Brighton and Sutherland

[MetsBaseball004]

Did anyone hear about the benches clearing between Brighton and Sutherland on Wednesday (5/7).. this is the 4th time in 3 years the two teams have cleared the benches and the 7th time Sutherland has cleared the benches in 4 years with Jim Capellupo as head coach.

[gobills121]

I was at the game, and both teams seemed to have little class, but Brighton had much less. Sutherland's coaches actually held the Sutherland players from leaving the bench after a collision at home plate on a passed ball between a Sutherland player and the Brighton pitcher.

[mcbaseballfan]

I was at the game and let me tell you what happened...

1) One of Sutherland's players bulled over the catcher from Brighton. The Brighton bench emptied onto the field. The Sutherland coaches kept the Sutherland players in the dugout. The Brighton catcher went crazy yelling the f-word and pushing both the Sutherland player who hit the catcher and the on deck hitter. Both the Sutherland player got tossed out for the malicious hit and the Brighton catcher got tossed also.

2) The game was ended because of weather reasons with Sutherland winning. Brighton went crazy. The first base coach (who was a player) turned to us and told them to go f-themselves. I know this because I was standing there.

3) A lot of Brighton players refused to shake hands and the assistant coach (he has a beard and looks young) for Brighton challenged the Sutherland coaches to a fight at home plate and then had to be escorted off the field by the AD from Sutherland. He is currently suspended from coaching.

The Sutherland players (except the player who bulled over the catcher) and coaches should be commended for how they handled themselves. Brighton had ZERO class. This has happened at almost every Sutherland-Brighton game over the last four years.

And to set the record straight, there have been incidents between the two schools going back to when my other son played baseball six years ago, so this is not something new. And also to set the record straight, I have been to almost all SHS games over the last four years and the benches emptied ONE time for Sutherland and that was last year. The other three times were when Brighton's benches emptied and the coaches from Sutherland kept the players in the dugout. Sutherland won the Sportsmanship award in Monroe County within the last couple of seasons (check sectionv.org if you would like), so get your facts straight before you spout off something about a school or coach.

[anonymoussportsfan]

What is going to happen to the players who were involved with this?

[gobills121]

I was at the game and let me tell you what happened...

1) One of Sutherland's players bulled over the catcher from Brighton. The Brighton bench emptied onto the field. The Sutherland coaches kept the Sutherland players in the dugout. The Brighton catcher went crazy yelling the f-word and pushing both the Sutherland player who hit the catcher and the on deck hitter. Both the Sutherland player got tossed out for the malicious hit and the Brighton catcher got tossed also.

2) The game was ended because of weather reasons with Sutherland winning. Brighton went crazy. The first base coach (who was a player) turned to us and told them to go f-themselves. I know this because I was standing there.

3) A lot of Brighton players refused to shake hands and the assistant coach (he has a beard and looks young) for Brighton challenged the Sutherland coaches to a fight at home plate and then had to be escorted off the field by the AD from Sutherland. He is currently suspended from coaching.

The Sutherland players (except the player who bulled over the catcher) and coaches should be commended for how they handled themselves. Brighton had ZERO class. This has happened at almost every Sutherland-Brighton game over the last four years.

And to set the record straight, there have been incidents between the two schools going back to when my other son played baseball six years ago, so this is not something new. And also to set the record straight, I have been to almost all SHS games over the last four years and the benches emptied ONE time for Sutherland and that was last year. The other three times were when Brighton's benches emptied and the coaches from Sutherland kept the players in the dugout. Sutherland won the Sportsmanship award in Monroe County within the last couple of seasons (check sectionv.org if you would like), so get your facts straight before you spout off something about a school or coach.

Sutherland did not show that much class either. The game was called because Sutherland's pitcher fell, and it looked like he faked it, after allowing the first 2 hitters of the inning to score. The field was not any worse at the end than at the beginning of the game. Also, the sutherland player bulled over the pitcher, not the catcher, on a passed ball which IMO makes it worse because he isn't wearing padding.

Before their first game this year, because of previous fighting, the teams had to shake hands BEFORE the game. You can bet that if they meet in sectionals (they may end up seeded 1 and 2, and meeting in the championship) they will have to shake hands before the game again, and it could get ugly anyways.

[rjbaseballman]

I play in the same division as Brighton and Pittsford so we play both teams 2x a year. Brighton players and coaches are punks. There kids say whatever they want, and their coach doesn;t say anything to stop them or control them. I wasn't at the game but the guy with the beard is a complete jerk. We almost had a brawl with them a couple of years ago because thye were throwng at our guys and running their mouths.

I dont like Sutherland because they ususlly beat us in Sectionals but there head coach is not a problem at all and he has them ready to play (except against us the second time this year....I couldn't help myself!)

