New Evidence Of The "wussification" Of America

[UNTLifer]

Nothing like telling a kid he is too good, so he can't play. Total B.S. There were many good pitchers when I played youth league baseball and some we didn't think we could hit, but at least we tried and eventually succeeded. Today, if you can't do it, well then why even try. Unbelievable!

9 Year Old Told He Can't Pitch Because He Is Too Good

[untbowler]

very pathetic, just change the W to a P and it fits better. So tired of excellence being seen as a penalty. now now you can not play doddgeball, because someone might lose, tag?!?! nope someone might be picked on, ummm how about Red Rover?!?! Nope someone might not win.

[meangreendork]

Nothing like telling a kid he is too good, so he can't play. Total B.S. There were many good pitchers when I played youth league baseball and some we didn't think we could hit, but at least we tried and eventually succeeded. Today, if you can't do it, well then why even try. Unbelievable!

9 Year Old Told He Can't Pitch Because He Is Too Good

That's balls. I know it wasn't a competitive league, and I know some parents are worried about their kids being hurt, but kids can get hurt in any sport. Pop warner football can get kids seriously hurt. Softball can do the same thing.

[Coffee and TV]

Meh. I think the headline might be a little misleading. Sounds to me its more like sore losers and politics involved. I remember when I was in 4th grade topping out with a 40mph fastball. Of course that was the height of my athletic career, but nontheless, its not that unusual to be throwing that hard at that age.

[FirefightnRick]

You just don't do this, you just don't. With that said, the fact that they made the decision after the kid's team rose to 8-0, that's the sorriest of it all. Poor judgement by the league and an even worse message to the kids, "That if you come to a blockaid or difficult task, you simply quit". How about, instead of quitting, the week your to play his team you take yours to the batting cages and run the speed up a bit and let them get used to the higher speed. It would take two trips and everyone would be getting around on the kid.

This is in line with the incredible basketball kid that was posted here last year. He was forced to play up an age? Which, if the above league had any sense at all, probably could have convinced Jericho's parents to do, prior to the season starting? That would have benefitted everyone. The other kids wouldn't be forced to crap their pants when they faced him, and Jericho would have been able to elevate his game even higher.

Pitiful.

Rick

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

--- That is nuts.... The only justification would be a very over-sized kid in something like football where there actually is a risk of injury to smaller kids. The kid is actually a very normal size (as shown on TV).... and supposedly has not hit or hurt anyone. Moving him up to an older age group would be a risk to the kid involved. One answer would be to restrict him to a certain amount of innings per game as pitcher... That would likely be better for him anyway and not allow him to hurt his arm at a young age. All-star games...different issue, turn him loose, follow the rules for everyone, after all, he is of legal age...

--- No doubt there have been some nutty little league coaches that actually throw that fast (or faster) at kids..... That really isn't justified.

[FirefightnRick]

Moving him up to an older age group would be a risk to the kid involved.

It is very widespread of more mature kids playing up a level in little league and Pony baseball. You can move your kid up, but not down in age bracket. Everyone has that option that I know of and it is one of the reasons so many select leagues have formed.

Rick

Edited August 28, 2008 by FirefightnRick

[LongJim]

Get the parents out of the equation, and this problem goes away.

[emmitt01]

This is crazy. What a Republican thing to do.

Yep...outlandish characterizations work in every sphere of the public domain.

[UNTflyer]

This is crazy. What a Republican thing to do.

Yep...outlandish characterizations work in every sphere of the public domain.

It's actually a very Democrat thing to do... you know, equity of benefits as opposed to equal opportunity.

Everyone should get a trophy!

[JesseMartin]

They tried to pull that crap at a HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING tourney I was in. I didn't fare so well (4th) but got a medal?! I refused to accept it at first, but my coach made me go stand up there for the "ceremony". It was embarrassing. I would much rather have been able to quietly accept that I had a crappy day instead of standing up there.