Too good for LL . . .
 

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,410162,00.html

I accidentally appended this to the crossword puzzle thread, but here it is to start a new one.

What a predicament for all concerned.
Glas I'm just readin' about it and not dealin' with it.

Jeez! We had a kid that was throwing 55mph at age nine. Some kids even cried before they went into the box to face him. But ya know what? The league got better for it, started playing up to HIS level, and that propelled them to Williamsport. This kid ended up striking out 18 in six innings in WP, and is now playing on a scout team for the Angels. But the whole league got better because of his skills, instead of sending him elsewhere.

When I was 13, the local league I played in had very unbalanced teams. Some were made up of weaker players (such as myself), while others had guys who had devestating speed from 55 feet. We had a lot of "games" where we played 4 and a half innings, were lucky to get more than 2 plate appearances per player, most of us struck out at least once, and after an hour and 15 minutes we were done because of a 10 run mercy rule. Nobody improved, the games were a waste of time, the dominant teams acted like jerks, and our team left with a bad taste in our mouths.

It looks like we have another stacked little league team. They should let the pitcher and his team dominate the remainder of the season, then at the end of the year have all coaches fill out skills evaluations for each player. These evaluations can be kept over the winter, and the next year they should hold a day where all kids in the league have their skills evaluated a second time. The coaches can then hold a meeting where they draft players based on both evaluations, so that every team has an equal mix of "A", "B", "C" and "D" players.

First off, this is not a LL league. They are not affiliated with LL in any way. They are a local league made up of 4 teams that play each other and sometimes play neighborhood teams. I am not an advocate of LL but it is unfair to the LL Organization to associate this story with them.

Now, I have seen this young boy throw and in my opinion, he is no threat to anyone at all. He is nowhere near as fast or accurate as my son was at 9 years of age but he is darn good for his age. If he continues, I'll probable see him in HS Varsity down the road. Personally, I think that the parents of the opposing teams are a bunch of wimps that need to get their noses out of the kid's games but then as I stated above, this is a private league that uses a ton of "home rules". Their "rule book" is almost a thick as the OBR book is!

I am interested in this story because my son was throwing close to 60 MPH at age 9 and he was the 2nd rated pitcher in the LL association at the time! He had kids afraid of him too, but neither the league nor the parents ever pulled the crap as in this story. Even when he drilled a poor kid in the hand (the batter's fault) and broke the kid's fingers, my son was never asked to stop pitching. In fact, he was encouraged by all the coaches to continue pitching!

cheese and rice
 

Buck up and get in the box...

First guy to make contact is a hero on your "unbalanced" team...

It's not like you see this guy every game...

Take it as a challenge...

When I was nine and in Little League (I know this isn't a LL, but it's the same age group) we had this one left handed big kid in LL Minors that could really throw hard. We didn't have radar guns back then (as we had to get to our games in horse and buggy :) ), but this kid could bring it! Nobody gave us a break, nobody even thought twice about it. We had to buck up and take our hacks. He struck me out quite a few times. But I remember the day I got a triple off him, too. He made everyone better by being that good.

One other thing that bothers me about this BS case is that the parents said that the kids are scared, but that the boy is a very accurate pitcher. If he's that accurate, what do they have to be scared of? I could see it if he was really wild and was nailing batters left and right, putting kids in the hospital with broken bones. But he's accurate!!! Jeez, what a bunch of mama's boys on these other teams. If I were one of the teammates of this pitcher, I wouldn't accept reassignment to one of the teams that wussed out. I'd rather not play, thank you.

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.

When I was a kid playing LL, we ran laps if we jumped out of the batter's box for thinking we were going to get hit by the baseball. I was scared just like other kids were of the baseball. Until I got tired of running laps and "Man Up" and stuck it out and became a rather good player. Then I made the All-Star team in my last year largely because it became our practices were much harder than games, I learned to play. That training helped me become a starter as a freshman a private school (which never happened) in Missouri. I would have never achieved that without being knocked down. Now we have a bunch of parents that cannot teach their kids come courage, they want to protect them from certain failure, instead of teaching them how to get better through adversity. Or instead of teaching them how to work harder and beat those pitchers the next time. When is this madness going to stop!!! No wonder we have kids cursing out their coach when they do not play. We never teach them how to rise above failure.

Peace

Here is a follow up story on this matter.

