Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — Burbank City Hall
In the course of business as usual at last night’s meeting, the Burbank City Council made some decisions involving issues which are continuing to generate debate and controversy. During public comments, Jose Sandoval, a volunteer coach for the Burbank Parks & Recreation Department for 16 years, returned to speak to the council members again.
Sandoval coaches five teams and about 80 kids, mostly from low income and single parent homes. Some of the baseball players are physically challenged as well. On May 18, 2009, Sandoval got into an altercation with an umpire and was ejected from a game. Sandoval was suspended for the rest of this season, despite a lot of protest and pleading from parents and his players. Many of the parents claim Sandoval is being treated harsher than other coaches in similar situations. At a hearing on June 8, arranged by the Parks & Recreation Department, that suspension was upheld and extended until next May, according to Sandoval.
Sandoval asked for the council’s help in getting documents from that hearing before his day in court. That’s right, a dispute with a baseball umpire has become a criminal matter. Sandoval got a letter on Monday, June 22 ordering him to appear in Burbank Superior Court on July 2, 2009 to answer to a misdemeanor charge of battery, Section 242 of the Penal Code.
The city council members and City Attorney Dennis Barlow said they were unaware that Sandoval was being prosecuted for his involvement in that altercation. Still, the beleaguered coach was assured he would receive the documents he requested by tomorrow.
Also, speaking during public comments, long time Burbank resident Mike Nolan, who demanded to know, “how much money,” is being spent on lawyers and investigations and “how many claims” are there against the city. Nolan has asked these questions before. However this time, after some discussion about “preserving the integrity” of the investigations, the council and city attorney grudgingly agreed to provide Nolan with some information.
Later in the meeting, the council voted 4-to-1 to include an addendum to the police commission application. That addendum would include three items requiring applicants to reveal if they have been convicted of a felony, a crime of moral turpitude or have been on probation. Councilman Gordon, who voted against the addendum, pointed out the police commission application never asked these sort of questions before and, “… I don’t think the city has suffered for it.”
Council Member Anja Reinke argued the addendum would help “… protect the city.” When Gordon suggested the answers to the questions by the candidates could taint “…their reputations.” Reinke led the charge to have the addendum classified as confidential, something the city attorney said he would have to check to see if they could do legally.
Gordon opposed the confidentially, saying it sends the wrong message when the council should be about providing transparency, especially in light of the council’s controversial removal of John Brady from the police commission. Council Member/Mayor Gary Bric countered by saying he has received, “…very positive feedback” to the way the council ousted Brady from the police commission. Applicants are now being sought for consideration to fill that vacant seat. It will be interesting to see who steps forward and volunteers to go through this dubious process.
Confidential questions for confidential purposes. Again they have learned nothing.
On the coach, it really looks to me like something more is going on than any of them are saying. Could there be even more confidential documents waiting to be found in the park department ? Something tells me there are.
Mayor Bric obviously doesn’t read this blog if he received “positive feedback” on how they handled Brady. Feedback from who…the Chief of Police?
The rest is as usual. A lot of questions and no answers!
The vice mayor slipped last night and let it out who is on this Youth Task Force Board. SURPRISE! It’s the same groups that have their hands out for money. She didn’t say when or where they meet and she didn’t say how they got on that board.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFwhEsCH-tQ
Sure after a few drinks at the Mayors bar the chief couldn’t say enough about his happiness with the councils vote.
If Reinke is still serving on an organization board for which she votes city funds, it’s a legal conflict of interest for her, and the complete council decision can be vacated. Because of this possibility I doubt she serves in any official capacity any more with the Family Service Agency. But who knows…?
Interesting thing about that group– a dozen years ago the news came out that they refused to provide abortion or birth control counseling to their clients, and would not refer anyone to Planned Parenthood. It created quite a stir with Ted McConkey and others on the council back when they were asked to approve funds.
Here’s some more on the Sandoval situation. We apparently have some loose cannons in our city government:
http://semichorus.wordpress.com/
This whole coach deal with Sandoval is outrageous! The Parks and Rec Dept., just don’t like him and want him out. They will do anything and back up anyone to do this. We understand a few games suspension but to make it go all the way to next season until May!! What reason is that for, so he does not come back or he won’t have his teams together! So bad, so bad, so bad. This is not the end of the fight. Jose Sandoval is the nicest person ever! People cannot judge how a person looks on the outside. Sooner or later the truth will come out about the Umpire who started all this. The Umpire is lying about him pushing him. The umpire followed him to the dugout and when Coach Sandoval turned around the umpire was in his face and they bumped each other!! The umpire knows this and his second umpire that was at the game did not even see anything but told him that he would put whatever he says happened on his report!! Unbelievable. I hope someone is able to get this all straightened out!!
