If You Can't Beat 'Em, Quit, Then Get Him Banned From The League

Never underestimate the ability of parents to screw things up. 

Case in point, Nine year-old Jericho Scott.  Jericho is a pitcher in the Youth Baseball League of New Haven, Connecticut, who was told he cannot pitch anymore because his fastball was too difficult for the opposing batters to hit.

Let me say that again:  He can't pitch anymore, because he's too good at pitching.

League attorney Peter Noble says the only factor in the decision is Jericho's ability.  "He is a very skilled player, a very hard thrower," Noble said. "There are a lot of beginners. This is not a high-powered league. This is a developmental league whose main purpose is to promote the sport."  Noble says parents also expressed safety concerns, despite the fact that Scott has yet to hit a single batter with a pitch.

When Jericho took the mound after being told by the league he couldn't pitch, the other team refused to take the field and forfeited the game.  But wait, there's more:

Jericho's coach and parents say he was asked to join the defending champion's team (because what would a developmental league be without a champion?), but he declined.  Instead, Jericho joined a different team, and proceeded to go 8-0, with a ticket to the playoffs.  I suppose the whole thing is just good timing...

In the meantime, the league wants to break up Scott's team and redistribute all the players.  His mother is threatening to sue the league, and to top it all off, Jericho himself thinks this whole thing is his fault.  "I feel sad," He said, "I feel like it's all my fault nobody could play."

There are so many things wrong with this situation, I could get a coronary trying to think of them all. 

How can a league that is supposed to be all about developing players keep track of score, keep track of records, and crown a champion?  If the only thing you care about is the kids' skills, what do wins and losses matter?  Don't get me wrong, I'm not an advocate of the, "everybody gets a gold star" mentality at all, but if that's what your excuse is for ruining the experience for this kid, then at least be consistent. 

If the league had a kid that hit a home run every time he came up, do you think they'd ban him? This whole debacle is all about some overzealous parents who don't want to watch their kid strike out a couple of times and start crying.  Did they ever consider that they're kid might be the one to get a hit?  That they had the opportunity to teach their chid about overcoming odds and never giving up?  Of course not, it's much easier to tell the teacher!

The league has suggested that Scott play in a more difficult league, which he already does.  The point of playing in the New Haven league was so that he could also play baseball with his friends - what an idea!

The beauty of youth sports is that they're not only supposed to teach you the game, they're supposed to teach you about life.  Sometimes you go up against incredible odds, and sometimes, your best just isn't good enough on a particular day, and you strike out.  Instead of packing up and heading home, you buck up, get back in the batter's box, and take your cuts.  By banning Jericho Scott from pitching, all these "adults" are doing is showing their kids that the best way to handle adversity is to throw your hands in the air and run away. 

I can't believe that in a league featuring nine year-old kids, the people that have to suck it up, stop crying, and deal with the situation aren't the players on the field. 

Grow up.

[I also have a podcasting website with a good friend, that I can't figure out how to link to.  In the meantime, go to sportscaster.podbean.com to check it out.]