Letters: Most important Trump indictments are two for efforts to overturn will of voters

The evidence contained in the most recent indictments against Donald Trump should disturb every American. Trump threatened the very bedrock of American democracy.

Knowing he lost the 2020 presidential election, Trump cooked up numerous illegal schemes to stay in power. He deliberately spread disinformation about the 2020 election, then used those lies to pressure state officials in Georgia and other swing states to overturn the will of voters, including by asking the Georgia secretary of state to “find" 11,780 votes. He and his cronies leaned on everyone they could to carry out their plans, including former Vice President Mike Pence, who refused.

When they couldn’t steal the presidency through phony paperwork or throwing out votes, Trump urged his followers to fight, leading to a a riot at our nation’s Capitol in an attempt to stop the election from being certified.

These crimes are too serious to be ignored. That’s why two of the four separate grand jury indictments of Donald Trump by everyday Americans involve his efforts to overturn the will of voters. Those indictments, one in Washington, D.C., and one in Fulton County, Georgia, are the most serious because they deal with a conspiracy to overturn the foundation of our democracy: the vote of the American people.

We, the American people, choose our leaders, not the other way around. When we go to cast our ballots, we should be confident that our vote will be counted, no matter our political party. We shouldn’t have to worry about power-hungry officials throwing out votes that they don't like to try and keep control.

Trump must be held accountable for his crimes, just like anyone else would be, and our elected officials must allow a trial to proceed without political interference.

Dave Geiger, Newark

Value of travel baseball tournaments toward scholarships questioned

Abner Doubleday is scratching his head!

I’m old; however, having coached at the national level, signed a professional bonus contract, been appointed as a commission scout, and dealt with dozens of college coaches, I question the exorbitant cost and practicality of the travel baseball tournament phenomenon.For families with a son attending multiple travel tournaments for the camaraderie, desire to travel and who can afford it — enjoy the experience and have fun.Unfortunately, far too many have bought into the unlikely narrative that these tournaments, private lessons and pay-to-play will lead to a college scholarship.Travel tournament organizers tout the chance for participants to play before college scouts. However, when scouts show up, they are typically only there looking at one or two players they already have interest in.The NCAA reports that 5.6% of high school seniors will make a D(ivision)1, D2 or D3 baseball program (only D1 and D2 offer athletic scholarships). The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and National Junior College Athletic Association (for two-year colleges, collectively referred to as JUCOs) also offer scholarships.Travel teams frequently attend tournaments requiring specific hotel stays of three nights per tournament. Tournament organizers routinely negotiate $750 per hotel stay per team for themselves. When a $1,500 entry fee is included, it translates to a cost of $1,000 per game — for what?Well over 90% of tournament players will never play college baseball. Some non-scholarship “walk-ons” will eventually quit as they struggle to obtain playing time on a college team with a roster of 35-40 players.Instant technology, videos, camps, and referrals make it improbable that those with the talent level will be overlooked by college scouts.Dave Froelich, Newark

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: Americans should be confident votes count no matter our party