Sandoval Dodger Fan you’re going to find things don’t get straightened out in Burbank. What happens in Burbank is people are friends with each other or related to each other and they lie to cover for each other. Unless lots of people get mad and really let them all have it what they will just do is stick together and tell whatever lie it takes to protect each other. It doesn’t seem right what they did to Coach Sandoval to me but what else is new in Burbank. Maybe Coach Sandoval can coach someplace else and the kids could all go with him.
Does anybody know when the fight with Coach Sandoval was suppose to have happened and where it happened ?
I don’t know this coach Sandoval but I do know Burbank. It looks to me like first they wanted him gone because someone else wants those teams or they want those teams gone so some other kids can win. The whole thing with that appeal set of a date months too late gave me that view.
The guy came last week asking for the papers from his appeal. So they said they would get them to them and isntead they send him something about charging him with a crime
So the guy comes back this week and the city attorney pretends he didn’t do anything until the guy pulls out the paper he sent the guy. This would be funny if it wasn’t all so messed up.
So did the guy get the papers from the appeal ? NO what he got was charged with some crime but no papers they promised him.
Sorry but it’s so messed up it tells me the guy is innocent and that park and rec department is up to something. I hope it’s not the kids they want to get rid of and he is just the way to do it. Maybe they want to use it for people with more money. That wouldn’t surprise me at all.
The guy needs to demand a jury and let the jury see all the things they did and all the times he begged for some justice. I think most juries will convict park and rec and let the guy go. He just needs to file a suit against the parks and rec department.
If Sandoval had said nothing to the council and had not appealed the initial ruling, he would only have suffered an end-of-the-year suspension.
Instead, he complains to the council, seeks a city appeal, and then– according to news reports– he suffers an ADDITIONAL penalty of a following year suspension as well!
Talk about retaliation. There’s also the interesting legal question of whether the second appeal body has the right to levy an added un-noticed punishment in response to Sandoval’s merely taking advantage of his appeal rights.
Legally, a governmental body must lay out all of the charges, evidence and possible penalties ahead of time, before any hearings, so that the defendant has the ability to know what he or she is facing. That’s just basic due process. And they cannot sanction any individual with additional penalities merely for making use of their appeal rights.
But it doesn’t stop there. After Sandoval goes to the council a second time and complains about the adverse action hearing results, he is then told that he is now going to be facing CRIMINAL charges for the allegation– months after the original event.
This is all clear reprisal– and if Sandoval levied any charges of possible ethnic discrimination against the city, to either its agents or the hearing officer, then the case can easily be made (and won) that it was agency reprisal for a complaint of discrimination.
It’s bad enough that the city let this thing go this far. But to now misuse the police department to punish an individual who took advantage of his due process rights is gross malfeasance, as well as a criminal act in itself.
It’s truly time for the county D.A to step in. We’ve all had enough of this rank abuse of power. It’s a clear attempt on the part of Barlow and the city to intimidate people into staying quiet.
A little background on Jose Sandoval.
Jose has had a rough past. This is true. It is imperative that it be known that this is his past.
He has volunteered his time and is coaching 5 teams. Where can you find someone willing to devote that kind of time? Most of the kids he has on his teams are children from low income and/or parents who work full time and are not able to make it to practices. Jose have devoted his time and energy and giving these kids something to do other than hang around in the streets. Doesn’t that account for anything? Isn’t that what Parks and Rec is all about? Certainly, they can all go to another organization outside the city. But why? This is their city!! Why should they be driven out like outcasts. Do they not fit the profile of the average “Burbankian”. This is about the kids they just want to play ball!
Burbank politians are a tight knit group of individuals and for a person like Sandoval who doesn’t have the means to pay for an attorney strong enough to go against the city, it’s tough! The city is fully aware of this. They continue to pursue this frivolous law suit because they know he is not going to be able diligently defend himself. The witness letters and letters of support were thrown out because they did not match what their Umpire (employee) stated. There is no way Jose can win this case unless it is dropped. The only way for that to happen is by pressure from the City Council. They appointed this Federation and they can influence them. At the last City Council meeting “our council members” one by one gracefully washed their hands of it.
I guess these kids are so unimportant that “our city” is willing to take the chance and let these kids go a year without a coach. How many will we loose to the streets? Who is being punished Jose Sandoval or the kids on 5 teams?
Jose made a mistake, he questioned the actions of a bunch of self very important politians. The very act of seeking justice was an attack on the on their absolute authority. This will not be tolerated in the kingdom of Burbank. My advice would be to seek forgiveness or a public beating may be the next step.
