Jenkins: The World Series has become a distorting influence, infecting kids and parents alike with major league fantasies that lead to emotional and physical stresses
Article Source: NBC Sports
from:NBC SportsLittle Leaguers growing up way too fast
Seeded on Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:19 PM EDT (NBC Sports)
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You're right. It has always annoyed me to see 11-12 year olds stepping out on every pitch to redo the velco on their gloves- why would kids that size need 2 gloves- why would the velco need to be adjusted when they took the last pitch? Then the crap of looking for a sign when the count is 0-2- are they expecting a take sign? They don't seem to really understand how to play the game. Then there is the 12 year old who is really an anomoly or another birth certificate cheater 6foot 190 pound 12 year olds- send them up to the Babe
Ruth league and stop giving normal kids inferiority complexes because of these freaks.
I get the feeling many of you who read these articles have never played baseball. I know Jenkins hasnt.
First, if you ever have played the game, you know running around all that dirt occassionaly gets in your mouth. So you spit. Just like big-leagures. There not always mimicking big leagures because its cool, but because its neccessary. Your comment about not needing gloves. Why wouldnt they? Get jammed by a 65MPH pitch and see how good your hands feel.
Go play the game, then make educated comments.
LMFAO!!!
The average 12 year old in most developed countries is a chubby playstation addicted coach potato eating too many nachos and in dire need of exercise and human interaction and are too often destined to be a pot-smoking dreg libby or something WORSE. Why? These kids lack worthwhile role models, work ethics, moral values, ethics in general, and you could even say religion. Too many kids grow up rudderless because of rudderless parents and a rudderless hollywood.
It amazes me that an ignorant modern-liberal columnist would indict SPORTS as destructive. Because that's what she's doing. SPORTS, spelling bee's, getting good grades, making the debate team? Are ALL competitive and stressful. Kids? They need to get use to that because? Some day they WON'T be kids! LMFAO!!! Elementary.
Competitive sports is the LEAST of our worries when it comes to kids. Same goes for stressful spelling bees.
Sheesh.
Jenkins should get off her fat duff and get a hobby or something.
I think a lot of the blame (if that's the right word....maybe not) can be placed with the parents first of all, and then with the coaches. Parents have to understand this isn't the big leagues, but for the kids. I coached recreation league basketball and soccer for 8 years. I took more grief from parents than anyone else. I had rules. Actually my teams had rules, because I made the first three, they made the rest of the rules as a team. MY first three rules were #1 Have Fun #2 Have Fun #3 Have Fun. My kids always did. WE as a team figured that if you made it to practice, you got to play, but if you didn't your playing time might be less. I made sure that every kid on my teams played a half game. Talent didn't matter, EFFORT, and TRYING mattered. It's funny. There was a local blab newspaper. Every town has one probably. Comes out once a week, all local stuff. After each game my teams played, I put together an article for the local blab, describing all the great plays, the extra effort this one or that one had done. NOBODY was ever left out. The first time I did it, not everyone saw the articles, but heard from friends about them. After that, they ALL couldn't wait for the publication. Nice thing was the articles were news reports so it only cost me a little time.
Yes, my teams had a lot of fun, and so did I. They learned sportsmanship, caring for team mates, not mocking someone who maybe was not quite as good at the sport as another. Lots of good life lessons. I made it a point to not shout, not be negative, and never kept track of wins and losses. Evidently my teams did pretty well, since we were in the play offs each year, and won a couple of them. The whole thing, at least as I see it from my experience, let the kids have fun. Remember that the league is for KIDS, not for parents and not the coaches.
The World Series is probably a good thing for kids, so exciting and the experience of a lifetime, but somehow the league needs to not take themselves so seriously. It's all about fun.
LMFAO!!!
Only the sorriest loser on the planet would rag on little league baseball players for giving other kids INFERIORITY COMPLEXES?????????!!!!!
Jim? You made my DAY!!!!! LMFAO!!!!!!
WOW!!!
