Little Leauge

[tracers]

Hello my fellow DIS’ers. I have been more lurking than posting but have run into a problem that I hope someone may be able to help out with.
Little League ….. Need I say more…..
Ok here is the deal, my DS10 tried out this year to play little league. He isn’t the next Derek Jeter but her isn’t a bump on a log either. Last year he played every inning every game with the minor/major league. (Kids that are too young for little league) Well last year we had an awful flood and the fields were pretty much ruined. The Little league and the soft ball fields were fixed almost immediately but the minor/major league was forced to play on a substandard/unsafe field. (No back drop/no fence in front of dugouts kind of unsafe) Being the big mouth that I am, I started asking questions as to why the kids had to play like that. Still to this day I don’t think the field is fixed. AND I am still waiting for a copy of the leagues by-laws.
So fast forward to last week, the whole family is sick as a dog with the flu. (No fun) My DS missed the baseball clinic. Shouldn’t have been a big deal, right? Tryouts are Saturday. Friday comes; DS is running a 101 fever. I called the “president” of the league (by the way … she is a witch) and asked her what happens if DS can’t make tryouts because he and everyone else has been sick. I am told that since no one really knows DS that he may not be picked and will have to go back to the minor/major league. Whereas DSF wasn’t at clinic but the coaches may know him. (His sisters play softball) I thought that everyone tried out …. Everyone makes a team ….. Guess I was wrong.
This morning, DS wakes up. He knows it is ball day, he is ready to go. I mean the kid is READY to go. He SOOOOOOO wants to play ball it isn’t funny. So off we go to tryouts. They take 4 kids in at a time. Lucky DS is with 2 of his friends. 20 minutes later they come out and DS is just grinning from ear to ear. He was really pleased with himself. DSF even said DS did a great job. DSF isn’t a ball player; he doesn’t want to be a ball payer but plays anyway. Three hours later we got a call that DS wasn’t picked for any of the teams. WHAT??? I call DSF’s mom … he got picked for a team…… What the heck?? Now most of his friends have all been picked …. EXCEPT for DS. How am I supposed to tell him that he was the only one that wasn’t picked for a team? How humiliating for him. I think the only reason he wasn’t picked is because I made waves last year. Do I have any recourse? What do I do?

 

[luvmydogs]

Ds10 had to do tryouts for Majors this year, and although he's a good ballplayer and made it, there were a lot of kids who are *better* than he who didn't--I was really very surprised--no rhyme or reason to it that I could see, but obviously the coaches had other ideas. I don't know what you could do except not make it a big deal in front of him--he'll feed off that and it may exacerbate his disappointment. I guess I'd just look at it at one of life's many disappointments that he'll face. It's a hard lesson to learn, but it's a fact of life. Hopefully he'll still have fun in the Minors--at this age, so much of it should be about the fun, teamwork and good sportsmanship--that's what I'd stress to him.

I'm sorry he's feeling hurt, but I bet he'll still have a great season and enjoy himself.

 

[Stacerita]

Im sorry. I wish I could give you some advice. Its hard when things like this happen. Sometimes its hard to tell why some kids get picked over others. If your son loves to play let him play major/minors again, if he wants. I know how it feels when you "make waves" and then feel like your kid is getting the short end because of it. Ive had the same thing happen when the sweetpea played Little League. I made a few waves asking about things and tying to get the league by-laws (still waiting). After that, it looked like they picked on her for everything and basically told me to my face that she was a girl and not welcomed to play. UGH! But, no matter what, keep your dissatisfaction about how try outs went to yourself. If your son gets upset let him know he did great and the coachs pick people for reasons other than just being good players. And if he wants to play still, he can. Be supportive no matter what.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I think the only reason he wasn’t picked is because I made waves last year. Do I have any recourse? What do I do?

It does look that way! I'd probably ask the people that didn't "pick" him about the areas he needs to improve. And see what they say. If he has the experience and did well last year it doesn't make sense. I'd probably say something to that effect, he had a good year last year (it seems that was the case). And if the areas listed for improvement weren't mentioned last year, I'd bring probably bring that up too.

I guess what would bother me is that they do work on skills during practices. Couple that with your experience with the president last year it does sound suspicious. The circumstances do seem out of the ordinary. I'd be upset too.

Is there another league he can get into (as a back up plan)? Is this a county league or recreation center league?
Might be good to start fresh somewhere else.If your suspicion is right about being disfranchised, you and your son will continue to get the cold shoulder and the short end of the stick. Hard to prove and no fun to deal with.

Good luck!

 

[tracers]

Kim,
Thanks for reminding me about the whole good sportsmanship. "Never let them see you sweat" is our motto here ....

 

[momof2inPA]

Where we live, you can only make waves if you are very involved in the sport- volunteering, fundraising, running concession, etc. If you're just a normal parent who complains, you will be seen as a PITA. My advice- be supportive of your son. Tell him if he works hard, he can try again next year.

 

[TimeforMe]

Ugggh! I soooo DON'T miss those little league days! So much unnecessary stress for us and our kids. Hugs to you I know how it feels.

