He Came, He Yelled, He Slugged It Out

 

From a reader:

I would like to make a few observations regarding the latest incident involving MSHS baseball coach Blake Beck and the Parks and Rec Director Rusty Wheeles (and by extension, his wife).

There are several things that have become apparent in the months since Coach Beck took over the MSHS baseball program. Firstly, from an outside observer's perspective, he appears to be a good baseball coach (which is something MSHS hasn't had in some time). He is attempting to change the culture around that program, which takes time. By all accounts, he runs efficient practices. He has high expectations. All of these things are admirable and certainly things one would look for in a leader of a baseball program. That's the good. 

Now, for the bad. It is abundantly clear that Coach Beck has an issue controlling his temper. This is now the second incident of aggressive encounters with the Park and Rec director, this time escalating to alleged physical contact. Coach Beck appears to believe that the city owned field at Gattman Park is his personal domain, where he is free to do as he pleases, with little to no regard for anyone or anything else. And, when the Coach doesn't get his way related to the baseball field, his response seems to be to lash out at others in an aggressive and threatening manner. He has had these fits of rage in front of city employees as well as citizens, children, and most importantly students (both MS baseball and softball players).

The videos you have posted here cast a negative light on all parties involved, although I commend Mr Wheeles for attempting to defuse the situation by removing his wife from the area.

The real victims in this situation are the students of MSCS and the players in the baseball program. The slogan on the home dugout at Gattman Park reads "Class. Character. Excellence." I would ask anyone to defend any of the coach's actions here as being classy, or showing character (at least the type of character you would want demonstrated in front of your children). The lessons of team sports include conflict resolution and dealing with adversity. What are these students learning about those things when the adults in charge behave in such a manner?

It is obvious that the administration, athletic department, and ELECTED school board in Muscle Shoals have an important decision before them. The current situation does not appear to have an amicable resolution. Will the BOE do the job they were elected to do, and protect the interests of the students and athletes in the MS City School System?? Will the mantra of "Class. Character. Excellence." actually mean something in Muscle Shoals, or are they simply hollow words on a dugout sign? Time will tell. Citizens and parents in Muscle Shoals, pay careful attention to what your elected representatives do here.