Chock This Up to the Wussification of America

[The Dad Fisherman]

So all you folks that are saying move him up are alright with the whole "We aren't going to play with him" attitude and walking off the field.

The problem isn't the fact that the kid is good the problem is teaching the kids its OK to not take on a challenge and to give up and walk away.

Forfeiting a game because the pitcher is to good is rediculous....you get up there and take your hacks...if you get a hit great, if you strike out at least you tried.

Bottom line is the kid is 9 and playing in a league for 8-10 year olds...deal with it. Either hit the kids stuff or not....but don't walk away without even trying. WTF kinda message is that

[spence]

I would agree that walking away from the challenge would be wrong, although I'd be curious to know the undercurrents that were not in the story. There has to be more to it than this...

-spence

[PaulS]

http://www.courant.com/sports/hc-you...,2440011.story

http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.asp?brd=1281

There some info. there.

I'm split on this and there are good points on both sides. I think if the kids were older, I would have no sympathy for them but with 8 year olds and the weight problems kids have today, I could see the point with having either play another position or move him to an older league.

The mother sounds like a real idiot and has threatened people, gotten an attorney and said that when she is done, the league will be shut down.

The part of new Haven where the league is has many problems with drugs, prostitution and killings, etc. All the good the league does is being overshadowed by this.

[Joe]

I coached a baseball team last season 7-10 year olds.
The objectives are: have fun, make friends, learn the game.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by Joe

I coached a baseball team last season 7-10 year olds.
The objectives are: have fun

The kid Pitching is having a good time....and I'm pretty sure his team mates are enjoying winning when he's on the mound

Originally Posted by Joe

make friends

And moving him to a league w/ kids that are older than him and he will not see at school helps this how???

Originally Posted by Joe

learn the game.

Is Striking out not part of the game...or learning to hit a Fastball.

[The Iceman 6]

+ the kid stated specifically that he didn't want to move up.

[Slipknot]

wussification

the officials made a mistake, they need to fix it now.

I don't blame the coach for not backing down.
I don't blame the mother for getting pissed

I feel bad for the kid

That is just SO WRONG

he should be allowed to play with his friends, the other teams that don't want to are making a poor choice.

I don't know what they heck these people are thinking

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

So all you folks that are saying move him up are alright with the whole "We aren't going to play with him" attitude and walking off the field.

The problem isn't the fact that the kid is good the problem is teaching the kids its OK to not take on a challenge and to give up and walk away.

Forfeiting a game because the pitcher is to good is rediculous....you get up there and take your hacks...if you get a hit great, if you strike out at least you tried.

Bottom line is the kid is 9 and playing in a league for 8-10 year olds...deal with it. Either hit the kids stuff or not....but don't walk away without even trying. WTF kinda message is that

NICE !!!!
News flash, people are goign to be smarter than you.
People are gioing to be better looking than you.
People are make much more $ than you
People are going to catch more fish than you,
And kids, what should you do? Quit?

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

And kids, what should you do? Quit?

Grow up, join a union, and vote for the donkey party.... be rewarded for mediocrity...
Sorry dudes. Couldn’t resist.

As for the kid, he's 10 years old. Let him have fun. Sports at that age should be fun and fun only. Penalizing his ability is a joke and an embarrassment to the league. Move him up if it’s doable. Forfeiting a game is the epitome of weakness and poor sportsmanship.

[Andy D]

These are inner city kids whose parents probably can't afford to put him on an AAU team. If you put him up to the next level 11,12,13 a 40mph pitch is a meatball now it becomes " Dangerous" for this 9yr old to be on the mound with older kids using aluminum bats hitting balls back at him. Getting hit by a pitched ball is safer than a ball that is hit . Also it's not like this kid pitches every game. I think the league is teaching these kids it's o.k. to quit in the face of a challenge.

[rwilhelm]

This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! When I played LL there was kid that threw some serious gas. Yeah I was a little scared when I had to bat against him but that is part of the game. The kid cannot help the fact that he is further ahead than most kids in LL.

[buckman]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

So all you folks that are saying move him up are alright with the whole "We aren't going to play with him" attitude and walking off the field.

The problem isn't the fact that the kid is good the problem is teaching the kids its OK to not take on a challenge and to give up and walk away.

Forfeiting a game because the pitcher is to good is rediculous....you get up there and take your hacks...if you get a hit great, if you strike out at least you tried.

Bottom line is the kid is 9 and playing in a league for 8-10 year olds...deal with it. Either hit the kids stuff or not....but don't walk away without even trying. WTF kinda message is that

I agree. This is spoiled American BS. I'm going to say the kids dad throws the ball around with him and has since he could walk. The other parents drop their kid off to be babysat by the coach. Like everything else you reap what you sow. It's a great life lesson. Work hard and you are rewarded not kicked off the team. What a bunch of spoiled brats.