If watching a little tike hitting a homer is going to give ANYONE an inferiority complex? That mental weakling shouldn't walk out of the house, watch TV, or read the news or go to school.
Your right Jim. 13 year olds should be up in Babe Ruth level. Some of the cocky kids do seem to spit an awful lot, dirt in the mouth or not. I wonder if the kids spit that much at school or around the house. That one spoiled pitcher that smiles like Mr. Spock and hits batters when things aren't going his way needs to be beaned a few times. The uys right fielder runs into the wall in foul territory trying to make a catch and the pitcher gets ticked, Not because his teamate is laying on the ground hurt, but because he didn't catch the ball to get him out of a jam. The pros don't act like that pitcher did. I'm glad he lost. Cocky, bad attitiude. I was hoping that he would make the last out but the little poop hit a homer. Still didn't smile either.
Here are a few comments from someone who played little league ball for 7 years:
1. Boys spitting and grabbing their crotches and emulating their heroes is nothing. Forget it.
2. ESPN and every other cable network is over-the-top. It's horrible, but it's permanent.
3. Putting that kind of pressure on your son/daughter at that age can cause emotional problems they'll carry for years; maybe the rest of their lives. I know from personal experience. Parents who do this have a problem, in my opinion, and they're causing problems for their kids in turn.
3. The pressure thing from #3 applies not only to sports, but to academics, and other areas. Just look at the ordeals of some of the big-time spelling-bee participants.
4. Compelling kids to perform at levels their bodies are not naturally prepared for can also cause permanent problems. Again, the parents who push this or allow it are irresponsible.
In a perfect world, this kind of spectacle wouldn't exist. Kids could enjoy healthy competition and learn about winning/losing/sportsmanship in a way that didn't damage their undeveloped minds or bodies. But the grownups are running the show, and they often use kids to meet their own emotional/financial needs, despite the price the kids ultimately pay.
My son takes gymnastics and swimming. Good for his body/mind, and, so far, no emphasis on winning or losing. (He's learning about winning and losing just fine from other venues.) And the best thing? No waiting around in the outfield for somebody to finally hit you a ball.
It's every adult's responsibility to care for every child.
There's a pattern to this Sally Jenkins:
An article where she wants OBAMA to FIX american sports!
LMFAO!!!
Libbies.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/20/AR2009012003559.html
Sally Jenkins Never made the girls Softball team /sob
I am a little league All Star coach who took a state champion team to the regional tournament this year in the 12 year old division we lost to a team playing right now in the LLWS. For those of you who don't know the game of baseball or who have never played the game of baseball you don't know what its like. Since the beginning of the game kids have ALWAYS immitated their big league idols regarless of which decade it was in. When you were a kid I am sure you wanted to be just like your favorite big league player, but you never did. Why? Because you didn't make it to the All Star level. Which is exactally what this is, THE ALL STARS. This is not the everyday little league game on Saturday where we all go get ice cream after the game. Before you go ranting and raving, one quick statement. Every child who makes it to this level is voted on by his peers in the league and by coaches. Also every parent must give permission to have their child play at this level. So before you start blaming the kids for their actions remember who started this - THE PARENTS AND COACHES. These kids are 12 years old we all know, sure the look like little big leaguers but they earned the right to look like that and be where they are. The played an entire season with their respected leagues and then the next level. So if you make it to the All Star team you deserve to act a little different. To get to where they are they battled and worked very hard! District tournaments, Sectional tournaments, State tournaments, Regional tournaments, THEN the World Series! So don't think these kids just walked into this, they worked hard and put in a lot of time in to get there. As for the antics every league is different, every kid is different but their development comes from the parents and coaching. Remember they are 12, they didn't wake up one morning and decide to act they way they do. They were taught and coached that way. Some good some bad, that is excpected, but the same in every sport. You don't think for one minute if there was a 12 year old World Cup some kid wouldn't run around ripping his shirt off? They do now! You think if there was a 12 year old Super Bowl some kid wouldn't end zone celebrate like Chad Johnson? They do now! 12 year old Stanley Cup? You think a little high sticking wouldn't happen? Give me a break, just because the LLWS gets the coverage does not mean these kids are that bad. It happens in every sport, every city, every small town, you just don't see it. Did you every think that they show and cover this event is because the other sports are far worse and can't be covered? Maybe this is the safest youth sport that CAN be televised?
