A Texas youth softball team is banned from league play amid allegations of racial taunting, but the player’s family calls for more action.
BRYAN, Texas — Serious allegations of racial taunting at a girls’ youth softball game in Texas have led to a team being banned from league play. But the family of the biracial player at the center of the incident says the punishment is not enough.
The allegations stem from a May 9 matchup between Texas Charm and the Texas Terminators. According to the family of a 13-year-old Terminators pitcher, players on the opposing team directed monkey-like noises toward her during the game.
Video from the game captures what appear to be the noises during multiple points, including while the pitcher was on the mound, at bat, and even during postgame handshakes.
Heather Lee, the pitcher’s mother, said the behavior began early and continued throughout the game.
“It carried on through the entire rest of the game,” Lee said.
She said her concerns were confirmed by others watching, including parents and even her husband, who was in the dugout.
“My husband texts me and he’s like, ‘Are they doing what I think they’re doing?’” she said.
Lee said she did not see any effort on the field to stop it.
“Nothing. I didn’t notice any let up on it at all,” she said.
Texas Terminators head coach Louie Matta said he also heard the monkey-like noises and immediately raised concerns with the umpire.
“He elected to not get involved and told us that unless the opposing team is verbally saying derogatory terms. he’s not going to do anything about it,” Matta said.
Matta said he also approached the opposing team’s coach.
“He denied the meaning behind the monkey noises,” Matta said.
After the game, Lee said she had a difficult but important conversation with her daughter.
“I just told her that it’s very serious that people do these things, because not only does it start there. Potentially, it could be something that leads to harming you, and you have to recognize it. She’s very strong, and she said, ‘I know who I am,” Lee said.
Matta said he later contacted tournament officials and sent them video evidence but initially did not receive a response.
“We’re still waiting,” he said.
In a statement, USSSA South Texas State Director Shannon Gonzalez said the organization has since completed its investigation.
“We concluded our investigation and the team Texas Charm is banned from playing in USSSA tournaments.,” USSSA South Texas State Director Shannon Gonzalez told KHOU 11.
Still, the pitcher’s family says the decision falls short.
“She deserves an apology of some sort or some kind of acknowledgement that this isn’t the behavior that they tolerate,” Lee said.
KHOU 11 also reached out to Texas Charm for comment. Head coach Michael Gongora responded with a statement calling the allegations false.
“We are aware of the false accusations against us as a team. The character of our players and this team, as a whole, are of the utmost importance. Further discussion on this matter will be directly with the USSSA organization,” Gongora said.
The family says they are speaking out not just for their daughter, but to ensure it doesn’t happen to other young athletes.
“I don’t want it to happen to any child. They’re 13, paying a game that they love,” Lee said.
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