9 year old too good for baseball?

South of Seattle

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3553475

Was just reading a story on ESPN about a little league pitcher that is supposedly too good. They told the kid he can't pitch because he throws too hard

His coach sent him out to pitch and the other team forfeited.

What do you think? I think it's pretty lame that people are teaching their kids to quit or walk away if someone is better than you.

I feel the same way about giving every kid an award even if they don't deserve one. Too much PC bullshit these days.

know1

It's pretty pathetic, although I can almost see the issue with the idea that the kid is a pitcher and throws so much harder than the other kids are used to. If he is a bit inaccurate, he'll probably hit one of them.

South of Seattle

know1 wrote:

It's pretty pathetic, although I can almost see the issue with the idea that the kid is a pitcher and throws so much harder than the other kids are used to. If he is a bit inaccurate, he'll probably hit one of them.

That's what helmets are for. Did you watch any of the little league world series at all? There were kids out there in gear similar to what the riot squad would have.

The thing is that this kid hasn't hit anyone yet.

know1

South of Seattle wrote:

That's what helmets are for. Did you watch any of the little league world series at all? There were kids out there in gear similar to what the riot squad would have.

The thing is that this kid hasn't hit anyone yet.

9 years old is a ways below the age of the Little League World series. Also, the teams that make it on ESPN are well-funded and well-equipped.

South of Seattle

know1 wrote:

9 years old is a ways below the age of the Little League World series. Also, the teams that make it on ESPN are well-funded and well-equipped.

Most decent teams are funded pretty well, regardless. The teams I was always on and played against were.

I think actual little league is kind of a sham anyways. Super short fences lots of weird little rules. Where I grew up the players that weren't as good played on the little league teams. But that's another topic.

know1

South of Seattle wrote:

Most decent teams are funded pretty well, regardless. The teams I was always on and played against were.

I think actual little league is kind of a sham anyways. Super short fences lots of weird little rules. Where I grew up the players that weren't as good played on the little league teams. But that's another topic.

Well..whatever. I said that I thought it was pathetic that they wouldn't let them play. I was just acknowledging the fact that he's a pitcher makes it at least somewhat understandable.

South of Seattle

know1 wrote:

Well..whatever. I said that I thought it was pathetic that they wouldn't let them play. I was just acknowledging the fact that he's a pitcher makes it at least somewhat understandable.

Wasn't saying you're wrong about it. Just giving an opinion. I agree with you (for the most part)

battan1120

The story also states that he was asked to play for another SPONSORED Team that went undefeated the previous year.The boy said no.Those who have played or coached little league know that some shady things exist.I'd have to guess that there is not a rule that states if your child is to good he can't play.

jasonw

40 is not even that fast for little league, it's not slow either but not super fast

blackredyellow

That's pathetic... Let the kid play out the year.

The article says it's a league for 8-10 year-olds. If he's that good, next season maybe move him up the next league a year early.

Flannel Shirt

The kids on the world series were throwin 60+ (equal to a 90+ mlb pitch...impressive). Granted the pitchers in the llws were all pretty much 12, and in three years you can build strenght, but 40 isnt something these kids havent seen before.

This story is fucked up, and the other coach that forfeited is an asshole. He should have had his team face em. The kid is 9. Its not like Pedro was pitching.

Sadly, its all about winning. He thought he couldnt win so he quit. Asshole.
I would have loved the opportunity to have faced him when I was 9. Shit, Id love to face him now.

harrymanback

i can relate. when i was 9, i was striking out too many (i usually struck out the side) and they moved the mound back a couple feet to the distance used by 10-11 yr olds.

tybird

battan1120 wrote:

The story also states that he was asked to play for another SPONSORED Team that went undefeated the previous year.The boy said no.Those who have played or coached little league know that some shady things exist.I'd have to guess that there is not a rule that states if your child is to good he can't play.

Here's the truth.....this issue is all about some adult egos. :(

Pacomc79

Losing breeds character.

THis league should be disbanded and the children taken away from these worthless parents.

