WLBZ dropped the ball

We always enjoy watching WLBZ-TV for news, weather, and sports; but after the SCANT coverage of the Class C Narraguagus-St. Dominic championship softball game, I think it’s time to change channels.

At least WABI-TV and WVII-TV gave equal coverage to all the games. It was quite noticeable that you, WLBZ and WCSH, gave extensive air time to Classes B and D but Class C was given little, and their score was posted at the bottom of the screen as you were showcasing the other teams’ highlights.

You can be sure if St. Dominic had won, it would have been a different kettle of fish! Come on, guys, this was a Maine state championship game and all four classes should have been given equal time.

Ashley Woodward of Narraguagus is a number one pitcher and her team is great, even though they are from “The Other Maine,” they are no less important. They, too, are Maine state champions along with Classes A, B and D.

Hazel W. Carter

Harrington

Racewalking debate

I just finished reading the article by John Holyoke about how racewalking could be cut in track and field. I have been attending track meets for eight years and have been a certified official for several of those years. I am a racewalk official as well.

I have to agree that I have seen coaches, who should know better, put individuals in the racewalk who don’t really know what they are doing. Let’s not punish those who have trained hard and perfected this event!

This year some racewalkers, who George Mendros speaks of, were not properly trained, and he felt they detracted from the event. I agree, but it is the coaches who make the decision to put an unprepared athlete in the event in the first place. Shame on the coach! We have had to take these competitors off the track.

Many of the racewalk officials move around and try to blend in so the athlete needs to stay legal. I know the officials I have worked with all year are great to work with and go out of their way to help those competitors who need a little help with their form. After the race, they offer assistance to any who want to improve. Many of us take time off from work to officiate this event, and I will continue to do so.

I have seen some of the best athletes competing in this event, and some have gone on to be top competitors in the nation. I have other concerns more pressing than abolishing this event. For example, javelin competitors throwing the javelin to warm up in unsafe areas.

One of the reasons track and field is so great is all members of the teams get to compete. Sometimes that means some of the athletes aren’t stars and that is OK. Even though my children have all moved on to college and beyond, I will still stay involved in track.

Cindy Look

Columbia Falls

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