Too good for LL . . .

[ozzy6900]

Here is a follow up story on this matter.

From the New Haven Register :

Parents of 9-year-old, 'too good' for league, taking legal action
By Pamela McLoughlin, Register Staff

08/26/2008

NEW HAVEN — The fight between youth baseball league officials and one of its teams over a player whose pitching is said to be too good for batters is moving from the ball field to the legal field.

Leroy and Nicole Scott, whose fast-pitching son, Jericho, 9, is at the center of the dispute, met Monday, along with another player’s parents, with prominent attorney John Williams to see whether the season could be saved. Williams said Monday he will take legal action to try to get Jericho’s team into the upcoming playoffs, where they belong after an 8-0 season. He also will sue the league over the pain and suffering of Jericho and the other young players.

League officials offered to move the team’s 13 players to other squads after they tried to dissolve the team last week because the coach, Wilfred Vidro, refused to pull Jericho off the pitcher’s mound as requested by league officials.

Jericho’s pitches are so fast and accurate that league officials and some parents feared their kids weren’t able to play freely, league attorney Peter Noble said recently. All the players on Jericho’s team declined to move and are sticking together.

Williams says the league officials are out in left field.
“This is a terrible, terrible thing happening to these kids,” Williams said. “Not only does it spoil their summer and their childhood, but it tells them it’s more about winning than doing your best. Everything we value children in athletics for, this is the antithesis.”

Leroy Scott said Jericho remains sad about the situation, blaming himself for the team’s troubles, troubles that keep them from playing ball.

“He’s trying to hold the weight of the world on his shoulders,” Leroy Scott said. “The kids are suffering because they were looking forward to the playoffs.

Scott said no one from the team of 13 has sided with the league, and league officials have declined to answer their many questions, leaving no choice but to approach the situation legally.

Parents will hold a car wash and other fundraisers to offset the cost of hiring Williams, known for being willing to tackle out of the ordinary cases.

Noble had no comment Monday, but said over the weekend the league has only the best interest of kids in mind and it is intended to be fun.

Vidro, who couldn’t be reached for comment, has said he never resigned, even though Noble has said that he did. When Vidro refused to remove Jericho from a game Wednesday, the other team walked off the field as Jericho began his warm-up pitches.

Vidro has said Jericho’s expert pitching should be looked upon favorably by other teams and parents because it will only help make their kids stronger players.

But Noble said Jericho’s pitches are so good that some of other children feel getting a hit is hopeless and are discouraged from the start. Noble admits Jericho’s pitches are not haphazard or apt to hit people.

The Scotts and Vidro said they believe league officials wanted Jericho off the mound because those officials wanted another team to win; a team that was in first place prior to Jericho’s appearance and is sponsored by Carlito’s Barber Shop, where a league official has a haircutting chair.

Noble said league officials are trying to find a traveling or other advanced team for Jericho, a New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez fan. But Jericho’s mom, Nicole, said she wants him to feel good about using his talents on a team that could benefit most from his efforts.

Pamela McLoughlin can be reached at [email protected].


©New Haven Register 2008

Now the big problem with all of this is that the president of the league is the manager of what was the 2nd place team (now the 1st place team - surprise, surprise, surprise!).

Originally Posted by JRutledge

This is just another attempt to soften our kids and make everyone feel good about themselves. I am so glad I am not a parent in this day and age, because I would be going crazy. I would especially feel upset by these middle class, “booshee” parents that think the way to success is to never allow your kids some failure. And this story is just another reason why I do not want to work games with little kids in the first place.

I've been saying this for over 10 years now and people have been telling me that I was wrong. Well, here is the proof that the "sissy ways" and the coddling of the 1990's have finally caught up to us!

[Emperor Ump]

And I'm sure there havent been other pitchers like Randy Johnson who intimidated batters coming up the ranks.

I know there's a video of a MLB player bailing out on Johnson before he releases the pitch, but I can only find Johnson hitting the bird on YouTube right now.

These kids will be better for the experience if they win or lose.

[JugglingReferee]

Gretzky had the same problem - he excelled among kids his own age. Can they not move the player up an age group or two, (or three?), like they did with Gretzky. Obviously it worked... just look at history.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Gretzky had the same problem - he excelled among kids his own age. Can they not move the player up an age group or two, (or three?), like they did with Gretzky. Obviously it worked... just look at history.

Just because he can pitch at a higher level doesn't mean he can hit, field, run, etc. at the higher level. And should he be forced to move up a level? Shouldn't that be up to his parents?

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Just because he can pitch at a higher level doesn't mean he can hit, field, run, etc. at the higher level. And should he be forced to move up a level? Shouldn't that be up to his parents?

To answer your q's... not forced and yes. But if the kid has a gift, playing tiddlywinks with the 8-9 year olds does little.

[ozzy6900]

This story just gets better and better! Here's a link to the latest happenings with this mess in New Haven, CT. Now the league already has an attorney involved so the kid's family got a powerful and famous, local attorney (John Williams) to look at the matter. Now the City of New Haven is crying because Mr. Williams Esq. will become involved! What a joke this is turning into!

The New Haven Register 8/27/2008

[jdmara]

I hate to discount the kids potential/talent but has anyone been watching the videos on the news? From the reports I've seen and the footage of him throwing, it doesn't look that extraordinary It's been awhile since I've seen a 9-yo pitch though. Am I off my rocker?

-Josh

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Now the City of New Haven is crying because Mr. Williams Esq. will become involved! What a joke this is turning into!

Maybe the city could appeal to a high court and have Mr. Williams tossed off the case because he's too good!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

To answer your q's... not forced and yes. But if the kid has a gift, playing tiddlywinks with the 8-9 year olds does little.

Remember, sports at this age is as much about socialization as anything else. Ask any academic prodigy about the ramifications of moving up too quickly in school.

Putting a 9 year old, against his will and against his parents better judgment, into a league with 11 and 12 year olds is just too much. I'd be willing to lay odds that he doesn't hit above his level, or run faster than other kids his age. If that's true, then he shouldn't be pushed to compete above his age group.