Ask anybody in our league who they respect more Sutherland and Brighton, and nobody will say Brighton.

[rjbaseballman]

The rule is bothplayers have to sit a game if you are thrown out. My friend plays at Olympia and they played Brighton the next day and he said that the coach for Brighton is suspended indefinitely. Not sure if that is true or not...

[MetsBaseball004]

MCbaseballfan does not know what he is talking about becuase he is obviously a Sutherland parent and has a biased point of view. I am a former scout for the New York Mets and reside in Perinton currently and have no connection to anyone on either team.

I saw the whole thing from very close to the backstop from a neutral point of view.. From what I saw the Sutherland player who bulled over the pitcher is at fault.
The Brighton catcher then ran in to defend his pitcher and did not lay a hand on the Sutherland player, but just got in his face which i don't think warranted an ejection. He was no more at fault than any of the other 8 Brighton players who ran in an did the same thing. That being, said he should have stayed back and let the umpires handle it.

The Brighton bench emptied before the Sutherland bench did, however, within 10 seconds both benches were emptied and it took about a minute or so for the umpires and coaches to restore order. Both teams at fault.

As for the end of the game: It was pretty obvious that the Sutherland coach instructed his pitcher to slip on purpose since the next pitch he blantantly slipped. This is troubling to me because he had no problem with his balance on his previous 90 pitches, nor did the Brighton pitcher.
During the postgame handshakes, the Brighton assistant coach simply refused to shake the Sutherland head coach's hand but from what I saw they were only barking at one another, and a fist fight did not look like it was about to ensue.

Also this is atleast the 6th time Sutherland has cleared the benches- twice with Brighton in '06 (once at Buckland Park, once in the sectional final game), once with Brighton in '04, once with Brighton in '07, once with Brighton in '08 and once with Victor in either '05 or '06. And do not say that the Sutherland players stay on the bench everytime becuase the Sutherland head coach is usually the one to lead the charge off the bench and I have a picture from '07 to prove it. Clearly these two teams have an intense rivalry and something needs to be done to stop this becuase its preposterous.

[anonymoussportsfan]

The rule is bothplayers have to sit a game if you are thrown out. My friend plays at Olympia and they played Brighton the next day and he said that the coach for Brighton is suspended indefinitely. Not sure if that is true or not...

i know that the rule is they will have to sit out for one game for an ejection but i was wondering if there was going to be more severe punishments handed out to the players for clearing the benches

[gobills121]

MCbaseballfan does not know what he is talking about becuase he is obviously a Sutherland parent and has a biased point of view. I am a former scout for the New York Mets and reside in Perinton currently and have no connection to anyone on either team.

I saw the whole thing from very close to the backstop from a neutral point of view.. From what I saw the Sutherland player who bulled over the pitcher is at fault.
The Brighton catcher then ran in to defend his pitcher and did not lay a hand on the Sutherland player, but just got in his face which i don't think warranted an ejection. He was no more at fault than any of the other 8 Brighton players who ran in an did the same thing. That being, said he should have stayed back and let the umpires handle it.

The Brighton bench emptied before the Sutherland bench did, however, within 10 seconds both benches were emptied and it took about a minute or so for the umpires and coaches to restore order. Both teams at fault.

As for the end of the game: It was pretty obvious that the Sutherland coach instructed his pitcher to slip on purpose since the next pitch he blantantly slipped. This is troubling to me because he had no problem with his balance on his previous 90 pitches, nor did the Brighton pitcher.
During the postgame handshakes, the Brighton assistant coach simply refused to shake the Sutherland head coach's hand but from what I saw they were only barking at one another, and a fist fight did not look like it was about to ensue.

Also this is atleast the 6th time Sutherland has cleared the benches- twice with Brighton in '06 (once at Buckland Park, once in the sectional final game), once with Brighton in '04, once with Brighton in '07, once with Brighton in '08 and once with Victor in either '05 or '06. And do not say that the Sutherland players stay on the bench everytime becuase the Sutherland head coach is usually the one to lead the charge off the bench and I have a picture from '07 to prove it. Clearly these two teams have an intense rivalry and something needs to be done to stop this becuase its preposterous.

Sutherland's coaches clearly held their players in the dugout, and the Brighton catcher, Andy Seil, got right into the Sutherland player's face who made the slide, Sean Osterman, and dropped multiple f-bombs. In fact, the player who was hitting at the time (I can't remember his name) tried to hold Seil back from Osterman as Osterman was walking back to the dugout. Seil definitely warranted an ejection, and Osterman probably did too, but I believe it could be argued that he was trying to slide as the Brighton pitcher, Silverman was several feet up the 3rd base line. But no Sutherland players left their bench, and that is undoubtable and made the Brighton team look foolish.

Last year however, both teams looked very foolish for leaving the dugout.

