I knew it would happen. Like all battered spouses, Melissa Pittman is too terrified to stand up to the man who's abusing her. This isn't the first time Michael Pittman has been violent with his partner, and it won't be the last. The next time we read about her, it will probably be her obituary. It's sad that we make heroes out of people who should be playing ball in a prison yard.
-- Bob Dalzell, St. Petersburg
Brodeur for playoff MVP
Martin Brodeur deserved to win the Stanley Cup MVP award for three shutouts in the final, for winning the Cup three times and for being an outstanding competitor and a credit to his team. That they would even think about giving it to anyone else, let alone a member of the losing team, is incredible. Give credit where it's due, but be fair about it.
-- Tom Malone, Spring Hill
A committed player, coach
I thoroughly enjoyed reading "A Basketball Bond" about the friendship and athleticism of Kelcey Rogiers-Jensen and Dominique Redding. I have seen both girls play ball on many occasions, and I'm sure that both of them will have great success at college.
My daughter is fortunate to be a player on the Showtime girls AAU basketball team that Kelcey coaches along with her father, Chuck. I think Kelcey's commitment to these girls is quite admirable. I don't think people realize all of the time it takes out of her busy schedule. After going to school all day and then practicing or playing with her high school team, she has practice with her AAU team two nights a week. Tournaments then involve being away from home the entire weekend.
One weekend, she drove to Gainesville for a Friday night game, coached again for two games on Saturday then drove back to St. Petersburg to play in the Pinellas County all-star game. After the game she drove back to Gainesville as the team had an 8:30 game Sunday morning. Kelcey even shows up to help the girls wash cars when they are raising funds for their tournaments.
I find this type of dedication to be extremely commendable. I hope you will continue to keep your readers informed about how well Kelcey and Dominique do in college, as well as other local graduates.
-- Lisa Totten, Clearwater
[Last modified June 15, 2003, 01:08:15]
