I can't stand Hope College sports teams or the fans that bear the orange and blue.

I was reminded of why I feel this way last Saturday at an afternoon softball doubleheader with Hope College, held here at Calvin Field. The situation involved Hope's head softball coach Karla Wolters and a classless appeal to the home plate umpires.

I need not mention that these games were extremely close as both ends of the double header went extra innings as the first game went nine (there are only seven innings in a regulation softball game) and the nightcap went for 11 innings. These games were nip and tuck and gave the fans a treat for nearly 20 innings of classic MIAA softball. No one will argue that, but my afternoon was wrecked in the bottom on the ninth inning as Calvin catcher Emily Mejeur was called out for leaving the batter's box early on a slap attempt. Mejeur, a left handed hitter, took a running start at a pitch and connected sending the ball into right field for a base hit. Wolters hustled out of the dugout to protest the call, saying that Mejeur had left the batters box early. After a lengthy conversation with the home plate umpire Wolters was sent out back to the dugout and Mejeur remained at first base. Then out came the rulebook. This was when good coaching faded into classless resolve. Wolters called for time once again and ran out to the field carrying the rulebook in tow. After pointing at some things and a bit of yelling Mejeur was called out for of all things leaving the batter's box early. The same exact offense she had been cleared on earlier. Never before have I seen a coach dictate a game like I saw Wolters do on Saturday. It showed absolutely no class and very little respect for the umpires. Coincidentally, Wolters was thrown out of last years doubleheader for arguing with the umps. The rulebook should never come out of the dugout area and Wolters should have been tossed out of the game again. The umpires should have never budged from their first call. The call is one of judgement so either she is or she isn't out of the box. The umpires changed their mind after they lost control of the game to an example of classless coaching.

So the Hope fans who have been watching this situation develop from afar join in this classless act and begin to verbally abuse the umpires. Shots ring out like, ``Need new glasses, ump?'' and ``Get your head in the game, blue.'' So the poor antics of a coach spread to the fans and they begin to eat it up. Cracks about the rulebook come up when there is a close called strike three out as well as close plays at the plate.

Some will call this column the bitter remarks of a sore loser, but the opposite is actually true. I saw nearly 20 innings of excellent MIAA with student athletes putting it all on the line. Sure Calvin came out on the losing side in both games, but so what! At least when the day is done I can go home and hang my hat on the fact that even in defeat Calvin showed class--class that can't be measured in wins and losses.