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Title: Celebrated Little League team stripped of championship title
Source:
AP
URL Source: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie ... AULT&CTIME=2015-02-11-17-50-33
Published: Feb 11, 2015
Author: By DON BABWIN - Associated Press
Post Date: 2015-02-11 19:16:01 by Murron
Keywords: None
Views: 8324
Comments: 32
Celebrated Little League team stripped of championship title CHICAGO (AP) -- A Little League team that captured the attention of the nation and the hearts of its hometown was stripped of its national title Wednesday after an investigation revealed that team officials had falsified boundaries so they could add ineligible players to the roster. FILE - In this Aug. 27, 2014, file photo, members of the Jackie Robinson West Little League baseball team participate in a rally in Chicago celebrating the team's U.S. Little League Championship. Little League International has stripped Chicago's Jackie Robinson West team of its national title after finding the team falsified its boundary map. The league made the announcement Wednesday morning, Feb. 11, 2015, saying the Chicago team violated regulations by placing players on the team who didn’t qualify because they lived outside the team’s boundaries. Little League International also suspended Jackie Robinson West manager Darold Butler from league activity.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) Only last summer, the all-black Jackie Robinson West team was the toast of Chicago and was honored with trips to San Francisco and to the White House. But the sport's governing body announced that team officials had engaged in a Little League version of political gerrymandering. Instead of politicians redrawing district maps to pick up votes, it was local league officials who changed the boundaries that determined where players must live. And after learning that their scheme had been exposed, they scrambled to convince surrounding leagues to go along with what they had done. "This is so heartbreaking," said Stephen D. Keener, president and CEO of Little League International. "It is a sad day for a bunch of kids who we have come to really like ... who did nothing wrong." But "we cannot tolerate the actions of some of the adults involved here." The organization suspended the manager, Darold Butler, and suspended the team from Little League tournament play until the local league's president and treasurer have been replaced. A district official who is believed to have helped change the boundaries was also removed. All of the team's victories were thrown out, meaning that the wins will be awarded to other teams. Mountain Ridge Little League, the team from Las Vegas that lost to Jackie Robinson West in the national championship game, will be awarded the title. Parents were angered by the news, saying their children were being unfairly punished. "The boys had no inside dealings ... about any borders, and I as a mother had no idea there were any (questions about) boundaries," said Venisa Green, who was driving her son, Brandon, to school Wednesday when they were "blindsided" by the news as it came over the radio. "We weren't involved in anything that could have caused us to be stripped of our championship," said Brandon, appearing at a news conference with his mother. Venisa Green said the move was especially disheartening because the team was part of efforts to keep children safe and prepare them for college in a community better known for gangs and drugs than any kind of achievement. "What would you have us do, Little League, for them to be killed on the streets of Chicago?" she asked. She wondered if the fact that the players were black had any role in the ruling, something that the Rev. Jesse Jackson and others questioned as well. "Is this about boundaries or race?" Jackson asked. Jackson did not discuss whether he blamed any league officials for what had happened, but in Washington, White House spokesman Josh Earnest suggested that it was the adults who let down the boys. "The fact is, you know, some dirty dealing by some adults doesn't take anything away from the accomplishments of those young men," he said. It was a stunning end to a story that began last summer as the team marched through the Little League tournament. Their odyssey ended with a loss to South Korea in the world championship game in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. For days, Chicago was enthralled by the story, in large part because the team was from the city's South Side, an area that has a reputation in much of the country for being synonymous with crime and gun violence. They were part of one of the most heartwarming World Series in Little League history, with the country rooting for Jackie Robinson West and a team from Philadelphia that had Mo'ne Davis, a star pitcher who was the first girl to appear in the series for a U.S. team since 2004. When the Chicago team returned home, the boys were treated as conquering heroes. Thousands of people lined city streets to catch a glimpse of them as they were paraded by bus from their home field to a downtown park. The team was treated to a trip to a major league World Series game in San Francisco and then a visit with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at the White House. Behind the scenes, Keener said, the investigation was creating a different story after a coach from a nearby suburb alleged that Jackie Robinson West had violated rules by poaching top suburban players. The investigation, which was first reported by DNAinfo.com, appeared to end in December when the national organization said it had uncovered no violations. Officials said they would reopen the inquiry if new information surfaced. About that time, the organization learned of questions about boundary maps involving multiple leagues. The investigation resumed. In an interview, Keener said Jackie Robinson West officials expanded the boundaries of their league at the expense of three neighboring leagues, so that the boundaries included the homes of several players on the team who would not otherwise have been eligible. The investigation found that at least one district official who had helped redraw the map went to the other teams to ask that they go along with what the team had done, Keener said. "They (said) `We know we took your territory. We shouldn't have done it, but will you give it to us' to essentially legitimize it," Keener said. The other leagues refused, he said.
