A change in coaching LETTERS

It was a wonderful experience to watch on TV our Razorback baseball team in action at the College World Series. Unfortunately there is a downside. Game two should have ended with the Razorbacks claiming the national championship.

With Arkansas ahead by a run in the ninth inning and OSU having two outs, the high pop-up foul just outside first base should have been easily caught. Instead, three Razorbacks stood under the ball and made no attempt to catch it. It was equally amazing in the second game finals to watch a batter, with one out and bases loaded, called out on strikes without swinging at even one ball! The next batter, with two outs, watched strike two sail by before deciding to do a half-swing and get called out on strikes.

In analyzing the three final games, it looked as if the batters were given instructions to get a walk rather than hit the ball. The reason for so many OSU strikeouts seems to have been because Arkansas swung at so few strike pitches. Perhaps Arkansas needs batting/ hitting coaches with an objective of getting more runs.

TOM HLASS Russellville

After baseball game

Jump up and down, holler and hug, throw caps into the air, but those spontaneous dogpiles following a team’s victory ought to be banned. I was relieved Oregon State’s pitcher Kevin Abel apparently was able to emerge intact from the bottom of the pile on the evening of June 28. That young man could have been seriously injured or even crushed to death. In other words, as a TV spectator, it was one thing to be disheartened over a championship game’s outcome. It’s another thing to be frightened for the safety of the winning team due to their overzealous enthusiasm.

LINDA L. SCISSON Little Rock

Captured reasoning

As a teacher of writing and literature for 47 years in junior high, high school, junior college, college and university, I must congratulate John Brummett on his June 24 column, “Educated by Bubba.” It is an outstanding example of satire on the bulk of strong supporters of President Trump.

The reasoning given by “Bubba” in the column demonstrates the mindset and convoluted thinking of many supporters. I have discussed the POTUS with many friends, who cannot seem to understand this. As a citizen, I have attempted to accept the election of Mr. Trump with an open mind, agreeing at times with some of his appointments. However, his permeating egotism and “thin skin” in relation to the media, his own staff, and Democrats point to a person not at all qualified to be president.

The argument by supporters that he is a good businessman is contradicted by his decision to raise tariff rates without understanding that in a global market, that move might impact the very voters who helped him win. We are already seeing the negative results of his action. He would be wise to retract that move as he did with his immigration “zero tolerance” policy.

JOHN CRAWFORD Arkadelphia