Billy Van Raaphorst Complete Report: Let's start with transparency. Analogies comparing the struggle of blacks for equal rights for gay and makes me uncomfortable.You can not hide the color of the skin, in a closet or in another place. Disclaimer gays right to marry should not be equated to a denial of freedom of a black man, voting rights, equal education, etc.
But I'm not a fool. Discrimination is discrimination. In discussing the degree of intolerance is senseless and counterproductive.
What happened to Billy Van Raaphorst inside the tiny independent league baseball stadium on July 31 was despised as something Jackie Robinson suffered a burglary specialty 60 years ago.
And the story of how childhood dream Billy Van Raaphorst on becoming Major League referee turned into a nightmare of the satellite shows how little progress we have made in a super-macho world of sport, as it relates to tolerance of homosexuals.
On the last day of July, the second straight game, Van Raaphorst threw a bright Edmonton capitals manager Brent Bowers in the first place.
Bowers argued balls and strikes from the dugout at the 30th. Close play at first base set from him at 31-m. On both days, Bowers played in the crowd, rolled up his sleeves and mocking 6 feet 4, 220-pound Van Raaphorst with the "gun show".
31 Bowers took a step further, starting in the anti-gay tirade that would make Mel Gibson blush.
"You know what I heard? Bowers shouted." I hear you f --- Ing (expletive). Hearing from several managers and people in the league, that you (expletive) ... So what are you doing, you f --- Ing (expletive) do you take it F --- Ing (expletive), you? "
When his verbal crisis continues, Bowers, a second round of the draft to select from the Toronto Blue Jays in 1989, leaned over and grabbed his ankle.
"This, as you like, you f --- Ing (expletive )?... I know that he (expletive),''Bowers ranted." I told Garry Templeton (manager in the league) and Kevin Outcalt (League Commissioner), that he f --- Ing (expletive). "
Van Raaphorst, a former 290-pound center in San Diego, resist the temptation to defend themselves.
"I told myself:" Do not beat him, "Van Raaphorst remembered." I felt trapped. I could not do what I want to do. "
How appropriate. Van Raaphorst, 34, spent most of his youth, captured his sexual orientation.
Middle son of former Ohio State and San Diego Chargers kicker Dick Van Raaphorst, Billy was born in stereotypes, All-American family. His older brother, Jeff, starred on the defender for the state of Arizona, won the 1987 Rose Bowl MVP. younger brother, Billy, Mike, as a backup to Carson Palmer of the University of Southern California.
Name Van Raaphorst is implemented and has significant weight in Southern California. Billy is not leaving any wardrobe.
When I was a child, he played football and dreamed of calling balls and strikes in the big league ballparks.
He was quite a good player, crack depth of 2 and started several games in San Diego. He shared the locker room with Kyle Turley, Ephraim Salaam, La'Roi Glover, Az Hakim, and several other future professionals.
Billy never fit in.
"We all assumed it was something different Billy," said Turley. "Billy was a good guy, good teammate, a stand-up guy, but he was just another cat. There was always something quaint about it. He was never a macho, alpha male.
Van Raaphorst sprained right knee, the fourth year in San Diego, left the team and immediately continue their passion for the sport. He entered the Harry Wendelstedt arbitrator Harvard School Sports. He graduated number one in its class. He joined the minor league system, and began the arduous task of earnings towards the league.
Things were sailing along smoothly until he reached the ball twice in 2001. His rating has fallen to number 27. The following year he fell to number 45 out of 47 judges and was released from minors.
According to him, a sharp drop coincided with his decision to live as a gay man.
"I knew that I was gay almost all his life, but I never acted on it until 2001," Billy said to me on Monday. "I'm depressed so difficult to adjust to football in college and minor league baseball. I've never been in a gay bar before 2001. I have never had a boyfriend."
He visited a gay bar in early 2001. He began dating a man Tulsa later this year. He began to lay his sport on his crew after the game activities and whereabouts instantly.
"I can not prove that they have learned, but it is my belief they have done," said Van Raaphorst. "I started getting a lot of questions about who I met."
He fell in a double AA judge is not on the major league radar, until it reaches the triple A.
"This is a significant achievement, and speaks to his talent that he has reached double-level," said Pat Courtney, a spokesman for Major League Baseball. "There are only 68 judges of the major leagues. This select group."
Billy wanted to complain and fight with his 2002 release.
"There were some family members and friends who do not want all the information they brought," said Van Raaphorst, who is now regarded as a top-flight collegiate referee. "The worst two decisions in my life were not out (as gay) and put an end to my (Tulsa) relationship, because I was scared.
"I do not make decisions out of fear more. I try to make courageous decisions now.
Good for Billy. Bad Brent for the arbor.
Golden League Baseball originally suspended two games for the gazebo and fined him $ 500. The punishment did not satisfy Billy or common sense. Judges throughout the GBL rallied in support of Billy and threatened to stop work. League and the Edmonton capital Bowers forced to resign.
"I would like those 10 minutes ago," Bowers said from his home in Chicago. "It was just a spur of the moment. I felt like hurt me and hurt my team, kicking me out of the game for two consecutive days. It does not justify it. It was totally wrong. I apologize. I would like to apologize to anyone. I grew up so much in recent weeks. "
Edmonton city announced that they have done all their staff are trained diversity. They might want to make room for a former employee.
"I was like that was fun," explained Bowers, who still do not apologize directly to Van Raaphorst. "My mom is a lot of gay hairdressers and I joke with these guys all the time. My cousin, she is a lesbian. It does not matter to me, as long as people were happy."
Let's end with transparency.
I was an idiot Neanderthals in the locker room. I was a Neanderthal idiot employee suspended and sent to a variety of training since 1998 to tease exchange with New England Patriots fans.
Intolerance is a disease, whether sexual, religious or racial, that we must all fight on a daily basis. Medications for each of us understands that we all can be just as stupid as Brent Bowers.
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