Little Jericho's fastball has parents trembling Disbanding team is no solution for 9-year-old's zingers Disbanding little league is no solution for 9-year-old's zingers
The opposing pitcher is 9 years old, and he's throwing so hard it's scaring the parents.
Through the chain-link backstop, you spot your own 9-year-old standing in the on-deck circle. Your child is nervous and looking for parental guidance before stepping to the plate.
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At this point, there are several things a parent could say:
"Choke up on the bat.”
"Step back in the box.”
"Shorten your swing.”
"Just think contact.”
"Quick hands. Quick bat.”
"Close your eyes and swing.”
"Bunt.”
Any of these would suffice much better than, "Pack up your gear and get in the car.”
Such was the stance taken in the Youth Baseball League of New Haven, Conn., when a team was about to face fireballer Jericho Scott.
The league has since barred Scott from pitching.
His 8-0 team has been disbanded.
The incident has gained nationwide attention. In a Hartford Courant online poll, 80 percent of voters are siding with Scott.
Scott, who turned 10 on Wednesday, literally is playing out of his league. He is facing some players who never played before this season.
Scott belongs in a higher-division league for ages 10-12, but his parents have insisted he remain in the league for ages 8-10.
Playing in the 8-10 co-ed league gives Scott a chance to play with his friends.
It also gives him a chance to dominate, which might be what his parents want more than what Scott wants himself.
Scott's fastball tops out around 40 mph, which isn't overwhelmingly fast at that age.
Nine-year-olds in the Oklahoma City area have the option of playing machine-pitch ball. Those machines are set at 43 mph, and kids bang out hits and score runs at an alarming rate.
Scott doesn't have control problems. He hasn't hit a batter all season, yet parents, coaches and league officials expressed safety concerns and suggested Scott play another position.
New Haven League parents evidently want their kids to simply play ball rather than compete, and that's fine.
Hand everyone a trophy and a blue ribbon when the season is over, no matter what place they finish. Again, that's their prerogative.
But if it's all about playing and not competing, why bother keeping score?
If it's all about playing and not competing, what does it matter what your 9-year-old does against Scott?
By packing up your child's gear, you've taken the bat out of their hand. You've eliminated any chance to succeed.
Success in baseball can be measured in many ways when your child is 9.
Hitting the ball in fair territory can be viewed as a huge success.
A foul tip can bring thunderous applause.
Reaching a full count might start a rally clap.
Drawing a base-on-balls almost guarantees a smile.
A base hit could become a lifetime memory.
Heck, just facing the Mighty Jericho could have been a story for your 9-year-old to someday tell their 9-year-old grandchild.
Thanks to the action of some New Haven parents, that tale sadly will sound something like this:
‘I remember when I was your age, way back in 2 thousand and 8. I had a chance to face Mighty Jericho Scott. He's in the Hall of Fame now. They called him Junkball Jericho in the big leagues, but when I saw him, he threw nothing but fastballs.‘They claim he threw 40, but I swear it was closer to 60. He was so good they banned him from our league. True story. They banned him the same day we were supposed to play against him, in fact. I remember Mom and Dad and all the other parents screaming for us to pack up our gear the minute Jericho stepped on the mound. Darndest thing I ever saw. Never forgave Mom and Dad for it, either.‘I know I could have gotten a hit off ol' Jericho, but I never got the chance.'
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That's what we do in today's society: hate achievers. That's why the rich are so evil. That's why the brainy kids are hated in school. And this is why excellent teams with star power are disbanded. Those who had a hand in disbanding this team are doing the kids on all the other teams a disservice: they are teaching that when the going gets tough, it's better to just cut out the stars so everyone can be kept equal. What a great, socialist lesson! The way these parents act is no different in article I read elsewhere that stated that many, many parents believe that their child or children are gifted, when only a very small percentage actually are. I'd love to ask these parents: How in the wide world of sports can anyone measure if your child is gifted if all you do is tear down the very rulers you would measure them with? How hard is it to be the gifted one in a pack of mediocrity? What's the point in being gifted in your perfect world?
This is the result of a society that is afraid to let kids fail. We are so concerned that someone's feelings will be hurt that we don't allow kids to properly develop. It sets them up for failure in the real world. If this kid meets the requirements to play in that league, let him play. So what if he is better than all of the other kids. I would rather my son learn to deal with disappointment and how to move on than to protect him from any adversity.
This is so sad... How are they going to disband a whole team?! They are going too far. I think that if they are going to be mad about him throwing so hard then they need better specifications on the little league applications. Not only should it be about age, but weight, height, race, how loud the kid can yell, how good they can catch, sportsmanship, religion, throwing capabilities and running speed! There that should cover everything!
This is what happens when parents get involved. When I played baseball as a kid I don't recall a single parent ever screaming negative stuff in the stands, it was always positive. Parents need to realize that 1) There kid may not be as good as they think he/she is, and 2) they only get better by playing better opponents.
There is more to this story than reported here. I read the story from their local paper. Scott's parents had been approached to let Scott play on another team. That team is in second place and coached by the league president. It is not about safety. It is about who is going to go the playoffs and what they will do to get there.
The L.J.N.H. Juvenile League of New Haven, Conn., disqualified Jericho Scott and his team, The Will Power Fitness, because very few of the other teams' players could get a hit off of Scott. Associated press
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Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.