The city knows most people don’t have the ability to just hire an attorney to challenge what they do and they take advantage of that.
If the person does hire an attorney the City will hire a few extra attorneys and try to out money the person and drag it on so the person runs out of money.
Some council members don’t care who get’s hurt by what they do. For them it’s about being important, picking who and what they like and forcing the rest of us to both pay for it and suffer from it. In the end there is no justice in Burbank whether your a coach or a cat named kitty pants your fate is based on who likes you and who does not.
i am shockedat what is happening to this coach are we not passed discrimination and racism already it seems this man is not being judged by his action but by his race and skin color i cant believe we the people are just standing here and watching this man get lynched right in front of us and no will speak on his behalf what this man has done and is doing for this community is great he has kept all these what is it 80 kids in and around possitive activities i wish we spent half the time he does on those poor kids but when it comes to it i am real busy i know that ends up being all of our excuses we speak out but when we are counted on it we are busy that day or that moment i mr sandoval am truly sorry for what my community is putting you and the kids through if only we can all stand together as a community and get jsutice for this man dont just blog or write stand up if you can and say we have had enough here now do something. mr sandoval i will try and be at your hearing next thursday and show my support and please continue what your doing i see the good you are trying to do for those kids “let he who has not sinned cast the first stone”
Come on people! Do you think the City cares about a coach? People have had thier civil rights violated and nobody, except Gordon cares.
Its bad when the police are all saying its bad. This coach is a small example of “protect the city” mentality that the current council uses as a measure of justice.
There are scandals everywhere, in the police, fire, city attorney, organized sports, etc… People need to write letters to a congressman or someone outside the city. It is the only way to get change!
It’s worst then just scandals everyplace and Coach Sandoval is anything but the biggest criminal in Burbank. They just like to go after the little people and if the little people are minority members thats even better for them. Burbank arrests all the wrong people they did that for a long time.
I care about peoples CIVIL RIGHTS getting trashed all the time. I did write to the congressman one time and you know what ? He didn’t even answer me back. I don’t think he cares about people just like they don’t. I didn’t vote for the bad people but somebody did and the congressman was maybe one of them that did.
Here’s some more on the Burbank Parks and Recreation. It looks like they want to get rid of the nasty roller hockey players along with Coach Sandoval. They are making room for something, maybe an exclusive chess club? Watch them on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0YXQlZKv6I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lQaAwiqnhs&feature=channel
Everyone,
I share your concerns for Coach Jose Sandoval’s situation and what that says about Burbank and its politics.
City officials have to be aware that having all of these things come to light at the same time, the police lawsuit, the cat caper, the police commission controversy, and now Coach Sandoval’s case —creates all sorts of suspicions in the community.
Someone asked when and where did Jose have the altercation with the umpire. It was at McCambridge Park field #2, on North Glenoaks Boulevard in Burbank, on May 18, 2009.
You are so correct there are so many people saying what has happened to them it’s impossible to think that they are just liars.
Personally I feel that the Park Department has had very serious issues for a long time, now I am starting to wonder what hasn’t had serious problems for a while.
We should be taking better care of people and working much harder to establish fairness in everything. It troubles me when everything seems to indicate our leaders just don’t care.
all of you need to back off already the verdic is in was was in the minute coach sandoval walked into council for the first time he is guilty i dont know why he is still trying to styr things up. just do your sentence andgo on with your life im sure the kids will be fine without you as you and many others have and will be replaced. their are coaches out there that will take on your 5 teams or 80 kids. so what do you have to prove now that you care for the kids we know hooorahh! we know now set them free and go on with your life. no one cares about one individual we have bigger issues to put our time into. face the truth coachyour not wanted here anymore you seem to of overstayed your welcome and now you face this. if you really want to coach then do what other bloggers are saying and coach elsewhere.yes we know you have been doing this for 16 years and you have 80 kids,wheres your support from them all we ever see is two or three parents im sure you have some kids that their parents work for the city and i bet they are not their for you right well they chose their jobs before they choose you and i understand i would do the same if i was in their shoes. understand this you can and will be replaced but their jobs wont so for their sakes and the kids just quit or surrender the fight is over you have lost just go elsewhere and leave our city the way it is and has been
Bob I think you are onto something. So long as people are quiet and smile at the autority figures in Burbank everything is A-ok but if they dare to question or even worse complain look out.
Take Brady as an example. Brady was their pet but hey he dared to question what’s up with racism and civil rights and BAM public lynching of Brady.
The Roaches were cute so long as they didn’t push for their cat back. Push and the city just might need to admit another mistake. Good bye Roaches.
