LLWS, Here We Go Again

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I tuned in and caught the Japan/Mexico game...GREAT game. Those kids can play. The double play by Mexico in the top of the 6th was incredible.

That was a great game as both teams are talented. Mexico just looked to have a little more firepower, and made some defensive plays when needed.

Some of those parents are ......interesting. They've dressed like Halloween in Williamsport during the LLWS.

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Originally posted by cf:
Everyone can bash LLWS tournament all they want, but that run was so much fun for the kids, families and community. Being involved in a tournament that you don't pay to get into and are playing with you friends that you have played with since tball is priceless!

It is little boys having the time of their life - don't over analyze it!

+1

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Originally posted by Low Finish: …As for the LLWS, I hate watching it. …

I understand your reasons, but can’t you understand that kids are NOT miniature adults, and shouldn’t be expected to perform like MLB players! Heck, using your logic, you must not watch a lot of HS or college games either, because for sure all the things you seem to hate take place there as well. And let’s not forget that not all ML swings are picture perfect, nor are all ML players the same size and shape.

If I have the opportunity to watch a LLWS game or a MLB game not involving my favorite team, the LLWS game will get my viewing time. And unless there’s a lot of lying going on, there are plenty of MLB players and coaches who share my opinion. Its just kids having fun playing, and should be enjoyed as such.

I will admit though, that the gun readings and the constant comparison to MLB velocities serves no productive purpose, and I wish they’d eliminate them.

Is it "just kids having fun playing" or the original version of "reality TV"?

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Originally posted by Stats4Gnats:

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Originally posted by Low Finish: …As for the LLWS, I hate watching it. …

I understand your reasons, but can’t you understand that kids are NOT miniature adults, and shouldn’t be expected to perform like MLB players! Heck, using your logic, you must not watch a lot of HS or college games either, because for sure all the things you seem to hate take place there as well. And let’s not forget that not all ML swings are picture perfect, nor are all ML players the same size and shape.

If I have the opportunity to watch a LLWS game or a MLB game not involving my favorite team, the LLWS game will get my viewing time. And unless there’s a lot of lying going on, there are plenty of MLB players and coaches who share my opinion. Its just kids having fun playing, and should be enjoyed as such.

I will admit though, that the gun readings and the constant comparison to MLB velocities serves no productive purpose, and I wish they’d eliminate them.

I don't watch many HS games (mainly because the team is horrible). College games I like more, mainly because of the lack of pathetic errors and the apparent professionalism of the players.

I don't care about the radar gun readings. They serve no positive purpose. Little League will be (and always has been) unfair. It is unfair because of the grouping of kids on their chronological, rather than biological ages.

Although Kentucky was eliminated Griffin Mclarty is my favorite player this summer.I love the way he competes for such a young man, how he smiles and doesnt get upset with his teamates.He was a class act for such a young man, and very talented.

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I don't care about the radar gun readings. They serve no positive purpose. Little League will be (and always has been) unfair. It is unfair because of the grouping of kids on their chronological, rather than biological ages.

It's not that LL is unfair but rather that they move the age cutoff up from August to May allowing for LL to beconme a 13U tournament as opposed to a 11-12 yr old tournament had the cutoff date been moved back to December instead. While I get that LL is a big deal for these kids and it represents what is a true world series, having 13 yr olds play on a pinball machine not exactly great baseball. It would be much better for the game itself if LL and the other organizations move back the cutoff age to prevent 13 yr olds to play on 60' diamonds. This game should be exclusive to the top 11-12 yr olds, not who can find the biggest 13 yr olds that can make the cutoff. Sure, you'll get some more developed 12 yr olds but it's better than piling on with even bigger 13's.

LL and the other orgs have to move the cut date backwards. There's no other way around it. Going back to less trampolined bats is a step in the right direction but more needs to be done to justify these kids playing on a 60' diamond.

I remember when they made the age change. The original problem was with kids who had birthdays in June and July. Local leagues were usually done by the end of June before some kids turned 12. So they never really had the chance to play as 12-year olds.

Unfortunately, it created a whole other problem.

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Although Kentucky was eliminated Griffin Mclarty is my favorite player this summer.I love the way he competes for such a young man, how he smiles and doesnt get upset with his teamates.He was a class act for such a young man, and very talented.

fanofgame, Thanks for the kind words...Griffin is my nephew and we are very proud of him and all his teammates for their accomplishments this year on and off the field. Coach Brad Bates has done a wonderful job with all the boys, and it was enjoyable to watch the growth of the team over the past couple years.

I've paid more attention to the LLWS than ever this year since Griffin was playing in it, and have enjoyed all the games I've watched so far, although I do agree some of the called strikes are ridiculous (for ALL teams...)

One of the highlights for me was when ESPN interviewed the KY Catcher Jackson Mason after the PA game, and he said "I've always wanted to impress that many people, and I think I did."

Congratulations to the Players and Coaches from North Oldham Little League, and to all the other LLWS competitors!

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I don't care about the radar gun readings. They serve no positive purpose. Little League will be (and always has been) unfair. It is unfair because of the grouping of kids on their chronological, rather than biological ages.

Last time I checked life is not fair.....

Is the minimum age for a kid to pitch in LL 8, or 9?

I dunno BOF, it seems to me that checking the kids' biological age monthly and moving the kids between age groups on a monthly basis makes perfect sense.

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Originally posted by VaRHPmom:
I remember when they made the age change. The original problem was with kids who had birthdays in June and July. Local leagues were usually done by the end of June before some kids turned 12. So they never really had the chance to play as 12-year olds.

Unfortunately, it created a whole other problem.

The kids who didn't turn 12 yet would be eligible for the tournament the following year and even if they were only 11 and good enough, they still could've made the team depending on how the local leagues pick their all-stars.. I don't get the logic changing the cut date for that reason. Had they moved the date back to Dec 31, only 12 and under would be age eligible for the tournament and for the most part, kids would be playing in divisions with their classmates. Moving the date back makes the most sense, not up to May.

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Originally posted by CADad:
I dunno BOF, it seems to me that checking the kids' biological age monthly and moving the kids between age groups on a monthly basis makes perfect sense.

Doing it monthly would be stupidity. Checking it (or having it checked by a doctor) when the kid registers would be ideal. It shouldn't happen more than twice a year.

LF,
Duh! But guess what kids make big time growth leaps over short time periods.

I guess it is a lot easier to pay a doctor to certify that a kid is younger biologically than they really are than to falsify a birth certificate. That should work out just great. Can't wait to see 16yo playing on 60' bases.

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Originally posted by biggerpapi:
I watched one batter today.

Curveball
Curveball
Curveball
Curveball


I'm done.

There not gonna pitch past 16 like that.
Nuff said

Please Mr Umpire if a gb rolls up the 3rd baseline and bounces off the bag thats a pretty good indication of a fair ball.

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Please Mr Umpire if a gb rolls up the 3rd baseline and bounces off the bag thats a pretty good indication of a fair ball.

No sh it!!!

Lol.

Just wait til they put a 'safe base' at third, too