"Help me, help you...Help me, help you!"
Kick it!
Wow! Matt Kemp, that guys good. I had no idea.
Remember that scene in Jerry Maguire where Tom Cruise starts pleading with Cuba Gooding Jr. “Help me, help you. Help me, help you!”
This is how I feel about CIF…In my old age, I’ve come to fully subscribe to the belief bodies of leadership are never going to make everyone happy. But sometimes the size of the body can get in the way of seeing what is necessary and best.
In the days we were covering Little League and problems would crop up from league to league across District 18 fifty percent of the time it was a brain dead move by a manager, parent, or umpire. Something Little League couldn’t control.
The other fifty percent was caused by Little League itself because of rules/boundaries that were in place from generations long gone bye. Often Little League’s worst enemy was Little League itself. And Little League is wonderful.
I wouldn’t describe CIF as wonderful, but it does a pretty good—if not impossible job.
Through discussions with various coaches and individuals, I’ve matured and come to a new respect for what they do.
I mean that…I also mean this: CIF is its own worst enemy. Changing the playoff format in the Mid-Valley Division the way they have proposed does not help CIF’s image. It hurts it and will create more trouble for itself down the road.
When poor arguments are made, when Mt. View is used as the pivot school, when officials orchestrating the change in playoff divisions without seeing the teams they are changing, when they are relying on the advice of those with names but no connections to the area…CIF looks like an out of touch bureaucracy.
First: There is no rational argument for separating the Montview and Mission Valley League. None. It doesn’t make sense financially, in the demographics, enrollment, or the production on the field.
Second: While a seed is growing at Mt. View (genuine interest and passion for football) that seed has not yet come into full bloom. Comparing them favorably with a school like Bell Gardens or even Temple City only demonstrates a lack of understanding and background of the local football scene. The Vikings are not in a place (yet) where they can be used for an argument.
Third: Not seeing the teams perform live or on film is not acceptable in this day in age. When the key man proposing this change for CIF is using Mt. View as a pivot he needs to have seen Mt. View play. He needs to have seen the rest of the Mission Valley.
This is not about bagging on CIF, but about helping CIF. “Help me, help you!”
Making decisions without seeing programs in action 15 years ago is understood, but not 12 years into the 21st Century.
I’ll be bold: No decision should be made about the Mission Valley League without getting input from Mid Valley Sports first. We know it, we know the MVL’s history…but we’re small potatoes…I understand and accept that. But before a move is made in the San Gabriel Valley area at least consult Fred Robledo, Aram Tolegian, Miguel Melendez, Keith Lair, John Honnel…Ask the Tribune-Star News people. They’re the boots on the ground.
Fourth: Ask “The MID”, the Tribune-Star News people, but not high profile coaches who have little or no connection to the Montview and Mission Valley Leagues. “When was the last time they were on the sideline at a Gladstone game?” Said one local football coach.
So there you go.
Finally, on a personal level, we welcome the switch. It works for us. We have connections in the Del Rey League, up the coast and along the 126 to make adding the Northwest to our football coverage a winner. We’re excited about that.
Paraclete in December? I don’t know, if I can get Bad News Barker to drive.
So I’m sharing now, but I won’t be complaining later because we’re gonna make this thing work.
The Dude abides…
475
Job 25: 2
Contact Joe at joe@midvalleysports.com
Follow him on Twitter at @joet13b
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