Behind the Mic: Little League

I was going around the dial this past week and, as is often the case, I stopped at ESPN as they were broadcasting a regional semifinal leading up to the Little League World Series played in Williamsport, PA.  I really enjoyed watching the game. However, I remembered that last year there was a controversial end to the championship when the team from Chicago, Jackie Robinson West, was stripped of their title because they were accused of violating boundary rules.  The Chicago organization is suing to have their title reinstated.  No matter the outcome, the kids are victims here of adult decisions.

With that said, I still intend to tune into the championship series when it begins on August 20 through August 30.

The Chicago incident reminded me of a blog I wrote a while back about Mike Matheny, the very successful St. Louis Cardinals manager. He once was a Little League coach and wrote a letter to parents when he coached his kids in youth baseball.  What he has to say about youth baseball is a message that can and should be read by all parents of all athletes and coaches so that incidents like the one last year would not happen.

To paraphrase some of the points:

1. Coach orphans – the biggest problem in youth sports are the parents.
2. Youth sports should be all about the youths.
3. He had three main goals – teach the players how to play; have a positive impact on them; do everything with class.
4. There will be bad umpiring.  The boys will not be allowed at any time to show any emotion against the umpire.  Parents should do the same. Get them there on time and enjoy the game.
5. A parent should be a silent source of encouragement.
6. If you hand over your child to me to coach them, let me do the job.
7. Spend time with them to help them improve – pitch, hit, field with them.
8. I will demand the proper attitude, concentration, and effort.  These are things they can control.
9. Make your child responsible for his/her own drinks; don’t ask them if they are thirsty or hungry during the game.
10. The kids can miss a game or practice, but out of respect for the other kids there may be some repercussions – running, altered playing time, or batting order position.
11. The coach is always right – even when he is wrong.
12. The boys should come ready to play every time they step on the field – shirts tucked in, hats on straight, and pants not drooping to their knees.  They should always hustle.

There is much more to the letter.  Every parent should read it.  In fact, every athlete should read it.  You’ll find it below.
www.mac-n-seitz.com/teams/mike-matheny-letter.html

In case you did not notice, Mike Matheny, as of this writing, is the manager of the team with the best record in major league baseball.  It has often been said of professional sports that it is men playing a boys’ game.  It seems this manager certainly knows how to coach boys (of all ages).

ABOVE THE EARS

1. Do you realize that Terrell Owens is eligible to be on the Hall of Fame ballot this coming year? His numbers for TDs (153), yards receiving (15,934), and receptions (1078) warrant his admittance, but does his deserved reputation of ruining teams in the locker room also warrant voting “no”?
2. Tuesday, August 11, was the first time in modern Major League baseball history that the home team won every game on the same day. Hard to believe.
3. By the way, college football officials hold on to the game-day footballs right up to kickoff. The NFL allows the home team to prepare and deliver the footballs before the game.  I am assuming that might change.
4. If you needed another reason to watch the Eagles this year, Sam Bradford to Jordan Matthews should be enough. They have the makings of being a spectacular combination.
5. My AFC and NFC predictions are coming the next two weeks and the weekly predictions begin on September 7.