There is way too much emphasis on commercialization of young baseball players. The highest profile offender (I'm probably going to get crucified for this) is the Little League World Series and ESPN. To a lesser degree, the rising high school player showcases (I realize they do provide in some cases valuable tool-but how valuable depends on your bank account and your kid's talent level)and the Collegiate winter programs (fundraisers) Then I include the traveling professional workout where the pitchers are rushed into the bullpen after sitting around all day to get their twelve pitches for the the highest radar reading possible.
The pitching baseball pie only has so many pieces and every parent wants their kid to get a piece. Trouble is, your son has to be on the travel team, at the regional event, at his college of his dreams and stop by the scout workout all in the same year. Year after year. We have to track progress don't you know. And at the end of that rainbow if his elbow and shoulder hold out and we haven't been lied to about his talent or we haven't been kidding ourselves........is the pot of gold. Is there really that much gold in there after all? It doesn't matter if the kid really loves the sport or not as long as the we approve of the effort. So chasing the dream and living it become one and the same. And then suddenly it's over. The doctor quits filing the prescription and we go cold turkey.
Without the commercialization, the hype, it's just a game......to be enjoyed for as long as it lasts. There are no rankings or superstars, just kids playing as long as they want and then they quit and go home. Nobody keeps their stats, no talk about taking the hill at the local AA ballpark.....that would be crazy. No stress...just plain fun. Your arm hurts a little son? Be all time designated hitter for a couple days or maybe go out for the track team this year.
Yes, parents, coaches and players have it within their control to save the arms but how many can withstand the pressure from all the barkers along the midway?
Oh to live on Sugar Mountain.
