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Should Kids be Banned from Little League If They Throw Too Hard?

Posted by RTBjr73 • 8/26/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: baseball, danny amonte, jericho scott

This really, REALLY, ticked me off when I read an article about this kiddo being banned from pitching because he threw too hard, so Ihad to write about it. As a father and coach, I would NEVER have forfeited my team against a kid like this. Kids need to learn that things in life can be tough, even in fun activities.

tommybuettnerbloggingbaseball.blogspot.com/2008/08/9-year-old-boy-told-hes-...

User Comments

8/26/08

kat822

I saw that . I say hell no, it's the competition of the game, we are raising a bunch of babies these days

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8/26/08

thefly

Can we ban kids for being too fat? Of course not, you gotta look at both ends here. Bunch of whiners.

buzz buzz

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8/26/08

AmyOops

well, if he was hitting the kids with the balls then yes..

but other than that no..

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1. 8/26/08
  
  RTBjr73
  
  word is he has never beaned anyone.
2. 8/26/08
  
  kat822
  
  even if he did hit someone, I don't see the point, he should be punished because he is too good?
8/26/08

gmoney

what is wrong with losing...... if you never come in second place you will never learn how to want to be number 1

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8/26/08

RTBjr73

Can you imagine if it was a GIRL that was throwing the heat?

don't laugh, y'all...I played in league where a few girls played, and were some of the better pitchers in the league. (these were on laugues sponsered on military bases, where if girls wanted to play baseball, they were welcome with open arms...ahhh...the good ole days where kids where allowed t be kids).

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1. 8/26/08
  
  CrotchetyOldMan
  
  Tommy, we do not need a 9 year old kid in LL who can throw faster than me. That's not right. Makes me feel like even more of a loser.
  
  (How long until we can get some pinstripes on that kid?)
8/26/08

voodooKobra

(Oh no you don't brain, you stay!)

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8/26/08

kat822

I played co ed little leauge, was the only girl one year, and I took some fast balls that were probably aimed at me because of that, my parents didn't scream foul. They said hey if you can't run with the big dogs then stay on the porch...needless to say I ran with the big dogs.

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8/26/08

melindaville

Hi RTB--that's so bizarre! What are they worried about? That the other kids self-esteem is going to be ruined because they can't hit the hard thrown balls? That's the most ridiculous thing I ever saw.

Oh, and BTW--can we please sign this kid up for the Red Sox? Seems like we could use him. If he's a lefty, that's even bettah!

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8/26/08

kat822

hell no mtyler my Tigers need him badddddly lol

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8/26/08

melindaville

Actually, Kat--I think you might need him worse than we do. Have at him!

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8/26/08

cooper

That seems pretty close to illegal, he has never hit anyone at all.
Who are they trying to kid anyway. I've met some of these little league parents they are rabid in their quest for their child's team to win - they live for it. In this case it was probably because with this kid playing their kids tam didn't stand a chance.
I am wondering though, isn't there some kind of limit they put on how much kids can pitch at that age so as not to hurt their arms? I'm pretty sure there is.

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1. 8/27/08
  
  RTBjr73
  
  it depends on what organization the y are affiliated with. The officailly recognized Little League puts a limit on innings pitched, but when I coach, I put a pitch count limit on my team pitchers. I will be coaching 13 year olds next year. I am a big believer of kids playing "long toss" throughout the year, to build up and maintain arm strength, but I will probably limit my pitchers to 40 pitches a game. Since everyone gets a chance to pitch, I feel comfortable that I will never run out of pitchers, and never risk a sore or injured arm.
  
  And I also will not allow ANY of my players throw junk...i.e. Curveball, slider, cutter etc. These kid's arms are still in the developement stage, and I will not risk a chance of injury, I don't care how small it is, of a dead arm.
8/26/08

womenslegal

No! Competition is healthy to a point.

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8/26/08

TheBigRuski

I say we don't keep score until kids turn 18! It's mean to beat someone in a game...can you imagine that!?

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1. 8/26/08
  
  RTBjr73
  
  I completely disagree. Kids nedd to learn that they do not win at everything.
2. 8/26/08
  
  voodooKobra
  
  Either Ruski was being sarcastic, or he's dumber than I thought.
3. 8/26/08
  
  TheBigRuski
  
  @ RTB...sorry...my comment was my attempt at sarcasm!
  
