quote:Guys, though I agree that LL rules (specifically pitching, leadoffs, dropped third strikes) are a little behind the other organizations, it doesn't hurt a pitcher (or baserunner) in his development.
I disagree. This past spring, our HS program selected three 7th graders over other 8th and 9th grade kids for the JV team. Specifically, they were "far advanced" over the other boys. The HS coach said that the boy's skill level and knowledge level "didn't even compare" to the rec players. These three boys are the result of the first "group" of boys in our area to leave rec ball and play travel ball exclusively since they were 9 and 10yo.
BTW, a few years prior, that same HS coach said that travel ball would "ruin his future HS ball players". He is very happy with what he is getting now, in terms of knowledge, experience and quality. I know that there were kids that were convinced that they were going to make the HS team that were simply left behind. Can those boys catch up? Certainly some, but why play catch-up and sit out and possibly lose any chance to play HS ball. Seems risky to me. JMO.