Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
On April 2, 2018, Coach Grant was permanently dismissed from South Orange Little League on the grounds that his behavior during this and previous seasons has been deemed unacceptable. No protocol for disciplining or suspending coaches has been produced by the league despite multiple requests, which leads us to believe there is no such protocol and that this decision was arbitrary. Coach Grant was not previously warned in any official capacity, nor suspended from coaching on any occasion leading up to his dismissal. He was also not made aware of the gravity of his potential punishment or given a chance to speak on his own behalf prior to receiving notice that he can no longer coach or watch his son play.
Given all of the above factors and the fact that less severe consequences have been enforced for other Majors coaches who demonstrate similar or worse behavior, we feel the Board's vote should be reconsidered. Coach Grant has been with South Orange for 5+ years, and in that time has held positions as Manager and Assistant Manager across the Rookie, Minor, and Major baseball divisions. He has also been a Manager for Juniors softball and an umpire for various divisions. Coach Grant has had a positive impact on the league as a whole. His passion as a coach has been misconstrued as argumentative outbursts. In fact, Coach Grant has always stood for what is right for his teams and the league. In a previous district tournament, he was wrongly labeled with an attitude problem, although he was simply outspoken due to his expectation of adherence to tournament rules on the part of opposing teams. He should be allowed to return as a parent and coach and given the same leeway as other coaching staff from the league, including board members.
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Updates
April 22, 2018
The Board has refused to provide any written record of the disciplinary guidelines they claim to have followed in this firing. I am drafting a formal letter to demand a public explanation for these inconsistent standards and I need you to email your local league representatives today to echo this demand.
April 22, 2018
The momentum behind this petition is undeniable and shows the league board that we are not going away quietly. Post this link on your Facebook page right now and email the board directly to demand a meeting about the arbitrary termination of Coach Grant.
20 Comments
The league made a mistake in how they handle this case, I witnessed what went down and yes maybe the time and place for a debate was wrong but I didnt see anything wrong other then that. If the league was using coach Grant as an example, point taken but the crime didnt match the penalty. It's sad to see how a league pretty much turned there back on someone that gave the league a lot of his free time. My suggestion have a meeting regarding warnings and penalties that way doesn't seem personal...
My husband has managed a team with coach Grant in the past. He is dedicated to his team and wants only the best for the kids. If there was no warning then he should be allowed back on the field. What i have noticed about the league is, if you speak your mind then they label you as a problematic person. Let him back on the field.
I just find it so hard to believe that what coach Grant did warranted a banned! The board at south orange, especially this season have been very inconsistent, for example the whole kids moving up from minors to major and let's not forget the combining of the girls team cause some girls had to be moved down. You had two coaches almost come to blows in a game and now there decision to banned a coach for going back and forth about league short comings with the president.
Glad you decided to do this, truly shows you care. I hope you coach again, I know the whole watching your son play is important but I know being on that field being a leader to those kids are even more important to you. THE league should be thanking you.
The league had such a problem with this coach, why did they allow him to coach for so long? Why was he never issued a documented warning or suspension? Worst part is he wasn't given a platform to speak on his behalf. Thanks for your time given to the league and it was such a treat to see how u made those kids better.. misunderstood but loved by many.
I hope you can get yourself back to the league, don't give up, I'm sure that's what they want, whatever league u decided to go to will be very lucky, whomever this petition is going to I hope you truly look into this matter and make the correct decision.
I guess all of the league issues with Grant behavior through the years wasn't that bad if he lasted this long. The moment he challenges the president now we begin to reflect on his past issues. I for sure would like to see if any of the issues were documented and was he actually aware of the issues at hand. Theres got to be a process as far as penalties, can't just leave it for a vote cause of course like all things everyone just goes with the flow. So if one says let's kick him out more likely they all will.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
On April 2, 2018, Coach Grant was permanently dismissed from South Orange Little League on the grounds that his behavior during this and previous seasons has been deemed unacceptable. No protocol for disciplining or suspending coaches has been produced by the league despite multiple requests, which leads us to believe there is no such protocol and that this decision was arbitrary. Coach Grant was not previously warned in any official capacity, nor suspended from coaching on any occasion leading up to his dismissal. He was also not made aware of the gravity of his potential punishment or given a chance to speak on his own behalf prior to receiving notice that he can no longer coach or watch his son play.
