McDivots

[GolferA1]

I heard this story a few days ago, and thought I'd post it here to see what your thoughts are.
Do we now punish kids for being too good?
What does this say to the kids whose parents promoted this decision?

Essentially, a nine-year-old little leaguer has been banned from pitching because he throws too hard, 40 mph, but with excellent control. Is this a good decision?

http://www.comcast.net/articles/sports- ... .To.Pitch/

[Cobra]

I read this article also and I can tell you its total BS by the league. The kid should not be banned at all and they are sending the wrong message to the other kids.

Way back when I coached fast pitch softball for my daughters league there was a girl who was rated #1 in the state. She was on the Championship team each year. Funny how all the good players ended up on the same team for the 3 years she pitched in this league. The only reason they want this kid out is because "He turned down the offer to join the defending championship team" !!!!!

Had he done so, not a word would have been said. Since he made up his own mind they want him out !!!

Very sad !!!!

[GolferA1]

I read this article also and I can tell you its total BS by the league. The kid should not be banned at all and they are sending the wrong message to the other kids.

Way back when I coached fast pitch softball for my daughters league there was a girl who was rated #1 in the state. She was on the Championship team each year. Funny how all the good players ended up on the same team for the 3 years she pitched in this league. The only reason they want this kid out is because "He turned down the offer to join the defending championship team" !!!!!

Had he done so, not a word would have been said. Since he made up his own mind they want him out !!!

Very sad !!!!

I coached kids basketball and little league for years. Even then, it would have been a good idea if parents were banned from the activities!!! LOL

The kid should be allowed to play in his team of his choice (or where he was drafted, whatever the case may be). The kids facing him should learn to try to hit him, develop their skills. That's what that level is for. Instead of taking their ball and going home and forfeiting games. What a bunch of babies!! At least here, the kids are only allowed to throw 70 pitches and then must not pitch again for 4 days. With a similar rule there (and there should be) how often would they face him anyway????

He was given the choice of moving up to the 13-year-old league. He declined. There is a HUGE physical difference in 9 and 13, and I don't think he should have moved up either.

I didn't coach at the time, but had a 9-year-old stepson who was in a league where he and one other kid both pitched hard (and were both actually clocked faster than this kid.) No one complained, or forfeited, or took their ball (and kids) and went home, nor even suggested these two not be allowed to pitch. They competed, learned not to be afraid of it. They faced each others teams in the championship game. It was fun to watch.

[nuhips]

The only reason they want this kid out is because "He turned down the offer to join the defending championship team" !!!!!
I thought this was what the whole thing was about also.

[GolferA1]

Whatever the main reason is, it sucks and is wrong.

[Bruce-WCT]

It is sad when this happens and hopefully something is resolved which will enable him to participate in the game

[Cobra]

The only reason they want this kid out is because "He turned down the offer to join the defending championship team" !!!!!
I thought this was what the whole thing was about also.

Its suppose to be,,, until as GA1 stated the parents get involved. !!!!

[GolferA1]

I heard a great comment on this today while driving home from a movie, by Mike Tirico.

What was reported is that the league disbanded this kid's team completely, who stood 8-0 and were playoff bound, and spread all the other kids out over the other teams. That, in itself, is a ludicrous decision. No mention of the particular kid or where he went or what happened to him in this upheaval.

Then there was the usual commentary about what this incident teaches...mediocrity. A league formed to teach kids a sport, to teach them responsibility, to keep them off the streets for a period of time and away from other harmful things is saying, we want to teach you something, we want you to be good at it, but only to the point of mediocrity. Since you excelled that's not good, and so now everyone on that team must join all the other teams in their bed of mediocrity. That's what this lesson taught.

But what REALLY caught my ear was the final comment: "Thank God these same people were not in charge of the junior swimming program of which Michael Phelps was a member."

[nuhips]

how true!

[Cobra]

I heard a great comment on this today while driving home from a movie, by Mike Tirico.

What was reported is that the league disbanded this kid's team completely, who stood 8-0 and were playoff bound, and spread all the other kids out over the other teams. That, in itself, is a ludicrous decision. No mention of the particular kid or where he went or what happened to him in this upheaval.

Then there was the usual commentary about what this incident teaches...mediocrity. A league formed to teach kids a sport, to teach them responsibility, to keep them off the streets for a period of time and away from other harmful things is saying, we want to teach you something, we want you to be good at it, but only to the point of mediocrity. Since you excelled that's not good, and so now everyone on that team must join all the other teams in their bed of mediocrity. That's what this lesson taught.

But what REALLY caught my ear was the final comment: "Thank God these same people were not in charge of the junior swimming program of which Michael Phelps was a member."

Very good comments. !!!! IMO, it was the 8-0 that got him tossed. Pressure put on by the championship team.

I wish this kid the best in life !!!!