fullcountpitch.com

By Gary Armida

This may sound un-American. The Little League World Series is in its beginning stages and I could care less. It is not the fact that television is broadcasting 11 and 12 year old boys playing a game. On the contrary, television is not at fault. Business is business; television stations would not use precious air time if there was little or no profit involved. It’s not the fact that it’s a game involving 11 and 12 year old boys. In fact, because of their youthful enthusiasm, some games are quite riveting. No, the problem lies in the fact that these young boys are being exploited for the business that has become the Little League Empire. Additionally, and most importantly, everything that is shown on television shows everything that is wrong with baseball.

The Little League Corporation puts on a spectacle for the world to see every August in Williamsport, Virginia. Teams from all over the globe come to compete, eventually, with United States representative. This final round is a culmination of a long journey for most teams. Teams would have to fight out of their district first and then win their area title. Often teams will play 15 or more games to get to the world competition. With teams carrying just two or three pitchers, these young men throw a lot of innings in a short period of time. Getting to Williamsport is the dream for almost every little leaguer. The national tournament is a thrill for the participants. However, these boys are turned into national conversation with each airing of a game. A few years ago, a team from the Bronx, New York made it to Williamsport. Instead of being celebrated because of their accomplishments, they were being discussed because one of their players had the audacity to celebrate his double. One year, highlights of the game showed a 12 year old making a game costing error. The camera stayed on the boy as he cried. The cost of that type of exposure completely outweighs the profit gained by the Little League Corporation.

The real damage is done on the field. At the risk of sounding dramatic, the adult behavior in the stands and in the dugouts is largely atrocious. While this behavior is often not captured on television (mostly due to the power of the microphone), the yelling, cursing, and chastising by the coaches and fans are things that the children had to put up with during their journey to Williamsport. America often ignores these issues as “simply part of the game”. While it’s not all fans and coaches (I was fortunate to live with the best coach on the planet growing up), a large majority of coaches are there for self-glory or to make sure their son gets a starting position. A typical Little League All-Star game will consist of at least one argument with the umpire, one fan confrontation, and one coach yelling at his team to “get in the game”. Meanwhile the “coach” doesn’t realize that his team looks lifeless because the opposing team has a pitcher who is blowing the ball by his hitters. Yet, the coach has meetings each inning and undresses his team in front of their parents and friends. Yes, it’s for the kids…sure it is.

Some may be reading this and thinking, “What’s the big deal?” That person has every right to think that the above is fine. But, here’s the worst part. Here’s the part that illustrates just how misguided Little League baseball has become. Not one person can defend what follows in the next paragraph.

It is a sickening sight to see a child snapping off curveball after curveball at such a young age. Before entering adolescence, a child’s body is still growing and changing. A curveball is damaging to any pitcher, let alone to someone who is not fully developed. Yet, a nation sits glued to their television to watch the American pitcher throw curveballs at least 75 percent of the time in the hopes of striking out the foreign kid. The sports world is wondering why so many pitchers are breaking down. Perhaps, the sports world should watch a Little League World Series game. With each vicious snap, the young man is shortening his pitching life. While I am no physics major, it seems that in order to make a ball curve from 45 feet away (rather than the major league 60 feet 6 inches); the player must put more torque on the ball, thus making the arm action more violent. It is undisputable that young men should be building arm strength by throwing fastballs exclusively. A young man’s health should outweigh the need to beat another country in competition. Most high school coaches will have limits on curveballs in order for pitchers to build their arm strength. Why won’t a Little League coach have the same rules?   Why even leave it up to a coach? Little League should outlaw the use of breaking pitches. If the organization really had the best interest of the child, this would not be a problem.

As a product of the Little League system, it is safe to say that the experiences are one that will live on for many years. Baseball fans will often look back to their days on the small diamond with a fondness. It’s where a kid learns to love the game, make the spectacular catch, hit the game winning homerun, and most importantly have fun. Somewhere along the line, fun and love of the game were replaced with curveballs and television time.

So, as you sit later this month watching some kid throw a “filthy” full count curveball to strikeout the batter, that vicious break probably earned that kid a ticket to Tommy John Surgery at some point in his athletic career. It’s worth it, right? A title for the coach, um the kids, is worth the exploitation and health risks. Sure.

The Little League World Series–don’t miss it.