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#1. To: Murron (#0)
Wonder what society in general would think if someone sponsored an all white Babe Ruth league? Never. That's racist.
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
Smh, even little league baseball is corrupt in Chitcago.
Or a congressional white cuacus.
Or White Entertainment Television
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
Chicago is out? Chicago is OUT???
Celebrated Little League team stripped of championship title Las Vegas Little League team national champs after Chicago team disqualified By Don Babwin, Associated Press Published Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015 | 7:42 a.m. Updated Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015 | 2:22 p.m. Nevada advances to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. Nevada players celebrate after defeating Pacifica 11-2 Saturday night to win the Little League Western Regional Championship. Mountain Ridge Little League, from Las Vegas, Nevada, defeated Pacifica Little League 11-2 Saturday August 9, 2014 in the Little League Western Regional Championship game at Al Houghton Stadium in San Bernardino. Nevada will play at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. starting next week. (Will Lester/Staff Photographer) Launch slideshow » CHICAGO — A Little League team that captured the attention of the nation and the hearts of its hometown was stripped of its national title Wednesday after an investigation revealed that team officials had falsified boundaries so they could add ineligible players to the roster. Only last summer, the all-black Jackie Robinson West team was the toast of Chicago and was honored with trips to San Francisco and to the White House. But the sport's governing body, Little League International, announced that team officials had changed the boundaries that determine where players must live. And after learning that their scheme had been exposed, they scrambled to convince surrounding leagues to go along with what they had done. "This is so heartbreaking," said Stephen D. Keener, the Little League International president and CEO. "It is a sad day for a bunch of kids who we have come to really like ... who did nothing wrong." But "we cannot tolerate the actions of some of the adults involved here." The organization suspended the manager, Darold Butler, and suspended the team from Little League tournament play until the local league's president and treasurer have been replaced. A district official who is believed to have helped change the boundaries was also removed. All of the team's victories were thrown out, meaning that the wins will be awarded to other teams. Mountain Ridge Little League, the team from Las Vegas that lost to Jackie Robinson West in the national championship game will be awarded the title. Parents were angered by the news, saying their children were being unfairly punished. "The boys had no inside dealings ... about any borders, and I as a mother had no idea there were any (questions about) boundaries," said Venisa Green, who was driving her son, Brandon, to school Wednesday when they were "blindsided" by the news as it came over the radio. "We weren't involved in anything that could have caused us to be stripped of our championship," said Brandon, appearing at a news conference with his mother. Venisa Green said the move was especially disheartening because the team was part of efforts to keep children safe and prepare them for college in a community better known for gangs and drugs than any kind of achievement. "What would you have us do, Little League, for them to be killed on the streets of Chicago?" she asked. She wondered if the fact that the players were black had any role in the ruling, something that the Rev. Jesse Jackson and others questioned as well. "Is this about boundaries or race?" Jackson asked. Jackson did not discuss whether he blamed any league officials for what had happened, but in Washington, White House spokesman Josh Earnest suggested that it was the adults who let down the boys. "The fact is, you know, some dirty dealing by some adults doesn't take anything away from the accomplishments of those young men," he said. It was a stunning end to a story that began last summer as the team marched through the Little League tournament. Their odyssey ended with a loss to South Korea in the world championship game in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. For days, Chicago was enthralled by the story, in large part because the team was from the city's South Side, an area beyond the city limits that has become almost synonymous with crime and gun violence. They were part of one of the most heartwarming World Series in Little League history, with the country rooting for Jackie Robinson West and a team from Philadelphia that had Mo'ne Davis, a star pitcher who was the first girl to appear in the series for a U.S. team since 2004. When the Chicago team returned, the boys were treated as conquering heroes. Thousands of people lined city streets to catch a glimpse of them as they were paraded by bus from their home field to a downtown park. The team was treated to a trip to a major league