From the New Haven Register :

<link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cmf5121%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmso html1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml">Parents of 9-year-old, 'too good' for league, taking legal action
By Pamela McLoughlin, Register Staff <o></o>
<o></o>
08/26/2008<o></o>
<o></o>
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.
<o></o>
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.<o></o>

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. <o></o>

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.<o>

</o> Williams says the league officials are out in left field.<o></o>
“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.”<o></o>

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

“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.<o></o>

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. <o></o>

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.<o></o>

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.<o></o>

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.<o></o>

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. <o></o>

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.<o></o>

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.<o></o>

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. <o></o>

Pamela McLoughlin can be reached at [email protected].<o></o>


©New Haven Register 2008

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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! <o></o><o>
</o>

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.

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.

I agree Steve! It's different if he is throwing the ball at 55 mph and wild as heck but he is accurate! To me, this is like hitting a pitching machine :confused: You're not going to get hit Johnny, swing the stick!

-Josh

This kinda stuff here is exactly why we will all be speaking chinese in 20 years.

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?

We might as well be, since some of us can't even spell "America" correctly.


Pssst....check your signature.:)

Wo bu syang sying -- ni fa feng le. :p

I knew someone was going to do it, and I had a hunch it would be you (or the Australian judge).

The decision has been made by the league, the coach has been released, little Jericho will be placed on another team and will not be allowed to pitch in this league.

This is an abbreviated take from WTNH TV News. I am not providing a link to the press conference as it requires you to download a real crappy player.

First, what a terrible decision these morons running the league have made.

Second, this story has made our local news coverage and I got to see Jericho pitch. From what I saw, he was a pretty average 9 year old pitcher. I was expecting some real fireballer, but he is just a good little pitcher, who is now being punished for being talented, just because little Johnny and his friends can't hit his fastball. I faced much more intimidating stuff when I was his age.

I think his coach and the Scott family should do some heavy-duty suing.

I don't know why you think it is fun to get owned by some team, knowing that the challenge of hitting this pitcher is way above our heads. Are you really serious in saying that youth non-competetive baseball leagues should have stacked teams? Think about all the time, money and fun gone to waste.

Are you saying all players with "superior" talent should be placed into other
leagues ? Just what the less-talented kids need, to have it pointed out to them that they are not good enough to play with certain others.How is this story about a stacked team ? It seems to me that it is about ONE outstanding pitcher.

They shouldn't be put into different leagues. They should be placed on different teams so that the talent is spread evenly within the league.

Typical liberal thinking. Let's make it fair, let's give trophies to everyone in the league for "participating," let's not reward excellence, but instead punish it by evening everything out so nobody is better than anyone else. What a load of crap. We should be rewarding this kid with the kiddie ball equivalent of the Cy Young award. He is the reason his team is doing so well. There was no mention of a "stacked team."

Like you said, you struck out a lot when you were little, so challenging pitchers weren't your favorites. Now you think along with these parents.

Myself and others here grew up relishing the challenge that really good pitchers presented, and looked forward to trying to best them. Sure, we struck out sometimes, but we didn't cry about it, or slam our bats down, or act up. We just tried harder next time until we found success ourselves.

What this league is doing is mollycoddling these kids, and not preparing them for life's lessons in the future. They will grow up to be even bigger wimps than their parents, which is sad.

Socialized baseball? Must be a cultural thing. We still believe in individual effort and one realizing the rewards derived from his talent, initiative and hard work.

SDS...well said..pretty much sums it up along with JRUTLEDGE....

My take...this is another example of the pussification of our youth...next thing you know they will have all the kids singing koombiya(sp) in the dugouts.

Canadaump6...I read alot of your posts and just shake my head....like the one where you "got in trouble" for calling batter interference for the kid comming across the plate, hindering the throw. Please tell me you would make that call again..everytime...and not that you have folded under pressure and will let it go. Do you really wonder why earning respect for the powers that be is so hard for you?Maybe baseball isn't for you. How about curling? Yea...not too fast and how much could it hurt being hit by one of those smudge pots on ice? And as a bonus little Johnny can learn to sweep things...which will be a bonus for his wife.....never mind......

And RPATRINO....yes I'm off my meds and it feels great!


griff

lmao
 

Steve- you brought tears to my eyes and my 14 yo son...

Bless you...

