor tried to intervene and get in between the parent and the Mayhem coach when the Mayhem coach started acting crazy like he wanted to fight. The mayor got shoved and the Shockers coach (the mayor’s body guard) ran off the field and went after the Mayhem coach when he saw that. It was bad, really bad. The boys were devastated. Mayhem made it look and sound like it was 100% Shockers fault, but most people are not getting the entire story. All they are seeing is the video. Shockers have cut loose the coach that was involved. Not sure what Mayhem has done. The Mayhem coach was NOT going to the concession stand and there was never the "N" word used in any form or fashion. These are the facts. Don't look at a 30 second video thinking that's all that was to this. The Mayhem coach was acting a fool. The other Mayhem coaches were running their mouth the entire first three innings of the game also. Both sides are guilty in this situation and it should have never happened. Very sad and completely embarrassing for sure.

Anonymous said...

Thank you 11:45 for clearing this up although it kinda kills the fun. Sadly this situation is too common (up to the point of actually fighting). Parents need to shut up.

Anonymous said...

@11:45 - Your write-up paints a nasty picture of both sides, but it really does no favors for travel ball and the environment we are putting our preteens into.

Even if the Clinton coach was running his mouth, using foul language, spoiling for a fight, etc., a GROWN-UP would let the officials remove him and then take the opportunity to tell the kids that this is not how to behave, then instruct them on the value of sportsmanship.

The video doesn't tell the whole story, but it tells enough. The Clinton coach was not fighting or shoving the mayor, and Kindergarten Cop came rushing in there and took him unprepared. The Clinton coach was defensive until his leg snapped, then he went down. That didn't stop Johnson, who was full into rage, from continuing to pound him.

If these parents can't do a better job of finding coaches and leaders who are grown-ups and mature enough to tell a hothead to go take a leap without getting into a fight, then they should forgo spending thousands on trying to make Junior a Houston Astro and start spending real time with him.

Ha ha ha! Don't worry. That's not going to happen.

Anonymous said...

I don't have a 12-year-old son nor do I know anyone who does, but I'm for sure going to pay admission and go the next set of games just to see this spectacle of excess. I'm going to count the number of "athletic dad's" (sic) versus the rotund ones. I'm going to pay attention to the behavior of the parents, especially the fathers. I'm going to take note of all the shenanigans and silliness from the stands.

Oh, and I'll be counting the number of Yeti Cooler stickers in the parking lot.

Cheap entertainment for a Friday night!

Anonymous said...

Clinton Coach was looking for a fight and got it! LOL. Per many witnesses - even from other teams - Clinton Coach was belligerent and threatening others. The "N" word was never used. Great excuse though for him to act the way he did.

Anonymous said...

Talking trash and acting like and idiot is not a reason to have a fist fight at a baseball game. I've spent countless hours at the ball fields and have seen situations like this arise that could lead to fights but as a mature adult you have to walk away and never engaged the other team. These baseball games become emotionally charged. You can't let what is said bother you on a personal level. It's just part of the game. It was a dumb ass move by anyone associated with the shockers to confront the ejected coach. You have to remember that guy just was embarrassed in front of his kid. Im sure he wasn't the most mentally stable at that point.

My kid has played against Mayhem before. I believe the guy that got in the fight is not one of the lead coaches for the team. I hate this for the two guys that lead the team. They are no better or worse than any other group of coaches. Their boys always play hard and after they have been complimentary to my kid. If you think a group of coachs and 12 boys can manipulate the clock to win a game your an idiot. 12 year old boys are about the dumbest creatures on the planet. 12 year olds by their very presence will screw up any plan you have.

The big problem the youth baseball isn't the beer drinking dads it's the 30 year old ex community college baseball players that become coachs that charge 50 dollars and hour for lessons and 10 grand a year to coach a team. Guys like the shockers coach make bunches of money selling dreams of D1 baseball to trashy rich Madison and Niknar parents. Teams like Mayham are really not the problem.

I can't wait to read about all the lawsuits.

Anonymous said...

I went to ballpark last night and tried to start a fight at concession stand. There were no takers. Then I learned why. They had run out of hamburgers. There was nothing worthwhile to fight over.

Anonymous said...