World Series game in San Francisco and then a visit with President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at the White House. But behind the scenes, Keener said, the investigation was creating a different story after a coach from a nearby suburb alleged that Jackie Robinson West had violated rules by poaching top suburban players. The investigation, which was first reported by DNAinfo.com, appeared to end in December when the national organization said it had uncovered no violations. But officials said they would reopen the inquiry if new information surfaced. About that time, the organization learned of questions about boundary maps involving multiple leagues. The investigation resumed. In an interview, Keener said Jackie Robinson West officials expanded the boundaries of their league at the expense of three neighboring leagues, so that the boundaries included the homes of several players on the team who would not otherwise have been eligible. The investigation found that at least one district official who had helped redraw the map went to the other teams to ask that they go along with what the team had done, Keener said. "They (said) 'We know we took your territory. We shouldn't have done it, but will you give it to us' to essentially legitimize it," Keener said. The other leagues refused, he said.
("We sing about God because we believe in Him. We are not trying to offend anybody, but the evidence that we have seen of Him in our small little lives trumps your opinion about whether or not He exists". ~ Jeff Foxworthy)
Celebrated Little League team stripped of championship title Las Vegas Little League team national champs after Chicago team disqualified ("We sing about God because we believe in Him. We are not trying to offend anybody, but the evidence that we have seen of Him in our small little lives trumps your opinion about whether or not He exists". ~ Jeff Foxworthy)
Somehow, I don't think the 'all white' team (above) will be welcome at the White House during Obama's last term....unless there is something to be gained by It. jmho! ("We sing about God because we believe in Him. We are not trying to offend anybody, but the evidence that we have seen of Him in our small little lives trumps your opinion about whether or not He exists". ~ Jeff Foxworthy)
If O'bunghole had 10 sons... They would look like a Chicago LL TEAM.
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
Correction: White House spokesman Josh Earnest suggested that it was the black adults who let down the boys. Just so that's clear to Jesse who sees racism around every corner.
Hmmmm. Nothing about how their children were unfairly rewarded with a championship because they had players they shouldn't?
Are they going to be given white shirts and red ties and pose for a picture with Obama? Are they going to get a parade and a trip to a major league World Series game? Yeah, right. When they're given the trophy, keep Kayne West away. He'll spoil their moment also.
Hold the race hustler bus their misterwhite. Jesse just got on: Jesse Jackson threatens lawsuit in Little League World Series scandal I'm a youth baseball coach and "dem rules are rules." You follow them.
"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb." (Psalm 139:13)
Official: Jackie Robinson West used bogus map to recruit ineligible players Officials with neighboring Little League organizations knew that Jackie Robinson West officials had gerrymandered a map to cover up for ineligible players but kept quiet because they didn't want to cause trouble, the CEO of Little League International said Wednesday.. "They didn't want to rock the boat," said Stephen Keener. "It was a great story. ... They were happy for the kids." But during the investigation by Little League International into boundary issues, Jackie Robinson West's leaders attempted to meet with officials of three nearby leagues, "essentially asking them to give JRW that territory so they could legitimize" the map submitted to the league's governing body, Keener said. The matter came to a head during a meeting in Chicago on Jan. 31, when Jackie Robinson West was found to have annexed areas from the other leagues without their permission. The map had been "redrawn and backdated and signed to make it appear it had been the map used during the entire" tournament, Keener said. The investigation also uncovered "several operational issues within the entire District (4, which covers the South Side and includes Jackie Robinson West) that have occurred over the course of many years under different leadership at the district level." Those issues include "a breakdown in communication of roles and responsibilities among District and league leadership and misunderstandings in multiple league boundaries," a release from Little League International said. The findings led to the decision to strip Jackie Robinson West of its national title, suspend the team's manager and remove the district administrator, Michael Kelley, who signed off on the boundaries map. The actions, Keener said, are "painful and troubling" but necessary. "Whether it's sport at the highest level — of MLB or the NFL — right down to the grass-roots level, adherence and