Here in sunny California?
PE is co-educational. At least in our school district.
It's a lot of boys and girls throwing like girls, lobbing powder-puff balls at each other. And if you can do ten bent-up pushups you're a hero.
That's California!
Needless to say, there's no wrestling in the program!
LMFAO!!!
Our state is going to hell in hand basket.
Aw let 'em play. Let 'em spit. Let 'em grab their crotch. Let the coaches brag about winning state championships with 12 years olds. We all got things we like to do that don't amount to a hill of beans.
What an Absurd Story by Jenkins. Must have been a slow week/month/year for this writer
Yes, we do have alot of kids who are misinformed and lack some serious guidance. WE have parents and teachers and extended family and friends trying to help raise our children in these difficult times. So why should we be appalled that this results in our little leagers trying to imitate Nomar Garciaparra......Who else do they have to look up to? Have we really taught them any better?
I can talk until I am blue in the face about team ettiquite, but these are kids who yearn to succeed. Why should we stifle their need to be the best? Especially in a society that all to often does nothing more than make excuses for the failures they have made.....
We are talking about children who are 11 and 12 years old. They haven't even come to realize the consequences of their own actions; much less others.
How does this fall into the laps of little league and not their parents? Oh, wait...I remember; we want to teach our children to finger point, make false accusations and not take responsibility.....
If we are willing to take responsibility for our children and show full concern for their well being, then it is our duty to ensure that they balance their daily activities. It is this that will teach our children not to push themselves to the point of exertion, big league politics or not.
All valid points. The little league game as a whole isn't very good anyway. Finally, a major reason, other than over-work, for all of the ligament replacements is that some surgeons have found a way to make all kinds of money. I know of a praticular instance where this surgery was to be performed on a player. However, mom got a second opinion and lo and behold, no ligament problem, a broken elbow was the cause!
Kids may be developing "bad habits" to emulate professionals, but allowing kids to participate in little league and showing the sport on a national level is far superior than the aternative (will Ms Jenkins' next column address the child obesity epidemic across the nation?)
Her other concerns are valid however. Little League should have stricter limits for their pitchers. They also should switch to wooden bats for safety reasons. But these need to be addressed by the managers and parents of the players, for Little League to initiate any changes.
Ms Jenkins neglected to mention many of the positives that this tournament brings. Teamwork, sportsmanship, and cultural unity among players and teams from around the world. None of these positive elements are addressed..
uh, if Ms Jenkins addresses the child obesity epidemic, I don't think baseball will be the proposed cure. Have you seen the guts on many/most league players?
If you want to address obesity (with fitness), push soccer, basketball, tennis, track and the like. The only sweat a baseball player works up is because he's standing in the sun.
Part of the problem with obesity in children is the all consuming desire to win in school and children's sports leagues. Not just in baseball but soccer, football, hockey, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, etc. Average children don't stand a chance of playing and learning the game when coaches and parents are so consumed by winning. For the very young these leagues should be set-up to allow all the children to play and learn the sport.
We are in agreement on the pitching. The poor kids unlucky enough to be able to throw a strike are pushed way too far, sometimes by their own parent. The wood bat is another excellent idea. NCAA has tamed the rocket launchers, LL can too.
The cultural elements are a big plus. But, there should be reality counseling for the parents and players explaining the astronomical odds of junior or junette every playing as a pro ball player. The bs by the announcers should really be toned down. These are little boys and girls, not jocks.
Be assured, very few, if any, of the current LLWS participants will ever play in a Division one baseball game, much less a professional baseball game. The twelve year old wizard is just another kid when 16 or 17 because all of the other players have caught up with the wizard and even surpassed him or her. That is a bitter pill for mom and dad.
