Little League Cancels All-Star Game To Spare Children's Feelings

Prior to reading this article, take a second to answer a few questions. If the answer is “No” to any one of them, please reconsider reading the following piece.

Are you a sports fan? Do you believe in competition? Is there a barf-bag within three feet of you, as well as a bottle of Pepto Bismol or Tums, whichever you prefer? You will be needing it in about 10 minutes. Trust me.

I came across this story first on the radio today (Covino and Rich on Sirius) and then on the Internet. The City of Beachwood, wherever that is, has decided that it is in the best interests of the children (ages nine to 12) to cancel the Little League All-Star Game in baseball.

The reason?

Fred Engh, founder of the National Alliance for Youth Sports, states, “There’s nothing like sticking a dagger into a youngster’s self-esteem the first season he plays the sport by letting him know that he’s not good enough or considered worthy to be a part of this elite group of teammates.”

... 

Really, Fred? Really?

Is this what sports in America has come to?

What happened to rewarding those who exceed the norm and display superb abilities, reaching such achievements through hard work and effort? I suppose that to protect the feelings of children, we are going to stop rewarding those who go over and beyond the average.

I suppose the example we want to set is that it’s better if everyone is just average and on the same level because we don’t want anyone to feel that their skills and talents make them better.

Don’t reward the kid who shoots 100 free throws a day after school. Reward the fat kid who watches Power Rangers (or whatever kids watch these days) and stuffs his face with Cream Pies. 

My God, are you joking me?

Here’s how it works.

If you are not good enough to be on the All-Star team and you really love a sport, your next step should be to take that rejection as motivation to work harder and get better. If you really want to be an All-Star, you work your tail off doing everything that you can possibly do to achieve your goal.

That builds character. 

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