  I'm tired of the whole politically correct approach to youth sports.
8/26/08

kiwigal

I think banning is outrageous, why not a warning or some assistance on how to thow?

They don't learn if they come up against barriers all the time all they learn is they cannot do anything and it knocks there confidence. Imagine how his parents feel with this published?

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8/26/08

wigwam2theorem

And he wasn't even throwing that fast. The reports state that he throws around 40 mph. According to my google research, that is about average for a 9-year old. Granted, this was a beginner's league, but this gross overreaction is utterly ridiculous!

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8/26/08

kdawg68

I remember there was a kid in my little league days that no one could hit. He was the Nolan Ryan of our league. He was also a year older than everyone yet somehow allowed to compete against us, but nobody ever cared.

Still, I wouldn't have changed it for the world. We loved the challenge of facing him. He went on to be a pivotal part of a state championship team.

One of my greatest memories from that era was when we beat him 3-1 one game. I had a single but no RBI. Everyone just played their guts out because we knew he was the best. The feeling when we won has lasted a lifetime. Of course, that was the only time we (or anyone else for that matter) got him.

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1. 8/27/08
  
  RTBjr73
  
  @kdawg68...and sadly, a lot of kids will never have memories like yours. It's a shame.
8/26/08

GeorgieB

This is from my home state. This is a bunch of bull patties. I believe this is retaliation because the kid's parents turned down an invite to a team that is sponsored by one of the league directors.

Coincidence? I think not.

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1. 8/26/08
  
  kdawg68
  
  local politics is usually the name of the game in such instances. Usually some mayor or county commissioner or something who thinks they should be revered as the town elite. Yup, know that story.
8/26/08

polybore

I bet someone is already writing the screen play for a block buster movie thanks to this debacle.

I feel sorry for the kid. He just wants to play the game. How is he going to get a game now?

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8/26/08

Bayho

wow i can't believe they actually banned a kid for being too good. There was this girl on my soft ball team and she was good. . .she was probably the reason why we did so well that season but no one ever banned her. I don't know why there changing the rules now a days. .Kids need to toughen up a little.

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1. 8/27/08
  
  GeorgieB
  
  Actually, it's the adults that need to toughen up, not the kids.
2. 8/27/08
  
  Hoeno
  
  You said it all GeorgieB. Parents are often too scared to toughen their kids up. They can't understand tough love. I'd say it's their problem but eventually it becomes all of our problems, lol.
  
  ~JD
8/27/08

HelloAnnie

Pitching in baseball is a targeted, isn't it? If a target is focused, like punching for a knock out, then his ability to hit very hard is then dangerous.

They, the team, however, should then not ban him, but lead him to learn to control the power he possesses and tap on the potentials. If they have not, then it diminishes his effort to conquer his own abilities.

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1. 8/27/08
  
  RTBjr73
  
  "lead him to learn to control the power he possesses and tap on the potentials."
  
  Read the article...control is not the issue...he hasn't beaned/hit/thrown at anyone.
8/27/08

HelloAnnie

yes i have left a comment. I meant, the fear lies with the adults who worries he may injure someone, maybe not now, maybe later. So to the adults, prevention is better than cure.

I totally support having him back playing. It is against the natural development of childhood.

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1. 8/27/08
  
  GeorgieB
  
  Again, control is not the issue here. In CT, where this is taking place, all types of underage baseball are incredibly competitive. The original team that made the complaint is sponsored by one of the board directors.
  
  It's a case of sour grapes because the kid's parents had the audacity to turn down an invite from this jarhead.
  
  Jealousy, pure and simple.
8/27/08

Anok

i heard about that too - and my initial response was - if he's THAT good that the other kids can't ever get a hit in - move him up a league.

Just like you do with kids who are excelling in any other activity or class - if they are that far ahead, they need to be put in with other kids of at least similar skills - otherwise no one really gets anything out of it, including this little pitcher.

I mean, think about how challenged he would be if he went from little league to senior league?

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8/27/08

Friday13

Hey, let's also ban Michael Phelps for winning too many medals.

And why stop there? Let's ban all the best sportspeople/athletes for being better than the average majority.

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