Optimist football league

I recently read in the index about a parent who was disappointed in the lack of respect shown to players during award presentation at the awards banquet and understand how she could feel that way but I think this really has more to do with lack of respect to the management of the league itself. Most other parents I know (even if they dont say it out of politeness) have very little respect for the management of the league by the optimist club. A changing of the guard would be in order but I don't know anyone who would want to try to salvage that mess. I personally am done with optimist lies and disorganization. Next year I intend to take my child to Weatherford or Milsap and many parents I talk to intend to do the same.......or not play at all.

I would discourage anyone from playing optimist football. My son is going to weatherford. he was dissappointed in not playing the toy bowl at the ram stadium. The optimist field is so run down and I heard that the major league coaching was terrible this last year. I have also heard rumors of embezzlement by Mark Lee and really dont care to take the chance of contributing to that.

My experience has been that if Mark Lee opens his mouth you can bet its a Lie........embezzlement wouldnt surprise me.

And once again the fine parents in MW have screwed up again. And don't ask the local business or city fathers for help either... if it does not benefit them...forget it! If one of the wealthy citizens would get on the band wagon the others will follow...ie..Richard Ball, Richard Stuart...anyone of the PECO bigshots!!! etc...Our youth have no support...maybe LULAC could get on board considering the large influx of Hispanics that have moved into the SE part of the city!!! Oh you didnt notice?

My suggestion is that if you are going to open your mouth and point fingers; first have proof of what your stating and second get off your butt and volunteer to do the job better. Many of these people have just as little time as everyone else and are trying their hardiest to satisfy everyone. Those that do all the complaining are the ones that sit back do nothing or are only in it for their kid/kids. The people that are doing the work are out to help every single child that wants to play. Many times missing out on time with their own child/children. If you want to see improvement keep your kid involved and get involved yourself. The only way things in our community will ever get better is if the community comes together. Running away to another community will only weaken Mineral Wells. If you think this way about activities in Mineral Wells then what do you think others are saying. We should be making Mineral Wells the place everyone else wants to be, not run away from. SUPPORT AND HAVE PRIDE IN YOUR TOWN, MINERAL WELLS!

By the way hispanic, black, white, or what maybe has nothing to do with football or any other activity that there is for the children of Mineral Wells. So get off the race card...if you really want to push it hispanics outnumber the whites in Texas. Guess you better move north steponem we are here to stay.

I find it kinda funny how all I hear is people constantly griping about the optimist club. All it comes down to is your not getting you way and it makes you mad. Well grow up. All you are doing is bringing the youth of MW down. You should find out the facts about stuff before you go accusing people of stuff. You want to know where the money goes. How about the uniforms that are alot nicer than they were 3 years ago. Have you thought about Field? Guess how much money it takes to water, fertilze, mow, ant killer, weed killer, grass seed and paint for it. The electicity bill for the field lights and for the lights at Ram Stadium. The equipment that no one seems to return. Would you like for us to go up on the cost to play. Have you ever thought of that? As for Mark, he has a bigger heart for these kids than anyone. Guess who cuts all the fields, parking lot and does all the other maintance stuff. Where are you to help? I am tired of hearing all you whine about what the optimist does wrong. Until you have your butt out there trying to do it all, your opinion doesn't mean crap. Your not proving anything to us by taking your child somewhere else. These kids are still going to play on the same team when they get to Junior and High School.

The person griping about the awards banquet. Have you ever been to the trophy ceremony baseball has?You can't hear what any of them are saying. You don't get to take a decent picture of your child because of all the people standing in the way. Kids are running around crazy. There is never anywhere to park. So for real what are you complaining about.

Oh yeah that guy, Mark Lee, that you are saying might be embezzling money, isn't even on the checking account. There is 3 people that handle the funds there and the club votes on where the money is to be spent. That poor man is living in a small camper to pay for his brothers medications to keep him from dying. Not including the health problems he has. So way to go to try and bring down a man who is spending his time giving these kids in this town a place to play football at.

"I don't know anyone who would want to try to salvage that mess. I personally am done with optimist lies and disorganization". It seems that the problem is lack of help! So if you do not want to help them. Keep your mouths shut and stay away let them deal with it then!

I'm very disappointed in the things I'm reading. I myself was one of those parents that complained about disorganization in the youth sports of Mineral Wells (football, baseball and soccer)UNTIL I resently got involved. All the people who put the time and effort into these organizations should be applauded. There are so many things people do not take into consideration to make these events possible. I believe that the community needs to support their youth sports ALL youth sports and help make this a better community for our children. Keeping them off the streets and involved is the MOST important thing. The Mineral Wells Optimist Club needs all the help and support they can get. I for one support the efforts of this group.