Coach Sandoval, great to have him coaching the kids so long as he did what he was told. Stand up about what’s going on and BAM another public lynching.
Anybody else see a sinister pattern behind these people yet ?
For those who didn’t see it here is the exchange regading Coach Sandoval and the City Attonrney’s denial that he ad any information about the city prosecuting him. Real convinining there city attorney.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AV8dvCbus0
jjones,
So I guess we know what you are all about. Giving up!! You right, why don’t we all lay down and get screwed. Let’s just give up on life. We should all just take things and never excercise our rights. According to jjones we don’t have rights! Bigger issues! Its just 80 kids. Leave them to the streets thats what we should do.
I watched the video on Youtube. So Coach Sandoval has to stand up and pass them their own letter ? Gheesh they really know what they are doing if someone has to pass them their own letter so they know what they did.
Who the hell is running this place anyway ?
This thing with the coach doesn’t smell right. Why would it take them so long to file some charges and who filed them. I don’t believe for a minute what that attorney said. In front of the cameras they might pretend to have nothing to do with this but I bet behind the scenes the likes of that Vice Mayor and some of the council people tell the attorney exactly what they want him to do.
Some city officials don’t know how to take any criticism. Watch council meetings and watch how they resent the fact they are required to listen to the people. Some of them would put an end to that if they could and we should not re-elect those people.
dont worry coach most of us here support you and cant imagine what you are going though please hang on we the people will stand up for you if needed i know we all can find it in our hearts and busy schedules to help a falling friend if its alright we call you a friend after all that you do for our community its actually the least we can do and thank you
Jose Sandoval is the victim of a modern day lynching. Myself and at least 100 other supporters asked the city council to just do their job and make sure that the Parks and Recreation Board had all the facts before they made this dreadful decision. The city is wasteing tax payer money to go after a coach, when nobody is asking why this umpire is still being an umptire. What was needed here, at most, was mediation. Instead, the umpire knew somebody, and then somebody else knew somebody. So much so that the first night we spoke as a group, a representative under Mike Flad, City Manager, got up and read a letter that the umpire was going to file charges against the coach. WTH!!!! how do you publicy announce criminal charges at a city council meeting–unless you intent is to slander. Jose has a wife and family. What he once was is not what he is today, but since Burbank perpetuates nepotism in the worst way, I am sure the umpire is related to somebody, who is related to somebody . . .
I call out to the people of Burbank to cast your next vote against any and all city elected officials who will not stand up and call this blatant act of discrimination and unprejudice and cowardness.
The children and their families deserved better representation than misleading and abuse of power.,
Take a look at this clip from the council meeting on May 19 and think about what is being asked/said about the Burbank Police Commission and then think about the secrecy with Brady and Sandoval.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ge2c487_YQ
Hey Jjones . . .who ever you are–in deed a male, and probably the umpire if I have analyzed your hatred that is within your email . . “go back to where you came from”. . . you sound a little pissed. NO!!!We are not going away. Come out and fight like a real man . . .we have all seen Jose, but where is the the UMPIRE. Come out, come out whereever you are . . .
Terry Lewis
You are spot on about not re-electing Anja Reinke or David Golosnki. Both of them are arrogant and so full of themselves they treat our city as their own private business. I have had enough of them.
Take a look at this clip from the council meeting on May 19 and think about what is being asked/said about the Burbank Police Commission and then think about the secrecy with Brady and Sandoval.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ge2c487_YQ
ANSWER:
I wonder what would happen right about now if a vote of confidence were taken in the City Council and City Attorney ?
just a moment to say Rest in Peace to Michael jackson. The music will live on forever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqxo1SKB0z8
Everyone,
Good discussion. It will be interesting to see what happens with Coach Sandoval’s court case.
Arman,
Thanks for the kind thoughts about Michael Jackson and the video link. Also, check out my post, “King of Pop Michael Jackson dies at 50.” http://mediacitygroove.com/awritersgroove/?p=1564
Coach Sandoval got screwed by the system. He is a good coach and that’s not what parks and recreation wants. Those people want their chosen teams to win at all costs and that is what this is all about.
