Press must share blame

I am writing to agree with today’s (Jan. 17, BDN) column by Gary Thorne about the erosion of civility in youth sports.

I do not agree with the unnecessary impugning of the intelligence of the wrongdoers. To call them idiots is not helpful.

In my opinion the sports press is not without some blame. To quote untimely and inappropriate statements by sports figures tends to give the impression that major sports are individual battles between certain players, rather than between teams.

Cases in point: The column on the same sports page (C4) by Howard Ulman; and the column on page C6 by Alan Robinson.

Headlines themselves are sometimes also out of line, such as:

“Bangor snaps streak, pounds MDI” on page C6; and “Maryland seeks revenge against ACC rival” on page C7.

All this in one day’s edition of the BDN. No wonder people get the idea that sports are out of hand.

Charles L. Boothby

Bangor

Note to readers: The NEWS asks that letters be kept brief and reserves the right to edit submissions for libel, taste, clarity, and to fit available space. Letters should include a signature, full name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters may be mailed to: P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402, or e-mailed: bdnsports@bangordailynews.net