So Un-american

[DeepGreen]

I don't have a link to this video story, but here is the guts of it. Little Leaguers must be cutting into MLB profits.

MLB Orders Teams to Change Names

Suburban Chicago Little League teams have been warned,

change your names or buy your uniforms from the official

supplier to Major League Baseball. (May 27)

[KRAM1]

Just another reason to love professional baseball! The LL has been using such uniforms in lots of places around th country for years...what in the sam hill is up with MLB? You would think that they would love the PR for the major leagues and want the young players to identify with the "Bigs". But, what do i know. With the pros...it's all about the money, isn't it? This just seals the deal for me! STUPID IS WHAT STUPID DOES!

I will bet that with the PR MLB gets, they might just re-think this stupid move. Hope so!

[Quoner]

Just another reason to love professional baseball! The LL has been using such uniforms in lots of places around th country for years...what in the sam hill is up with MLB? You would think that they would love the PR for the major leagues and want the young players to identify with the "Bigs". But, what do i know. With the pros...it's all about the money, isn't it? This just seals the deal for me! STUPID IS WHAT STUPID DOES!

I will bet that with the PR MLB gets, they might just re-think this stupid move. Hope so!

Agreed this is dumb, but where you outraged against college sports when Kansas State asked Flower Mound High School to change their logo?

Those damn colleges...always about money.

[Eagle1855]

Agreed this is dumb, but where you outraged against college sports when Kansas State asked Flower Mound High School to change their logo?

Interesting. My former HS uses K-State's logos as well. Some 7 TD's and an impressive hurdling later, my HS is now best-known for being Sam McGuffie's bitch.

Edited May 28, 2008 by Eagle1855

[Green Mean]

I don't have a link to this video story, but here is the guts of it. Little Leaguers must be cutting into MLB profits.

MLB Orders Teams to Change Names

Suburban Chicago Little League teams have been warned,

change your names or buy your uniforms from the official

supplier to Major League Baseball. (May 27)

Baseball is my favorite sport but theres just some things not right with all the big whigs running the thing. Those kids are the reason why players make millions of dollars.

[Coffee and TV]

Technically it is a trademark infringement.

[Green Mean]

Technically it is a trademark infringement.

Oh I agree but man theres just something not right about that. I mean taking action against a little league association just seems a bit odd. Maybe the MLB can say look, just buy it from us and we will closely match the price to wherever else you get it. I mean a multi billion dollar institution bullying a little league association just seems a bit odd to me.

[Censored by Laurie]

This seems greedy.

I'm confussed by the title of this thread.

[Green Mean]

I'm confussed by the title of this thread.

I was thinking the same thing

[Eagle1855]

I'm confussed by the title of this thread.

Is that like a really annoyed state of confusion?

not agreeing with something someone does makes them un-American. It's simple, really. Duh.

Edited May 28, 2008 by Eagle1855

[KRAM1]

I don't think Flower Mound had been using K-State's logo as long as the LL has been wearing MLB style uniforms/logos. I think the LL thing goes back way before there was a Flower Mound HS...but, to answer you question directly...Quoner...yes, I was pretty "hacked off" by K-State's actions too! But, that was HS and the HS did charge for attendance...the LL does not charge, they are 10-12 year olds and the LL is a great American institution that does a great job with young men/boys...all volunteer. A bit different in my book than a HS with paid coaches and ticket sales. If the LL charged for admission, I would be less "po'd" at MLB, but still hacked!

[Quoner]

I don't think Flower Mound had been using K-State's logo as long as the LL has been wearing MLB style uniforms/logos. I think the LL thing goes back way before there was a Flower Mound HS...but, to answer you question directly...Quoner...yes, I was pretty "hacked off" by K-State's actions too! But, that was HS and the HS did charge for attendance...the LL does not charge, they are 10-12 year olds and the LL is a great American institution that does a great job with young men/boys...all volunteer. A bit different in my book than a HS with paid coaches and ticket sales. If the LL charged for admission, I would be less "po'd" at MLB, but still hacked!