Only a very select few individuals have the eyesight, hand eye coordination, and muscular control to hit a major league fastball, much less a decent curve or slider. Like the old saying went, I'll be home soon Ma, they are throwing curves.
However, play ball, there is no better way to spend a summer evening. And ball is like life, you win a few, you lose a few and some get rained out.
It's clear Ms. Jenkins that you have never stepped foot on a field, court or rink of competition. As kids playing our seasonal sports in the streets WE WERE Fran Tarkenton, Steve Largent, Jerry West, Bill Russell, Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Gordy Howe and Wayne Gretzky!
Boys spit whether their playing sports or outside waitng in line somewhere. Not all, but most. They also "adjust" themselves whether on the field or in the classroom. It's all normal. And most grow out of it. When was the last time you were in the bank and seen an adult male making his adjustment or spitting on the floor?
After years of Little League I can assure you that "America's favorite past time" in this venue is definitley not the most positive influence for our children. Which, by the way, includes Girls Softball. Their is more then enough politics, racisim and back stabbing that occurs! And that is just one League!!
If you want to bash ESPN (especially with their East Coast bias of Professional Sports) for covering the LLWS take a moment of pause. Remember when you were a little girl. You had dreams. Maybe they were journalisim or sports or whatever. But you had them! For some of these kids its all they have!!
btw, why are we still gender biased (i.e. girls softball versus boys baseball)?
Guess it's true, girls just can't do what guys can do. They need bigger balls. Wait, that didn't come out right...
Maybe a fan of the sport should have written the article
Agree with some of Rick's comments about the criticisms of Little League in the piece. But the medical concerns are very valid for growing kids this age. They need to watch this closely. It is possible to teach the game, etc. while making sure that Little League doesn't get so serious that kids' arms are sacrificed before they have a chance to mature into adult athletes.
Jack's comment is accurate! Both the physical and mental health of the players, whether its Pop Warner Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Track, Water Polo, Baseball, Cheer, etc must be preserved!!
I would agree with Ms Jenkins that up to the 12 year level a maxium pitch count should be 70 pitches. Or perhaps a compromise may be 75.
Ms Jenkins covers a lot of ground in her article but overall I would say that she is asking why the players are imitating their "Heros" and the parents are very excited in the stands.
Isnt this just like the Professional level without the Steriods and Alcohol?
I suppose you are also in favor of participation ribbons for everyone involved and not keeping score. God forbid someone experience disappointment or a little heart ache. Why would we shield children from learning how to work hard, play as a team, cope with disappointment, and celebrate with dignity.
If a parent doesn't like the habits their children are using, then the parent needs to step up and lead by example. Teach them right from wrong. Your misplaced blame is just another example of passing the buck and letting someone else raise your children.
What I see when I watch the LLWS is children living out a dream. Youth working hard. Supportive parents and community cheering on youngsters. If these children weren't playing sports they would be playing video games and you'd be writing about obesity. Or maybe they'd be using drugs, having sex, joining gangs. You offer a lot of criticism and offer no alternatives. I understand that's not your job, but it also makes it really easy to point the finger and write a harsh piece about a great past time.
I'm actually appalled that you would blindly imply that professional athletes are bad role models. There is NO doubt that some have screwed up are not great role models. But to suggest that having a professional athlete as a role model is a bad idea because some have gotten in trouble is the equivalent is of chastising a child for being a writer because it will make them an alcoholic. Athletes, like writers, politicians, teachers, plumbers, are just a classification of person. Each one has made it's mistakes. None is more acceptable, or unacceptable than another. Just more high profile.