[soccerstud11]

MCbaseballfan does not know what he is talking about becuase he is obviously a Sutherland parent and has a biased point of view. I am a former scout for the New York Mets and reside in Perinton currently and have no connection to anyone on either team.

I saw the whole thing from very close to the backstop from a neutral point of view.. From what I saw the Sutherland player who bulled over the pitcher is at fault.
The Brighton catcher then ran in to defend his pitcher and did not lay a hand on the Sutherland player, but just got in his face which i don't think warranted an ejection. He was no more at fault than any of the other 8 Brighton players who ran in an did the same thing. That being, said he should have stayed back and let the umpires handle it.

The Brighton bench emptied before the Sutherland bench did, however, within 10 seconds both benches were emptied and it took about a minute or so for the umpires and coaches to restore order. Both teams at fault.

As for the end of the game: It was pretty obvious that the Sutherland coach instructed his pitcher to slip on purpose since the next pitch he blantantly slipped. This is troubling to me because he had no problem with his balance on his previous 90 pitches, nor did the Brighton pitcher.
During the postgame handshakes, the Brighton assistant coach simply refused to shake the Sutherland head coach's hand but from what I saw they were only barking at one another, and a fist fight did not look like it was about to ensue.

Also this is atleast the 6th time Sutherland has cleared the benches- twice with Brighton in '06 (once at Buckland Park, once in the sectional final game), once with Brighton in '04, once with Brighton in '07, once with Brighton in '08 and once with Victor in either '05 or '06. And do not say that the Sutherland players stay on the bench everytime becuase the Sutherland head coach is usually the one to lead the charge off the bench and I have a picture from '07 to prove it. Clearly these two teams have an intense rivalry and something needs to be done to stop this becuase its preposterous.

Can you post this picture up here?

[mcbaseballfan]

Mets...You are way off base. First off...The coach from Brighton is suspended for challenging the Sutherland coaches to a fight. That is a fact. I wouldn't be surprised if he got let go. I was 10 feet from the Sutherland dugout after the game when the AD from Sutherland commented to the players and coaches on how well they handled the situation for not coming on the field.

I am not disagreeing with you regarding the fact that the Sutherland player was completely at fault. He should have slid. There is no place for bulling over a defenseless player. But NOT ONE PLAYER CAME ON THE FIELD FROM SUTHERLAND AND THE CATCHER WAS GOING CRAZY DROPPING THE F WORD AND SHOVING. THAT IS WHY HE WAS TOSSED.

So once again get your facts straight. And yes I am a former Sutherland parent who attends alot of the games but it appears you are a Brighton Fan based on pictures you are taking at games, the shots you are taking at Sutherland, and your attempt to skew everything away from who responded with no class...Brighton

[mcbaseballfan]

Mets...You are flat out lying about Victor. Sutherland played them once in 2005 and 2007 and beat them in the sectional finals both years and Victor beat them in 2004 in sectionals. I was at all three games. No problems. There is no bad blood between those teams. They don't ever play during the regular season.

Once again get facts straight...

[MetsBaseball004]

Who ever wants to see the picture i will e-mail it to them i seem to be having trouble loading it on this website. just give me your e-mail.

As for you mcbaseballfan i have no response to your claims because we both saw different things obviously. I was on the Sutherland side of the backstop and saw players running out of the dugout. You didn't see that and I respect your opinion. As for the Brighton catcher, he did the same exact thing as the Sutherland catcher did last year(07 and I have a picture of this) when a Brighton player slid/collided with him. The Sutherland catcher swore at numerous times and got in the face of the Brighton player. The Sutherland catcher nor the Brighton player were ejected with an extremely similar situation as this year(an aggressive slide this time rather than a railroading). That is why I did not think what the Brighton catcher did warranted an ejection.

[soccerstud11]

D:\Game 15 vs Sutherland 5-9-07\P1010480.JPG

In this picture the Brighton player has slid in safely and Sutherland players and coaches, led by Cappellupo on the right are running in.

There is no picture?!?!

[Base31]

Mr. Mets Scout: I'll say this about your posts. Omara Minaya needs to get his head examined ASAP if he has you involved with the Mets organization. Your description of the events is so off I question how you could possibly tell a good ballplayer from a bad ballplayer when you can't even decipher between yellow and blue jerseys on a baseball field.

a) It was not right for the Sutherland baserunner to take out the brighton pitcher while in a run down. He should have either a) attempted to run around the pitcher or b) slid in to him. Either would have been acceptable. He was ejected as he should have been. Accidents happen, he paid the price.

b) The entire Brighton bench and field players left their dugout and positions and ran toward home plate.