Hello and i just want to thank all of you for lending me your ears on what is happening to me i honestly wanted to just give up and let the city win another one but theirs too much at stake here and thats the children to me its always been about the children. their is too much negativity going on in this world that i just want to take them all away from that for a few hours a day and concentrate on a possitive event which is baseball these kids are always willinbg to be at practices up to an hour before they are suppose to be their they press on their parents that they dont want to miss practice or be late thats the respect they give me and return it by standing up for them and fighting this is by far the toughest fight i have been involved in and i know the city always wins but until the kids tell me to stop fighting for them i wont stop mr./mrs. jjones i even thank you for your remarks everyone has the freedom of speech and everyone has their own opinion but i am not ready to pack up and run yes thats what you call what you want me to do is pack up and run im a big man with bad knees i dont run because i run real slow you will catch me. once again i want to thank you all and i want to let you know i will fight for the kids and i will fight for everyone so this doesnt happen to anyone ever again
Yo Coach
Burbank ain’t fair they beat and abuse minorities but yo they smile and have fun doing it. Stand up and fight the bitches cuz the Park and Rec people do this stuff on purpose. If you weren’t brown coach none of this stuff would be happening and the kids they get treated bad everyday in Burbank schools you know it and we all know it. Go coach te respeto.
A few corrections as I am someone who has played in our city’s sports leagues for a long time. The Burbank Athletic Federation is not appointed by the City Council it is appointed by the park and rec director. If someone doesn’t like the ruling of the BAF then they can appeal it to the park and rec director. That’s what mike flad said two tuesdays ago. I think but, IM NOT SURE, that there is a Park and Rec. Board. You can take it to them I’m almost positive that was stated in our coaches meeting.
Frannie Q.,
It is my understanding that the Burbank Athletic Federation is set up by the Parks and Recreation Department.
A lot of citizens bring their problems to the city council when they are having difficult getting what they believe is fair treatment from other city agencies or departments.
In Coach Sandoval’s situation, the city council got him an earlier hearing date than had been previously scheduled. Also, the city council got involved when the coach was having difficult getting minutes and other documents from that hearing.
Frannie Q If the Burbank Athletic Federation is appointed by the park and rec director then its probably the park and rec directors friends and cousins in the Burbank Athletic Federation so what good could it do to appeal it to that person ? Couldn’t that be like appealing the behavior of the worst kid on the team to his little league mom ?
The “Good Ol’ Boys Club” that is under scrutiny in the Burbank Police Department extends much further than just the BPD. It trickles down to all of the long-time City Employees within the City’s wide-spread departments and programs.
As the daughter of a Burbank Police Officer, I was brought up in a household where my father would not tolerate any form of contact with Jose and his family. We were brought up to believe that the Sandoval family was bad and unworthy of being Burbank citizens.
After my father left our household, I began to play co-ed slowpitch softball for the Burbank Parks and Rec. league. This is where I met Jose for the first time. He played for one of the teams that my team played against. Within a year I was playing for his co-ed team as well as a woman’s fastpitch and slowpitch team that he got together for myself, my friends and fellow teammates from our co-ed team.
Jose is one of the most self-less people that I have ever met. By coaching all of his young teams he creates a fun and safe outlet for the children of the community. It is a place where the children learn great life lessons in responsibility, good sportsmanship, dedication, teamwork and leadership skills. The Sandoval Dodger’s keep 80+ young kids off of the streets of Burbank, preventing them from find less constructive means of entertainment throughout the city. In my opinion, I thnik that the BPD should be extending a hand in gratitude to Jose for these efforts.
I played softball for the Burbank Parks and Rec. Department for 16 years of my life. It is a department that many people have watched deteriorate over the years. Much like the rest of the depratments and programs within the City.
It is unfortunate that Jose is still being discriminated against for his rough past as a teenager. He has done more good for this community than many of it’s own officials.
I am so glad that I was able to think for myself and allow Jose and his entire family into my life. I am honored to say that he is my friend and an extended family member.
It’s pretty amusing the D.A. gets to spend the City’s tax dollars on cases that he doesn’t even know are crossing his desk. I’m so fortunate to not be living in Burbank anymore. It looks like I got out just in time!
frannie Q. the baf is set up by the parks and recs exactly so do you think you have a chance with them no! its just a way for the parks and recs to clean their hands of and say they had nothing to do with that decision if you were in the baf would you disagree with 6 other members and take the heat from parks and recs no! you would be cut from the BAF. besides the BAF is established of umpires x coaches that say they have never lost their tempers or argued a call now if you believe that then you have never coached every coach that spends time out their with the kids get emotionally involved so when they get a bad call they will argue and complain. coaches are humans too and they have a right to argue if needed but dont go too far also it is said that coaches have got to know all of the rules for whatever division they are coaching but for some reason these new umpires are not properly trained you all need to go to some games next season and watch how umpires walk as if they are kings and if you dont kiss their butts look out im sure not all umpires are bad but the majority do this as a job and dont care about the sport itself and thats a shame you need people that understand and appreciate the game they are umpiring or refereeing.
