Fungo,
I'd never say my opinion is the only one that matters! I meant, nothing matters but the way a player actually performs in real games and real tryouts. Every oddball ranking and position on mulitple world series teams won't matter if said player doesn't perform on par with others seeking a similar position from varsity ball on up.
Rankings and championships get some hopes up and may cause some disappointments when reality gives a smack in the face. Parents need to stay grounded, informed, and realistic.
I think one of the most important things to consider is, "Who is doing the rankings". There are some organizations who have qualified staff members that actually watch players and make an evaluation. Then there are those organizations that have no one qualified to evaluate a player. They go strictly by what a proud parent or coach might say about a player or team. I've seen evaluations or statements about players on websites that are totally false. Once an organization makes a statement about a player that is totally false, everyone sees the creditability of the organization is not really there. I really like to watch these kind of organizations dig their own hole. It's really funny!
Quillgirl I think you and I are on the same page ---maybe we just appreciate different things. I'm 61 years old and I can still remember getting red stars and blue stars on my report card in the first grade. 
Some might say my first grade teacher, "Miss Mary", was building a "false hope" in my mind since I never achieved academic excellence in my later years.?? I never looked at her as doing me a disservice. I also look around my study and I see plaques, pictures, clippings of my son's baseball and football achievements. I never framed his NLI or his professional contract. I framed his All-State football award but never framed any of his three All-State baseball awards. While I have his first rec ball homerun on the mantle, I have none of his college or professional HR balls. I framed and kept those things that were most important to me. You would laugh if I were to tell you "MY" most memorable moments and “things”. I say: Let others appreciate those "things" they appreciate and leave me (and you) to our things. There is no right or wrong here --- no black or white. But that is ONLY as I see it.
Fungo
Some might say my first grade teacher, "Miss Mary", was building a "false hope" in my mind since I never achieved academic excellence in my later years.?? I never looked at her as doing me a disservice. I also look around my study and I see plaques, pictures, clippings of my son's baseball and football achievements. I never framed his NLI or his professional contract. I framed his All-State football award but never framed any of his three All-State baseball awards. While I have his first rec ball homerun on the mantle, I have none of his college or professional HR balls. I framed and kept those things that were most important to me. You would laugh if I were to tell you "MY" most memorable moments and “things”. I say: Let others appreciate those "things" they appreciate and leave me (and you) to our things. There is no right or wrong here --- no black or white. But that is ONLY as I see it. Fungo
We are on the same page, Fungo. I say let the rankings and travel ball and tourney winnings exist!I say be thrilled with every achievement and enjoy whatever level of play your kid is at. Be encouraging and proud without creating a false sense of entitlement for your kid, or yourself.
The feeling of entitlement that some folks aquire, fueled by rankings and titles, is the big issue in my opinion. I think that's the point I'm attempting to make. Having those things doesn't entitle a player to anything as some parents seem to think. But I tend to think it's a personal problem with certain individuals and their perceptions rather than a problem with the existence of rankings and titles.
The feeling of entitlement that some folks aquire, fueled by rankings and titles, is the big issue in my opinion. I think that's the point I'm attempting to make. Having those things doesn't entitle a player to anything as some parents seem to think. But I tend to think it's a personal problem with certain individuals and their perceptions rather than a problem with the existence of rankings and titles.
while i agree we have and are fluffing up our ego's about our kids ,or doing them and us a disservice whatever you may choose to call it. we don't make anything in this country anymore. well beds and pizzas . but it won't sustain the economy forever.
but we as parents have helped biuld a new industry ,the youth baseball industry. money flows freely to make our kids better, faster, stronger, etc. showcases,tournements, and the travel expences that go with them. your not spending money on those things? maybe just a new bat or super swift cleats? or shirts that make you cooler or the super plutonium necklace that will do ........whatever.
this is a gazilion dollar industry we have helped biuld. little by little over years and years and it's still growing. i'm just wondering how to get some of the money back? it is either entertainment for us that we enjoyed with no expectations or an investment in our kids future? or what ever it means to you, i prefer to think i invested time and money into the fun bank. every now and then i take some out and it makes me smile all over again.in the end it is what it is, priceless.
i want to add this isn't anything new .i was voted an all american in little league almost 40 yrs ago by mgm...........my grand mother.lol
but we as parents have helped biuld a new industry ,the youth baseball industry. money flows freely to make our kids better, faster, stronger, etc. showcases,tournements, and the travel expences that go with them. your not spending money on those things? maybe just a new bat or super swift cleats? or shirts that make you cooler or the super plutonium necklace that will do ........whatever.
this is a gazilion dollar industry we have helped biuld. little by little over years and years and it's still growing. i'm just wondering how to get some of the money back? it is either entertainment for us that we enjoyed with no expectations or an investment in our kids future? or what ever it means to you, i prefer to think i invested time and money into the fun bank. every now and then i take some out and it makes me smile all over again.in the end it is what it is, priceless.
i want to add this isn't anything new .i was voted an all american in little league almost 40 yrs ago by mgm...........my grand mother.lol
Priceless!
