Colorado: No, i do not like the bat flipping, or any other "me" oriented showmanship/flamboyance that athletes on a team commit. I like competition to be intense, tough, and done in the spirit of camaraderie of all involved. That is one of the reasons I took to rugby and maintain my enthusiasm for the game. Team should always be bigger than the individual. When it isn't, it creates attention to individuals rather than the team and if someone's ego is so fragile they need the extra attention, I suggest individual sports rather than team sports.
One Keg: I responded on the other board, but in order to share with all, here is how I responded to your comment:
To clarify my thoughts on "mouthing off"......I have no problem with people having their own opinions, and expressing them off a national stage (from my perspective) is fine. I hate it, though, when representatives of our country are overseas and create un-needed controversy with their statements or antics. In general, I feel similar to how I felt when kaepernick took a knee during the anthem. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. I am old school in that way, and unashamed of those feelings.
The women did a terrific job in execution of their game. They played well, and deserved the championship. I wish they had left me feeling they did a terrific job in representing their country. I do not feel they did as well as they could have, (though I admit it could have been far worse, too).