Sports Letters

Give common sense a chance to work

The excessive-celebration rule in college football is another example of a rule instituted to "dummy-proof" the system. People are so afraid nowadays to leave things to interpretation or worse yet -- to common sense.

It's pathetic that trained officials can't use simple common sense in determining whether a given celebration is excessive. The reason the rule is in place to prevent taunting -- which I totally agree is poor sportsmanship.

What I don't understand is why simple joy of the game and excitement in celebrating with teammates is considered a bad thing.

Football is a fun and exciting game. Great plays should be celebrated.

Football is played by people. It's is as American as apple pie, and if there's one thing that we love to do in this country, it's celebrate!

Edwin Chua, Raleigh

Yankee Stadium a place of memories

Watching the closing day for the grand old stadium brought back my own memories from 43 summers ago when, as a boy of 10 in New York, my friends and I stuffed a ballot box at the corner Flying A station for a chance to be a Yankee Batboy for a day.

Arriving by subway for my game day in the Bronx, I walked into the great stadium, authentic uniform on -- ready to go.

The Yanks treated me like royalty and took me from the clubhouse to the dugout to the press box. I met (still have photos) Tom Tresh, Joe Pepitone (who spit tobacco on my shoe from first base), Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

I'll always remember Bobby Richardson's kindness awestruck me, sending me follow-up letters and copies of his inspirational book.

Phil Rizzuto interviewed me for a TV commercial that promoted the contest and Flying A gasoline.

All summer, when my commercial came on, a mother would lean out the window and shout "Danny's on, Danny's on" and everyone playing in the street scurried to watch the 60 seconds of fame.

I look at the photo of me and Roger Maris or my name lit on the big scoreboard and can't believe the old stadium is done.

Dan Gottlieb, Durham

Pack elders need lesson on respect

During the game between N.C. State and ECU on Sept. 20 in Raleigh, there were two ECU students sitting in the end zone trying to enjoy the game when an older couple sitting behind them, who looked at least 60 years old, started with verbal attacks, calling them names that would make a sailor blush, just because they were wearing ECU sweatshirts.

These two young women had done nothing to incite such behavior.

The State students were very courteous and embarrassed by the comments .

You would think that a couple in their elder years would know better than to act this way and ruin the game for these young people.

Shame on them.

State is a great school and I am sure the faculty, coaches and team would have been appalled if they had heard these filthy comments.

Loretta Skinner, Leland