I would like to relay my disgust and dismay for the despicable behavior exhibited by some of the women of the Farmingdale Pink Panthers, which occurred this past Sunday, April 1, at the athletic field of Howitt School. The time of occurrence was approximately 4:40 p.m. This incident was witnessed by over 75 people, from the game that was just completed and the game that was to be played. Though not all the women were involved in this behavior, it is hard to separate the team members.

At about this time, there was a soccer game, played by an Under 11 Boys Farmingdale Travel Team, which was just finishing. There was an Under 10 Girls Farmingdale Travel Team scheduled to play at that field at 4:40 p.m. Through some mistake in scheduling, the Farmingdale Pink Panthers Women's Soccer Team was also there for a game.

Rather than let the children play, these women went out onto the field, and refused to leave the field so the children could play their game. The Farmingdale Under 10 Girls were scheduled to play a team from Queens, the Auburndale Girls Under 10 Travel Team, in the second round of the Waldbaum's Cup. If they did not play the game, they would have to forfeit. This was explained to the women on the Pink Panthers but they stated they did not care. It was also explained to the women that there was a soccer field available to them at East Memorial School, less than a five minute ride away. That field was already lined for a game, however, it was too large a field for the Under 10 Girls game. This also had no affect. They refused to accommodate the children.

The police from the 8th Precinct arrived but could not take any action since both teams had permits. By this time, the girls were still on the field with the Farmingdale women threatening to start the game anyway. To prevent the coaches and parents from the Under 10 team from setting up the nets, one of the women from the Pink Panthers actually sat on one of the nets, refusing to remove herself.

Fortunately, after numerous calls to see what other fields were available, the girls and parents from both the Under 10 teams went to Allen Park to play. The referee, who had been there already for three games, also accommodated the girls so that their game could be played. It is interesting to note that some of the women that were to play the Pink Panthers left the field in disgust over the behavior of the women on the Pink Panthers. It should also be noted that this is not the first time this has occurred with this team. They forced a boys team to forfeit last year under similar circumstances.

I think that it is shameful behavior that some of these "women" would treat these children with such disdain. It would have been easier for them to go to another field, especially when they were told that it was not lined for this age group. I thought we should always put the interest of the children first. It is unfortunate that not everyone feels this way. These "women" think nothing of using the equipment of the Farmingdale Soccer Club for their games, while thinking nothing of the interest of the children.

The parents, coaches and children from the Auburndale Girls Under 10 Team should be commended for their sportsmanship and sense of "fair play." They accommodated the Farmingdale Girls team when some members of their own community would not. They obviously showed more maturity than the Pink Panthers. The referee should also be commended for his dedication to the youth of Long Island.

As for the Pink Panthers, one has to wonder if they would act the same way if it were some of their children who were scheduled to play at Howitt at the time the Pink Panthers were and how they would act if it were their children who were forced off the field.

It is a sad world when the adults act more like children than the children do. These people should be encouraging the children to participate in sports, not forcing them off the fields. I pray none of these women are coaching any of our children.

-Joseph M. Lively

Concerned parent and coach of the Girls Under 10 Farmingdale Travel Team