conformity to rules and regulations are what make our programs possible," he said. The investigation began after a leader with a suburban Chicago league, Chris Janes, contacted the national organization with concerns that the South Side team was bringing in players from outside its stated boundaries. That led the national organization to call for the meetings in Chicago with officials from all of the local leagues involved in the boundary issue, Keener said. At those meetings, officials from the other leagues confirmed that the map's boundaries were incorrect. It's unclear how many members of Jackie Robinson West's winning team came from outside its boundaries. Little League International officials said "several children" on the team did not live within the appropriate boundaries but declined to be more specific. "Due to the sensitive nature of this story, we are not at liberty to disclose the full amount or any names of those children," Little League International spokesman Brian McClintock said in an email. An official with Roseland Little League, one of the leagues the national organization said was approached to sign off on the illegitimate map, said Jackie Robinson West leaders never asked his league to cede its boundaries. But the Roseland league's president, Maurice Johnson, said they were happy to give up players to the all-star team. "I can't speak for those other leagues, but from our point of view — and we told this to Little League Baseball — we were willing to sign off (letting kids play for JRW) since we didn't have a team in the tournament Two players from Roseland, in fact, played for the Jackie Robinson team in the tournament, Johnson said. Janes, vice president of the Evergreen Park Athletic Association, called the Little League's action "sad but appropriate." Janes said the boundaries are in place "to keep the organization community- based." "They're there to stop ambitious coaches from pirating other leagues and stealing their best players," he said Wednesday. Little League is about "working with the resources you have in a community, coaching and mentoring kids in the community in which you live." Because of the violations, the Little League's District 4 will get a "special administrator" appointed by the national Little League group to ensure future boundary issues and operations "fully comply" with national rules. Kelley, who was removed from his role as district administrator, could not be reached Wednesday for comment. Kelley denied in a December interview with the Tribune that the team changed boundaries to gather the best players. "It's totally nonsense," he said then. "There's always someone complaining and crying foul about something. Let the kids play ball."
("We sing about God because we believe in Him. We are not trying to offend anybody, but the evidence that we have seen of Him in our small little lives trumps your opinion about whether or not He exists". ~ Jeff Foxworthy)
Wonder if they checked birth certificates too? There is always controversy of overaged kids playing on Little League teams. Then again, if POTUS doesn't have to show his REAL birth certificate then why should the kids?:)
"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb." (Psalm 139:13)
"My mama tole me that out of all the men that could bees my daddy, four of them live within the boundary. Dat means I can play."
The matter came to a head during a meeting in Chicago on Jan. 31, when Jackie Robinson West was found to have annexed areas from the other leagues without their permission. The map had been "redrawn and backdated and signed to make it appear it had been the map used during the entire" tournament, Keener said". I hope he does throw his nasty old prick warmer in this fight, can't wait for him to mumble some twised explanation for this in a court of law, and I hope it's held in an open court, because I would even pay to see him in action. jmho!
("We sing about God because we believe in Him. We are not trying to offend anybody, but the evidence that we have seen of Him in our small little lives trumps your opinion about whether or not He exists". ~ Jeff Foxworthy)
Breaking: Suspended Jackie Robinson West manager refuses to address accusations In his first public comments since Jackie Robinson West was stripped of its U.S. Little League title, suspended manager Darold Butler refused to address allegations that he knowingly fielded ineligible players from outside the team's boundaries.
("We sing about God because we believe in Him. We are not trying to offend anybody, but the evidence that we have seen of Him in our small little lives trumps your opinion about whether or not He exists". ~ Jeff Foxworthy)
FUBU -- For Us, By Us.
Cheating with impunity is demanded. "By any means necessary" is the Commie/Satanist credo. And anybody pressing on for an explanation is...3-2-1...."RACIST!!" GREAT lessons taught and learned by the kids, the perps, and everyone involved. NOT. Not only could we assume there was gerrymandering of Chi-town districts, but ringers from all over the place of ALL ages. This is pretty much what the NYC/Bronx team of illegals did some years ago. The unstoppable pitcher back then was at least 14 years old.