c) The only Sutherland players on the field were the two baserunners and the on deck batter. (The entrances to the Sutherland field are very narrow so it is quite easy for a coach to block the entrance to the field, this was the case for Sutherland)

d) High School Federation rules state that if any player leaves their position or the dugout for the purpose of getting involved in a confrontation (including physical and verbal) they are to be ejected from the game. The catcher went berserk and pushed the Sutherland baserunner, he was ejected as well. Techinically the rest of the Brighton team should have been ejected, they should be thankful they were allowed to continue to play, read the rule book if you don't believe me.

e) The game being called in the 6th inning has nothing to do with this. The field was extremely muddy and it rained that entire night. If you're mad that Brighton lost then the solution to that is very simple. If Brighton had gotten the job done through 5 then they would have walked away with a win instead.

f) You said this "Also this is atleast the 6th time Sutherland has cleared the benches- twice with Brighton in '06 (once at Buckland Park, once in the sectional final game), once with Brighton in '04, once with Brighton in '07, once with Brighton in '08 and once with Victor in either '05 or '06."

Sutherland's benches never cleared with Victor. Your post is so blatantly biased when you use this type of language. You blame Sutherland for all of the bench clearing incidents when infact everytime it has happened, it's been against Brighton. And guess what? The only team whose bench cleared this year was Brighton. So let me fix your post real quick for ya. What you meant to say was "This atleast the 5th time Brighton's benches have cleared under Coach Wasserman since 2004".

e) Why would the assistant coach at Brighton be suspended indefinitely if all he did was refuse to shake hands? (Which is pretty classless if you ask me). Clearly something more went on at home plate which both you and I are not aware of or an indefinite suspension would not have been placed for simply refusing to shake hands.

I normally just read these forums and do not post. However, when you try to come on this board and claim to be completely neutral yet post a blatantly biased and fictitious statement about what went on a week ago, I'm forced to speak up and let everyone know this... Mr Met, Your story is way off. You clearly have some sour grapes over the success that a team has had over the past few years. You're trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Instead you just look like a bitter biased liar.

[jdf22]

I was at the game as well and the Sutherland bench did clear, just not as quickly as the Brighton one. There is no doubt that it did clear.
Also, earlier this year I do believe that Sutherland had a little problem with Fairport down in Myrtle Beach over a Sutherland player running the Fairport catcher over much like what happened last week.Also, last year versus Eastridge a Sutherland player ran over the Eastridge catcher and was ejected from the game. It is hard to say that Sutherland has more class than Brighton when this is the second time this season and the third time in 2 years that a Sutherland player has run over someone covering home.
As for Seil getting ejected from the game, he was sticking up for his teammate who had just been clobbered at home plate by a Sutherland player. Was he out of control? maybe a little, but he was protecting his teammate and did not touch the Sutherland player. To quote the umpire: "he was kicked out of the game for aggressively approaching the Sutherland player", not for pushing his like base31 falsely claims.

The whole situation is disgusting

Also, the Brighton assistant coach is not suspended indefinitely because someone told me that he was coaching on Friday night versus Eastridge.

[pt123]

How about Sutherland vs. Eastridge last spring???

[realist55]

They have to shake hands BEFORE the game??? Okay...just looking at some of these posts substantiates the old court room saying - "there's three stories in every dispute...your side, their side and the actual truth."

Looks like these two schools have taken "heated rivalry" to a new level and some people need to step up and do something about all this non sense. First and foremost....these kids are products of their leaders, so Cappelupo and Waserman need to start taking more heat.

Baseball 101...kids have been taught since tee ball - "avoid contact at any base !" It's sounds like the coach and players from Sutherland(and any fan down playing it) have difficulty comprehending this rule. Avoid contact boys....no matter what kind of competitive spirit drives you ! The rule is simple and it's there for a reason. As for the Brighton player(s) involved in colorful exchanges with the opposing players, coaches and fans - 'keep your mouth shut, stay on the bench and let your coaching staff handle the matter."

Section 5 can only do so much, they can hand out all the ejections and suspensions they want to players, but they should really be putting the coaches in the spotlight. The coach controls the dugout...period. Start placing some code of conduct rules on your players and yourself. Especially when these 2 teams play each other.

[rtkdbc]

jdf22... you may want to check your facts about the "3" plays at the plate.

The play this last week against Brighton took place during a rundown. The Brighton pitcher was well up the line, at least 15 feet from home and sliding was not an option. As the field ump said "It's a nebulous rule on contact up the line. Both the runner and defensive player have rights to the basepath."

Myrtle Beach was a play at the plate. A perfect relay put our runner and their catcher at home at the same time.

Eastridge last year was an errant throw home that took their catcher up the line. It's a long slide from 10+ feet!

[rtkdbc]

MCbaseballfan does not know what he is talking about becuase he is obviously a Sutherland parent and has a biased point of view. I am a former scout for the New York Mets and reside in Perinton currently and have no connection to anyone on either team.