Drawing correlations between youth playing a sport and the professional counterparts is to be expected. You draw correlations to "statistics" about injuries. Statistics, whether historical, current, or anywhere in between are used to put things in perspective. Much as you twist numbers around in a negative light to put down kids that are working hard at a goal, the announcers on ESPN are working hard to spotlight those accomplishments and praise them for their efforts. Both individuals and as a team.
i have been watching the little league world series - i have been appauled by the behiind the plate umpiring - it is bad - so many balls called strikes - these umps look like they are old and decreped - fat - and blind - they don't know the difference between a ball and a strike - no one complains about their obvious incompetence - for the good of the players get some umps who can see !!!!!!!!!!!!
The strike zone for little league is a lot taller than it is for the big leagues. The purpose of little league is to gain confidence playing the game not walking around the bases. Most young pitchers struggle throwing strikes so the umps usually give them the benefit of the doubt.
Jenkins article is one of the lamest I have read on msnbc. Fantasizing about baseball heroes was a great pastime of my youth. Of course, that's when we had heroes...Don't blame that lack on the kids.
Giving them the benefit of the doubt is not teaching good baseball - a strike is a strike and
a ball is a ball - benefit of doubt is not an excuse to make a wrong call - and the zone is still
the same for major league or little league - how can young player gain confidence when the
ump is making wrong calls - confuses young players on strike zone - lets get real - reality!!!!
Berni - you really are as clueless as this woman writing the article. The strike zone for little league is usually just above the knees to just below the armpits. Trust me, I'm an umpire. They are not "confusing" the kids as to what the strike zone is, they are simply making it easier for a pitcher to throw a strike on someone that is five foot two inches tall!
As KMartin said, the purpose of Little League is to gain confidence and skills in the game.
Please don't confuse a Major League strike zone with that for Little League. It really seems like you're talking out of your backside when you make stupid comparisons like that.
Actually it does teach them good baseball, it makes the batters swing the bat. You are never going to hit the ball if you never swing the bat. These little guys will learn more by getting a hit (not to mention a bigger thrill) than waiting for a walk.
If you held a youth team to a "true" strike zone, it would be a walk fest. While I agree that there are too many blown calls, these people are all volunteers; you often get what you pay for.
The generous strike zone can be annoying. However, it does a couple of positive things. It gets the kids to swing the bats. And with the pitch count limits, it tries to minimize the strategy of taking a lot of pitches just to get the pitch count up to get a dominating pitcher out of the game.
I would have to say I disagree with almost this entire article. The kids that are out there playing are loving every second they are on the field, if they are in the LLWS or playing in on of millions of tournaments around the country every summer. I have 2 sons that both play on traveling teams and enjoy every game. Sports are such a huge part of my families life. For the kids it teaches them more than just sports. They learn to win with dignity, they learn to lose with grace. When they do loose you see tears and sometimes tantrums thrown, but usually within a short amount of time the tears subside and they remember it's a game and that they are having fun. For most part parents are out to support their children, and would rather see them win than loose. However there are parent/coaches out there with the winning is everything attitude. I feel sorry for them because they will never enjoy the game for what it is, a game. A time to spend with friends trying to accomplish a team's goal.
You are so right mchckee. One of the things I most enjoy seeing is the sportsmanship these young boys exhibit. When an opposing player pats the base runner on the back for a good hit, thats outstanding. The big leagues could benefit greatly if they followed theses lads example!
I know it will never happen, but one can dream...
lol
I get the point (of the article), and even understand the annoyance of some. But, for ANY species - certainly including human beings - the emulation of adults is what "play" IS. Playing, whether you're a Little Leaguer or a lion club, comes from an instinct to learn to be like the Big Ones. We need to understand and accept that.
Now, if the Big Ones themselves are doing something you don't like, hence don't feel should be emulated - that's a diff question. But it's one without an answer, one we'll never all agree on.
The author of this article obviously never played Little League Baseball. Spitting and fixing your "lower area" is part of baseball. Being P.C. is alright, but certain things are fine the way they are. Fine a real issue and write about that.
I've been watching the LLWS with my softball-playing daughter, and what we've seen is a lot of kids having a great time, playing hard, and exhibiting some good sportsmanship. I was especially taken by the pitcher who went and shook hands with the runner he had just hit, and the 2nd baseman who patted an opposing runner on the back after a great hit.