HUH?? You mean without their bogus trophy, the ChiTown Little League cheats are going to become street fodder and drive-by stats? What a convoluted ethic and morality. "Is this about boundaries or race?" Jackson asked. 3-2-1...BLAST OFF!! Proving once more that rules and laws AND "equalitah" mean NOTHING to these parasitic Commie/Fascists. "BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY."
It's too late...Damage done. The Mud Hut, People Mag and the media will never notice. The Vegas kids are the victims of Stolen Memories, Stolen Accomplishment, Stolen Glory, Integrity and Honor.
Doesn't the Mud Hut have more important things to concentrate on? Like the explosive Middle East? MudCare? The wrecked economy and treason?
"Annexed" terroritories? Has a kind of late 1930s ring to it. By whose authoritah were the maps "redrawn and backdated"? The Mayor Rahm's office?
Chicago little league baseball learned the hard way this week what leagues in the South, Southwest and West did years ago. These rules are in place for a reason. It is not about black or white, rich or poor. There are cheat ringer teams from all walks of life. And when all of the above are caught there are consequences. The organization running the official Little League Baseball organization has a long history: http://www.littleleague.org/Little_League_Big_Legacy.htm A history of rules and following them. When any coach or regional LLB affiliate crosses the line, they are going to get slapped back. We have rules in sports and society for a reason. Is perhaps the LLB the last standing organization in America who sticks to their rules and values? To a degree I know how this works. I have a kid I've been coaching since he was 6 years old. He is now 10 and he could easily sit in a HS class and not be noticed. Big kid with a flame for an arm. His grandmother (guardian) keeps a copy of his birth certificate in her purse. Even in lower level youth baseball you are sometimes called to present your proof of age. This gerrymandering garbage is a byproduct of Chicago politics and Obolaism.
"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb." (Psalm 139:13)
But, but, but, I thought the important thing was to just show up play the game and everybody receive a trophy, winning wasn't supposed to be important. Oh wait, never mind it's Leftards were talking about here, cheating is allowed and encouraged for them to prove "their superiority"! Don't those 2 statements seem to be at odds with each other?
“Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rapidly promoted by mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
When any coach or regional LLB affiliate crosses the line, they are going to get slapped back. We have rules in sports and society for a reason. Is perhaps the LLB the last standing organization in America who sticks to their rules and values? Nothing seems to be sacred anymore. The greater lesson and overriding factor here seems to be the phenomena of exclusive entitlement and victimhood. That the rules and laws don't apply to those who believe that are "owed reparations." At the expense of rules and laws and fairness for others. To a degree I know how this works. I have a kid I've been coaching since he was 6 years old. He is now 10 and he could easily sit in a HS class and not be noticed. Big kid with a flame for an arm. His grandmother (guardian) keeps a copy of his birth certificate in her purse. Even in lower level youth baseball you are sometimes called to present your proof of age. This gerrymandering garbage is a byproduct of Chicago politics and Obolaism. You coach ball, Red? Cool. Once in a while these big kids look as though they need to be shaving, and are so advanced athleticly that anyone would question the age, as well as skill level. Good idea by Gramma. Yup, no doubt there is in place a culture of entitlement in ChiTown. Laws and Rules have never been enforced in that cesspool -- from politics to LL baseball.
Oh wait, never mind it's Leftards were talking about here, cheating is allowed and encouraged for them to prove "their superiority"! Don't those 2 statements seem to be at odds with each other? Great observation and point... One one hand the Lefties and socialists all insist that we are ALL equal. All results need to be equal. No winner or losers.... In THIS case as you note, the same hypocritical Leftist-socialists justify cheating and overtly breaking to help glorify the "superiority" of a cerain demographic and themselves. And if you don't subscribe to cheating and breaking rules to win, the ridiculous narrative is, "you're racist." Jesse Jackson and the race card baiters don't quite understand how this kind of position kneecaps the notion of all who are "judged by character," and NOT by their skin. Under the 0dinga Regime, we're seeing more and more of liberties taken with virtues, with honor, with fundamental fairness. BASED SOLELY ON RACE.