Canada...How can you have competition when everyone is evenly matched??


Sounds like a 3rd grade party with a Pinata and all the candy ends up on the ground...Mommy parent makes sure each kid gets an equal amount...even Engleberg who's munching on a Mounds bar...

Pussification.....I love it! Great word. Adding it to my spell checker right away! LMAO!!! :D

Cumbaya I believe is the proper spelling, IIRC.:)

Just read this one and still lmao.... As a fan of Curling, I couldn't agree more...

I bet the wife is watching the Brier while CanadaUmp is taking out the trash...

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.

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

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 :confused: It's been awhile since I've seen a 9-yo pitch though. Am I off my rocker?

-Josh

Yep
 

!00% correct Rut.!
:mad:

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

Ha!

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.

Classic example of American values. Forget about having fun, even when it's a league that is supposed to be fun. Competition and being the best take precedence over all the other reasons one might play in a Little League team.

This individualism is why America cannot get along with any other nation. Regardless, I cannot change the loudmouths in this thread who just know they are right, so I will not argue any further.

Hey, if it was expressed this way before, then sure, let the kids have fun. This league has playoffs, from what I've seen, so that dilutes your argument. There are leagues all over where fun and participation are the focal points. Once you add playoffs to the mix, IMO, you elevate competition just a bit.

Whose fun takes precedence? Jericho's, or the other kids who can't hit off him?

Frankly, from what I've read, it seems as if one of the board members has inserted himself into this to ensure his previously undefeated team wins the championship. This league has, hopefully, made a name for itself now; and maybe a new motto.

"Don't send your really talented kids here, we won't let them play."

Youth sports are about talent development, character building, fun, competition, and exercise. The league's policy has sacrificed three of these (for all the kids) for the benefit of one of them (for most of the kids).

What are these kids going to do when Mom and Dad aren't there to tell the other job seekers they can't compete because they're too good?

Fixed it for you.

Way to be confrontational.

You do not know where my values are.

I hate to sound like a jingo, but America does more to help other countries than any other country in the world, especially yours which does little in the way of international relief. The fact that the rest of the world is jealous of how our country works and prospers is totally beside the point.

Rugged individualism and pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is what made America great. If you want to talk trash about this fine nation, I suggest you take it somewhere else, because you won't find an audience here.

I think it's more of a parent problem than a kid problem...mommy who barely knows how to spell baseball, sees her little johnny strike out three times comes home crying and instead of teaching your kid that either you get better or sometimes you're not going to get a hit every time and some players are simply that good...no matter how much mommy and daddy spend sending you to expensive camps...you might get owned at the plate a time or two...

but instead they try to kick the kid out of little league because he's too good...what a joke.

LMAO.... You had better thank your Maple Leaf that America is here. It's America that keeps Canada safe, it sure as heck isn't France. As for the overall theme of this thread, the league is way out of line here. The only thing being taught to these kids, is that if they can't compete on the same level as another, complain, cry and whine, mommy will fix it for you.

Good one Walt, but in reality, John Williams is one of those attorneys that you would not want against you but you would seek his help in a minute. This is going to get real ugly, very quickly if he decides to take the case!

OH CANADAUMP6........do Canadian brains ever completely thaw? This is a perfect example of your tendencies to roll over when it gets tough. A lot like my previous point.

You have brought America into this conversation so I feel it"s my privilege to tell you how great this country is.

Over all we don't reward mediocrity.....there are winners...and everything else is losers.Now before you blow a gasket...losing isn't all bad...ESPECIALLY when you realize you cannot always win. It provides a balance in the big picture....if I lose...which does happen....then next time I'll do something different to win. What a concept.

According to your way of thinking(?)...if you lose then we need to realign the players..rules...whatever..so we all feel warm and fuzzy and nobody has hurt feelings. We then all benefit from an equally weak system....Canada comes to mind..with your health care system to your confusion on a single national language.....to your equally oppressive tax system on imports. I guess that if you (canada)don't make it...then tax the piss out of it.

But I digress....point is who bales this world out when it counts? The U.N. ?
Another ball and chain on this great land. How about we pull our ASSets out of that organization..then see how much help the world gets.

So Canadaump6....don't stop trying for someday you could win!

griff

That was exactly my point. If the league thinks it's okay to exclude a player who is better than the competition then why not take it to the extreme and try to exclude the better lawyer too.