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Ever since the announcement in April that the top two pro softball teams – the USSSA Pride and the Scrap Yard Dawgs—would be competing this summer against each other at five travel ball events, the excitement was building to see the top players in the world.
The first of those tournaments, the World Fastpitch Championship in Viera, Florida, began last night, but not without a big point of conflict with Dawgs players who were upset with a tweet that was sent out during the game by the Scrap Yard Fastpitch organization, apparently by General Manager Connie May.
The tweet, since removed from the organization’s Twitter page, showed a picture of the team standing before the game accompanied by the statement: “Hey @realDonaldTrump Pro Fastpitch being played live @usssaspacecoast @USSSAPride Everyone respecting the FLAG!”
Many members of the team, which includes all-time greats such as Monica Abbott, Cat Osterman, Keilani Ricketts, Haylie McCleney, Valerie Arioto, Ally Carda, Kesley Stewart—several of whom were chosen to play for Team USA in next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games—were not pleased.
Note: we have reached out to the Scrap Yard organization for a response; and are awaiting comment. Anything received will be added to this story.
One of the most passionate was McCleney, who retweeted many team members’ tweets and other softball standouts including that of Abbott and Natasha Watley:
We might be standing in this photo but we SURE AS HELL AREN’T STANDING FOR THIS. I’m embarrassed. I’m heartbroken. I’m DISGUSTED. @ScrapYardFP I will never be associated with your organization again. BLACK LIVES MATTER. The tone deafness on this is UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/5jSNipTFLd
— Haylie McCleney (@hayliemac8) June 23, 2020
My official statement. pic.twitter.com/V4p1rIToAW
— Monica Abbott (@monicaabbott) June 23, 2020
Seriously fuming right now😡🤬 @ScrapYardFP you are better than this! Haven’t we been going over this for the last 3 weeks? This is not funny at ALL! Has nothing to do with respecting the flag and ALL to do with respecting ALL Americans in this country regardless of color of skin pic.twitter.com/cdymUwWRsH
— Natasha Watley OLY (@natashawatley29) June 22, 2020
Infielder Riley Sartain tweeted:
This isn’t us. As players, we do not stand with the tweet sent out by @ScrapYardFP We stand with the black community. We love you and we stand united with you. pic.twitter.com/zJrqVoOSZ6
— Riley Sartain-Vaughan (@rileysartain) June 23, 2020
Catcher Aubree Munro indicated that she no longer be with the team:
Tonight we were misrepresented by Connie May who acted on behalf of @ScrapYardFP I’m appalled by the insentivity & will not represent Scrap Yard ever again. I’m so sorry to all my friends & teammates and the future softball players that are hurt by this. pic.twitter.com/39B1CaO9uh
— Aubree Munro Watson (@Aubree_Munro1) June 23, 2020
As did Carda:
WE ARE DONE. I don’t support this, tolerate this, or stand by this in any way. I WILL NOT represent this organization and am absolutely HEARTBROKEN by this statement. Especially for our black athletes. UNACCEPTABLE. pic.twitter.com/dRN01Wchar
— Ally Carda ⚓ (@acarda3) June 23, 2020
And Delaney Spaulding:
I am heartbroken and pissed off. I DO NOT support this, it is completely insensitive and tone deaf. I will not stand by an organization who makes these comments. We’re done. @ScrapYardFP pic.twitter.com/Qg5YNeV2pc
— Delaney Spaulding (@DelaneyyLyn) June 23, 2020
Others were equally upset and voiced their opinions…
From Hannah Flippen:
I’m embarrassed and broken. I do not support the comments made by @ScrapYardFP. I will not stand with this organization. I believe that Black Lives Matter.
— Hanns (@hannahFlippen) June 23, 2020
From Cat Osterman:
I DO NOT support the comments made during our game by @scrapyardfp & I will not represent them. We as a people are working towards change, and THIS IS NOT IT. pic.twitter.com/ziSTiYxuzQ
— Cat Osterman OLY (@catosterman) June 23, 2020
Some in the Scrap Yard organization, such as Coach Joe Guthrie, also commented:
I do not stand for what was tweeted tonight by @ScrapYardFP. I am deeply saddened for all who were offended. I applaud our players’ stance. They are good people who want decency. Black Lives Matter.
— Joe Guthrie (@JoeGuth08812179) June 23, 2020
And this from Jade Hewitt, who works in the Media side of the Scrap Yard organization:
I do not support any statement tonight made by Scrap Yard.
I did not write or post that tweet.
Black Lives Matter. My heart is truly broken for the pain and hurt so many are feeling. 1/2
— Jade Hewitt (@JadeHewittMedia) June 23, 2020
We will have more on this story as it breaks…
Extra Inning Softball staff