Once in a while these big kids look as though they need to be shaving, and are so advanced athleticly that anyone would question the age, as well as skill level. Good idea by Gramma. Was an assistant coach for my older son when he played youth league baseball. Been head coach for my younger son since T-Ball:) Now out of all the levels I coached, T-Ball was the most challenging:) Back in the day, the big kid was bumped up to the next level. They don't do that anymore.
"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb." (Psalm 139:13)
T-Ball -- That is really THE initial level of baseball, isn't it? You must be patient :-) How good is your older son? (how old is the Youth League?) And your younger guy? Into it? Good? Improving? Not bumping up the more skilled players to the next level is akin to what they do scholastically; dumbing down the gifted, the best, then de-motivating them :-( In the old days, the best lineups played. No screaming, whining Mommies and daddies influencing the coaches like these days. Coaching is much more fun when the kids already know how to swing a bat and field somewhat. Polishing those fundmentals is amazing and satisfying when you've had a kid at age 9, and three years later he's grown, learned, and become a beast. IF the coach is dedicated and has fun - and I *know* you are and do -- kids remember it all for the rest of their lives... I'll never forget my LL MGR. He had a glove that looked like it was worn by Pepper Martin. Respected the game, never mentioned players (except a few of the olde timers. Great influence till this day. Good man, didn't cuss. Sunny 8:00AM practices, man I couldn't wait. Turning two; Hitting the cutoff. Learning the strike zone. Learning the game (of course I knew the game since I'd been watching the Yankees on WPIX since I was 3 years old :-)
Not bumping up the more skilled players to the next level is akin to what they do scholastically; dumbing down the gifted, the best, then de-motivating them :- ( In the old days, the best lineups played. No screaming, whining Mommies and daddies influencing the coaches like these days. Coaching is much more fun when the kids already know how to swing a bat and field somewhat. Polishing those fundmentals is amazing and satisfying when you've had a kid at age 9, and three years later he's grown, learned, and become a beast. IF the coach is dedicated and has fun - and I *know* you are and do -- kids remember it all for the rest of their lives... I'll never forget my LL MGR. He had a glove that looked like it was worn by Pepper Martin. Respected the game, never mentioned players (except a few of the olde timers. Great influence till this day. Good man, didn't cuss. Sunny 8:00AM practices, man I couldn't wait. Turning two; Hitting the cutoff. Learning the strike zone. Learning the game (of course I knew the game since I'd been watching the Yankees on WPIX since I was 3 years old :-) All great memories. Me too growing up. Not a summer day (except Sunday) went by that we were not out playing pick up sand lot baseball. By the time we were old enough to play in a league, it was simple. My older son stopped playing when the leukemia hit. For the next three years after he was in no physical condition to play and was limited by his port. He started back up working out with the baseball team his freshmen year this year and will try out for the JV team next year. He is really into FFA (future farmers association) and raising his durok pig for a stock show soon. Hog is up to 230lbs now:) Younger son started baseball at 4 and he is now 10. Been coaching him ever since. After school and when I get home from work we are always out there with his best friend tossing the ball, pitching, and batting drills. They love it. I love it.:) He is an excellent middle infielder (from another coach's perspective of course) with speed and and a strong arm. He can do corner infield in a pinch, good swing too. He pitched a bit last year as well. Good control but still 10 so not much heat there yet:) The youth leagues start with T-Ball from ages 4-5; machine/coach pitch from ages 6-8; and what we are in now Sr. Midget ages 9-10. The Sr. Midget league is the first time the kids pitch in the game. All of the above is in a more relaxed environment since the kids are not fully developed yet. The focus is on rules, scoring, basic fundamentals and giving each kid a chance to play a number of positions. After Sr. Midget it gets very competitive from ages 11-14. This is where the coaches become managers, kids decide whether they like the game or not. Parents in the stands get ugly at this stage too. 11-14 is where the 'wheat and chaff' happens. How good and also dedicated is the kid and is he a team player. It all comes out in this age group. I have not coached that high yet and will probably volunteer as an assistant when he gets to that level. Then HS picks up the 14 and up. There are junior competitive leagues for kids 5-10 and that gets a bit crazy. Practices 4-5 times a week, travel, and coaches yelling at young kids. I'm glad I did not start playing until I was 11. If I was in one of those little tykes leagues as a kid I would probably hate baseball today.