Given all of the above factors and the fact that less severe consequences have been enforced for other Majors coaches who demonstrate similar or worse behavior, we feel the Board's vote should be reconsidered. Coach Grant has been with South Orange for 5+ years, and in that time has held positions as Manager and Assistant Manager across the Rookie, Minor, and Major baseball divisions. He has also been a Manager for Juniors softball and an umpire for various divisions. Coach Grant has had a positive impact on the league as a whole. His passion as a coach has been misconstrued as argumentative outbursts. In fact, Coach Grant has always stood for what is right for his teams and the league. In a previous district tournament, he was wrongly labeled with an attitude problem, although he was simply outspoken due to his expectation of adherence to tournament rules on the part of opposing teams. He should be allowed to return as a parent and coach and given the same leeway as other coaching staff from the league, including board members.
Updates
April 22, 2018
The Board has refused to provide any written record of the disciplinary guidelines they claim to have followed in this firing. I am drafting a formal letter to demand a public explanation for these inconsistent standards and I need you to email your local league representatives today to echo this demand.
April 22, 2018
The momentum behind this petition is undeniable and shows the league board that we are not going away quietly. Post this link on your Facebook page right now and email the board directly to demand a meeting about the arbitrary termination of Coach Grant.
20 Comments
Does the parents that pay money to keep this league a float have any say?, there was a town meeting Led by one of the board members and the first topic to come up is the way they handle coach Grant situation, especially after witnessing a board member/coach curse in front of kids and that same board member continues to urge during games. If the decision wasnt personal I dont know what to call it. Oh and let's not forget one of the board members actually agreeing with the fact the penalty was harsh. I wonder who holds the president accountable, cause coach Grant wasnt arguing alone.
The league made a mistake in how they handle this case, I witnessed what went down and yes maybe the time and place for a debate was wrong but I didnt see anything wrong other then that. If the league was using coach Grant as an example, point taken but the crime didnt match the penalty. It's sad to see how a league pretty much turned there back on someone that gave the league a lot of his free time. My suggestion have a meeting regarding warnings and penalties that way doesn't seem personal...
My husband has managed a team with coach Grant in the past. He is dedicated to his team and wants only the best for the kids. If there was no warning then he should be allowed back on the field. What i have noticed about the league is, if you speak your mind then they label you as a problematic person. Let him back on the field.
I just find it so hard to believe that what coach Grant did warranted a banned! The board at south orange, especially this season have been very inconsistent, for example the whole kids moving up from minors to major and let's not forget the combining of the girls team cause some girls had to be moved down. You had two coaches almost come to blows in a game and now there decision to banned a coach for going back and forth about league short comings with the president.
Glad you decided to do this, truly shows you care. I hope you coach again, I know the whole watching your son play is important but I know being on that field being a leader to those kids are even more important to you. THE league should be thanking you.
The league had such a problem with this coach, why did they allow him to coach for so long? Why was he never issued a documented warning or suspension? Worst part is he wasn't given a platform to speak on his behalf. Thanks for your time given to the league and it was such a treat to see how u made those kids better.. misunderstood but loved by many.
I hope you can get yourself back to the league, don't give up, I'm sure that's what they want, whatever league u decided to go to will be very lucky, whomever this petition is going to I hope you truly look into this matter and make the correct decision.
I guess all of the league issues with Grant behavior through the years wasn't that bad if he lasted this long. The moment he challenges the president now we begin to reflect on his past issues. I for sure would like to see if any of the issues were documented and was he actually aware of the issues at hand. Theres got to be a process as far as penalties, can't just leave it for a vote cause of course like all things everyone just goes with the flow. So if one says let's kick him out more likely they all will.
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Does the parents that pay money to keep this league a float have any say?, there was a town meeting Led by one of the board members and the first topic to come up is the way they handle coach Grant situation, especially after witnessing a board member/coach curse in front of kids and that same board member continues to urge during games. If the decision wasnt personal I dont know what to call it. Oh and let's not forget one of the board members actually agreeing with the fact the penalty was harsh. I wonder who holds the president accountable, cause coach Grant wasnt arguing alone.