Mark_Ockerbloom's Blog

This encapsulates the entire problem with youth sports. This is the end result of giving out trophies for "participation" and telling kids that "everyone is a winner". This kid's got game, and they're not playing him? On what planet does that make sense? If the other players are scared of young Master Scott, maybe they should take up soccer. I can't imagine telling my son he can't do something because he's too good at it. I truly hope his parents keep up the fight and that Jericho stays right on the mound where he belongs.

Move him up a level if he is that good. The problem is: kids are dropping out of baseball at a younger age these days. For a pitcher to shut down these teams is not good for the "whole".

I know there are other ways to think about it.
But getting one hit makes the day for these kids. The other part of the game is boring to them.

It is not uncommon for the older teams to recruit the better younger players. Why isn't it happening in this case?

Couldnt agree with you more Valintyne. It's a perfect example of this new "Everybody wins" society. It's really a shame because it is the kid with all the talent who is getting punished here.

So what if he dominates. It should motivate his opponents to work harder so they can be just as good as him. To take him off the field his simply wrong...wrong..wrong.

This story disappointed me. It reminds me of the "everybody wins" dispute.

I remember when I was a kid you had to try out for sports. If you were good you made it, if you were bad you didn't. If you really wanted to be part of a team you practiced and tried again next year. And there was always someone better. Sometimes way better. But you didn't forfeit the game you just pushed harder. And if they were still better then you you gave them respect for their talents.

This boy seems to have a natural talent. He should be encouraged to follow it through. What's more disgraceful is when I read "When Jericho took the mound anyway last week, the opposing team forfeited the game, packed its gear and left, his coach said." What kind of example is that other coach setting for his team... When things get to tough you quit. Sports are supposed to help in teaching kids valuabled lessons for their future: Like working for success, team work, how to deal with loss and competition in a healthy way.

This boy should be able to play and be allowed to work to even better his skills, and other parents and coaches need to teach their children that this is the way life goes. You don't give up when life throws you a curve ball (pun intened) and people with great talent should be admired for them not punished for them.

Go, Jericho, Go!

I was helping in the dugout years ago with 11-12 year olds. There was a boy who threw much faster than any of the other kids. As one of the kids got up to bat I commented, "this is making me nervous, I need to take a little break", as the boy was a tad wild. As I walked behind the backstop I heard a sick dull thud. The kid at bat was hit between the eyes and wound up with a concussion, done for the year. What upset me was that the parents could have moved him up but they wanted him to be overpowering at that level. Had he been moved up he would have been pitching against more talented kids with better reflexes. Why would the parents of a star not want him to face better competition and should we put kids at risk if they decide not to? Oh and by the way, the star player eventually lost his edge and played soccer in high school.

Am I missing some part of this story - ESPN just covered the little league world series where the pitcher from Louisiana was throwing 65 mph. I realize he was 12 and this kid is 9 but why is being 'punished' for throwing 40 mph. 'Dead red' kid and keep mowing them down.

Too many "soccer moms" and "helicopter parents"!! Let a kid compete, learn to lose and pick themselves up. Celebrate victories and learn that life is not always an even playing field.

My daughter (almost 11) has been playing soccer (competitive) since she was 8. The town team started the team but the indoor leagues for the winter didn't have that age group, so they had to play up at u9. They lost every single game for 2 sessions but it taught them some great things... they learned how to lose, they learned how to stick with it, and they learned how to work as a team and get better!!!
Last year they were u10 (and boy are they good now), and were far better than most in their age group so the 2nd winter indoor session they played up to u11-12... so here they were in 4th grade, playing against 5th and 6th graders (quite a size difference) and they finished 2nd, made playoffs and took the 2nd place trophy... it took them 3 years of playing to get there. Trust me, it was not easy having the girls upset after each game, but they stuck with it and they are better off for it.

When my youngest son was a Freshman in High School the athletic dept. hired a new hard nosed lacrosse coach. The team had qualified for the State Tourney the previous year and had 14 returning seniors but the inmates were running the asylum so to speak. When the returning seniors refused to attend an early season practice they were dismissed from the team and my son's freshman class were thrust into varsity status where they lost every game in that season. Despite the losing, each year they showed improvement and by their senior year they had qualified for the State Tourney where they won a game before losing to the eventually finalists. It was a long and at times frustrating experience for all involved but they kept at it and were rewarded with success as a result of their collective hard work. A good "life" lesson which is what sports are supposed to be about.

Ryan: Sorry, but we are talking about 9 year olds. Bob from the south shore makes a good point. At this age, one year makes a big difference. I am telling you that many of these kids will quit rather than face someone this fast. Coaching today is an art, the goal is to keep the kids interested for the long haul.

What's the problem with moving him up a level?
Eventually the hitting is going to catch up with his fastball. Then we'll see how he responds to his fast balls going over the fence.