Embarassing. We just celebrate Michael Phelps... and damn a 9 year old for being great.

Eventually, those kids will catch up with the 40MPH fast ball and be better players because of it.

Drop The Leash 10

if i was a kid on the other team, i wouldnt want to quit. you fuckin kiddin me. id want the challenge. bunch of pussies.

smithnic

Drop The Leash 10 wrote:

if i was a kid on the other team, i wouldnt want to quit. you fuckin kiddin me. id want the challenge. bunch of pussies.

Ex-fucking-zactly!!

This is the stupidest story I've read in a long time! Get out there and try you pansies! Wah, he throws hard!!

catch22

Pacomc79 wrote:

Losing breeds character.

THis league should be disbanded and the children taken away from these worthless parents.

Embarassing. We just celebrate Michael Phelps... and damn a 9 year old for being great.

Eventually, those kids will catch up with the 40MPH fast ball and be better players because of it.

no kidding. talk about celebrating mediocrity.

though speaking as a kid who sucked at little league and spent most of his at-bats making sure he wasn't hit by a pitch, i wouldn't want to have hit against him. but i'd have done what i did with all the good pitchers: stand at the back corner and hope for a walk

Allie

he'll get drafted in the first round and make 100 million dollars later on in life

the Yankees should sign him up now!

nick1977

I would need to know more about this league to know what to think. If he is far superior than the other kids in the league, then he belongs in a more competetive environment.

There are little leagues tailored to kids who want to go out and have fun and not be overly competetive, then there are leagues that are very, very competetive.

I was in a very competetive league for a couple years as a kid. I'm not all that athletic, and did not enjoy it....I switched leagues to a less competetive league, and had a great time.

I think the proper way to handle this is to refer the boy to a more competetive league. He has no business in a beginners league or a league where people want to have fun and are not so competetive.

Kids ought to play with others who are either at, or just above their own skill level. Playing with kids far under or far over your skill level is just not fun for any child. Sounds to me that he did not belong in this league. If that team dominated all others, perhaps they should leave the league and play competetively in tournaments or in another league with better teams.

markymark550

battan1120 wrote:

The story also states that he was asked to play for another SPONSORED Team that went undefeated the previous year.The boy said no.Those who have played or coached little league know that some shady things exist.I'd have to guess that there is not a rule that states if your child is to good he can't play.

tybird wrote:

Here's the truth.....this issue is all about some adult egos. :(

Yes, these two posts hit the crux of the problem. If he played for the defending champs (that is sponsored by a company that employs one of the league's administrators), I'd bet everything I own that this wouldn't be an issue and wouldn't make national headlines. He would probably be labeled and the next star in New Haven baseball. Instead, the pre-destined team isn't the best anymore and some parents and coaches have their panties in a wad and won't let this kid compete. It's a fucking shame and those responsible should be banned from having anything to do with the league.

catch22

nick1977 wrote:

I would need to know more about this league to know what to think. If he is far superior than the other kids in the league, then he belongs in a more competetive environment.

There are little leagues tailored to kids who want to go out and have fun and not be overly competetive, then there are leagues that are very, very competetive.

I was in a very competetive league for a couple years as a kid. I'm not all that athletic, and did not enjoy it....I switched leagues to a less competetive league, and had a great time.

I think the proper way to handle this is to refer the boy to a more competetive league. He has no business in a beginners league or a league where people want to have fun and are not so competetive.

Kids ought to play with others who are either at, or just above their own skill level. Playing with kids far under or far over your skill level is just not fun for any child. Sounds to me that he did not belong in this league. If that team dominated all others, perhaps they should leave the league and play competetively in tournaments or in another league with better teams.

i dunno, are there a lot of super-competitive leagues for 9 year olds? i kinda hope not. and the article says he was "recruited" by some sponsored team and chose another sponsored team. that feels like it might be the competitive league.

im with the poster above though... this IS all about adult egos. the worst job i've ever held was umpiring little league baseball. those people need serious help.