Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots July 20th Edition

By 250 News

Amidst an aura of controversy, the North Cariboo Senior Soccer League (NCSSL) has “flip-flopped” in the manner that the league reports game results to the media.

The NCSSL implemented a new controversial policy that had the league Public Relations representative reporting accurate scores as long as the goal differential was three goals, or less. In its’ wisdom, the league, chose an alternate strategy of reporting scores when a game finished with a four goal spread, or more. In other words, a 9-0 game would be reported as 3-0, an 8-1 contest would become 4-1 and so on.

Why would a league come up with such a policy?  The NCSSL is obviously concerned that teams like Wolverton/Boston Pizza play four years without a win. Moreover, there is widespread (from league executive) concern with the amount of times these clubs get trounced in the process.  Let’s face facts; it is embarrassing when a league has to report perennial cellar dwellers, year in, and year out.  It reflects the organizational structure of the league which supports such discrepancies between the top and bottom teams.

I am against false reporting of final results for a few reasons.  First, this phony scheme compromises and undermines the integrity of the association, and the players it represents.  When a person, or a league, deliberately chooses to mislead, the credibility of the organization, and/or people is questioned.

Second, trust is lost between the league, and the media. If a result is not reported accurately then how can the media believe anything they are told about other league issues?  Accuracy and trust are vital for a successful and professional relationship between two parties.

Third, a decision to deliberately report imprecise results is an act of irresponsible role modeling for youth. For instance, “Tommy”, a PG Youth soccer player, watches his dad, “Boris”; lose a game 11-1. He then hears a 4-1 final score reported, on the radio.  What kind of message is being sent to the 12-year-old?  Is it confusion little “Tommy” hears, or does he learn that it is okay to fudge the numbers?

The NCSSL has been a tradition in Prince George longer than my 28 years of residency in this city. I am certainly not offering suggestions on how this league should be administered.  On the contrary, I believe there are better ways to show mercy than to report inaccurate results. It makes sense to avoid embarrassing scores in the media. Perhaps, the league executive should focus on boosting the talent level of lower teams.

However, I will give the NCSSL Executive credit. After listening to the media, in attendance, at their executive meeting (Monday, July 16^th), they took one final vote on the issue, and almost voted unanimously to go back to the old, and shall I say, proper way of reporting game results. In other words, they listened to reason.

In a court of law, witnesses pledge, that they will tell the truth, and nothing but the truth. Of course, this is not a court of law, and no one is going to make any NCSSL member raise their right hand and vow on a bible, but right is right, and wrong is wrong. By reporting the truth, which the league says they now plan to do, no one has to hide behind anything. Hopefully other leagues have taken notice.

If you don’t have accuracy and the truth, then what do you have?

From the quote rack:

“He'd be the first sheriff since Andy Taylor not to carry a gun. Shaq wouldn't need one. He could just threaten criminals with this warning: 'Put your hands up or I'm going to shoot a free throw at you.'" Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel after Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat told Regis and Kelly
he might run for sheriff of Orange County when his basketball career is over.

“There have been a lot of babies in sports this year. Tiger Woods had a baby girl, my co-host, LeBron James, had a baby boy, and the Lakers still have Kobe." Jimmy Kimmel, while co-hosting the ESPYs.

“Methuselah was the referee, Abe Vigoda the announcer, and Bea Arthur the ring card girl.” Drew Curtis of fark.com after 44-year-old Evander Holyfield beat up Lou Savarese, 41, in a recent heavyweight boxing match.

“He played pin the tale on the real killers."Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg, on how O.J. Simpson celebrated his 60th birthday last week.

“A woman is suspected of swiping over $1,600.00 in Steelers jerseys from two locations in Pennsylvania. Wouldn't that make her a Stealers fan?” Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

“Actor Ray Romano had an errant shot hit a spectator during the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship so I’m pretty sure not Everyone loves Raymond.”Contributor Derek Wilken in his Sport Shtick blog 

And in case you missed it:

The Philadelphia Phillies, who have lost more than 10,000 times, had 25 different pitchers on the mound in the first half of the season.

And how was your week?

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com

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