It's kinda funny that the people gripping are the parents that just sit in the stands and act like 2year old who don't get there way. I don't even have a child that plays baseball but look at the support that they get. Um don't they all play together when they get up in Junior High and High School. These are the kids that are going to be the Mineral Wells Rams one day. If you don't like how it's run. Your need to get off your butt and help and quit running your mouth. I have respect for Mark Lee cause do you see any body else out there all the time that does the best he can so your kid can play. Always remember what comes around goes around and by the way Bobby Wiggington you need to grow up my kids act better than you do!

What does Bobby have to do with this post?
I agree with alot of what is being said- there is not enough support from the parents or the community. However the blame runs both ways. The Optimist Club had been riddled with negative people for years. There is a small click of people who try to control everything and try to alienate anyone who tries to help that does not fall in their group. No matter how much is done, it is never enough. Everyone compares what this person does to that, no where does it state that you must put in 1000 hrs on the field and so much money to be considered a good supporter. Then on the other side there are hundreds of kids and very few parents involved- some claim they have no time, put down the beer and help when your kid is not playing- pick up a weed eater on a day you are laid back watching tv. No easier to gripe.
It is going to take a BIG CHANGE to bring the Optimist Club to what it originally was or at least to a welcoming state.
I for one do not plan on allowing my children to ever play there again and will not recommend anyone join, eventhough I respect some of the members, I hate the lies and back stabbing. I want to be part of somthing we can be proud of.

The only thought I would like to add at this moment is, if you want everyone around here to know your personal opinions & how YOU feel, then why dont you state your name & quit hiding behind a fake name & location? Do you teach your children to do the same? I personally do not!

Renee wrote:

The person griping about the awards banquet. Have you ever been to the trophy ceremony baseball has?You can't hear what any of them are saying. You don't get to take a decent picture of your child because of all the people standing in the way. Kids are running around crazy. There is never anywhere to park. So for real what are you complaining about.

Renee - I'm the person who "complained" about the awards banquet, but if you'll re-read my letter, I was NOT complaining about the Optimist Club. I have never had a problem with the Optimist Club and I still don't. My problem was with the PARENTS not quieting their children or themselves so the coaches and speakers could be heard. I just thought it was rude and thought maybe if the parents saw it, they might think about it at the next awards banquet. My child is back in football this year and I still don't have a problem with the Optimist Club......we're enjoying it all. The reason it took me so long to respond is because I just found this site.

I don't have a child in the Optimist but my son and I go out and help when ever we can. I just want to say Thank You to everyone that takes time out of their family time and their busy week and works out at the Optimist. It is looking so much better and so much cleaner. You parents need to be proud of everything yall have done. I know yall have came a long ways in he last 3 years. Keep up the great work and lets be their for the children of Mineral Wells because they are all a blessing. They are our furture Rams!!!

I'm not from Dallas I'm from Mineral Wells!

Optimist club sux. Mineral wells sux. Mark Lee lives in a trailer because he doesnt work. that line of shit about paying for his brother is just what he uses to make people feel sorry for him. Proud of being here...hell I avoid telling people I'm from mineral wells at all cost. this place fucking sucks. No wonder there are so many dopeheads here, drugs is the only way to cope with this hellhole. I guess the optimist club fits.

Wishing that you wouldn't bring all of your problems to the Weatherford League that is running smoothly. We can definitely do without MW in the optimist club. Weatherford could win out too if we took all our top kids and put them on one team. If that's what you wanted, why didn't you go select. You are ruining Weatherford Optimist. Go back to MW!

Those kids who left the Optimist choice to leave on their own. The reason why they left was because the club wouldnt let them have a stacked team and those boys were going to have to moved up to the next league and placed in the draft. The Mineral Optimist Club have worked their butts off trying to make this organization a better place for the kids to have fun and play football. Do not blame the MW optimist club for that team coming over there. THey had nothing to do with it. And as for the jerk who is talking crap about Mark. He works his butt off out there and I find it very rude and disrespectful for you to judge someone because of their living arrangements and family issues. His brother is in very poor health and could loose him any day. I live in a trailer house along with many others in this town and don't see anything wrong with it. If you dont like this town or the people in it, then take yourself somewhere else. We already have enough trash in this town and you are just adding to it. Have some respect.