This woman clearly has no idea what she's talking about. Little League has imposed strict pitching rules. You pitch more than 20, you need a day of rest. More than 40, 2 days of rest and a GAME of rest too. So if you don't have a game for 5 days, you wait at least 6 before you can pitch again. If you pitch more than 40, you cannot catch the remainder of the day. Little League does not allow Double Headers. Little League does not allow you to play on more than one team, so you cannot pitch for LL one day and another squad the next.
There are many other youth leagues and tournaments that do not have the same protections. To support her claims, she should investigate the 241 shoulder surgeries she referenced and determine in what leagues those kids participated. Many of these issues come up AFTER Little League when Traveling Tournament teams or High Schools don't take the same care or have the same restrictions.
By the way... When I pitched in my last regional tournament as a 12 year old, I pitched 19 innings in 5 days--yes 3 complete games, one of which went 7 innings. My arm is fine.
I would go on about this absurd article, but it would talke way too long to point out all the areas in which she is 100% clueless.
Agreed.
plawtee, you explained the pitching rules so well. I was hoping someone would challenge the author on this point. It's obvious Sally was given an assignment she knows absolutely nothing about.
Yes she was! Give the women a pouch of Big League Chew!
Just be glad these kids are getting outside and playing a game. So many play baseball on the Xbox and become obese. Don't knock a good thing!
Wow. Way to demonize Little League - which by the way has been played since 1939. Are their some bad role models in major league baseball? Sure. There's also some in Congress, in the business world, and at home. I will tell you that Little League baseball taught me how to work as a team and created friendships that I still have today. Comparing Little League baseball to 4 and 5 year old beauty pageants is like comparing Domino's Pizza to McDonalds hamburgers.
Since when is it bad to teach kids how to compete? Competition takes place in the real world, not just on the sports field. Learning how to win and lose is an essential part of life - because you know what? We don't win every game in the real world. Little League should not be frowned upon. You need to recognize the hard work these little guys have put in to make it to this level. And I guarantee if you ask every kid playing in Williamsport this week and in years past if they regret anything they did to get there, they'll overwhelmingly say no.
Spend your time bashing the pros, not the kids.
Well said
This story was studid. It an end of the year tournament and a great reward for these players that played hard all year long. Probably 90 percent of these kids want to play in the big leagues and maybe 2% will. So this is there 15 minutes of fame. Give it a rest.
These kids have shoulder problems because they throw too many curve balls. Their muscles are not fully developed and should not be throwing as many.
I say keep playing the games, I enjoy them and have always enjoyed them. I love the end of the summer when the playoff races are going and Little League baseball is on. The future of the game is displayed every night. Awesome!
As President of a Little League Chapter outside of Rochester, NY, a manager and volunteer and a frequent visitor to the Little League World Series--I take exception with Ms. Jenkins thoughts and incorrect facts.
Fact: The Little League stadiums do not hold 45,000-in fact the two of them together would not hold 45,000.
Fact: they are not the size of Triple A stadiums-all Little League fields are regulation 225 feet from home plate.
Fact: there is an 85 pitch count limit on pitchers-no where near the 200 that Ms. Jenkins claims.
Having been to the LLWS in Williamsport many times, I suggest Ms. Jenkins take a trip. Players--kids from all over the world coming together with baseball as the platform getting along, being kids trade cards, pins, swimming and attending cookouts together. There is no greater example of humanity, sportsmanship and being a kid then at the "Grove" where the kids are just that kids.
On Sunday when I was there-the joy on the faces of the kids from Japan to Kentucky as they prepped for their games or walked around talking to the other teams made be proud to be part of Little League, proud that my four children (1-boy and 3-girls) all went through and graduated from Little League--where Character, trust in God and fair play ARE paramount to winning.
Ms. Jenkins, I invite you to meet me in Williamsport and just take it all in. Spend five minutes in the trading pin tent--I will buy you a hot dog and you can thank god that thes young mean and women are our future.
