http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080825/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bby_...lDsmQSlsV7Yho3Ks0NUE
This should create some interesting thoughts and opinions.
Original Post
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OK, KG....I'm DYING to know your thoughts on the article....
quote:Originally posted by Jewels4Baseball:
OK, KG....I'm DYING to know your thoughts on the article....
I'm sure you are.
But I'd like to hear from the ones with experience first.
The man in the mirror told me I wasn't good enough, smart enough, and dog gone it.......nobody likes me.
I have NO experience, since I've never been a 9 yr old boy! Besides, mine didn't start taking pitching seriously until about age 12.
But I do feel sorry for the poor little fella!
But I do feel sorry for the poor little fella!
Even at 9, does 40mph sound like an oddity? At 10 and 11, kids are throwing mid-50's, right? Me thinks there is more to this story than the kid being unbeatable. My guess is that this has more to do with the team and the coach that picked him up than the kid being too good.
But my opinion, if the kid is age-eligible and he's not a danger to the other kids, shame on the quitters.
JABO
But my opinion, if the kid is age-eligible and he's not a danger to the other kids, shame on the quitters.
JABO
quote:Originally posted by justabitoutside:
Even at 9, does 40mph sound like an oddity? At 10 and 11, kids are throwing mid-50's, right? Me thinks there is more to this story than the kid being unbeatable. My guess is that this has more to do with the team and the coach that picked him up than the kid being too good.
But my opinion, if the kid is age-eligible and he's not a danger to the other kids, shame on the quitters.
JABO
But I still hope at some point in this thread we're gonna hear KG's opinion.
I think it would be interesting if we could remember this story for 9 or 10 years. Then check to see how Jericho is doing.
Isn't it hard for anyone at any age to throw a baseball over 30 feet in the air without throwing it 40 mph?
My opinion... Don't pitch him... He's 9 years old... It doesn't make any difference... The ball fills up his hand... Play him at a different position and Play Ball!
Or let the lawyers battle it out! Sounds like a few loose cannons running around in New Haven.
Isn't it hard for anyone at any age to throw a baseball over 30 feet in the air without throwing it 40 mph?
My opinion... Don't pitch him... He's 9 years old... It doesn't make any difference... The ball fills up his hand... Play him at a different position and Play Ball!
Or let the lawyers battle it out! Sounds like a few loose cannons running around in New Haven.
PG....Question: you think if they keep him from pitching that we will even know his name in the next 7-10 years?
Sounds like pitching is something this kid loves to do(based on his comment in the article). Take that away from him and who knows where he will end up. As long as no one is getting hurt(on a consistant basis), LET THE KID PITCH!
Sounds like pitching is something this kid loves to do(based on his comment in the article). Take that away from him and who knows where he will end up. As long as no one is getting hurt(on a consistant basis), LET THE KID PITCH!
The object of the game is to get outs, even in TBall. If the kid can get outs, let him.
Most leagues in that age group have a rule that if you hit more than 2 batters in an inning, or 3 in a game, you have to pull the pitcher. So, if he is wild, there are rules to deal with it.
And I agree, 40mph doesn't sound like a lot from a 9 year old, but hey....I don't know anything.
Most leagues in that age group have a rule that if you hit more than 2 batters in an inning, or 3 in a game, you have to pull the pitcher. So, if he is wild, there are rules to deal with it.
And I agree, 40mph doesn't sound like a lot from a 9 year old, but hey....I don't know anything.
Thats an interesting story, thanks for posting it. You would think that the 40 miles an hour has to be a typo.
As so often happens, this topic is also discussed in another forum.
Jewels,
Guess I never thought being a good pitcher or even pitching at all was all that important at 8 or 9 years old.
I think they should allow him to pitch, but wouldn't a young boy enjoy the game playing another position? I just don't think it (not pitching) would affect his future in any way, but what is going on now could make life miserable for the kid.
At that age, they need to be having FUN!IMO
40 mph is basically a lob... Did they really have a radar gun out there at the games?
This story has been on ESPN, also it was in our local newspaper this morning. It's not in the national news because of the kids. All these adults are doing is setting a bad example.
The odds are greatly in favor of us not knowing his name 7-10 years from now, no matter what takes place now.
Jewels,
Guess I never thought being a good pitcher or even pitching at all was all that important at 8 or 9 years old.
I think they should allow him to pitch, but wouldn't a young boy enjoy the game playing another position? I just don't think it (not pitching) would affect his future in any way, but what is going on now could make life miserable for the kid.
At that age, they need to be having FUN!IMO
40 mph is basically a lob... Did they really have a radar gun out there at the games?
This story has been on ESPN, also it was in our local newspaper this morning. It's not in the national news because of the kids. All these adults are doing is setting a bad example.
The odds are greatly in favor of us not knowing his name 7-10 years from now, no matter what takes place now.
quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:
At that age, they need to be having FUN!IMO
...All these adults are doing is setting a bad example.