This Burbank Athletic Federation sounds like a good ol boys club. Whats the racial and ethnic mix on that thing ?
Reposnding to the comment above I would say you are right. Remember Brady. Pose a question they don’t want asked and they pull out every weapon they have to smear you and remove you. Who wants to tell me they won’t do the same to any BAF member that dares to disagree from their parties line ?
A small elite group has destroyed all that’s good in Burbank and taken the public hostage.
Think about it like this. If the cops get harrased what you thinking happens to a coach or even some kid at some park ? Maybe this coach was teaching them kids morals and the ring leaders in the parks said we can’t have no morals we just want the brainwashing and the control so get lost coach you bad for business as usual.
I’m sure that someone will ask me if I ever went to a park board meeting or something to ask them, but here go some questions anyway.
If the umpires are paid and it is just a job to them just how are they supervised and by whom ?
Who pays the umpires and refs ?
In a way this is an important question because if the comment that it is just a job to these officials that could mean they do whatever they are told to keep their job. Who it is that gives them orders becomes the question and what orders are they given. Next is what is the oversight over them and the one who writes their check.
Why won’t I be surprised if the answer is they are paid by the city, trained by the city and beholding to the city. Next if they do something wrong you get to go to this baf which is hand picked by the city and answers to the city. If that is how it all works it sounds like a really stacked deck to me.
What a wackadoo system. Kids who want to play go on a list and if no team picks them their parents need to report to the office. Hand picked players on hand picked teams is how this looks.
Team Registration
Youth sports league registration is accepted on a “team basis.” Individual players’ names will be added to a Free Agent List. Players’ names are distributed to existing teams expressing an interest in adding new players or to new teams that are forming. For those players not contacted and placed on a team, their parents are required to attend a parent’s meeting. The purpose of these meetings is to recruit new coaches. Staff will make every attempt to recruit coaches for these players, however there is no guarantee of placement on a team. Individual players interested in playing these sports should contact the Sports Office at 818.238.5330. source link below
http://www.ci.burbank.ca.us/park/Sports/Youth%20Sports1.htm
the umpires are trained by the city and they are unfortunately paid by the coache s or teams they are officiating and its tax free money that is why most of these umpires do it for the xtra money coaches and parents have made complaints on umpires but those letters somehow disappear and you never see them. umpires are given too much power tolie on their reports and say what ever it takes to get rid of someone weather it is true or not as you see with that coach. that list you mentioned is true because i heard this coach takes kids that have never played or that no one else wants from this list and turns them into champions how is that wrong. how do you think he has 5 teams i cant even coach 1 team now thats a hero if i ever saw one. he deserves to be awarded not punished and humiliated. i walk around the parks and hear people mentining this very situation, and i heard the field supervisor that was at that game the incident occured is also an umpire so you think he is going to say something different than the umpires story. i wouldnt doubt they copied the same story now is that justice and for who. people really if your fed up we need to support this coach he cant do it on his own and they know it your voices are heard in numbers dont just blog like someone already said join together and help this man as if it was your brother or sister look at mals comment her dad was a burbank cop and it seems they didnt like this coach much before now do you think these two organizations are joining forces to get rid of him and possibly put him in jail for a while to me it looks like its headed in that direction what do you think their is an article on THE BURBANK TIMES about this mans life story you connect the dots
I have witnessed Coach Sandoval coach his teams many times. This coash is amazing and is gifted with great coaching abilities! My son played against his team a few times. We always lost. I wanted my son to play on coach Sandoval’s team—Some special technique this coach has with kids. My son learn and played the best he had ever before. I will be the first to admit, Coach Sandoval is one of the few best coaches out there. Has anyone ever looked into his winning records? That’s a major reflection on his coaching abilities with the kids. It’s a shame this is happening.
As for the confrontation, burbank empires…..let’s pull their complaint records and face the fact that they too, make mistakes everyday on calls and inappropriate behaviors.
I will stand by Coach Sandoval’s side. We Shouldn’t lose him.
Peace to all!
