Offering a replay from the Long Island Liberty thread earlier today, here is an example of the counterpoint view - again, BOTC does not take the stand that we are the voice of the Yellow Jackets in any way. However, part of our role is to at least provide a balance view and let you, the reader, decide the issues.
Originally Posted by CageSage
Originally Posted by Anonymous
... And you don't think this reflects badly on the YJs?
Several very important points about this entire topic. First, the Yellow Jackets are the "big dogs" in town and as a result, their teams always have a target on their backs. Therefore, should the team take their foot off the accelerator in game play for the sake of development, questions are asked about the status of the entire program. You have seen these comments here on BOTC. As a result, the response is to actually press harder.

Second, the Yellow Jackets attract some of the best players from Long Island and beyond. With that caliber of player comes a certain competitive level, seen as edgey by some, dirty by others. The top level players just play the game harder for want of a better word which is a second area where their teams are challenged.

Third, with competitive players come parents who are usually quite dedicated to helping their child compete at the top levels. Therefore, you will see on occasion, more competitive parents on the sidelines. Now, one team might be more extreme than the next, but you could see that with any Long Island elite team. The point is that seriously invested parents will tend to be more competitive and that will be seen in both the sideline personality and the image the team projects.

Finally, when you add up these three key parameters, you come to the tone and style set at the Director level. The Yellow Jackets do maintain an attitude that when you come to play them, particularly at a tournament with a championship format, bring your "A" game. Certainly, you know that their club teams will.

So, coming back to the question - does it reflect badly on the Yellow Jackets? Honestly, no. BOTC believes that some of the attitude comes from within and some comes from the background chatter that has existed long before BOTC came on the air. Much of this is the result of being the hunted dogs for a decade. If another franchise overtook the Jackets in the next two years, these headlines would all be yesterday's news.