Van broke out the sticks early and often in this one, however they lost their starting right fielder to a broken ankle on a slide into third. Mt. Vernon took a 1-0 lead into the 2nd inning, then it was all Van. Congratulations to Mt. Vernon on a good season. Keep your focus Lady Vandals, yall looked good tonight!!!

Congratulations to "our Lady Vandals" Congratulations on a very successful year also to the ladies from Mt Vernon. You never gave up, Class act for your hometown to be proud of. I have enjoyed over the last 7 yrs watching the twins play ball against my daughters. Good Luck at Tech. I know you will do great there.

Congrats to the Lady Vandals and the Mt.Vernon girls. Looks like the Vandals were a little upset with the way they played Friday. STATEMENT GAME !!! BIG RED MACHINE ROLLS ON !!!!!

Congrats to Van, you guys have a awesome team. Coach needs to cut back on the energy drinks though....

Loved the fan support, especially from the students.

Good job Lady Tigers on a great season.

I'm sorry to hear that about your right fielder. She had a great hit and was flying around the bases into third. However, I wonder if the Van parents and fans are aware that your head coach told her, "I will not lose this game because of you."

That is so wrong on so many levels. I would rather lose with class and character than win without it. The Van coach is young and obviously has a lot to learn, especially that a coach can be successful and confident without being arrogant. He also obviously never learned the most important saying in sports, "There is no "I" in team. It would appear that winning is more about him than his players.

I would guess that he meant that they would not lose because of her (how much she means to the team). In other words (We would win the game in her honor). This is her 4th injury this season alone. She is a key player. She's an awesome young lady & he would NEVER say that meaning how you have portrayed it. He is a very intense coach that loves the game and his kids.

Whatever you have to tell yourself to justify that kind of behavior... but if you were sitting anywhere near 3rd base, you would know what was said and how it was meant. Some people will tolerate anything as long as a team is winning....(see Winnsboro-Buddy Hawkins); however, when the winning stops, then it's a different story.

I hate that you feel the need to get on here and tear down a mans character when you dont even know him. Does it make you feel better about yourself. He is a good man. I dont see anyone on here bashing your coach. Which I'm sure she is a great person with good character. Believe it or not these high school kids that play for these coaches get on here and read the bogus stuff you write about there leader. You are setting a great example for these kids by talking about someone you know nothing about.

Actually, what I did was say that I was very sorry to see your player get hurt and TAKE UP FOR HER for what was said by your coach. If you want to talk about "bashing" your coach, that has been done by many others from various teams on here during this softball season regarding his behavior on the field...even some of the Van parents have apologized on here for his behavior on the field. The only thing I am talking about is what I witnessed, which is not bogus. I am not the one setting the example for your players. Also, the reason you don't see anyone on here bashing our coach is because she doesn't conduct herself in a way that would cause people to want to bash her. Actually, I haven't seen many coaches being "bashed" on here this softball season; however, your coach seems to have been a hot topic this season. I will say this, if our coach, or any coach for that matter, ever made such a remark to a player in the way your coach did, I would expect there to be repercussions because that should not be tolerated.

You are worried about kids coming on here reading things about this coach, but no one seems worried about the examples he sets for these kids each and every time he steps on the field and throws a temper tantrum? How long before his players start acting like he does? After all, it must be ok... As you told me in a previous post, and I certainly don't doubt the same is true for all those girls, they are all well-brought up young ladies, but what if they do start acting like him? Will you continue making excuses for his behavior?

You talk about his character because this person doesn't know him? The coach has made his character known to 100's of people through his behavior. While I don't know if he said what he said, the way he is accused of saying it, do you expect anyone that has had the "pleasure" of witnessing his antics to believe "he didn't mean it that way", when his actions in public have indicated he certainly could mean it exactly as accused. Its not beyond the realm of possibility. A "good man" does not act an idiot in front of anyone-- period. Are you saying that these umpires, somehow deserve to be the brunt of his treatment? Are they not, as human beings, worthy of a little decency? Do you think any one of them is calling these games to get rich? Then it must be for something besides the money.

He doesn't think twice about yelling at anyone else - and that is an obvious fact, but we are all supposed to believe he wouldn't dare do that to one of his kids?

Listen to yourselves. Why are you all apologists for him - because of your record? The girls' record is great, and those girls should be very proud of themselves, and certainly nothing should be taken away from their successes, but you also mention you've had a kid that has been hurt 4 times this year alone!! Is he teaching them anything? Or is he just riding on the coat-tails of what has been handed to him, at the same time embarrassing a well-respected school district. Or does the school district condone it because they are winning?

I hope with all my heart the Van girls make it to State, but I feel sorry for them if they do make it, and people from all over the state see his behavior. Remember, at Austin, he will not only be representing his school, but this entire Region.

Years ago, when I still had a kid playing, she played for part of a season with someone similar to this coach. She was absolutely embarrassed to be associated with him and finally left the team. These girls don't have that choice, nor are they likely in a position to feel comfortable sharing their feelings of embarrassment.