A little info. I am a parent of an 8 year old girl. She plays pitch-tee and loves it. I play womens fast-pitch and love it, my husband plays men’s fastpitch and loves it…What we do not love are some of the umpires that are out there. On my husbands team there was recently a differnce of opinion on a call during a game, the umpire was not too pleased with this, so he made a very derogetory comment aimed directly at a persons handicap, this person the team manager who I might add is a very well known and respected person in the softball community, along with just about every other person present at the game heard the comment, exept who you may ask??????The second umpire…This is just an example of the way things work out on the fields….As a player I have been witness to the way some of these umpires operate….One umpire makes a call and that call is appealed the umpires meet and in the meeting of the two and usually the catcher right in the middle of it, I am a catcher…..the play is not verbally reviewed instead, the one umpire says to the other…..I’ll go with whatever you say….If they do this in a game, which we as the players and coaches, pay them to officiate, what makes anyone think that they wont do it elsewhere…Coach Sandoval, keep your head high and keep on fighting, truth always prevails, it may not come for a long time but it will eventually, if the fight is seen all the way through….Come on people if we don’t stand up for this now what else will they take from us….I know to some it may seem like something small, after all it’s just a coach, in some little leauge team, but it represents way more than just that,,,,It represents the unity and the will to fight for what’s right in our community……Perhaps it’s not letters that are needed anymore to show our support, perhaps it’s a demostration, that we as citizens of burbank will no longer stand for this type of unjust treatment…..
Can anyone explain what exactly happened at this game – what is Coach Sandoval accused of doing to this umpire?
A criminal charge of battery I believe means he is accused of hitting the umpire – is that what happened?
More information I think is needed – for me anyway – to get a picture of what should happen.
No coach Sandoval did not hit the umpire…..This is the alligation made only after Coach Sandoval decided to appeal his suspension from coaching…..If the umpire would have been hit the BPD would have been at the field within minutes…..parents, park officials, and fellow umpire would have called the offense in….This is just a way to try and bully someone to not go against anything that burbank city officials say…..
Here’s a question: do Coach Sandoval’s teams win a lot of games?
That might be an explanation for at least one reason why he’s being harassed.
Any small town that takes its sports teams as seriously as Burbank does these days is going to go ballistic when they don’t always get their way. From much of the current talk in the council chambers about “our youth” and our “wonderful sports activities,” it’s pretty obvious that there is an element in town that invests a lot of emotional and psychological baggage into the mix.
Combine that with a Latino guy making waves, and it’s no surprise that their reaction will be hamfisted and ugly. So just consider the caliber of the people involved– this is not the old Burbank any more.
While you are all at it pull the prosecution records of the City Attorney I don’t believe they normally prosecute assault cases. So why wasn;t this case referd to the district attorney, or was it and it got rejected so the City Attorney decided to do the job all on his own ? It doesn’t add up the date of incident, date of charges and everything inbetween mixed with the city attorney as the posecutor ? An assault is normally a Distric Attorney prosecution not one done by the city attorney.
If what you are saying is true Krey then they are making a story up as they go along. That is a horrible thing for officials to do. Has the Park Board stepped in to look at this mess yet ?
Krey,
I agree that a demonstration is in order with some media coverage. You have to remember that this is a little league coach. There are so many major scandals right now, involving police officers are going to jail. Why would the Burbank City officials care about one Hispanic Coach.
They don’t care because he is going to sue the city and they will do everything to discredit him.
Just like “Kitty Pants” Just like police discrimination and corruption. Just like the Fire Chief defrauding the city. Just like the girl who was beat by a Captain and covered up. Just like the immigrant who was beat and covered up. Just like the sexual harassment at the animal shelter. Just like John Brady!
Nothing will change because everyone forgets! Wait till the next scandal…it will be coach Sandoval…who???
I never played baseball but I sure know the valley sk8 rink blows chunks and the way they run it sucks. They charge you for nothing at that place. Why don’t they charge people to sit on teh grass and kick soccer balls all around ? No they just charge sk8rs they suck.
Carma you are correct they don’t care about all the corruption, they are the corruption and maybe a protest could become a kick off to recalling the 4 of them. Replace them with people who give a dam.
sk8sk8sk8 i have seen this park your talking about on valley right. yes i too think it is wrong to charge the youth for using this facility what is it with this city the youth cant do something they like or love without problems i use to work in orange county and my co worker took me by his old high school in huntington beach they have a small caliber sk8 park on the high school campus actually in front of the school now that is cool. why do you kids have to go to vacant lots to enjoy your activities i have also seen some of you guys sk8ing through olive park and a cop car behind you guys puling you over and giveing you a ticket for sk8ing in the park. i thought the parks were for the kids your first step has been taken by you writting on this website. we all need to say to our council and say what about our kids. enough is enough this isnt that little town from the movie footloose where you cant do anything they dont want you to do. but if you let them now just wait and see what else they wil try and get away with so yes everyone tell a friend and lets do it together and support this coach and the youth programs and lets demand changes. start from the top we need new council members and we need them now.
Everyone,
Rightly or wrongly, the Coach Sandoval situation has come to represent the perception that there are shady dealings going in Burbank.