"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb." (Psalm 139:13)
Aaah, those were the days. Yup, simple. Remember try outs? Where not everyone made the team? And the excitment of finding out wwhich maganger of which team picked you? The first time you got your uniform, at whatever league you were in? How you looked at that number? Sun shines. You put on your cleats. Anticipate that ground ball. On your toes, anticipating the fly ball/line drive. The crack as the sweet part of your bat finds grass. The joy of rounding first base. Nope, we didn't play any league baseball on Sundays either. Just Saturday mornings and Summer week nites at 6:00. Did you start in LL? I was 9 years old. Played till I was 12. Joined Babe Ruth League 13-15. Played Junior HS 13-14 yo. Senior League (16-18) High School, Junior College...Same thrill from 9-21 yo. Younger son started baseball at 4 and he is now 10. Been coaching him ever since. After school and when I get home from work we are always out there with his best friend tossing the ball, pitching, and batting drills. They love it. I love it.:) He is an excellent middle infielder (from another coach's perspective of course) with speed and and a strong arm. He can do corner infield in a pinch, good swing too. He pitched a bit last year as well. Good control but still 10 so not much heat there yet:) That's a great account, great way to bond with your young guy and share that passion. Fantastic that he's also got a best bud who loves baseball like he does. He got the arm, can field ALL the positions. As he grows bigger and stronger these next couple of years, I assume he'll become a pitcher AND play shortstop. Man, you gotta love this, Red. What a blessing. I was lucky -- on my block we had at least a half dozen boys all around the same age, AND a field of a technical school right behind my house. All we did was play ball whenever we wanted. All summer. Then played football of course in the fall. Even got 11 on 11 tackle games together (with and without equipment.) You grew up in NY, right? The youth leagues start with T-Ball from ages 4-5; machine/coach pitch from ages 6-8; and what we are in now Sr. Midget ages 9-10. The Sr. Midget league is the first time the kids pitch in the game. All of the above is in a more relaxed environment since the kids are not fully developed yet. The focus is on rules, scoring, basic fundamentals and giving each kid a chance to play a number of positions. Lol -- Sr. Midget League?? Wow...it's all very organized and regulated. Your leagues did it right -- probably because it's Texas. "Relaxed" is NOT ever how I would describe Toms River, NJ LL system. Not even the T-Ball league. I believe my son played T-Ball from 5-6, Midget LL 8-10, and Senior LL from 11-12. TR was very competitive, TOO competitive since they won their LL World Series years ago. Every team had like 6 coaches -- the situation was ridiculous with all the egos and azz-kissing. All the coaches had delsuions of being on TV, that whole thing. They even built an indoor facility. FOR LL'ers! After Sr. Midget it gets very competitive from ages 11-14. This is where the coaches become managers, kids decide whether they like the game or not. Parents in the stands get ugly at this stage too. 11-14 is where the 'wheat and chaff' happens. How good and also dedicated is the kid and is he a team player. It all comes out in this age group. I have not coached that high yet and will probably volunteer as an assistant when he gets to that level....Then HS picks up the 14 and up. And it should get competitive and serious at that 11-14 age (although there's a HUGE difference in physicality between a typical 11 year old and 14 year old, isn't there?) I guess down in Texas, everyone (including the couching staffs) are expected to set aside egos, and play as a team. Back east, ego is the thread that runs thru the fiber of "team" amd league here. At that level (even in Texas) the expectations for you as a coach will be challanging -- hopefully still in a fun way. Be great if as your younger guy progresses, you're there with him, coaching. You have the patience and knowledge; I never had the patience, nor could deal with the coaches, aka LL "baseball demigods." There are junior competitive leagues for kids 5-10 and that gets a bit crazy. Practices 4-5 times a week, travel, and coaches yelling at young kids. I'm glad I did not start playing until I was 11. If I was in one of those little tykes leagues as a kid I would probably hate baseball today. Wow -- yelling at kids in the 5-10 yo bracket? Insane. AND 4-5 days of practice AND traveling? It's the boys version of the beauty contest circuit ;-) Yep, all they're gonna learn at that age is that baseball is NOT fun, but a task. I don't remember ANY yelling in LL. May have been LOUD suggestions though by the MGR. Being uber competititve and undisciplined at times, *I* sometimes ill-advisedly did some yelling at the guys. I know that'll shock you :-)
Only last summer, the all-black Jackie Robinson West team was the toast of Chicago and was honored with trips to San Francisco and to the White House.
