Brinley Stephens is an 11-year-old student athlete in Astoria, May 2025 (Tracy Burchfield)
Share and Follow

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Brinley Stephens, 11, plays softball for the Astoria Future Fish. On Sunday, the team was playing a weekend tournament in Newberg, Oregon, when Brinley hit a hard line drive.

What happened next stunned parents and players.

The assistant coaches for the St. Helens team stormed the field, yelled at the umpire and accused Brinley of being too old and too big – and they demanded to see her birth certificate.

Brinley Stephens is an 11-year-old student athlete in Astoria, May 2025 (Tracy Burchfield)
Brinley Stephens is an 11-year-old student athlete in Astoria, May 2025 (Tracy Burchfield)

“She was in tears,” Brinley’s mom, Tracy Burchfield, told affiliate KOIN. “Like, ‘What did I do wrong?’ She didn’t do anything wrong.”

Brinley is nearly 5-feet-10. Her mom said Brinley is used to comments about her age and her height. But, Burchfield said, cursing and taking photos of her daughter crosses the line, no matter how old you are.

“It’s competitive,” Burchfield said. “However, you also have to be role models and good examples.”

As Astoria's Brinley Stephens stands on first base, a St. Helens coach storms the field after she hit a hard line drive, May 11, 2025 (Tracy Burchfield)
As Astoria’s Brinley Stephens stands on first base, a St. Helens coach storms the field after she hit a hard line drive, May 11, 2025 (Tracy Burchfield)

Despite the chaos, the game continued, and no immediate ejections were made. Critics now say that was a major failure.

“I still think that they should not be coaching,” Burchfield said.

Astoria won the game. But she said the final insult came when the St. Helens assistant coach was caught on camera flipping off the Astoria parents during the handshake.

“It was very poor sportsmanship,” she said.

In response, the tournament organizer, North American Fastpitch Association, suspended two St. Helens assistant coaches – one man and one woman – and called their behavior “indefensible.”

“We’re trying to do the best we can so that the team can continue but address the bad and inappropriate behavior,” said NAFA’s Benjie Hedgecock.

The male coach was suspended for the rest of the year. The female coach was suspended for 10 days and is on probation for the rest of the year.

Currently, there is no evidence that the St. Helens head coach was involved, but NAFA will review the evidence and meet later this week on next steps, if any.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Man shot, killed at Jacksonville hookah lounge; shooter taken into custody after calling 911, police say

Tragic Night at Jacksonville Hookah Lounge: Shooter Calls 911 After Fatal Incident

In a startling incident on Monday night, a man was discovered fatally…
People reveals 2025 Sexiest Man Alive

People Magazine Crowns 2025’s Sexiest Man Alive: A New Heartthrob Takes the Title

Since 1985, when Mel Gibson first took the title, the magazine has…
Baby Emmanuel's father Jake Haro sentenced to 25 years to life in 7-month-old son's murder

Justice Served: Jake Haro Receives 25 Years to Life for Tragic Murder of 7-Month-Old Son

In Riverside, California, Jake Haro received a sentence of 25 years to…
This was a grand St. John's premiere in every conceivable way

St. John’s Unveils Spectacular Premiere Event

On Monday night, a significant tribute was paid to an unforgettable basketball…
Carmelo Anthony unloads on Phil Jackson over Knicks blame

Carmelo Anthony Fires Back: Exposes Phil Jackson’s Role in Knicks Drama

Carmelo Anthony is not holding back his feelings. The former Knicks icon…
Andrew Cuomo hangs up phone on radio hosts after Donald Trump question

Andrew Cuomo Abruptly Ends Radio Interview Over Controversial Trump Inquiry – What Happened?

In a dramatic turn of events on Monday morning, Andrew Cuomo, the…
Florida boater rescues two people from vessel engulfed in flames off coast

Florida Boater Heroically Rescues Two from Flaming Vessel Off Coast

A dramatic rescue unfolded off the Florida coast on Monday when a…
Warren Buffett's $6billion stock exit is his loudest warning yet

Warren Buffett’s Bold $6 Billion Stock Move Signals Crucial Market Message

Warren Buffett has sent shockwaves through Wall Street with the revelation that…