Post by: K Frame on August 26, 2008, 06:51:06 AM
Helen: 'Everyone is special, Dash"
Dash: 'Which is another way of saying no one is.'
"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?"
Post by: Manedwolf on August 26, 2008, 06:54:57 AM
Quote
THE YEAR WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They werent only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General.
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut.
Post by: Regolith on August 26, 2008, 07:06:32 AM
We won a lot of games early that year.
Post by: mtnbkr on August 26, 2008, 07:13:02 AM
We have similar problems in amateur cycling. So much so that certain disciplines have enacted rules to force folks to move up to the next class when they win X number of races (actually finish in the top 3 or 5).
Years ago, I did some amateur mountain bike racing. It's very disconcerting to race against folks who are in your class merely so they can pick up a win without any real effort. Around here, we have folks racing Sport class who are turning in times that would put them in the top third of the Expert class (next step up is Pro).
Maybe the kid does need to be in a different league.
Chris
Post by: MicroBalrog on August 26, 2008, 07:17:36 AM
Quote
Helen: 'Everyone is special, Dash"
Dash: 'Which is another way of saying no one is.'
Dash: 'Which is another way of saying no one is.'
Dash is clearly not very smart. Economic principles do not apply to the (infinite) value of every individual human being.
Post by: K Frame on August 26, 2008, 07:32:36 AM
Yeah, that's very humorous.
I've yet to meet more than a very small handful of individuals who are worth more than the sum value of the minerals contained in their worthless space wasting carcasses.
And, I'm not really sure where you think that Dash and Helen are talking about economic principles.
Hint. They're not.
Post by: The Annoyed Man on August 26, 2008, 08:03:45 AM
Quote
THE YEAR WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They werent only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General.
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut.
Post by: Iain on August 26, 2008, 08:17:32 AM
Oh and - if this article were from the UK I could predict the response, none of which I will repeat.
Post by: Scout26 on August 26, 2008, 08:54:19 AM
Couple reasons:
1. Didn't want to wear out one kid's arm.
2. Every kid was supposed to play a new position every inning. Come on, they're 9, they're still learning the game and basic skills/strategies/techniques.
3. Don't start pigeon-holeing kids, otherwise they lose interest and stop playing.
If he's a great pitcher, then great, let him pitch 2 innings and then spend the rest of the game at other positions and on the bench. I'd hate to see a 12/13/14 year-old having to have Tommy John surgery cause his coaches burn out his arm to win the small town little league championship.
Post by: MechAg94 on August 26, 2008, 10:01:41 AM
I don't remember anyone suggesting that pitcher not pitch.
If their leagues are similar, he would be playing in the higher league the next year anyway. Considering they already played 8 games, let them finish and win the playoffs and all that. If they want changes, make them next year.
IMO, this sounds like a bunch of bullshit local politics. Federal politicians have nothing on the crap locals try to pull sometimes.
Post by: MicroBalrog on August 26, 2008, 04:18:18 PM
Quote
And, I'm not really sure where you think that Dash and Helen are talking about economic principles.
Of course they're not.
But the idea that 'everybody is special means nobody is' is an attempt to apply the economic principle of 'common stuff is less valuable' to human beings. Doesn't work.
Every individual is unique. Thus, every individual is infinitely valuable.
Post by: K Frame on August 26, 2008, 04:21:16 PM
Especially not when talking about people.
And, just because something, or someone, is unique doesn't automatically imbue it, or them, with some intrinsic, incalculable value.
Post by: Manedwolf on August 26, 2008, 04:22:34 PM
Every individual is unique. Thus, every individual is infinitely valuable.
No, actually, most people are unremarkable trash. And a percentage of those are murderous takers and violent radicals who should be put down the first time they try to attack an innocent person.
You think if those blank-eyed morons yelling "allahu akbar" every time they touch off a rocket at your cities are "valuable", or would be far more useful splattered on the ground as fertilizer. I say the latter.