8:14 has no life. No. Life. Majority of parents do not spend thousands of dollars. They also are not expecting their kids to take up the sport as a career, or not even play in HS. They let them do it because the kids want to and so they won't be overweight slackers behind a keyboard wanting to sit at a youth baseball game and people watch on Friday nights because they can't get a date.

Anonymous said...

@8:50. The Mayhem coaches have always run their mouth and it's funny that in spite of wasting time they still got hammered by an 11 year old team. And you said that the Shockers parent confronted him after he was ejected- that didn't happen! Get your facts straight! He came over to a Shockers parent who was sitting down, emptied his pockets, and asked for a fight! Don't act like this dude did nothing wrong. He was wanting a fight. Now, there was no justifying the Shockers coach coming to the stands and doing what he did, period.

When a coach drops f bombs in front of kids, gets ejected and goes straight to confront a parent- he was asking to get hurt but it shouldn't have been my the Shockers coach!

Fat no-life dude who can't get a date said...

Because the kids want to? Seriously?

Which conversation do you think is closer to what goes on between one of these dads and his pre-teen son?

"Daaad! I want to play baseball under a belligerent ex-softball playing roid-head! We'll have to spend several hundred dollars on gear and lessons and travel to tournaments in Arkansas and Alabama, but it's worth it, because even though I won't take up the sport as a career or not even play in HS, I want to spend all my free time in pursuit of a ten dollar trophy! And if we're lucky, Coach will teach me how to beat up the other team. Cool with you?"

"Uh, sure, Elijah! You call the shots in this family!"

Or this:

"Kaleb! Put down that damn Atari and get your butt outside!"

"Daaad, it's a PS4! You're such a dork!"

"That's it, young man! You're going to learn how to be a winner and get your whiny ass out in the fresh air. I've bought you $400 worth of Easton gear and signed you up for the Reunion Pineapple Flags U12 team. You have batting lessons with H.G. McHormone starting tomorrow. He's a security guard at the Noxapater Wal-Mart, but he played for the Brewers' farm team for a half a season in 1996, so he's the best! Then we're gonna be at the ball park as a family every weekend! I'm gonna get some USE outta that $400 cooler I bought, dammit! You hear me, future major leaguer? I might even show you some tips from when I was the star of the Leonard, Zebert and Associates M-Bezlers team at work. You're gonna make you old dad proud, now PUT DOWN THAT DAMN ATARI!"

Anonymous said...

8:58 knows from experience

9:36 is not biased at all in his viewpoint

Anonymous said...

People are SO ANGRY and EDGY these days. I keep careful distance from most, while knowing, I must interact with people. This is a SAD commentary on how ignorant society is waxing, by the day. There's no wonder our children are in such uproar. We are. How can we in the least teach behavior control, when we exercise NONE? We only need to look no further than the current state of the White House, these past election campaigns, to see, udder tact, class and couth are lost on many.

Anonymous said...

9:52 gets it.

Anonymous said...

@9:36. Running your mouth is not grounds for fighting at a baseball game. Why didn't the fight happen in stands? If this coach was threating someone why weren't the police called??? Oh. And by the way, I hate to break it to you. Absolutely no gives a damn about a teams ranking or classification. Backwards dumbass Attitudes like yours and your coaches are what gives the good travel ball teams a bad reputation.

@9:52. You are spot on. As a parent who is involved in both select soccer and baseball I see what you are talking all to often

Anonymous said...

Not every stupid or ugly comment warrants a response. If someone is acting like an asshole, the default reaction shouldn't be to act like more of an asshole. People have lost their ability to deal with difficult situations with class and deference; rather, they exchange instant gratification for long-term consequences that are not well thought out.

I'll adapt what a great philosopher once said: "Life is tough -- it's tougher if you're an asshole." The people involved in this situation just made their lives exponentially tougher.

Anonymous said...

@11:45 Thanks for the facts! I've talked to a lot of people and what you said was spot on with what I've heard. The guy went into stands looking for a fight.
Anyone who thinks this was one/sided is a moron.

Anonymous said...

Thread of the month, if not the year so far. Sad to see it wind down, but it was funny while it lasted. See y'all at the Boo Boo Bear Slide!

Lemme vent here said...

