Little League Gate - The Truth Comes Out

Written by William Yoder

Wednesday, 22 April 2009 10:10

tp_270698_prat_dukes_1

Much outrage and well outright mockery have faced the Washington Nationals since they reportedly fined centerfielder Elijah Dukes $500 for being late for pregame warm-ups. An understandable fine usually for a team that is trying to promote professionalism and establish a set of rules, however the reason Dukes was a mere five minutes late was that he was at an opening ceremony for the Great Falls Little League. The Nationals fined Dukes for signing too many autographs.

The media has had a field day with this story. How could the Nats fine Dukes for being nice to kids? He was engaging in charity!

That's the word that keeps bothering me however, charity. Every story I have read has referred to Dukes' actions as charitable work, or community service. But then I read the Washington Nationals website reporting on how the Great Falls Little League wants to pay his late fee, and in that same article I read for the first time that Dukes was paid $500 from the little league for just appearing in the first place.

"It was the league's Opening Day event, for which Dukes was paid $500 to attend, that caused him to be late prompting the fine from Nationals manager Manny Acta, along with a warning that another tardy arrival would earn him a ticket to the Minors."-Nationals.com

I'm not going to get started on how poor the reporting on this issue has been, or how low it is for a Major League baseball player to take money for talking to kids at a little league event. What I am outraged at is that the Media has portrayed Dukes as a victim when the truth is that in the end he will have ended up taking $1001 from children who just want to play baseball.

How many new bats could that buy? How many brand new uniforms or non-shotty team catchers gear could they purchase with that money. Maybe they could even take a good portion of the league to a Nationals game with that much cash. No, instead $1001 dollars will go to dealing with a situation that Elijah Dukes and the Washington Nationals really should have handled better.

The Facts:

-Elijah Dukes took $500 dollars to talk to children. He then took $501 more from them to cover his ass.

-The Nationals fined Dukes without taking into consideration where he was, or what he was doing.

-Dukes attended the Little League service without informing the Washington Nationals that he was doing unapproved ‘charity' work.

-The Nationals prefer their players to engage in actual charity work in which players do not get paid

-Dukes should have called when he knew he would be late.

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email this

Comments (10) Add Comment

...
written by Stephie, April 22, 2009

Dukes should have called when he knew he would be late.

Good advice for all men everywhere

...
written by John, April 22, 2009

Didn't know half the story. He should have called -- has he had a history of being "tardy?" Doubtful the "Natinals" would have fined him for a first time incident. However....it was 5 minutes, and he was at a Little League function.....

...
written by James, April 22, 2009

I used to play high school baseball right near Great Falls LL. Every year they have a professional play come for the opening day. its only 5 min, and whoever wrote the posting knows nothing about Great Falls LL or the area of Great Falls. Do some research, i do not think they are hurting for money.

...
written by YardYoder, April 22, 2009

James,

Thank you for your post, allow me to clarify a few points I should have been more clear on. I am from the area and know Great Falls well. It is no question that the area in question is wealthy and can afford to shell out money while giving all of their kids the best experience possible. That's not the question here.

The Idea that "they can afford it," is not the point. This service by Dukes was viewed by many as charity, yet he was paid. I agree that while Dukes going to their opening is a great experience for the kids, I don't think Dukes should be taking the money. Sure Great Falls kids can afford it, but can kids and families in Anacostia afford it? Why do the rich kids get to have Elijah come to their opening day and not the poor ones?

I assume, yet I admit I am not sure, this is why the Nationals want to approve most charitable events.

...
written by Wow, April 23, 2009

Wow, I can't believe that I am in full agreement with the writer of this blog, this may be a first. You don't have to be "from the area" to recognize what this story is all about. Yoder is right about Dukes being painted as a victim. Why a multi-millionare needs to take $500 from a LL is beyond me, at least he didn't completely blow them off though.

Also, let's not blame the LLers because they are well off. I doubt that the kids have much control over that, they probably just think it's pretty cool to have an MLBer sign autographs for them. I even think it's noble they want to pay his fine, check out the link from the article to the ESPN story, pretty cool stuff.

If anything, let's hope this story raises awareness about big leaguers getting out into the community. Sure the Nats and Dukes could have handled the situation much better, but instead of blaming Dukes, the Nats, or the LLers, let's get more publicity for real charitable acts and more MLBers into the communities, rich and poor.

...
written by Lucky Jarmes, April 23, 2009

The fact that Great Falls could likely buy the rest of the Washington Suburbs has nothing to do with this. The point is that Dukes, with a ONE O'CLOCK DAY GAME, scheduled a non-team event, took money for it, and was late. It wasn't charity. It was dumb.

...
written by Lucky Jarmes, April 23, 2009

Actually, doppleganger James, you furthers the point that this isn't excusable. If he had been in Anacostia, or hell, anywhere but Great Falls this would be different. Exciting kids in inner-city markets with poor baseball turn outs is one thing. Taking money from entitled kids to sign autographs for them is a complete other.

...
written by Reed "CK", April 23, 2009

Pretty ridiculous story. I loved the quote from the LL parents "He was there for us, so we were there for him."

Yeah he was there for you, for 500 bucks. Give me a break.

Just another feather in the "Natinals" hat.

...
written by James, April 23, 2009

Yoder, i'm sorry if my argument came off strong, i didn't mean for it to sound that way. As for Great Falls LL, they plan on having a collection box where they are encouraging all families to donate $1 each....no more. Obviously this will not hurt their pockets and is a very reasonable solution. The LL is also doing this not to give money to Dukes, but to show his appreciation of taking time to come out and related to the youngsters. We all know Dukes and most MLB players can afford this, but it is something the community of Great Falls is doing to try to show their good faith. I know they already paid him money to be there but with all of the national attention this story is getting, i believe they feel pressured to make themselves look good. Thanks for posting stuff on this blog, i love reading it everyday.