I saw the whole thing from very close to the backstop from a neutral point of view.. From what I saw the Sutherland player who bulled over the pitcher is at fault.
The Brighton catcher then ran in to defend his pitcher and did not lay a hand on the Sutherland player, but just got in his face which i don't think warranted an ejection. He was no more at fault than any of the other 8 Brighton players who ran in an did the same thing. That being, said he should have stayed back and let the umpires handle it.

The Brighton bench emptied before the Sutherland bench did, however, within 10 seconds both benches were emptied and it took about a minute or so for the umpires and coaches to restore order. Both teams at fault.

As for the end of the game: It was pretty obvious that the Sutherland coach instructed his pitcher to slip on purpose since the next pitch he blantantly slipped. This is troubling to me because he had no problem with his balance on his previous 90 pitches, nor did the Brighton pitcher.
During the postgame handshakes, the Brighton assistant coach simply refused to shake the Sutherland head coach's hand but from what I saw they were only barking at one another, and a fist fight did not look like it was about to ensue.

Also this is atleast the 6th time Sutherland has cleared the benches- twice with Brighton in '06 (once at Buckland Park, once in the sectional final game), once with Brighton in '04, once with Brighton in '07, once with Brighton in '08 and once with Victor in either '05 or '06. And do not say that the Sutherland players stay on the bench everytime becuase the Sutherland head coach is usually the one to lead the charge off the bench and I have a picture from '07 to prove it. Clearly these two teams have an intense rivalry and something needs to be done to stop this becuase its preposterous.

Mets...lets address some things here, one at a time.

You admit that the Brighton players rushed the field first. There were already 9 Brighton players out there. Now it's 17 on 3. Hmmm... reminds me of 2004 when Brighton pulled the same thing. Let's see, that year one of the Barons kicked a Sutherland player in the face with metal cleats. He needed stitches, but it wasn't the Brighton kids fault, right?

You state you were at the game. It began to sprinkle early in the fifth inning. By the top of the sixth it was a steady downpour. The game was called. Brighton had runners on first and second with no outs. They hadn't scored. By the time the Barons were heading to their bus, the rain had subsided, but there were huge puddles at each base. Sutherland probably poured water on the field to make it unplayable.

Shaking hands at the end of the game is a symbolic gesture that the game is done; the contest is over and there's a new start tommorow. Your immature assistant coach refused to do so. Gee, I wonder where the Brighton players get it from? This assistant was suspended for his temper and lack of class by the Brighton AD, not ours. Perhaps inferior coaching produces inferior results. Who knows?

Coach Capellupo has been entrusted by us, the parents, to look out for the well being of our sons. He has proven himself a winning coach and instuctor. In 4 years, 17 players have gone on to play college ball, 6 of them D1. What does Brighton have to show? Frustration and an increasingly difficult time accepting defeat!

[jdf22]

In 2004, a Sutherland player was not spike it the face but punched by a Brighton player who was AGAIN defending his teammate becuase the Sutherland player tackled the Brighton 2nd baseman during a rundown.
If it was the Brighton kids fault in 2004 why was the Sutherland player the only one ejected from the game?

For those who state that it wasn't a play at the plate, no matter where the runner is located on the field it is still ILLEGAL to run over a fielder.

[rtkdbc]

In 2004, a Sutherland player was not spike it the face but punched by a Brighton player who was AGAIN defending his teammate becuase the Sutherland player tackled the Brighton 2nd baseman during a rundown.
If it was the Brighton kids fault in 2004 why was the Sutherland player the only one ejected from the game?

For those who state that it wasn't a play at the plate, no matter where the runner is located on the field it is still ILLEGAL to run over a fielder.

Wrong again jdf! I treated the young man who was spiked, at the scene before he went for proper suturing. The Sutherland player slid into second and the Baron player was upended while trying to turn two. He landed on thr Sutherland player. They had words and he, the Brighton player, kicked him in the face. Another classless Brighton move on an evergrowing list!

[vbaseball]

The latest bench clearing incdent: I was not on the team for this one but was at the game. I know osterman and andy seil very well. I have spoken with both of them. Osterman said that he should not have run over the pitcher. Seil said that he would have done the same thing all over again. I agree with him i would have done the same thing too. When someone runs over you defenseless star pitcher are you going to just sit there. ALL OF YOU WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING or you have never player sports. By the way who ever said he pushed the sutherland player is wrong cause osterman said he never pushed him. As for the Brighton Pitching coach I think he should have shaken hands with cappelupo. But Cappelupo did not show much class when he told his player to fall when the rain was coming down. The pitcher was clearly getting tired and Brighton had runners on base. He fell the pitch after cappelupo went out to the mound. Both players got suspended. Brighton pitching coach got suspended. How can Cappelupo not get suspended for anything he has done over the past 4 years? Parents and players from sutherland have told me that he has been out of line at times. If you think the Brighton coach was unsportsman like. It was ok for Cappelupo to telll his player to fake a fall? I think that if they meet in sectionals they should shake hands before the game like at the first game this year. Both ADs should stand together behind Home Plate like at the first game this year.

