Little League rule-head first slide

[kylejt]

Yikes!

I've been working at my local LL park for the last 17 years. Some rules are dopey, but most are based around an average kid playing the game.

The trouble is, of course, no parent thinks they have an average kid. Thus, the stupid rules about wearing helmets, throat protectors, no big barrel bats or metal cleats, no bowling over the catcher, etc.

I remember Mickey Mantle's roommate on the Yankees telling me how stupid it was that players slid in fingers first to a base, as he crushed many a digit playing second. But what did he know?

I know, it's not real baseball. But real baseball is played with wooded bats, 90 foot basepaths, with metal cleats, and full contact at the plate. Everything else is played with age, size and skill level taken into consideration.