I say shame on parents, staff, administrators, and everyone else at Van for putting these beautiful young ladies in the situation, and remaining silent or worse - defending him!

I can't imagine a coach saying something like that. I was at the game and I didn't see or hear anything negative. But I'm sure if it happened it'll be taken care of.

I hope your not reading this junk but if you are great game girls!

Hmmm , makes you think !

go lady vandals!! you all are doing sooo great!! Good luck against prosper in duncanville @ 7:00pm Friday!! Also, keep a clear mindset and don't listen too these negative people.

My daughter heard it. First thing she told me after the game. The people of Van are good people, they will take care of it if it continues to be a problem.

I don't know enough about his "antics" to comment, just what I saw last night. Calls way to many time outs to discuss situations with base runners, then covers his mouth like the other team has lip readers..... seems like he likes the "ok here is what I am going to do next" attention being drawn to him. Just give them a sign dude!

All that being said, the team is 31-0, somebody is doing something right.

The players at Van and the fans seem like really good "East Texans". Good luck and hope you win it all.

Fontaine wrote: I say shame on parents, staff, administrators, and everyone else at Van for putting these beautiful young ladies in the situation, and remaining silent or worse - defending him!

Please don't try to put shame on us...because it won't stick. We are not silent and no we don't have defend "him". He is not bothered by all the critics and nay sayers. He would never say something awful to an athlete as they are involved in a serious injury...so obviously something was misunderstood and that would probably be tone. That is one of his favorite's that he calls munchkin....

Forgot to say Way to go Lady Vandals! You rock this perfect season so far...continue and great things will happen. Great coaching from Roberts and Carter.

I believe you all have this Coach all wrong and you think by my saying that...I am only doing it because we are undefeated. I believe you don't recognize confidence and a demanding personality [referencing time outs, strategy, umps etc...]. When you are a walking rulebook, and you are zoned into every play from both sides....you catch things quicker. We all also expect umps to be on their best game as well and not come in with little man syndrome or take their bad day out on strike zones. No they are not getting rich but it is a paid position by a willing participant who is supposed to be competent to all the rules. just give us aware awake knowledgeable umps....example Susan from Edgewood ...she is awesome all the way...she is fair and loves the game.

The injured player incident is really bogus and funny that everyone would think he would say something so rude especially in this dangerous injury situation. If something was said ..it was taken wrong and that was probably due to tone. I guess we come out and defend only because we have had experiences with him which we can prove all of you wrong. My hilda had a family funeral during a game time. We went to Coach and his answer was 'family first'. She is a starter and is crucial part of their offense but he said family first. So maybe some other parents that have examples of good things...maybe we should start the positive thread for Coach Roberts. He deserves it.

Let's all let the season play out as it may.....win or lose.....we are having the greatest season and the girls are having soooo much fun doing it. The coach is fine....lay off him ...we are all fine with him and that is all that matters.

Not a parent, but family, and I've been to most of the games. I cant think of any off the top of my head. I think Coach Roberts is a good coach but he needs to mature a little and he needs to learn a little respect for the game, the umpires, and the opposing teams.

good season for MV. http://www.dailytribune.net/articles/2009/...0/sports/01.txt

I would like to hear the opinions of those not considered favorites or crucial players. But then again, I thought every team member has a crucial role.

The sad part is that the team is 31-0 and having an unbelievable season. All anyone should be talking about is how great these girls are doing, but because of things done by the coach all that attention is taken from them and put on him. That is sad.

I saw a Van team that was incredible on Tuesday, strong up and down the lineup. Seems like all of the players made contact with the ball, (they hit well against one of the best pitchers around), I don't think I saw a missed bunt, and the defense was incredible. Diving catches, throwing runners out at home from center field, making tough plays look routine, no errors (maybe one). All of that is the doing of the athletes on the field. Ladies, you are a great group of athletes. Hope you win it all.

Every one of the Van team is awesome....you couldn't ask for a stronger team. Thanks Tigerdad ...our girls will be proud and thankful for your comments. One last comment...every word you type is subjective to interpretation. Lawyers everyday can twist your words to make you demonic. Good luck to all tomorrow! We all pray for injury free games...

Go Hilda

I am not a parent but a longtime Vandal Sports Fan - all sports. It's very obvious that you (sportsfan) have absolutely no knowledge, facts, or awareness of Van ISD. First and foremost, the administrative staff and all personnal have but one common priniciple - THE STUDENT. Any type of verbal abuse would not be tolerated, whether in the classroom or on the field. My association with Van goes back many years, and I have never witnessed any abuse of any student in any sport. You are completely irresponsible to quote something you did not hear "FIRST PERSON" - but apparently, from your previous posts, you have an axe to grind and have appointed yourself judge and jury.
Coach Roberts has come under atack from people like you because he represents the coach you wish you had - passionate, supportive, knowlegable, cunning, committed, and certainly not worried about shallow opinions - like yours and all of the other critics. I hope that he stays at Van a longtime.