Well said! I had to read the article over a couple times to make sure I was reading some of those "facts" correctly. I was astonished at how inaccurate they were, and how narrow minded and one sided this article seemed to be.
This is one of the poorest articles I've ever seen written. Seriously, how can you write an article, especially one meant to bash and trash a children's sport, by watching a game or two on TV. Sorry, if you want an article to be taken seriously, you might want to consider going to the games, first.
I think Greg has a lot of valid points. Perhaps the story isn't what you see on TV, but what's not shown on TV.
I think ms. jenkins is just suffering from a little envy...psssst....down there.
LOL to Fred - and still LOL.
I suggest Sally take Greg up on his offer, and then she can write an (qualified) article without any bias!
I don't think we were watching the same game. When the Peabody pitcher accidently hit a batter, I saw his entire team rally around their team mate waiting with concern to ensure the batter checked out okay. That was a display of good sportsmanship in support of both teams....I don't think I ever saw major leaguers do the same. If fact the last batter that got beaned on the Red Sox chased the pitcher and both benches cleared! Leave the kids alone and let them live a dream...spit and all!
Let's get the facts straight. I think the ballpark only holds about 16,000 and not 40,000 people. The boys have pitch counts of no more than 85 pitches a game. I suppose you would have the kids emulate writers who's job is to stir up controversy and report on what their warped perception of the world is. The fact remains that Little League baseball is a wonderful experience for the kids and most of them don't make all star teams and play all summer but finish the season of perhaps 16 games and have the time of their lives. As for spitting, that has been part of baseball because its played on dirt infields which requires one to get the dust out somehow. Jenkins has tried to cast the little league world series in the same light as Major League Baseball which is a business, not an organization ran by volunteers. As such, lets enjoy this great event and spend the power of the media to help resolve important issues rather than finding fault in everything family oriented.
I think this hyping of a kids game definitely leads to inflated egos of the kids and adult coaches alike. Like all other sports, the ADULTS have turned them in to mini-industries that operate year-round - soccer, baseball, softball, and basketball leagues and football camps that never end. And the moment a season ends (indoor soccer anyone?) there will be "optional" clinics, camps, tournaments, and "training sessions". It's a money train and it never stops. If your kid wants to play a sport casually, they'll be ostracized for not sticking with "the program". And this is 13 and under stugff here - not just older teens.
It's destroying family time, dinner time, vacation time, relaxation time. It's way out of control, and mostly because overzealous coaches are obsessed with taking credit for creating the next Michael Jordan. I know a few very talented kids in different sports who burned out and just quit. Aberdeen Maryland has even staked its economic life on youth baseball in the name of Cal Ripken and his baseball complex. Scary when adults are vesting that much in a game played by children.
Mike, my sons plays baseball on a serious level and he LOVES it and ca't wait to get to the field. We should be applauding devotion and their committment to being great at what they love. As a parent...i love watching him in both his triumphs and failures. Yes...he fails and understands that baseball is a sport of failure. Reading this article sickens me because she obviously does not have a child who devotes themselves to an activity in a big way. Its great to see and I hope it gets better. Terrible obnoxious article with very little factual content. Also, wood bats would not change it. Its more dangerous to walk across the street than to play baseball. perhpas we should all wear helmuts in public. get real.
I don't understand your complaint of destroying family time, dinner time and all the other stuff. I just graduated last year from high school and I played every sport I could. My parents tell me and my brother that it is the most memorable and happiest time of their lives watching us compete. They miss it more than we do. Your grow close to your teammates as many parents grow close and become friends. It is a great thing for the community and and I believe it helps your family grow. Many of the parents of my teammates still go out together and love getting emotional and laughing about old photos and videos of us and our friends growing up together.