[jdf22]

Wrong again jdf! I treated the young man who was spiked, at the scene before he went for proper suturing. The Sutherland player slid into second and the Baron player was upended while trying to turn two. He landed on thr Sutherland player. They had words and he, the Brighton player, kicked him in the face. Another classless Brighton move on an evergrowing list!

No, YOU'RE wrong I was at the game in 04 as well and i clearly remember there being a rundown between first and second and the Sutherland player running over the Brighton second baseman and wailing on him. Meanwhile, BOTH (yeah believe it or not) benches cleared and then a brighton player hit him in the face druing the chaos.
Get off your high horse and stop making Sutherland look like Saints in every altercation that has happened.
Also, you didn't answer my question which was: If the Sutherland player was not at fault at all (like you make him out to be) then why was he the only one ejected from the game that year?

[bnut]

Why have the Sutherland/Batavia scores from Friday May 9th not been posted in any newspaper, or on the Sutherland website? The Monroe County website has the score Sutherland 5...Batavia 3, but the Batavia website has the score Batavia 11...Sutherland 5. Which is correct, and who pitched for Sutherland?

[midwestguy]

Vbaseball, if you did speak with the sutherland player, which is doubtful, you heard what you wanted to hear. According to one coach and some of the sutherland players, the sutherland runner was trying to prolong the rundown until either the defensive team misplayed it or he could try to create a situation where he could get an obstruction call. At the end he was trying to reach the spot of the fielder before he received the ball. Give brighton credit for not misplaying the ball. There was no intent to go after brighton's star player. He was in the play at that time.
Based on what I have seen and read over the last few years, this bitter feud between brighton and sutherland has more to do with the parents than the kids. It seems that the parents are fueling this with misrepresentations and exaggerations of the events and projecting the intent of the players.
Enough! Let the kids play. Let the umpires, coaches, and administrators handle what's happening on the field. If you don't like it speak with your schools AD and stop fueling the situation.

[Mr.Somebody]

I agree 100% with Midwestguy. Let the kids (including myself) play and enjoy the game. However, one thing, THE BRIGHTON PLAYER IN 04 KICKED THE SUTHERLAND PLAYER IN THE FACE. There is no question, doubt, or anything of such matter in my mind seeing that I WAS ON THE TEAM. He was kicked in the face. He had a cut in his face from the cleat! How can you try and argue that!? You say you were at the game and whether that be true or false, you are wrong! RTKD was the gentleman that treated the player for his cut before he went and got stitches! You are making a fool of yourself right now, so stop the nonsense, and as Midwest stated, let the kids play ball and enjoy themselves. Whatever happens, happens. Talking about it now does not change past events.

[NUBaseball12]

JDF22...

You do not have a clue what you are talking about. I was on the 2004 Sutherland team when Bill was CLEATED in the face. Im not sure what game you were watching but it was clear that he was cleated. Once again in that game, our coaches restrained most of our players, whereas Brighton's players swarmed our guy. That was BEFORE Capellupo was at the helm for Sutherland. Davidson was still coaching then so it is also wrong to say that this rivalry falls on the shoulders of this coaching staff. Rivals are a part of baseball..I would know, I play at the Division 1 level and we have several rivals. It makes for a more exciting atomosphere for the players, coaches and fans, both on the field, and aparently, off the field as well.

[bnut]

So, did Sutherland lose to Batavia on Friday because players were suspended from the team for that game, due to the Brighton fiasco, or did Batavia just outplay Sutherland?

[puffer25]

The bottom line here is that I dont understand how either of these coaches still has a job. With some of the things I have heard and know firsthand, please explain to me how either of these clowns still have a job working with kids. It is apparent that the AD's have no control over these programs and someone needs to be held accountable. I was at the game in 2004 and saw the play in question. This is my take.....a runner from sutherland was caught between 2nd and 3rd in a rundown, he plowed the second baseman who was defenseless, the second basemans feet came up and hit the kid in the face apparently. The sutherland player started swinging on him and the Brighton centerfielder came in and clocked him in the face. That is what happened and both teams should be accountable in this situation. Blame needs to be placed on both teams not just one. This is a pissing contest between everyone and nobody is going to win. It has happened over and over, but needs to end somehow. The whole situation is pathetic and disgraceful to high school baseball

[NUBaseball12]

Puffer-
I agree that both teams were in the wrong but I was in the game and I saw what happened. That 2004 incident aside, the reason the Sutherland and Brighton coaches still have their jobs is because of success. I do not follow Brighton's baseball team unless Sutherland is playing them, but they have always been decent competition. Sutherland's past 3 years as sectional champs is a result of Coach Capellupo's hard work with the kids for 3 years. He has coached 3 years on varsity and has 3 titles, that is why he still has a job.
On another note, the Brighton/Sutherland rivalry is one of a kind. There are no incidents like this with any other teams so it is unfair to say that the coaches from sutherland have no control over their kids. ( I do not know about Brighton, as I stated I do not follow them) But I can speak for sutherland and for capellupo because I had him as a coach for 3 years. He controlled our team and did not encourage this type of behavior.