And here? We have these coming from El Salvador and elsewhere. This is an MS-13 member.
He would just as soon disembowel you with a machete as look at you. Is he a valuable person?
Post by: MicroBalrog on August 26, 2008, 04:38:58 PM
[Of course, a lot of the FATAH members,for example are quite valuable people. I've met a FATAH ex-member at a 'Combatants for PEace' event that was about ten times more cogent and mature than most people I meet at college - but that is a separate story)
Post by: Scout26 on August 26, 2008, 04:53:59 PM
Unique and special are not synonyms.
Especially not when talking about people.
And, just because something, or someone, is unique doesn't automatically imbue it, or them, with some intrinsic, incalculable value.
Especially not when talking about people.
And, just because something, or someone, is unique doesn't automatically imbue it, or them, with some intrinsic, incalculable value.
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on August 26, 2008, 04:55:53 PM
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on August 26, 2008, 05:00:19 PM
Post by: DJJ on August 26, 2008, 05:23:33 PM
Post by: K Frame on August 26, 2008, 07:12:27 PM
He pitches, he apparently enjoys pitching, so why not let him pitch?
It's not as if he's going to pitch every inning of every game they have.
Would the same ruling apply if there was one kid who was a terror at bat, getting a hit just about every time he came to the plate?
"Sorry, Pugsley, you can't bat anymore. The other kiddies aren't having fun because you always get a hit, so your fun and your abilities have to suffer for the greater psychological good of your lessers."
Or, how about...
"Sorry, Timmy, your piano playing abilities are so much better than the rest of the kids in your recital class that you can't play anymore. You're making them feel bad about themselves."
Yeah, that's a GREAT message to send to a child.
Don't excel in anything, don't stand out. Become a member of the herd.
Post by: MechAg94 on August 27, 2008, 04:22:35 AM
I can't believe that one team forfeited just because this kid was pitching. That is just plain stupid and I wouldn't want my kid on that team.
Post by: Hawkmoon on August 27, 2008, 10:04:53 AM
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on August 27, 2008, 10:19:56 AM
Who said anything about the kid being uber competitive?
He pitches, he apparently enjoys pitching, so why not let him pitch?
It's not as if he's going to pitch every inning of every game they have.
Would the same ruling apply if there was one kid who was a terror at bat, getting a hit just about every time he came to the plate?
"Sorry, Pugsley, you can't bat anymore. The other kiddies aren't having fun because you always get a hit, so your fun and your abilities have to suffer for the greater psychological good of your lessers."
Or, how about...
"Sorry, Timmy, your piano playing abilities are so much better than the rest of the kids in your recital class that you can't play anymore. You're making them feel bad about themselves."
Yeah, that's a GREAT message to send to a child.
Don't excel in anything, don't stand out. Become a member of the herd.
Whoa, cowboy. Slow down there. Nobody says the kid shouldn't excel, or that he shouldn't pitch, or that he shouldn't become a great piano master, or whatever other BS you've just spouted. They're just saying that Little League isn't the place for him to pitch. He pitches, he apparently enjoys pitching, so why not let him pitch?
It's not as if he's going to pitch every inning of every game they have.
Would the same ruling apply if there was one kid who was a terror at bat, getting a hit just about every time he came to the plate?
"Sorry, Pugsley, you can't bat anymore. The other kiddies aren't having fun because you always get a hit, so your fun and your abilities have to suffer for the greater psychological good of your lessers."
Or, how about...
"Sorry, Timmy, your piano playing abilities are so much better than the rest of the kids in your recital class that you can't play anymore. You're making them feel bad about themselves."
Yeah, that's a GREAT message to send to a child.
Don't excel in anything, don't stand out. Become a member of the herd.
Beating up on little league kids who just want to have a good time isn't a measure of excellence, it's just stupid. It'd be like sending A-rod to the minor leagues and then marvelling that he can beat everyone. Stupid.
