Booted From Little League For Being Too Good

moe.ron · #1 06-22-2005, 09:57 AM

Link to the Article

Kids need to learn that failing is part of life. It's what you do afterward that is the key.

KSig RC · #2 06-22-2005, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by moe.ron
Link to the Article

Kids need to learn that failing is part of life. It's what you do afterward that is the key.

It's funny when the 12 year old kid has the adults completely pegged - booting the team is absolutely absurd.

Although the 'safety' argument made me laugh, so that's good times.

Lady Pi Phi · #3 06-22-2005, 10:13 AM

I"m a coach in a rec hockey league and that kind of stuff just doesn't happen. If teams are winning by ridiculous scores, the teams are reorganized, because rec leagues are about fun and balance and improving skills. They are NOT about winning. Sure, every team should play their best and winning is fun, but rec leagues are not designed to be uber competitive. If kids want to compete, they need to join competitive leagues. This kids need to understand the difference between a rec league and a competitive league. They should keep practising and next year they can join a better league.

sageofages · #4 06-22-2005, 10:50 AM

This doesn't sound like the makings of a regular "rec league" team. It really sounds like it is a "AAU traveling" team. AAU can be so competitive AND the coaches recruit or invite their team members to join the team.

The Stars coaches should explore AAU membership and build their program thusly.

My son plays frosh baseball on a HS team here in Des Moines, and I think probably 60% of his team mates also play on an AAU traveling team as well.

ISUKappa · #5 06-22-2005, 11:07 AM

For the love...

When I played softball, I got hit in the face (and leg, and torso) quite a few times. Then I learned how to catch the freakin ball. I still don't always keep my body behind my glove, though. Old habits and all that.

Though the 2.5 hours of practice 4 days a week does seem a bit much.

Kevlar281 · #6 06-22-2005, 11:14 AM

Playing someone better then you makes you better...

Lady Pi Phi · #7 06-22-2005, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kevlar281
Playing someone better then you makes you better...

That's not necessarily true. In rec leagues it often makes the kids stop playing altogether.

Rec leagues are designed so that all kids can play no matter the skill level. When teams that are ridiculously too good start playing in rec leagues, the other kids don't want to play because they stop having fun.

carnation · #8 06-22-2005, 11:52 AM

Our sons' middle school football team has won the region for years. No idea why.

Last year the other teams refused to play them because they said they were sick of losing! This is a public middle school assigned to its region by the GA High School Association. I didn't know they could do that!

But the kids ended up having to play the JV squads of several high schools and every time they're play, the coaches of the other team would agree to only play their ninth graders but they'd invariably sneak in starters from their varsity team just so they could win. Our guys were up against these huge juniors and seniors with BEARDS, for heaven's sake.

They managed a .500 record but if this happens again, I'm going straight to the state office. I refuse to have my kids put at risk just because some weenie coaches are afraid they'll lose to us.

KSig RC · #9 06-22-2005, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
That's not necessarily true. In rec leagues it often makes the kids stop playing altogether.

Rec leagues are designed so that all kids can play no matter the skill level. When teams that are ridiculously too good start playing in rec leagues, the other kids don't want to play because they stop having fun.

So which is it? Is the game fun, or is winning fun? Is it a rec league, or is there an onus on victory?

What kind of message do you send when you say, "if we can't beat them, we'll just kick them out of the league!" . . . hint: it only meshes with one of the above.

Lady Pi Phi · #10 06-22-2005, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KSig RC
So which is it? Is the game fun, or is winning fun? Is it a rec league, or is there an onus on victory?

What kind of message do you send when you say, "if we can't beat them, we'll just kick them out of the league!" . . . hint: it only meshes with one of the above.

No my point is, the team should never have been allowed in the league in the first place. What kind of message are you sending to kids if you say "we'll only play teams with lower skill levels because we can crush them and winning is all that matters?" The team that was asked to leave should have known better and I have no sympathy for them whatso ever. It was not right that they were kicked out, but thay should never have been there is the first place.

In a rec league the onus should NEVER be on winning. In a more competive league that is more acceptable. Rec leagues are for fun.

DeltAlum · #11 06-22-2005, 01:50 PM

Since this is in Columbus (my hometown), next they'll be trying to ban Michigan from the Big 10 (plus one, but who's counting) so Ohio State can win more often.

Tom Earp · #12 06-22-2005, 04:04 PM

First off, ban the damn parents!

They are the ones who make bad examples by cursing the Umps and Refs. and even doing bodily harm.

They really set a prime example for the Kids dont they?

If a ban on parents is not in the cards, make sure that there are stiff penalitys for actions taken.

Lady Pi Phi · #13 06-22-2005, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom Earp
First off, ban the damn parents!

They are the ones who make bad examples by cursing the Umps and Refs. and even doing bodily harm. They really set a prime example for the Kids dont they?

If a ban on parents is not in the cards, make sure that there are stiff penalitys for actions taken.

Tom, many leagues, especially rec leagues, will ban parents for inappropriat behaviour.

However, this situation has nothing to do with the parents. The parents were acting on what they thought was in the best interest of their children. All they wanted was their kids to have fun, which they weren't. The league thought it took the best approach.

In this situation I blame the coach of the team that got booted out. He knew his kids were in a rece league, he knew his kids were too god to be playing in the league. He should have told his kids to hold back so that the other teams could compete. In a rec league that is the best course of action.

Kevlar281 · #14 06-22-2005, 04:46 PM

Why not just quit keeping score while their at it.

DeltAlum · #15 06-22-2005, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
He should have told his kids to hold back so that the other teams could compete.

I don't know how you tell a 12 year old athlete to hold back. That's not in a kids nature, is it?