[puffer25]

I actually believe that the sutherland coach has control of his team and I am pretty sure that he would not condone such behavior. The problem I have is that it has happened already 5-7 seven times (all but one under his tenure). At what price do you do you put winning? Success is great, but how important is winning when you challenge the integrity of the game? I know all about the coach and his antics on the field. He is a win at all costs person and he does not care who he tramples over, hurts and uses to get to that point even his own players and the people that he needs supporting him. I WILL NOT dispute his baseball knowledge at all....I know his background and coaching resume. Winning is not the be all end all. Part of his job is to make his young players become men. Ridiculing and tearing down his players does not make them men.....it makes them timid and resentful. Getting back to the brawls, I as a coach would do everything in my power to not allow a team of mine if I were the coach to not have situations like this. On the flip side of this.....I would not allow one of my players get the crap kicked out of them and not come to his side to help break it up. However I KNOW it would not happen more than once! That is a problem in my book. I think that at Brighton, the inmates run the asylum and that is a direct reflection of the coaching staff and administration at their school

[bnut]

I asked this question on this forum because I know there are Sutherland people reading it, but apparently no one wants to talk about the Batavia game. Any of you Brighton people know what happened at the Batavia/Sutherland game i.e. the score, were players benched because of the Brighton game...etc.??? It seems to be a big secret since the Democrat doesn't have the score, and Monroe County Baseball has the wrong score...weird.

[Base31]

Puffer, nothing has happened 5 to 7 times. There have been a couple incidents with one team, Brighton. And guess what? This year the only team that left their positions/bench was Brighton. Why Brighton feels the need to leave their bench when there is a collision is beyond me. It's not like the baserunner plowed the pitcher over and then tried to kick him when he was down. He made a mistake by not avoiding contact and he paid the price by being ejected. As far as these incidents, one team was under control after the collision, the other team was not. The problem lies with Brighton. Sutherland doesn't have any similar incidents with any other program. These incidents between Brighton and Sutherland were happening prior to Coach Cappelupo. However, the common denominator is Coach Wasserman in EVERY incident between Brighton and Sutherland. And does anyone know why the Brighton Assistant coach was suspended? He must have done something worse than pulling his hand away at the end of the game to merit a couple game suspension. Sounds like there's some sour grapes going around.

[DrewVT6]

Guys- There's a lot of new posters in this thread. Be aware that some of the people you are arguing with might be the same person with a different username. We are double checking IP addresses to make sure this is not the case.

Also, please keep the introductory insult off of your posts. You can argue the series off events without the "You must be a complete moron because..." I know its tough to do when you're fired up about something, but at least try. Thanks.

-Your Local Moderator

[Mr.Somebody]

I actually believe that the sutherland coach has control of his team and I am pretty sure that he would not condone such behavior. The problem I have is that it has happened already 5-7 seven times (all but one under his tenure). At what price do you do you put winning? Success is great, but how important is winning when you challenge the integrity of the game? I know all about the coach and his antics on the field. He is a win at all costs person and he does not care who he tramples over, hurts and uses to get to that point even his own players and the people that he needs supporting him. I WILL NOT dispute his baseball knowledge at all....I know his background and coaching resume. Winning is not the be all end all. Part of his job is to make his young players become men. Ridiculing and tearing down his players does not make them men.....it makes them timid and resentful. Getting back to the brawls, I as a coach would do everything in my power to not allow a team of mine if I were the coach to not have situations like this. On the flip side of this.....I would not allow one of my players get the crap kicked out of them and not come to his side to help break it up. However I KNOW it would not happen more than once! That is a problem in my book. I think that at Brighton, the inmates run the asylum and that is a direct reflection of the coaching staff and administration at their school