Honestly - why would somebody put a Yeti sticker on their car anyway? Readers and contributors, please acquaint me with that thought process. Are those coolers so amazing that I must inform the world of their existence?? Why would I want to call attention to the fact that I paid a ridiculous amount of money for a stupid plastic box??

Am I missing something, is this a signal like the pineapple?

Where I grew up, a local radio station had a thing called the prize patrol...if the folks from the radio station were out driving around and spotted their bumper sticker on your car they would pull you over and give you concert tickets, etc., is there something similar for all these stupid Yeti stickers??? And why put a stupid Glock sticker on your car, you're basically daring folks to break in and steal your firearm...

Now that someone here has mentioned them, I can't stop seeing them. Please do tell.

Anonymous said...

Concur with April 24 at 3:07 and 10:24!

Did that huge red monster's presence at 00:27 get the attention of those thugs when she walked up?!?!?

Anonymous said...

Yup, gud thread. Gud thread to tip ur cap to the very few that even understand 3 striks and yur out.

Anonymous said...

7:08 - You are the most disgusting type of individual. What type of deformity/complex do you have that makes you lash out at others in that way? And I have no idea who the lady is, and I am not myself overweight, but I cannot understand how a decent, educated human being could comment that way.

Anonymous said...

People need to understand that this was a Madison team not a Meridian team. Also, the Shockers coach who was involved was not a paid coach. He was a volunteer. Also, if you watch the very end of the video, a man was picking things up off the ground. What were these items? I'll fill you in...... When Leroi Gray got ejected from the game, he went straight off the field and around toward the Shockers parents. He emptied his phone and keys and wallet out of his pockets and then yelled at the Shockers parent ( who he had the original confrontation with through the fence ), "I'm right here now, what you gonna f'in do?". Once he got attacked by the Shockers coach, a parent on their team came and picked his stuff up.

So you tell me he was not wrong and his tirade wasn't pre-meditated.

Also, when the Shockers coach, who is the Mayor's personal security, saw Gray with his hands on the Mayor (Yes, he shoved the Mayor before the video started rolling), he thought the Mayor was in trouble so he attacked!

The Mayhem fans and coaches will spin this in their favor, but the bottom line is that this would never had happened if Gray had not been a loose cannon and the other coaches of the Mayhem were more responsible and had control. They condone this action because it's obvious in the way they were talking and running their traps as well.

Now, back to my XBOX! Don't expect much to come out of all of this if anything.

There's a pineapple on MY cooler! said...

@5:09pm It's a boast, pure and simple. It's "look at what I have," because what's the benefit of owning an expensive cooler unless other people KNOW you own it, right?

Some people spend $500 on 24" spoked rims for their 1978 Buick and drive around to impress people in their social circle, who they believe are the kind of people that are impressed by such.

Others spend $500 on an iPod, iPad, or iPhone and put a sticker of the Apple logo on their Prius and drive around to impress people in their social circle, who they believe are the kind of people that are impressed by such.

Others spend $500 on a cooler and put a Yeti sticker on their Silverado and drive around to impress people in their social circle, who they believe are the kind of people that are impressed by such.

Same exact thing.

Anonymous said...

@ 5:09 The people who actually use Yeti coolers for their intended purposes, like going to a camp that is 1 hour plus from any town for 3+ days or fishing in South LA for a while when its blistering hot, they don't advertise they have Yeti Coolers by way of a sticker. They just use and go on about life. The Yeti sticker crown is for the Jacked up trucks that will never see a dirt road, flat billed ball caps, and general city kids to look cool icing their cool pops down. I do hope Yeti's advertising manager is making $1mil+ as he/she(you know, for snowflakes) is a genius.

Anonymous said...

If I could get an iPad, or iPhone for $500 I'd be glad to show off the Apple logo!

Anonymous said...

An iPad with 128GB goes for $429. An iPhone SE with 128GB goes for $499. Both are overpriced, but are far better deals than a Yeti Tundra, unless you want to spend half a grand to keep your beer cool.

Anonymous said...

Interesting update: this so-called bodyguard is now running the USSSA travel ball tournaments in Meridian AND just finished helping coach a team from Madison owned by Melissa Malouf.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

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