Little League Financial Data: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?...&orgid=5086

Revenue

Primary Revenue $17,924,426

Other Revenue $3,777,591

Total Revenue $21,702,017

Expenses

Program Expenses $16,437,478

Administrative Expenses $1,726,968

Fundraising Expenses $106,545

Total Functional Expenses $18,270,991

Payments to Affiliates $0

Excess (or Deficit) for the year $3,431,026

Net Assets $66,396,795

[DeepGreen]

This seems greedy.

I'm confussed by the title of this thread.

Don't over analyze the title. American=Baseball=Apple Pie. To ding the little leagues is un-American in my book.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

I don't have a link to this video story, but here is the guts of it. Little Leaguers must be cutting into MLB profits.

MLB Orders Teams to Change Names

Suburban Chicago Little League teams have been warned,

change your names or buy your uniforms from the official

supplier to Major League Baseball. (May 27)

and to think so many in baseball don't understand why it is hard to get people to come out to the games.

[FirefightnRick]

A couple of things. I don't care for the "Little League" Association much. We have it here in Weatherford and I am quite familiar with their by laws and such. I mostly don't care for their "We are a voluntary organization" stance. I understand why, but I don't agree with it because it leads to bad umpiring by people who are not trained well or at all while calling the games etc. Plus there's instances like this. Little League bans 7 year old because his mother missed her turn at the concession stand. As amazingly retarded as that story is I certainly can believe it and see it happening. I would much rather prefer a private system like "Optimist" or "Pony". There's always going to be problems with any organization but the LL is full of themselves and it shows. I don't feel one bit sorry for them having to pay up for what they owe MLB.

Rick

[KRAM1]

FFRick...I understand where you are coming from in some of the comments you make regarding LL, but no other youth sports group can claim any better record of success over as long a period of time. I was "big time" involved in competitive soccer with my son being a team manager, a club president, a tournament director, league volunteer and referee, so I can say I have seen the "good, the bad and the ugly" in some VERY good organizations. Often the parents are the problem not the kids...that goes without saying. Some folks just think they "deserve" special favors and special "handling" for whatever reason and it looks bad for the group as a whole. There will ALWAYS be folks who find reasons to complain about any organization whether it be run by un-paid volunteers or paid professionals. I have seen some pretty BAD umpiring and refereeing done by experienced paid refs and some great jobs done by unpaid volunteers. I am sure you have too. In some areas of the country LL is the best thing going, in others...not so much. I played and coached in Dallas BBI (youth baseball)...thought it was a pretty well run group while I was involved, but some folks though otherwise...

When I was approached by someone complaining long and loud about something within the club when I was president or a parent who was "upset" about something on the team I managed (managed, not coached), I would try to lisen to what they were really trying to say, then I would thank them for their concerns and input and I would ask them to volunteer their time and talent on the board or with the team in some capacity. More often than not, they then gave me a long list of excuses why THEY couldn't do anything and then they "ran for the hills". Always put a bit of a smile on my face. To give your time as a volunteer to any organization is often a way to make you a "target" for folks who "just don't have the time" to help, but have plenty of time to complain. On the other hand, it is a great way to spend quality time with young folks in a positive and fun environment. Now, if we could just get those parents to calm down.

[Censored by Laurie]

FFRick...I understand where you are coming from in some of the comments you make regarding LL, but no other youth sports group can claim any better record of success over as long a period of time. I was "big time" involved in competitive soccer with my son being a team manager, a club president, a tournament director, league volunteer and referee, so I can say I have seen the "good, the bad and the ugly" in some VERY good organizations. Often the parents are the problem not the kids...that goes without saying. Some folks just think they "deserve" special favors and special "handling" for whatever reason and it looks bad for the group as a whole. There will ALWAYS be folks who find reasons to complain about any organization whether it be run by un-paid volunteers or paid professionals. I have seen some pretty BAD umpiring and refereeing done by experienced paid refs and some great jobs done by unpaid volunteers. I am sure you have too. In some areas of the country LL is the best thing going, in others...not so much. I played and coached in Dallas BBI (youth baseball)...thought it was a pretty well run group while I was involved, but some folks though otherwise...

When I was approached by someone complaining long and loud about something within the club when I was president or a parent who was "upset" about something on the team I managed (managed, not coached), I would try to lisen to what they were really trying to say, then I would thank them for their concerns and input and I would ask them to volunteer their time and talent on the board or with the team in some capacity. More often than not, they then gave me a long list of excuses why THEY couldn't do anything and then they "ran for the hills". Always put a bit of a smile on my face. To give your time as a volunteer to any organization is often a way to make you a "target" for folks who "just don't have the time" to help, but have plenty of time to complain. On the other hand, it is a great way to spend quality time with young folks in a positive and fun environment. Now, if we could just get those parents to calm down.