It may be a small issue compared to the lawsuits, investigations, and allegations of misconduct swirling around the city right now. Still, I think city officials should reconsider their handling of Sandoval’s case and clear up the matter before it becomes a big legal mess.
Also, check out the mailbag on The Burbank Leader website. There are three letters/opinions about the police commission brouhaha http://www.burbankleader.com/articles/2009/06/27/opinion/letters/blr-mailbag27.txt
The letter about Mayor Bric is so inspiring. Mr Brady just got probation ? I think Mr Brady got probation for driving drunk. The mayor also drove drunk. The difference between them is the mayor still denies he ever had a drinking problem while Mr Brady admited the problem and got help. What a city where we punish the person who gets help and reward the one in denial by making him mayor.
Sure we have a mayor with a DUI but we also have people being abused all over town welcome to Oz.
They charge the kids to use the park programs ?
Councilman Talamantes was expressing his concern about obesity in youth and pushed for money for obesity programs. Maybe he should push for the money to make park activities free for our youth. Programs don’t stop obesity, exercise does. Who else remembers President Kennedy and his emphasis on youth exercise and fitness ?
It seems we spend so much money on programs and neglect the simple solutions that are proven to work.
Add my voice as an objection to charging for park programs.
Everyone,
Warning! Comments on this blog have to be professional and civil.
Comments with heavy use of obscenities will be removed.
From reading comments here someone please let me know if I have this correct. For a kid to play baseball he/she needs a team that will take him or her. If no team takes him or her someone needs to volunteer as a coach to coach him or her on a team ? The coach is a volonteer and the kid has to pay and then the umpires get paid ? Let me know if I understand how this system works or not.
Concerned parent this is that small minded town from footloose complete with it’s share of bad cops to enforce the dress code, speaking code and you got next the officials will restrict dancing in public.
In honor of Michael Jackson and summing up Burbank more or less.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCqQ2JcQWGs&feature=fvst
Jim Carlile,
Dropped by your blog Semichorus over the weekend, very interesting reading. Especially the post, “Does Gary Bric have a ‘moral turpitude’ crime in his past?”
http://semichorus.wordpress.com/2009/06/27/does-gary-bric-have-a-moral-turpitude-crime-in-his-past/
Everyone,
I hear there have been problems posting comments on my blog. Sorry about that. We’ve had a few glitches, but I’m hoping they will be fixed soon.
So thanks for your patience. And please check back later and try to leave a comment.
Feel free to e-mail me through link at the top of the page about any technical problems.
Hi, It’s always difficult to stomach our friends who are in trouble. We watched coach Sandoval at the City Council meeting do a good job of showing where his heart is. The Sandoval group does a great job of bringing kids and families together for baseball events and teaching kids how to play baseball well. We have always been impressed by the Civitan day participation and barbeque. Competing is something most of us do, whethere we are playing ball, umpiring, driving a car, dressing up…most everything can become competitive. So let’s keep the main thing the main thing. This blog can go a long way in supporting Coach Sandoval if we stay focused on the many strengths that coach has shown over the years…many years that far outweigh the intensity of a game situation, the pressure on the umpires to make many difficult calls, and who knows what. We can all be moody, have a bad day, etc. Let’s not call names or put down other organizations. Let’s try to build up support for Coach Sandoval and put together a blog of letters of situations we know about. LEt’s not get distracted from that. We’ve played several of the Sandoval teams over the years. Their participation, and Coach Sandoval’s participation is something that will keep Burbank sports healthy. Happy 4th.
Jose, you are in my thoughts and prayers every day. You are in contact with my daughter and she keeps me informed of your situation. I know these charges are taking a toll on you and I know that the process you have to go through is so time consuming. It is a good idea that someone had to schedule a community gathering in your support, mainly so you would see how highly so many people in this community think of you. I doubt that it will have any influence on your court appearance but you will surely know that a whole lot of people are standing with you and care about you! You and your entire family are wonderful, responsible and caring people. There is no question in my mind that you have more integrety than so many of the people employeed by our city. My daughter and I think of you as a special family member and a true friend. I just want you to know that we admire your fight with the city and agree that the charges are completely out of line in relation to the incident. Always feel good about standing up for yourself as this is another lesson you are teaching your own children as well as the children on your teams. I read the comment above stating that this should have been resolved by mediation could not be more true. Have a big support party in one of the parks, I will be there!
Fine blog. I got a lot of effective data. I’ve been following this technology for awhile. It’s fascinating how it keeps changing, yet some of the core factors remain the same. Have you seen much change since Google made their most recent acquisition in the area?
Keep on keeping on. This post is proof of why I keep coming back to your site.