Let him pitch for a more advanced team, against older players and better teams. That way he'll have a real chance to excel and to stretch his abilities, and he won't ruin the experience for everyone else.
Post by: Balog on August 27, 2008, 10:20:55 AM
I got sandbagged as mtnbkr puts it when I was 11. Best badminton junior at the club (lots of kids my age, few in the 13-16 bracket) At the end of year tournament they moved a 16 year old who trained senior all year into the juniors class, won it easily. My runners up trophy still causes me pain to this day.
Oh and - if this article were from the UK I could predict the response, none of which I will repeat.
Oh and - if this article were from the UK I could predict the response, none of which I will repeat.
Let it go dude.
Post by: 280plus on August 27, 2008, 10:35:36 AM
The crowd booed the decision against me. I still have the second place trophy, I think I'm over it now.
Anyhoo, I saw a local news thingie on this and unfortunately, they appear to have a legitimate point. Most 9 yos are not experienced enough to handle the kind of heat this kid can throw and the potential for serious injury is definitely there. Kids have been killed by being hit in the CHEST with a fastball, let alone the head. They offered him a chance to play in the next older league up but his MOTHER is the one insisting he should stay where he is. My thought is to tell him to lighten up and then monitor his pitch speed, if he goes over a predetermined speed he's off the mound till the next game and if it persists he's off for good. Teach him control.
Post by: K Frame on August 27, 2008, 10:35:40 AM
Oh? Really? Where did you come up with that fantasy interpretation?
The legue is telling this kid EXACTLY that.
From the article:
"He is a very skilled player, a very hard thrower..."
"League officials say they first told Vidro that the boy could not pitch after a game on Aug. 13."
In other words:
Kid, you're too good, so you can't pitch in our league anymore.
Sure, they suggested that he go to another league. But I wonder... do they have the authority or ability to get the other league to accept this kid? I'd say no, they don't have that ability.
No, this whole thing stinks.
Post by: K Frame on August 27, 2008, 10:39:48 AM
Absolute non sequitor.
The potential for serious, even fatal, injury is inherent any time you let ANY kids on the field with hard balls and wooden or aluminum bats.
Several little league and older players have been fatally injured over the past decade by either pitched or batted balls.
In 1975 the release my parents signed to let me play little league ball included a statement that thrown and batted balls and bats could seriously injure or kill a player.
If the league were TRULY worried about serious injuries or fatalities they would take the wood/aluminum bats away, take the hard balls away, and prohibit the kids from running on the base paths.
Another step in the pussificiation of America.
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on August 27, 2008, 11:43:13 AM
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on August 27, 2008, 12:50:10 PM
Post by: MechAg94 on August 27, 2008, 01:05:24 PM
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on August 27, 2008, 01:12:35 PM
Post by: 280plus on August 27, 2008, 04:51:56 PM
Quote
The potential for serious, even fatal, injury is inherent any time you let ANY kids on the field with hard balls and wooden or aluminum bats.
Yes, and even more so for 9 year olds who ain't savvy enough to handle dodging an errant 40 mph pitch yet. Older friend of mine was involved with little league for 24 years, he was just telling me a few stories concerning adults and their involvment with "kids" sports. Sad is an understatement.
Post by: DJJ on August 27, 2008, 06:49:06 PM
Most 9 yos are not experienced enough to handle the kind of heat this kid can throw and the potential for serious injury is definitely there.
Again: when I played little league baseball, the 8 and 9 year olds had a pitching machine set, by rule, at 65 mph -- 25 mph FASTER than this kid throws. We did fine. And I was the catcher, too. Took foul tips on the mask. Never a problem. I don't see that this kid's 40 mph is anything at all.
How fast do the other pitchers in this league throw?
Post by: 280plus on August 28, 2008, 01:30:31 AM
Post by: 280plus on August 28, 2008, 01:55:37 AM
I'd like to know, for instance, how fast are the other pitchers in the league throwing?