Danny Almonte agrees with you

[Quoner]

Danny Almonte agrees with you

To be fair, he was the first player/parent.

[FirefightnRick]

FFRick...I understand where you are coming from in some of the comments you make regarding LL, but no other youth sports group can claim any better record of success over as long a period of time.

Probably simply because they are the longest, oldest standing voluntary organization around, which they sure rely on in telling you so. I find their methods completely out of date. They still think every child has a parent at home all day instead of the reality(both parents work) and a father who works 8 to 5 and comes home to a cooked meal as soon as he hits the door then it's off with the kids for free time. I played baseball for 12 years and I keep in touch with many of the players and friends I grew up with from Burleson(A privately run Pony league, who boasts over 600 kids playing organized baseball last year alone). Plus I work with countless other fathers whose kids play baseball in and around the area, and outside of those who live here in Weatherford no one else's kid plays in an LL sponsored league and all are very happy that they don't. I'll present them with some of the problems we face and they can't believe it. Such as, why in hell doesn't someone use some common sense in regards to umpires and concession stands? It's a very simple fix? Nearly every parent and coach and league official would gladly pay an extra $10 to $20 to pay for someone to work their shifts in the concession stands, or to bring in professionally paid umpires. But the National Little League is staunchly against it because "We're strictly a volunteer" organization. And here in Weatherford, we have the luxury of having a local COLLEGE full of kids looking for part time work? So make coaches not only have to spend their free time putting teams together, practicing and getting them ready for the seasons, which includes field care, but they have to umpire the other games and work the concession stands or badger someone into doing it. It's just retarded. I'll tell you this, our local privately run soccer association here outperforms the baseball, hands down. HANDS DOWN!!!! And it's all because they have the freedom to use a common sense approach in going about solving the problems as they arise.

Rick

[KRAM1]

FFRick...which local soccer association is that? Would it be the Denton Soccer Association or one closer to home for you? By the way...the local Denton Soccer Association is very accomodating and they bend over backwards for the kids...with the DSA it is all about the kids...great group of long (and I mean long) time volunteers...I referee for them and I can tell you they get their "share" of parents and coaches complaining, but they really work hard to make it a great experience for the kids. I am sure not everyone is 100% satisfied, but I don't see how that can ever be the case. I have also served in volunteer capacities for Denton Soccer as well as my referee gig, but there is no way what I have done with them matches up to some of the absolutely wonderful volunteers DSA has...congrats to all of them...they are "local heros one and all".

[KRAM1]

FFR...how about getting a team "manager" to do all the parent and volunteer scheduling for the team? Youth competitive soccer does this so the coach can concentarte on coaching. There is usually a person/parent with a kid on the team that would glady step up in the manager type role. Keep the coach coaching and let some one with a "wagon master" mind/mentatility get the parents on the team organized and ramrod all that sort of stuff. Works very well in the competitive soccer environment. Just a thought....with DSA there is a group of young folks who "man" the concession stand each weekend, and they are paid...but it works VERY well. Also the referees are paid, but some do "donate" their pay back to the association. Each referee must be certaified and licensed through the United States Soccer Federation and the local USSF affiliate North Texas State Soccer Association. Each must take classes and be re-certified with a test each year to keep their license. However, this does not in any way make them all great referees. Just ask some of the coaches and parents from the games I have refereed over the last 20 years or so of refereeing at various levels including recreational, men's adult leagues, select/competitive/high school, etc. But, each time it seems at least half of the folks are happy with the call! Go figure....

[FirefightnRick]

It's the Weatherford soccer association. And yes, they have the coach/manager system set up with our LL baseball league already but they both end up having to umpire the next or previous games and someone has to fill a spot at the concession stand. Last year I couldn't get any parents to fill all the spots so as a coach I'm up there umpiring, working on the fields and selling cokes and candy, as I'm sure you have experienced it before yourself. I guess it all works itself out but the soccer association here seems to run much smoother?

Rick