Puffer - You have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to Jim Capellupo. You have the nerve to sit here and say how he "Riducules them and tears them down" and how he will "Trample over, hurts and use even his own players and the people that he needs supporting him", and yet have you ever had him as a coach? Do you spend 6 days a week with him from march to june? (aswell as the offseason) No, you dont. I have had the pleasure, and yes, I said PLEASURE, of having Capellupo as my head coach. He is the best coach around, hands down. Aside from the 3 sectionals and everything, it's about his character and how he builds character in every player on the sutherland team. (Hence the sutherland team staying in their dugout when Brighton stormed the field last week.) He coaches the way baseball was meant to be coached. And the players have no problem with it, as do the parents. You think that he "tramples, hurts, and uses" his own players? He does no such thing. Having him as a coach, I can tell you right now that you are far from wrong. He doesn't pull any punches with someone. For instance, if you make an error, he will tell you what you did wrong so that you can correct it. And when it comes to winning, WE ALL WANT TO WIN, not just him. When a pitcher stays in the game for the 7th inning and throws 110 pitches, that is his choice. Coach always asks "do you have another inning in you?" and the player, not coach, makes the call. I think it is utterly ridiculous that you could come on here and try to stomp someones reputation like that when you don't know what you are talking about. Talk to him for five minutes and you will see that he is a good man, great father, and the best coach around.

[Mr.Somebody]

One more thing puffer - for you to say that both coaches should be fired and are clowns is a bit too much. Under Coach Capellupo, there have been no incidents that deserve you calling him a clown. Wasserman and the Brighton crew, well, the Brighton players can defend him on that. But knowing Coach Capellupo and being a part of all of the incidents that have happened under him as a head coach, there is no reason for you to call him a clown. Call my thoughts biased or whatever you want, but they are true. Never once has he condoned any behavior that you see on the field. That is what we call adrenaline. The coaches cannot control every action a player takes. You think he told Sean Osterman to run through Phil Silverman before the play started? No, he didn't. It just happens. It's baseball, that is how the game is meant to be played. With intensity and a balls to the wall attitude. I think that you should retract your statement calling at least Coach Capellupo a clown and think twice before you make statements like that.

[NUBaseball12]

Puffer-
I am probably correct in assuming that you have never been coached by Coach Capellupo. It is because you have never been coached by him that you do not understand him. I do not hold that against you. What I am having a hard time understanding is how you can sit here and tell ME what kind of coach he is when you have never been through one of his tryouts, one of his practices or in the dugout in one of our games. Being a sutherland grad from a few years back, and having coach Caps both as a JV and Varsity coach, I can accurately tell you what he is like as a coach. Your description isnt even close. If you are asking if Coach Capelupo is what people call a "soft" coach, no he isnt. Soft coaches produce soft players. Soft players dont win 3 championships in a row. Coach may be hard-nosed, but thats how the game is meant to be. He produces championships and college athletes. And last time I checked, playing hard has no effect on the integrity of the game.

[puffer25]

Let me start off by saying that I understand and appreciate the comments and backing of your coach. I guess that would be expected as a player under him.....or any coach for that matter. I will say that I wont retract my statements because that is an opinion of mine and I am entitled. I will appologize for the harshness of what I said. This is a forum of opinions and sometimes it does get heated. I know that he is a good person, but I dont agree with his approach with young kids and some of the things I have witnessed and heard. Yes, some things I heard were from second parties (and very reliable) but in fairness from someone else. I have witnessed some disturbing behaviors and that is why I wont retract my opinions. I have played, coached and observed enough baseball in my life to form this opinion. I have seen the Sutherland team play and it is of my opinion that they are a well coached team with some great players (not only in the baseball sense) I just feel they could have a more positve experience. That has nothing to do with being hard nosed. I have seen many hard nosed coaches that are more positve. These are my opinions and I hope you atleast respect the fact that it is an opinion. I will end my part of the discussion and wish the best to the Sutherland baseball team.

[NUBaseball12]

I appreciate your acknowledging that some of the statements were a little harsh. I also respect and know that you are entitled to your opinion as well. Sometimes agreeing to disagree on certain subjects is the way to go. Good luck to the Brighton team as well.

[Mr.Somebody]

Puffer - I appreciate what u said as well. I respect your opinion and I hope that you are able to respect mine too. You're right with the fact that these forums can get heated at times, and now that it's cooling off, we can end on a positive note. The sutherland team appreciates your good luck wish and I personally am wishing you good luck to whatever team you support.

[jmr4616]

I know for a fact that the player from Sutherland got punched in '04 because I know the player who did it. The player plowed over the second baseman and then the second baseman landed on him and hit him with his foot (understandable because you can't control how you fall). The Sutherland player started to go after the brighton player and the center fielder came in to protect his teammate and definately got carried away. He was punished with suspensions by the school which I am sure of because he is my step-brother and was very upset with the decisions he made and ramifications that he had to suffer through although he deserved them. That should put the story to rest somewhat as that is a first hand experiene from that situation with all facts correct.

[Mr.Somebody]

JMR - is it a dead issue. All of this is dead. We all feel that our "facts" are correct here when in fact they are all opinions. Some say he was kicked in the face, others say he was punched. It was 4 years ago. This is a dead issue so just let it go and enjoy the up and coming sectional race.