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Little League Controversies
I'm sure it would never happen in Plattsburgh or the North Country, but two recent controversies involving Little League Baseball caught my attention this week.
Did you hear about the seven-year-old boy from the Boston area who was suspended for two games? What did he do? Did he throw his bat after strking out? Did he argue an umpire's call at second base? Did he spit sunflower seeds at the home plate umpire? Did he say that word his father uses when the Yankees' bullpen blows another lead?
Answer: none of the above. Actually, the seven-year-old did nothing. It was his mom! His mom failed to show up for her assigned concession stand duty one night. The penalty? The boy is suspended two games.
That's akin to taking away my son's drivers license if I get a speeding ticket. Just what is the logic used by that Freeport, Massachusetts Little League Board of Directors? Imagine the kid having to sit out two games because his mom didn't sell popcorn and hot dogs. Big mistake!
The other controversy comes from a Chicago-area Little League, where the teams have been named the Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers and other big league names. Major League Baseball has reared its head, however. Rather than worry about steroids in baseball and future Hall of Famers lying before Congress, Major League Baseball claims that those Little League uniforms cannot have big league team names, because, like team logos, team names are trademarked.
For this season, the Chicago-area Little Leaguers are named only after cities, not the team nicknames as well. A kid can't be on the "Boston Red Sox," but he can be on "Boston." Sounds trivial to me. Sounds like the Commissioner's Office should have more important matters to deal with. Like pitchers throwing at batter's heads and runners sliding into second with spikes up.
Leave it to the adults to spoil the fun for the kids!
Comments
WOW, that's pretty harsh, Foxy. I can't imagine us doing something like that. I wonder if there would be a way to suspend the PARENTS instead of the player?
Side note - during a somewhat heated controversy over something or another before one of our Little League games last year, Ducky Drake (who umpires the bases a lot for us, as you know) told me "you know, if it weren't for parents and coaches, Little League baseball would be perfect!" The Duckster is a wise man.
Can't believe the most-high mucky-mucks at MLB have nothing better to do than spoil the fun of a bunch of Little-Leaguers. Now THAT'S what I call cultivating your fan base. Bud Selig is horrible and needs to go.
(Foxy's note: Tim Dodd has been involved in Plattsburgh Little League for several years. He is one of the many dedicated coaches and parents.)
Posted by: Tim Dodd | June 2, 2008 4:06 PM
Fox,
Okay, I can understand stressing the importance of following through with doing what you signed up to do, however, this little kid should not have been punished because his mom was unable to attend or is an air head or whatever.
Did any of the articles happen to state the reason why the mother failed in her responsibilities? Either way, it was the mom, and not the kid, that failed to do what they were suppose to do. I know that, legally, a parent is responsible for whatever their child does until said child reaches the age of 18 but reversing this line of thinking is for the birds.
Posted by: Kathy | June 2, 2008 1:51 PM
If the kid in question is from Boston I don't think he would be hearing any cuss words from his old man if the Yankees bullpen blew any leads. My two favorite teams are the Red Sox and whoever is beating the Yankees, HA!.
Posted by: LaPoint | June 2, 2008 4:23 AM
What do you expect, Foxy, after all, a kindergardener can get kicked out of school for kissing another kindergardener. Another bright decision made by adults.
Pharmer
Posted by: John Meyer | June 1, 2008 12:29 PM
What a nice way for MLB to get kids interested in baseball. Kids can't wear a "Dodgers" uniform? How stupid! Bud Selig needs to be canned! MLB also won't let videos be on YouTube. Why? Because you can go to MLB.com and pay for it. It doesn't seem to bother the NFL anymore. Why? Free publicity and it gets people interested in football.
Posted by: jC... | June 1, 2008 9:15 AM
Foxy,
Upon further investigation I learned that it was a little more than just missing her concession duty that caused such an uproar. It seems the mom in question had failed to bring the toilet paper for the restrooms that was assigned and therefore the game had to be delayed until the mayor went to a local Wal-mart and secured some of the necessary product. Many of the fans experienced unnecessary stress over this .
As for the MLB trademark issue. I would just go and have the Chicago uniforms changed slightly to read Chicago Black Sox. See if MLB would like that one.
Posted by: rubble | May 31, 2008 6:57 AM
i enjoy your blogs but would like to hear more about the old days in Plattsburgh. I graduated from olva in early 60's.
(Foxy's note: Hi, Joanne, I remember you well, if you have a brother named Gary! Have you checked the archives here to find earlier blogs about Plattsburgh? There are many about our good ol' days in Plattsburgh.)
Posted by: joanne hebert | May 30, 2008 2:16 PM
Fox man! At least those kids in Chicago don't have to play on a little league team named the Kansas City Royals! Now that would be true punishment for the young ball players!
Posted by: Bryan Benway | May 30, 2008 9:32 AM