Anthem tweet stuns softball players
VIERA, Fla. – Professional softball’s comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic took an unexpected twist late Monday, when players from the Houston Scrap Yard Dawgs walked out after a tweet by their general manager to President Donald Trump about players standing for the national anthem.
The tweet apparently was sent during the anthem before the game between the Dawgs and USSSA Pride at the Viera Space Coast Sports Complex. That game marked the return of professional team sports to the United States since the pandemic shutdown.
The now-deleted tweet, from the Scrap Yard Fast Pitch twitter handle @ScrapYard FP, showed Dawgs players standing with hands over hearts and read: “Hey @realDonaldTrump Pro Fastpitch being played live @ussssaspacecoast @USSSAPride Everyone respecting the FLAG!
Players on the Dawgs, including 11 Olympians preparing for the Tokyo Games, apparently were taken by surprise after their team’s 4-0 loss. By midnight, several players said they would quit on the spot since GM Connie May’s comments blindsided them.
Former Pride pitcher and legendary University of Texas star Cat Osterman said early Tuesday the players are done representing the Scrap Yard Dawgs.
“We have all said we are walking away from Scrap Yard and will not wear Scrap Yard uniforms,” Osterman said in a report Tuesday morning by the Houston Chronicle. “For now, we’re 15 or 16 girls and coaches who don’t have an organization.”
Osterman, 37, who has a banner with her retired number hanging on the outfield fence at the Pride’s main softball field in Viera, came out of retirement a year ago. She joined the Dawgs in order to find the best competition in her bid for a third trip to the Olympic Games, which is now taking place next year in Tokyo.
Osterman, who pitched a scoreless sixth inning Monday night for the Dawgs, told the Houston Chronicle that players planned to meet Tuesday afternoon to decide how to proceed.
A message left at the Scrap Yard Sports office in Conroe, Texas, was not returned.
Reports from Orlando’s WFTV said the now-former Dawgs will remain in Brevard County to practice and hope another sponsor picks up the contracts.
May, a longtime coach from the Houston area, became the GM of the Scrap Yard Dawgs in 2015 in their inaugural season.
The Pride and Dawgs, considered to be the best pro teams in the world, were scheduled to resume the seven-game series Wednesday night, but now that is in question. Games could go on as practice-type games, but USSSA officials did not comment.
The Pride, who were tagged in May’s tweet, responded Tuesday morning: “Last night, the USSSA Pride was tagged in a tweet which suggested our pro softball team made an anti-kneeling political statement at a recent game during the national anthem.
“As an organization, we do not condone this tweet nor do we support the intended goal of its sender — an individual who is not authorized to speak on behalf of USSSA in any capacity.
“Sadly, both the nature and the objective of this message are incredibly damaging and disrespectful to athletes, fans, and the community as a whole. More importantly, the tweet’s subtext is harmful and counterproductive to the current racial justice movement — a movement that the USSSA Pride fully supports and stands behind.
“Further, the implication that the USSSA Pride does not support its athletes’ freedom of expression both on and off-the-field is categorically untrue. We encourage all of our athletes to speak their minds and use their platforms however they feel compelled to do so.”
Other players on the Dawgs responded likewise.
Catcher Aubree Munro of Florida was among those who said she’d walk out. Her tweet read: “It’s a slap in the face to the strong Black women in our game and to the progress we have made in our sport. We will be better.”
And Monica Abbott, 34, considered the greatest pitcher in the world, also chimed in with her official statement: “I kneel. I kneel with all my friends, teammates and any person of color. The tweet sent out by Connie May on the ScrapYardFP account in no way reflects the athletes in this organization. It sure as heck doesn’t represent my feelings and I can’t believe a company I am supposed to represent would do something like this. I’m in shock.”
Abbott continued: “I believe softball to be an inclusive sport any shape, size or color can be good at this game. But it doesn’t mean the organization believes the same. Being blindsided, with a tweet like this in the middle of the game, is the utter most disrespect to my Black teammates, all athletes and supporters. And this is not acceptable.”
Pro softball players shared their thoughts in the social media firestorm like Natasha Watley, a Black two-time Olympic softball player. Watley tweeted Monday night, “Seriously fuming right now @ScrapYardFP you are better than this! Haven’t we been going over this for the last 3 weeks? This is not funny at ALL! Has nothing to do with respecting the flag and ALL to do with respecting ALL Americans in this country regardless of color of skin.”
Miami native Kylan Becker, the Dawgs’ leadoff hitter Monday night, echoed sentiments shared by several of her teammates. Part of her tweet on May’s comments read: “This statement is NOT a representation of my values. Therefore I will no longer play for Scrap Yard.” The tweet ended with: “All lives do not matter unless black lives matter.”
Tuesday afternoon, USA Softball issued its statement on Twitter: “USA Softball fully supports all National Team members, both past and present, and their right to express their beliefs. As an organization that promotes inclusiveness and unity through sport, USA Softball will continue to use softball to bring people together.”
The entire 2020 summer season of the USSSA Pride and the Dawgs is now in question, as is the training possibilities of the Olympic players, who might not have a location for organized workouts now. They originally had been penciled in to practice at the Jackie Robinson Complex in Vero Beach before the COVID-19 pandemic blossomed.