I worked on pitching as a kid, I read a few books and practiced, no league in my area to put it to use. I'll tell you what though, them clowns over the water tanks at the carnivals? They usually went in.
Post by: MechAg94 on August 28, 2008, 02:39:27 AM
A guy I work with is a coach on his daughter's softball team. He goes through a lot of BS as well.
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on August 28, 2008, 02:49:02 AM
Post by: wmenorr67 on August 28, 2008, 02:50:14 AM
Had some parents that went over the limit in both instances.
Didn't put up with it from the parents of my girls that I coached. If you didn't like it you could either take over for me, shut up or leave.
Post by: 280plus on August 28, 2008, 03:06:42 AM
No hecklers after that. Very polite crowd as a matter of fact.
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on August 28, 2008, 03:13:13 AM
Post by: 280plus on August 28, 2008, 03:30:50 AM
Post by: Ezekiel on August 28, 2008, 02:42:48 PM
So the team forfeited, it's their right. It is, also, the right of the League to determine who plays in it.
This is a defendable decision. If the kid wants competition, MOVE HIM UP.
Post by: MechAg94 on August 28, 2008, 02:57:47 PM
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on August 28, 2008, 03:00:36 PM
Post by: 280plus on August 28, 2008, 03:13:40 PM
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on August 28, 2008, 03:27:05 PM
Post by: 280plus on August 28, 2008, 03:37:02 PM
Haven't tried it in a while, hmmmm...
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on August 28, 2008, 03:48:33 PM
'
Post by: 280plus on August 28, 2008, 04:00:34 PM
Dammit, now I want to go to the cages.
Post by: 280plus on August 30, 2008, 04:07:28 AM
then again, having read biographies like Bob Feller and Sandy Koufax I wonder what his arm is going to be like in 20 years.
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3709195
New Britain, CT- The New Britain Rock Cats are going to give Jericho Scott the chance to do what he loves and was recently taken away from him - to take the mound and fire a pitch.
Scott, the 9-year-old who has garnered national media attention for being banned from the Youth Baseball League of New Haven, a community league with no affiliation to Little League, will be the Rock Cats' special guest on Saturday, August 30th at New Britain Stadium.
The Rock Cats have invited Scott and his family out to the ballpark to watch the game between the Rock Cats and Binghamton Mets on Saturday night. Scott will have the opportunity to meet the team, tour the clubhouse, and throw out the ceremonial first pitch. It will be the conclusion of a whirlwind week for the boy who was recently told he can no longer pitch for his youth team simply because he was too good!
Scott, who has a fastball that reaches up to about 40 miles per hour, took the mound last week only to have the opposing team forfeit the game rather than take their hacks. The story has made national media waves, from local news to live sports talk radio to the morning news circuit.
"I think it's discouraging when you're telling a 9-year-old you're too good at something," his mother, Nicole Scott, said in an interview with the associated press. "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."
While Scott has been told he can longer take the mound as a youth baseball player for the Will Power Fitness Team - a team that was 8-0 and on its way to the playoffs at the time of his ban - the youngster will have that opportunity in front of thousands on Saturday night.
Scott will arrive at New Britain Stadium around 6 P.M. on Saturday night to meet with the team and, at approximately 6:45 P.M., throw out the first pitch. He will then sit in the stands with his family to watch the Rock Cats play the B-Mets.
For more information, please contact the New Britain Rock Cats at (860) 224-8383.
Post by: Iain on August 30, 2008, 04:23:48 AM
Rounders was the game when we were kids. After several injuries inflicted by bats being thrown backwards when setting off for a run we were introduced to the game of Dutch rounders by our teachers - hit the tennis ball with a the heel of the hand with the fist clenched. I tried it again the other day, I have no idea how we managed it as kids, but some of us used to hit rounders like that.