I just caught one of my players smoking...

We're on spring training in VA. We had a team meeting last night. NO SMOKING AND NO ALCOHOL. If you are caught you will be suspended.

So I went into a players room just now to tell them what time we are leaving and one of the girls is outside lighting her ciggarette while on the phone. I say her name and she puts it down. I said let me see your hand and she shows me the hand thep hone is in... I said no your other hand and I hear her drop something.... it was her lighter. She must have thrown her ciggarette over the balcony.

I picked up her lighter and walked passed her and said you weren't smoking I guess..and I walked into my room. Now we have to deal with this....

4 game suspension.

Bad part--- my player that was caught is a month younger than me lol.

Our theory--we aren't stupid. don't do it where you will get caught.. Clearly..she wasn't thinking.

Re: I just caught one of my players smoking...

I understand having to follow the rules, but if she's a "smoker" do you think that not smoking during training will really make a difference?

I'm not siding with your player, I'm just looking at it practically.

What age are your players?

Re: I just caught one of my players smoking...

They go against the rules, they get suspended. Don't let her get away with it. Who cares how old she is... it's never too late to learn a lesson. IMO.

Plus, what the heck are they doing smoking when they play sports?? What sport is this?

Re: I just caught one of my players smoking...

Tough call. I can see both sides to this.

As a former smoker, it is SO hard to just up and quit, I can understand this players need for the cigarette. I smoked and played sports, heck I used to run 10+ miles a day while I smoked and I'm not sure it really affected my performance.

BUT! I do understand you have rules and if you let this one slip, well then you have no leg to stand on if you catch someone else doing it.

But this girl could argue the point that she did not have a cigarette in her posession.

Did you actually see her smoking?

Re: I just caught one of my players smoking...

Re: I just caught one of my players smoking...

Sorry we were at games all day.

It's not so much that its during training. I was just saying that we are on a trip right now for spring training and I caught her. I coach college aged kids...17+

We suspended her for 3 games. Bottom line..we aren't stupid. We played college sports where people smoked. be smart about it. Don't do it out your balcony where anyone can see you, dont do it while your coach (me) is in yoru doorway telling you waht time to be ready, and DO NOT do it while wearing your college athletics shirt..

We have to punish her because if we let her slide then how can we punish other girls if we catch them smoking.

They are expected to quit because in NCAA, tobacco use is not allowed--it's like alcohol. They value it as the same thing.

It's just annoying because the girl that I caught--is such a nice girl who works hard. We wanted to try her in new spots today in the field, new spot in the batting order etc.. but we couldn't. And honestly--we really needed her today and it almost killed us.

I hope this is a lesson learned for everyone.

I've been such a b i t c h this trip. Anything that these girls could have done, they have done. They have no regard for time either....

They just dig themselves a deeper hole every minute lol



PS WE SPLIT TODAY!!! WOO HOOO 5-1

ETA: I added that she was a month younger than me because if I were her, I would have a hard time taking punishment from someone the same age as me. something only some people can deal with.

Message edited 3/27/2008 12:48:09 AM.

Re: I just caught one of my players smoking...

Sounds like you did what was right. if you dont inforce this rule on her, then they will all walk all over you and then your season will go down the drain!!

Good Luck.