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| Celtic Radio Community > General Discussion > Youth League 9 Year Old "Too Good" |
| Posted by: TheCarolinaScotsman 26-Aug-2008, 05:29 PM |
| This is one of the most ridiculous things I've heard of. A youth league banning a boy because he's too good. Do they want everyone to be mediocre? What do they think sport is for if not honest competition. How can it be honest competition if they ban someone who's "too good"? 9-year-old boy told he's too good to pitch Posted: Aug. 25 9:34 p.m. NEW HAVEN, Conn. Nine-year-old Jericho Scott is a good baseball player - too good, it turns out. The right-hander has a fastball that tops out at about 40 mph. He throws so hard that the Youth Baseball League of New Haven told his coach that the boy could not pitch any more. When Jericho took the mound anyway last week, the opposing team forfeited the game, packed its gear and left, his coach said. Officials for the three-year-old league, which has eight teams and about 100 players, said they will disband Jericho's team, redistributing its players among other squads, and offered to refund $50 sign-up fees to anyone who asks for it. They say Jericho's coach, Wilfred Vidro, has resigned. But Vidro says he didn't quit and the team refuses to disband. Players and parents held a protest at the league's field on Saturday urging the league to let Jericho pitch. "He's never hurt any one," Vidro said. "He's on target all the time. How can you punish a kid for being too good?" The controversy bothers Jericho, who says he misses pitching. "I feel sad," he said. "I feel like it's all my fault nobody could play." Jericho's coach and parents say the boy is being unfairly targeted because he turned down an invitation to join the defending league champion, which is sponsored by an employer of one of the league's administrators. Jericho instead joined a team sponsored by Will Power Fitness. The team was 8-0 and on its way to the playoffs when Jericho was banned from pitching. "I think it's discouraging when you're telling a 9-year-old you're too good at something," said his mother, Nicole Scott. "The whole objective in life is to find something you're good at and stick with it. I'd rather he spend all his time on the baseball field than idolizing someone standing on the street corner." League attorney Peter Noble says the only factor in banning Jericho from the mound is his pitches are just too fast. "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 acknowledged that Jericho had not beaned any batters in the co-ed league of 8- to 10-year-olds, but say parents expressed safety concerns. "Facing that kind of speed" is frightening for beginning players, Noble said. League officials say they first told Vidro that the boy could not pitch after a game on Aug. 13. Jericho played second base the next game on Aug. 16. But when he took the mound Wednesday, the other team walked off and a forfeit was called. League officials say Jericho's mother became irate, threatening them and vowing to get the league shut down. "I have never seen behavior of a parent like the behavior Jericho's mother exhibited Wednesday night," Noble said. Scott denies threatening any one, but said she did call the police. League officials suggested that Jericho play other positions, or pitch against older players or in a different league. Local attorney John Williams was planning to meet with Jericho's parents Monday to discuss legal options. "You don't have to be learned in the law to know in your heart that it's wrong," he said. "Now you have to be punished because you excel at something?" |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 26-Aug-2008, 05:39 PM |
| I noticed this today. I feel really bad for this kid -- I'm trying to see both sides of it (like, the other kids are discouraged by him or afraid of getting beaned? Or maybe they are afraid he will strain his muscles or joints while he is still developing) but I wish it weren't a matter of exclusion for being "too good," as if that's a fault! I wonder if he can move up and play with an older set of kids who have more mature skills? As far as making him play another position -- hell, he's a natural pitcher. Why make him field and have to watch some other kid play his spot with less ability? That would be agoninzing for him to have to watch. He'd probably rather not play at all. |
| Posted by: stevenpd 26-Aug-2008, 07:43 PM |
| My first reaction to this was, "Wonderful, just another fine example of lowering standards to lowest possible denominator." But as went deeper into the issue I realized that he has the ability to excel to the next level up. The adults who should know better are reacting rather stupidly. Itstead of moving him up, they quit. Just like spoiled children when they do not get their own way, they through a temper tantrum and quit. Great example of parenting skills! (said with a tremendous amount of sarcasm) |