I have found, locally, that most of the "studs" as young teenagers are no longer playing (college)ball for what ever reason. Mostly, they believed their own "press clippings" that they were better than everyone else and their work ethic was diminished. The "unstuds" worked harder to successfully compete with the 16 year old "all Americans" and got better. They didn't throw curve balls at age 12 to win a "National Championship".IMHO these crazy early age rankings are parental bragging tools, and nothing more!!!
I have a somewhat different viewpoint on all of this.
I don’t think it’s the rankings or championships or honors a young boy gets that are a problem at all. In fact, I think it is a good thing (trying hard not to be partial here). It might be the highlight of that young boys baseball experiences. Yes, something to tell the grandkids. Without the youth success, might not be much baseball success in his life time. Some is better than none, even if it happened in the Little League.
Rather than blame these early honors as a reason for failure, why not look for more reasonable answers. For instance… most of the young boys I’ve seen dominate youth baseball only to quit playing later on had things like this for a reason.
1. They matured early and were bigger and stronger at a young age. Then the other kids grewup and passed them, both physically and some times mentally.
2. They started concentrating on other activities such as football, basketball, etc. They ended up being better in another sport.
3. They had the natural ability, but just didn’t really love it enough.
I could probably think of a lot of other reasons besides the fact they received a bunch of honors at a young age.
Truth is there are “many” young studs who are now playing in the Major Leagues. I can’t tell you how many honors were given to players like Justin Upton, Delmon Young, Ryan Sweeney, etc. Those accolades at a young age didn’t slow them down a bit. All the early stars did not fail or get passed by!
There will always be young stars passed by other not so talented (at the time) young players. IMO, it has very little to do with how many honors any player received at a young age. I don’t see why it’s a bad thing recognizing achievements at any age!
I don’t think it’s the rankings or championships or honors a young boy gets that are a problem at all. In fact, I think it is a good thing (trying hard not to be partial here). It might be the highlight of that young boys baseball experiences. Yes, something to tell the grandkids. Without the youth success, might not be much baseball success in his life time. Some is better than none, even if it happened in the Little League.
Rather than blame these early honors as a reason for failure, why not look for more reasonable answers. For instance… most of the young boys I’ve seen dominate youth baseball only to quit playing later on had things like this for a reason.
1. They matured early and were bigger and stronger at a young age. Then the other kids grewup and passed them, both physically and some times mentally.
2. They started concentrating on other activities such as football, basketball, etc. They ended up being better in another sport.
3. They had the natural ability, but just didn’t really love it enough.
I could probably think of a lot of other reasons besides the fact they received a bunch of honors at a young age.
Truth is there are “many” young studs who are now playing in the Major Leagues. I can’t tell you how many honors were given to players like Justin Upton, Delmon Young, Ryan Sweeney, etc. Those accolades at a young age didn’t slow them down a bit. All the early stars did not fail or get passed by!
There will always be young stars passed by other not so talented (at the time) young players. IMO, it has very little to do with how many honors any player received at a young age. I don’t see why it’s a bad thing recognizing achievements at any age!
great post pg 
We recognize and rate every other aspect of a kids life in some degree or another, why not baseball. If that family realizes that the rating is not across the board, and that is valid only until the next one comes out, then it is nothing more than someone patting the kid on the back for a job well done. When all is said and done mom/dad may be the ones to make it more than it is. Then again, if you step outside the box they probably paid for the print in one way or another.
We recognize and rate every other aspect of a kids life in some degree or another, why not baseball. If that family realizes that the rating is not across the board, and that is valid only until the next one comes out, then it is nothing more than someone patting the kid on the back for a job well done. When all is said and done mom/dad may be the ones to make it more than it is. Then again, if you step outside the box they probably paid for the print in one way or another.
When I was in the 5th grade I won a trophy as the YoYo champion in my age bracket. I could “go around the world”, “rock the baby” and just about everything else you could do with a YoYo. Had one of those well balanced “Duncan’s” made out of wood and painted a florescent color. I’m still proud of that achievement to this day! And guess what? just about every other YoYoer out there passed me up. Doubt if I could even “walk the dog” now days. But I will always be the city champ from way back then. Wouldn’t have ever been a YoYo champ if I’d waited until high school because I quit a couple years after that huge 5th grade achievement. Must have went to my head!
Anyone else ever thought it amazing regarding the number of players who starred in the Little League World Series and went on to play in the Major Leagues?
Anyone else ever thought it amazing regarding the number of players who starred in the Little League World Series and went on to play in the Major Leagues?
quote:Anyone else ever thought it amazing regarding the number of players who starred in the Little League World Series and went on to play in the Major Leagues?
I always wondered about that, and I've never read anywheres what that number is. If you have a number or approximation I'd love to see it PG.
Thanks
Doc K,
Its not just the guys who played Little League and went on to MLB .
It is also guys like Kareem Abdul Jabbar - Brian Sipe - Hale Irwin - and on and on and on.
Pretty wild history.
Its not just the guys who played Little League and went on to MLB .
It is also guys like Kareem Abdul Jabbar - Brian Sipe - Hale Irwin - and on and on and on.
Pretty wild history.
And Bruce Springsteen - and Kevin Costner - and Rudy Guiliani - and even President Bush.