#2. To: Murron (#0)
#3. To: GrandIsland (#1)
#4. To: A K A Stone (#3)
Or a congressional white cuacus.
#5. To: Murron (#0)
#6. To: All, UPDATED (#0)
I'm sorry It took me so long to get back to this with this update.- murron
#7. To: All (#6)
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#8. To: All (#7)
Only last summer, the all-black Jackie Robinson West team was the toast of Chicago and was honored with trips to San Francisco and to the White House,.
#9. To: Murron (#8)
Somehow, I don't think the 'all white' team (above) will be welcome at the White House during Obama's last term....unless there is something to be gained by It. jmho!
#10. To: Murron (#0)
"White House spokesman Josh Earnest suggested that it was the adults who let down the boys."
#11. To: Murron (#0)
"Parents were angered by the news, saying their children were being unfairly punished."
#12. To: Murron (#7)
"Las Vegas Little League team national champs after Chicago team disqualified"
#13. To: misterwhite, Murron, CZ82, liberator (#10)
Just so that's clear to Jesse who sees racism around every corner.
#14. To: All (#6)
#15. To: Murron, liberator, CZ82 (#14)
#16. To: redleghunter (#15)
"Wonder if they checked birth certificates too?"
#17. To: redleghunter (#13)
(Edited)
Jesse Jackson threatens lawsuit in Little League World Series scandal
"But during the investigation by Little League International into boundary issues, Jackie Robinson West's leaders attempted to meet with officials of three nearby leagues, "essentially asking them to give JRW that territory so they could legitimize" the map submitted to the league's governing body, Keener said.
#18. To: All, Breaking (#17)
#19. To: Murron (#18)
"suspended manager Darold Butler"
#20. To: Murron (#18)
Suspended Jackie Robinson West manager refuses to address accusations
#21. To: Murron, redleghunter, CZ82 (#6)
Mom, Venisa Green:
"What would you have us do, Little League, for them to be killed on the streets of Chicago?" she asked.
She wondered if the fact that the players were black had any role in the ruling, something that the Rev. Jesse Jackson and others questioned as well.
#22. To: Murron (#7)
Las Vegas Little League team national champs after Chicago team disqualified
#23. To: misterwhite (#10)
White House spokesman Josh Earnest suggested that it was the black adults who let down the boys.
#24. To: Murron (#17)
The matter came to a head during a meeting in Chicago on Jan. 31, when Jackie Robinson West was found to have annexed areas from the other leagues without their permission. The map had been "redrawn and backdated and signed to make it appear it had been the map used during the entire" tournament, Keener said".
#25. To: Liberator, Murron, CZ82 (#21)
#26. To: Murron, redlegunter, Liberator (#0)
#27. To: redleghunter (#25)
Chicago little league baseball learned the hard way...
#28. To: CZ82, redleghunter, Murron (#26)
But, but, but, I thought the important thing was to just show up play the game and everybody receive a trophy, winning wasn't supposed to be important.
#29. To: Liberator (#27)
You coach ball, Red? Cool.
#30. To: redleghunter, beyond the sea (#29)
(Edited)
#31. To: Liberator (#30)
(Edited)
T-Ball -- That is really THE initial level of baseball, isn't it? You must be patient :-) How good is your older son? (how old is the Youth League?) And your younger guy? Into it? Good? Improving?
#32. To: redleghunter (#31)
All great memories. Me too growing up. Not a summer day (except Sunday) went by that we were not out playing pick up sand lot baseball. By the time we were old enough to play in a league, it was simple.
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