Nail on the head

Coach Bob hit it squarely. I believe that any LL, Babe Ruth, etc. program is strictly rec. ball and should be treated as such. Let's face it, it's all "You pay, you play". If the boys do not have to try out to make a team (and don't give me trying out for LL majors) then everyone should play. If it is a travel program or an All-Star team, then it's different. LL, BR, et al are the lowest level of organized ball for these kids to play. The good ones move up and out. Let's keep it so everyone gets a fair shake. We all seem to forget that without the weak and average players, we'd have no leagues for the other kids to star in unless someone starts a pure travel team for their area. Then how many of the LL stars would actually be playing?

The beauty of this game is that you do not have to be good to love it. It's sort of like sex in that regard (sorry for the off color humor--didn't mean to offend). I was never a great ball player, merely an average LL'er who wanted to be like Reggie Jackson. I grew away from my love as a young adult, but now with kids of my own I've refound the passion I once had for the game and can't dream of not having ball in my life. Let's not chase the weaker players out of the game by pretending rec. ball coaches are all Bobby Cox in training. Keep recreation for everyone, regardless of ability or the mythical LL majors (ooooh), and make it fun for the kids. Many of us here have kids who excell, but let's remember the kid that just wants to dream while he's 12 years old. They are going to grow up too soon anyway.