Parents & Little League Baseball Players, what's your take on this?

Question

I was just reading about this 9yr. old kid, Jericho Scott whose been banned from this co-ed baseball league b/c he pitches too good. Mainly raising concern over his cannon for an arm at 40mph fast ball. The parents have protested. It's a beginners league. They want him to play another position or pitch towards older kids or go to a different league. I too would be ticked off if I was a parent and this happened to my kid. Since when is it such a big tahdo about a kid being too good. Well, fine then I think the league should pay his fees to play on this so called league with older kids. They were 8-0 and on their way to play offs when they banned Jericho from playing. Now his team has been disbanned and shuffled amongst the other teams in this league. One team actually forefited the game due to him pitching. Some parents on other teams say it's a safety issue b/c of the power this kid has for this so called beginners league. That may be a good point but, other leagues have guidelines as well he may have this cannon of an arm at 9yrs. old but, he may be underage for the other leagues. So, what's this kid to do. What a shame to take away Jericho's happiness and what he's awesome at. This was in New Haven, CT. How would you handle this? I welcome all points of view so, feel free to chime in on how it would make you feel.

Answer 1

A radio station (nj101.5) was discussing this issue today.

As for Jericho Scott , Well I am to understand his parents got a lawyer on this matter as they should.

He throws hard and ACCURATE and should not be punished for it. If he were beaming kids left and right with the ball it would be a different matter. This is a travisty. Discouraging a kid from doing what he excells at is a disgrace. Any parent who was part of having him kicked out of the league needs to rethink this over and be ashamed that they are teaching their child that being mediocre is better than practicing and  excelling in life.

As a former deck hockey assistant coach and little league baseball head coach,  I feel that the coach who forfieted the game should be removed from the league and barred from coaching anywhere else for showing his players that it is ok to quite when you can't win.

The deck hockey team I helped my older brother coach, went 26-0 one season because my brother taught his players to be gentlemen on the rink and taught them how to work together as a team. The coach from the other team in the final championship game forfeited the game with only 3 minutes left to play.The children on our team ranged from 5-8 years old in age and EVERY player recieved equal playing time. None of our kids were league leaders in goals and assists that season because every player scored points and no player was double shifted because of his exceeding skills. My brother was asked to step down as coach after that season ,I was not offered the head coaches spot the next season though I was allowed back as an assistant coach.The league also re-drafted every team to "make things fair". I got the last laugh when we went 25-1 the next season thanks to the drills and skills I learned from watching my brother coach.

It's a d**n shame that parents have to live their lost out on dreams through their children.

I bet not 1 kid in that league had a problem with Jericho. It was the parents on the sidelines and the coaches who did not draft him that had a problem with him.

Answer 2

If the kid cannmot take a hit then he shouldn't be out there baseball is not a girls game thats softball

Answer 3

I think that is stupid, who cares of he throws fast he's good they should let him play hes 9.

Answer 4

17th time today. wording the question differently doesn't make it a different question.

any parent who doesnt want their child participating is wrong. If their kids cant hit him, they need to practice more.

playing against someone who plays at a higher level will actually help them in the long run

Answer 5

Suppose the kid competes in a league with older kids and still dominates and lead his team to a title.  What will the other teams do, protest that he is to young to play with them and take the title away.

I think something recently in the sports world happened that is similar to this, what could it be?

http:americanfootballtopics.blogspot.c...

Answer 6

I agree that it is wrong, however i highly doubt that a 9yr. old can hit a 40 mph fastball. I shy the parents are pissed but i don't think that they did the right thing. I would ask Jericho if he would want to pitch in an older league and if they don't let b/c he is too young, then show them the fastball. :)

Answer 7

It is horible, & have you ever heard of a kid being taken out of the league because he was to good of a hitter? No, the whole thing is just an example of how many parents & people ***** & complain until they get there way. There was to many parents complaning about how it is unfair, didnt we all get raised up being told tough luck life isnt fair. Arent we trying to teach our kids life lessons? If somebody is good at something they shouldnt be aloud to do it? Gees sometimes the people in this country amaze me.

Answer 8

I think they should have moved him up an age group, in my league, there was a kids who should have been 2 leagues down, but his fastball reached up to 50 and he had a curveball with a 12 inch break, and they moved him up to my age group, so I think they should have done that.

You forgot to mention that he was offered a spot on last years championship team because he did good last year, but he declined it and the coach of that team was the head of the accosiation, so I think they were just mad his team was 8-0 and prolly the championship teams only losses were to Jericho's team.

And how can a 8-10 year old not hit a 40 mph fastball? When I was 9 I was going to the fast part of the batting cages that threw 60-70 mph and hit about half of them.

Answer 9

I think society today is getting more stupid. If their kids can't handle this kid maybe they should quit Baseball & play marbles or something.