The odds are greatly in favor of us not knowing his name 7-10 years from now, no matter what takes place now.
PG,
I agree that at this age they should be having fun. My understanding from reading the article (and this is just what I got from it) is that this kid loves to pitch but he also plays other positions. At age 9, all my boy wanted to do was catch! He loved catching and that was where he wanted to play. NOW, he LOVES to pitch! As I ramble, my point is...if this kid loves to pitch and they take that away from him, perhaps they are also taking the fun out of the game for him.
I agree that these adults (and I use that term loosely) are definitely setting a bad example. And I also agree that we may not even remember this kid 7-10 years from now.
This is definitely an interesting topic!
Sounds like the 9 year old is more mature than most of these parents.
quote:Originally posted by Maverick0714:
Sounds like the 9 year old is more mature than most of these parents.
Ding, Ding, Ding........
We have a winner.
quote:Originally posted by bblife93: I think this kid should leave Little League! Go play select ball. That is why little league is called little. 40 mph is normal for 9 years old in select...
BBlife93....so I'm guessing you agree with the pitching distance at the LLWS? 13 yr old boys throwing 60-70+ MPH from 46'? That's no different that a 9 yr old throwing 40 MPH. Perhaps there is no select ball in that area for his age or perhaps his parents can't afford select ball. And who puts a radar gun on a 9 yr old anyway? I definitely agree that there is more to this story...LEAGUE POLITICS!!!
quote:Originally posted by bblife93: I think this kid should leave Little League! Go play select ball.
Goodness - how 'socialist' of you. Bottom line - this isn't a baseball issue, but a political issue.
By your statement you have endorsed prohibiting the success of one because of the lack of success by others. Ultimately, banning the pitcher from pitching is doing a disservice to his opponents, not the the pitcher. The opponents are learning that if others they encounter in life are more talented, or work harder, or are smarter - then that is an unfair advantage that should be legislated against.
I am not doing a desservice to this little boy by what I wrote, the league that he is playing in, is doing the desservice! I think you misunderstood. He should just go play elsewhere so he can pitch the way that he wants to!
quote:Originally posted by bblife93:
I am not doing a desservice to this little boy by what I wrote, the league that he is playing in, is doing the desservice! I think you misunderstood. He should just go play elsewhere so he can pitch the way that he wants to!
It seems that this young man would like to play in Little League with his FRIENDS. As someone else said... what if they don't have select teams in his area or can't afford it. You mean he should be penalized for being good or not having enough money??? Puuulease...
bblife,
I have reviewed your post repeatedly. I believe that I understand what you wrote. Your first 2 sentences
Please review my original posting. I contend that this attitude reflects socialist political leanings, (legislate equal outcomes for all participants) and the consequences of the forced expulsion of the excelling player from the league does a disservice to his opponents.
What do the opposing players learn here? If someone is better than me in school, at a job, in a sport, etc... find a legislative authority to impose restrictions on the exceptional person such that the exceptional performer is restricted to perform no better than the level of the average performer.
This isn't a new idea or attitude. I have seen this in public schools during my son's grade school years.
I have reviewed your post repeatedly. I believe that I understand what you wrote. Your first 2 sentences
support the position of the league and the opponent parents.quote:I think this kid should leave Little League! Go play select ball.
Please review my original posting. I contend that this attitude reflects socialist political leanings, (legislate equal outcomes for all participants) and the consequences of the forced expulsion of the excelling player from the league does a disservice to his opponents.
What do the opposing players learn here? If someone is better than me in school, at a job, in a sport, etc... find a legislative authority to impose restrictions on the exceptional person such that the exceptional performer is restricted to perform no better than the level of the average performer.
This isn't a new idea or attitude. I have seen this in public schools during my son's grade school years.
Smile and have a great day! Now, I am moving on.
quote:Originally posted by dbg_fan:
find a legislative authority to impose restrictions on the exceptional person such that the exceptional performer is restricted to perform no better than the level of the average performer.
I know a good number of people that deal with this every day - it's called a UNION.
I realize I'm probably out of touch with reality but in 40 years I've NEVER seen a kid that was TOO GOOD...
Sounds like sour grapes from the team that he declined to play for...
This is really really sad...
Sounds like sour grapes from the team that he declined to play for...
This is really really sad...
bblife,
Not sure why you are yelling at me (bold text). We can agree to disagree, and we clearly disagree.
I would also disagree with your characterization of your post. I can find only one sentence in your first two posts on this topic that appears to state a fact.
- See, I'm smiling.
Not sure why you are yelling at me (bold text). We can agree to disagree, and we clearly disagree.
I would also disagree with your characterization of your post. I can find only one sentence in your first two posts on this topic that appears to state a fact.
And this is unsubstantiated - though not something I can challenge. Otherwise everything you have written on this topic is commentary.quote:40 mph is normal for 9 years old in select.
- See, I'm smiling.