[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by GarthB

I was lucky enough to be raised in a small upstate New York town that didn't have LL or organized youth ball. We played "sand lot" ball during the summer and school ball during the spring upon reaching junior high.

No parents, no coaches, no fans. Just kids playing baseball and having the time of our lives.

Garth you touched on what's IMO the problem with Youth Sports in General - You do not see Pick-up Games anymore. If there isn't a scheduled practice or Game, then for the most part kids do not play.

Baseball is NOT the Sport of choice anymore. I do not know about your area, but the Sport that has taken off in my area "like Wildfire" is LaCross. LaCross has taken many a good athlete not only from baseball but from football as well.

IMO, there is simply TOO MUCH baseball year around. In addition to playing sandlot, we played ALL sports. There was no FALL baseball because we were getting ready for football/basketball season. There are teams today that play almost a MLB type schedule meaning some 100 games year-round.

As far as LL or any other "youth organization" goes it is only as good as the individuals who run it. You can have a great Boy/Girl Scout experience or not depending upon whom the troop leader is, etc.

Also, let's face it for the most part "youth sports" is nothing more than a baby-sitting service so that Mom/Dad can have aday to themselves while LJ is at the Field all day.

Pete Booth