Brinley Stephens, an 11-year-old softball player and fifth grader, was recently put through an alarming situation while playing a game on May 11. The aspiring para-athlete, who is roundly 5 feet, 9 inches in height, draws on the Astoria Future Fish team. After her record-setting line drive that day, the other team’s coaches sprinted across the field to question her age and ascertain her height. Their questions set off an epic firestorm challenge to her candidacy.
The incident occurred just moments after Brinley had scored a beautiful goal to tie the match and help her team avoid elimination. The other team’s coaches charged onto the field furious. They doubted her age, despite Brinley and the other players having already undergone age verification before the start of the season. Tracy Burchfield, Brinley’s mother, said that for the most part, Brinley is able to deal with comments on her height. This recent incident surprised her with an extraordinary level of intensity.
That was terrifying— scary, like, him coming at me,” Brinley remembered, remembering the confrontation that left her sobbing. Burchfield said she felt especially disturbed to see two grown men walking up to her daughter in this intimidating way.
“I was holding back my tears because I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, she’s out there by herself. There’s these two adults confronting her.’ Thank God that our coach was there to step in between.” – Tracy Burchfield
Things got out of hand when the coaches continued to act like fools. According to reports, they were even flashing inappropriate hand signs to parents after the game. As a result of that incident, the opposing team’s assistant coach received a one-year suspension. Another coach got a 10-day suspension and will be on year-long probation.
Benjie Hedgecock, a spokesperson for the league, commented on the matter, stating, “We are still investigating the incident … The player did nothing wrong as she is just tall … and skilled for her age.”
Burchfield added that it’s imperative for adults to set a positive example through their behaviors and attitudes towards kids in sports. It doesn’t require a lot to damage a kid that deeply and cause them to quit believing in themselves. These kids deserve better. We as adults should be better,” she said.
In light of this unfortunate incident, Burchfield has been surrounded by sympathetic parents who have gone through the same ordeal. So many have put forth their appreciation for her advocacy along with praise and congratulation for standing up on Brinley’s behalf. She wants this experience to be a lesson in treating one another with respect and kindness for all of the young athletes involved.
“We were upset, but we took it to the association and hoping that they do better and reprimand and hold him accountable for his actions.” – Tracy Burchfield
Citizens of this community are even having discussions about sportsmanship. Whatever their reasons, thousands are working towards making youth sports a safer and more inclusive place for all young athletes.