I agree that is the lamest article I have ever read. I suppose that Ms. Jenkins is also against gym class for students because they may get injured. I wonder if that is why most American children are overweight, lazy and content to be second best. I have coached USSSA baseball for many years and can guarantee that just about every coach that I know takes great pride in knowing that we are teaching the game of baseball while keeping the kids health in mind. We probably should quite keeping score so that we do not hurt the feelings of the losers. I am a firm believer that organized sports helps mold our kids into good upstanding adults that have learned that if you do not work hard you will not succeed. Regardless of the outcome of these hard working athletes’ games in the LLWS they will have had the opportunity of a lifetime. PLAY BALL!!!
I think they should ban spelling bees as well. Rampant commercialism and competitiveness that has no place in our society. That is why we have war. And I'm sure most of the parents of those little leaguers are Republicans and you know they love war and battle and winning at all costs. but did you hear my little jeannie was 1st in her class and beat out 200 others for a scholarship to Princeton??? We are so proud!
Every year someone needs to step out and say how terrible competitive sports are. Oh I know your pin pointing just the Little league right now. But lets get down to the meat of the problem shall we.
You really don't want competition at all. So lets take away Baseball, football, basketball. Soccer, gymnastics and swiming. Did you know that a young lady invovled in sports has a 75 percent less chance of getting into trouble. Did you read that right? 75 Percent. I.E. Pregnant, Drugs and Drinking, ETC.
Boys are 50 percent less. Those are some interesting statistics.
But hey we don't want our children to be disappointed do we? It's a kinder gentler world we live in.. Right? So if they're not playing sports. What will they be doing? Probably playing videos games and getting fat.. Oh and sparking up the Dubage. Oh wait that's a problem too... Such a dilema we're in.
How about we worry about, The Homeless, feeding the people, putting clothes on them. Jobs for those without them. Heck lets worry about our economy! The War! But how about we leave the Little league World Series alone. They've been doing fine without your help for years and years. Maybe you should go pick on The Girl Scouts. They wear such an ugly uniform.. Mayby you should help change that. I mean that's Important too!
I'm out.
Little League has become all about the tournament and not teach kids baseball. The season starts in April, cold in the east and ends in early July so the tournament can begin. Only the selected few get to play and the other kids have the rest of the summer without baseball. This is another example of adults losing sight of the real purpose of learning to play the game.
I'm new (as a parent) to little league, but I was surprised what a short span of time is given to 'training' practices before games begin. Then it's all games and learn as you go. Soccer isn't like that, nor is football or basketball. Maybe this is just unique to my local league.
Not quite... there are lots of options for boys to play throughout the summer if they choose - tournament teams, B All Star teams... there is nothing wrong with recognizing the best players and Little League around the country certainly doesn't ignore the rest of the players. It provides opportunities for players of all levels to play as much as they want.
Have you watched any of these games? I've been impressed by the level of knowledge these kids have. They are solid fundamentally. Sure they make mistakes, but so do major leaguers.
These kids are having fun and learning. Let them play.
Rrobeson - I think that is more true in the Spring... but I know for our little league there is a fall ball season that is all about player development and trying new positions. The Spring is definitely the more competitive time.
Don't blame the sport for the abuses, blame the parents for their lack of values, their worship of fame and riches, and their vicarious need to have their children complete their lives for them.
This article might as well just be a template because it could just as easily speak to football, soccer, tennis, chess club, or beauty pageants.
Sports parents are the worst sort because they sacrifice their children in the name of their failed ambitions.
Don't get me wrong there is great value participating in sports, but only if you emphasize the right things, like the value of training, fitness, commitment, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and most important 'the love of the game.' It's not about winning, glory, honor, tradition, and especially not about 'defeating' your enemy.
It's also important to never let any sport (or hobby) take over the other (and more important) aspects of a childs life, their education, socialization, and opportunities to explore and experience the multitude of paths open to them in living their life.
SOME sports parents may be trying to relive their failed ambitions, but as a parent whose daughter plays softball at a fairly high level, I haven't met many. I see parents who sacrifice for their children, who take the time to be with and work with their children, who share the joys and the disappointments, the hugs and the tears.
This article was way off base.