[Rich Ives]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by PeteBooth




You should take out the word Societies and put in the word Williamsport

This implies it is only LL thet has a problem with "stacked" (or illegal) teams. I really don't believe this is true. Other organizations don't get the publicity.


Most if not all LL Regionals and ultimately the LLWS can now be seen on ESPN. That's approx 2 weeks of coverage.
You can bet that Williamsport wants to put on a "good show"

The cheating has been going on for much longer than the Regional/LLWS TV coverage. TV didn't cause it.

If the various districts STRICTLY adhered to the LL wording, do you think ESPN would waste their time televising it.

Most districts and teams DO stick to the rules.

LL All Stars around the country has been "stacked" for years now.

A few, not most or even many. Violators are tossed every year, it just doesn't make the news.


In addition, many of the LL players we see on TV have played together for years from select leagues to LL.

Playing select as individuals is not against the rules. Anyone can do it. Playing select as a team during the LL season will raise eyebrows and can lead to disqualification.

We had the TOMS River dynasty

Two years is a dynasty? Other leagues in the past have had repeat appearances too. If you look at the rosters, you will see they weren't the same kids for the most part.

The team from Florida (I think it was Apoca or something like that).

No one found that any rules were broken.

Then as Dave alluded to the Texas Team.

Not sure what they did. Probably manipulated charters.

This year there will be "someone else"

And more scrutiny

In addition to be more competitive LL changed the cut-off birth date from August 1st to April 1st beginning next year, so in essence you will have 13 yr. olds playing on a 60 ft. diamond.

I'm not so sure your "reason" is correct, but many of the kids at WIlliamsport have already turned 13 under the old age rules. The three month difference won't mean much - kids don't suddenly sprout at their 13th birthday.

As long as the LLWS is on TV for all to view, there will be some leagues that try and manipulate the system.

It isn't cause by TV, it's caused by a search for glory.

To Peter Osborne:

If you are going to write an article about LL, make certain you include some verbiage about Williamsport.

It might be society but one look no further than LL Headquarters itself.

And Peter, get info from a lot of sources. Limited sources will present a distorted view. Neither Pete B or I have a monopoly on the knowledge of what is really happening "out there".