AAU v LL {Rec}

Anonymous--

If your son got kicked off his team or left his team mid-season, and came back for the
final two games for the playoffs, it seems like you as a father allowed an unfortunate
situation to continue, if not escalate. Why put your son in a no-win situation? What
could you or your son have possibly gained by playing in the championship game for
a team you left mid-season? Why play in a league where you were harrassed, etc.?
You said that it was the "worst experience in baseball you ever had", and yet you brought
your son BACK into that situation? Where the hell are your priorities? Are you
that hard-up for a trophy?

Even further, how is it that you were even allowed to do this? In our league in Louisiana,
once a player misses three consecutive games, he's done for the year. It isn't in the
best interest of a team for a hot-shot player (and he sounds like a good one!) to come
back and take playing time away from those players who played out and practiced
during the year. This is Little League, not MLB! If I was a parent on the team in
question and my son was on the bench while your boy was playing, I'd be upset.
Particularly, because my son does not have the talent your son seems to have (plays
a good third base, but can't hit it past the infield). However, he practiced all year with
his team, missed only one game (school recital), and got the same playing time with
his team as the more skilled boys. His coach, I'm proud of. Your son's coach, I think,
is reprehensible. You, I believe, are too concerned with winning. Congratulations!
You just gave your son a life-long lesson in how to be a "ringer" and how to win at all
costs.