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PARENTS WANT ALLOWANCES TOO Little League official lashes out at critics
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Posted on May 01 2000
A baseball official lambasted the parents of Little League players, describing them as selfish and greedy for allegedly demanding subsistence allowance and per diem when they accompany their children to off-island baseball tournament.
Mario Taitano, Little League Baseball umpire, said the parents have always expected to be given special treatment by the association even though it has been made clear to them that they would have to take care of their own expenses when they join the trips.
“They accompany their children on these trips and expect that the association extend them red carpet treatment. How selfish. They have been told time and again that if they are to accompany their children, they would have to fend for themselves,” Mr. Taitano wrote to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio.
Parents of the players called for an investigation into the recent actions of Little League officials and an evaluation of their performance on how they administer the program. In a letter addressed to the governor, the parents also asked Attorney General Herb D. Soll and Public Auditor Leo L. LaMotte to look into the alleged violations.
Mr. Taitano emphasized that none of the athletes and members of the CNMI contingent were given stipend, subsistence allowance or per diem when they went to Guam for the South Pacific Games in 1999. However, he added, the government normally provides food and lodging when athletes travel abroad to compete.
Representing the CNMI in various off-island tournaments as a sports ambassador is an honor and privilege which the parents of the athletes should be proud of, Mr. Taitano said.
Mr. Taitano commended James Ada, district administrator of the CNMI Little League Baseball, for his accomplishments in improving the program in the CNMI. In 1998, Mr. Ada was commended by the Little League Headquarters in Williamsport, Pennsylvania for the CNMI’s successful hosting of the Far East Little League Baseball Tournament. Compared to Mr. Ada’s leadership, the Little League Baseball program under the administration of Jesus B. Pangelinan and Antonio M. Camacho failed to promote the sports by providing trainings and holding tournaments, according to Mr. Taitano.