Now, let's see..... from your post I can't tell if there's a possibility of him playing on another league or not. If so, let him play. That's the most important thing--that he play *if* he really wants to and it sounds like he does. #2 --My kids have played all kinds of sports including soccer, basketball, cheerleading, gymnastics, baseball, etc. Little league was THE worst as far as nepotism goes. Do you have a friend or one of DS's friends father who is a coach? That would probably be the best way to get him on a team although it may be impossible now, it might be worth a try. Those tryouts are nothing but "lip service" so to speak--just to say they had tryouts. The rosters are usually decided before they even happen. It's terrible for the kids and I truly feel for your son. but tell him to hang in there. My DS is now in high school and continues to play. Fortunately, things do change and ability is what they are now judged by.

I hope he can continue to play somewhere. Keep us posted.

 

[mickman1962]

I've been coaching for 12 years and the way our league does it is every coach from every level from t-ball to seniors grades every kid trying out for LL on
1. running
2. grounders
3. flyballs
4. hitting
5. throwing

they get graded from 1-5 (by halves ie 3.5 or 4) in each area. the sheets are then added up and the top kids make it. Not saying you are like this but many parents really think there kids are better then they are. Ask how they are graded and ask to see the results. I think our way is great as we usually have 30+ coaches grading kids so even if someone has it out for your kid (and I have seen this), his vote doesn't count much. I do feel bad for your son and hope his not making the team was not the result of some childish adults.

 

[tracers]

The league as a whole is a clique. I tried to look around that but this is just so in my face it isn't even funny. I wish there was another league we could go to but you have to have an address in that area in order for him to play. DS still doesn't know he hasn't been picked yet. I just don't have the heart to tell him. I am waiting for DH to come home and help me ease the pain. I did ask him earlier what would he want to do if he wasn't picked ...... "I am not going back to major/minors .... I'll try another sport I guess." OMG ... my heart is breaking for him.

 

[tracers]

Mickman1962 ..... I hope we are not in the same league..... I noticed we are both in the same area ......

 

[tracers]

Where we live, you can only make waves if you are very involved in the sport- volunteering, fundraising, running concession, etc. If you're just a normal parent who complains, you will be seen as a PITA. My advice- be supportive of your son. Tell him if he works hard, he can try again next year.

Mom,
Every parent has to volunteer for fundraising, every parent has to help with concessions. Myself and DH have even been know to help out on the field for practices.

 

[DVC Daisy]

First of all here is a for you! I know how that feels BTDT!

If it is any help, let your son's dirve and passion for the sport be your guide. If he loves to play, have him play wherever he can and support him the best that you can. When I say Been There Done That I SO mean it and as the kids get older, it does seem like most of the parents "pulling the strings" kids' either stop playing or don't play well AT ALL. It does catch up with them. The ones with the honest passion for the sport seem to be the ones still playing in High School and starting!

Some suggestions:

1. See if there are any private coaches in your area. Do your research. Get you son in with the best one that you can afford. Find some older kids who excell in baseball (High School age) and ask who they go to. Private batting, fielding, pitching, whatever. It will really pay off in the end. He will pass up all the kids that just learn at practice. And it will be obvious.

2. Check out if there are any other places he can play instead of/or besides Little League. Even if you have to drive a bit. Pony, Club Teams, etc. If you do find a good private coach, they can be a wealth of info with this. Baseball is really a year around sport now and there are more and more options available besides Little League.

3. This is the hardest one (I still work on this at times) remember it is ONLY ONE SEASON. Really, do what you can for this season, and start again next one.

And most of all, CHIN UP

HTH

 

[Toby'sFriend]

no I'm sorry, I really don't know of any recourse. If you remain in "Little League" then your son will have to play for the League in which you live. Little League is very strict about those District boundries. There are kids around here who can't play ball with the same kids they go to school with, because their houses are 2 blocks too far East or whatever. Those boundry lines can get kind of funky. One thing you can do is let it be known that if a spot becomes open on a team due to somebody changing their mind or an injury, your son is definately interested in moving up. That happens alot.

As for the tryouts -- I really can't judge that. You are right in that most youth rec leagues are highly polictical and there can be some really screwy stuff going on. It is hard to me to imagine the Coaches not selecting him over something as minor as what you describe, but I've seen worse. Much worse.

If your son does not want to play Minors this season, I would recommend searching for a nearby League which is affiliated with some organization other than Little League.... Babe Ruth, Cal Ripken or whatever. There are other options.

 

[mickman1962]

Mickman1962 ..... I hope we are not in the same league..... I noticed we are both in the same area ......

No we are not, but I know the league you are talking about as I had to drive past the flooded fields because of a detour that morning of the heavy floods. Off the record, the league you are in has been known to have these problems in the past and is something our league has tried very hard to avoid. They tend to forget that LL is about kids having fun and learning both baseball and sportsmanship. Your league is a little too serious for my taste. Again I'm truly sorry some spoiled adults are ruining it for the kids.

 

[tracers]

It's a cut throat league that is for sure. Really makes me wonder.

We told DS .... he is crushed. Threw his glove in the garbage. As of right now he doesn't want to play at all.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I'm sorry.

 

[nwdisgal]

No we are not, but I know the league you are talking about as I had to drive past the flooded fields because of a detour that morning of the heavy floods. Off the record, the league you are in has been known to have these problems in the past and is something our league has tried very hard to avoid. They tend to forget that LL is about kids having fun and learning both baseball and sportsmanship. Your league is a little too serious for my taste. Again I'm truly sorry some spoiled adults are ruining it for the kids.

OP - I think you should go over to that league.

 

[ADisneygirl]

I am so sorry that things are run that way. Here in Florida Little League is different. You try out according to age groups, so if you are a better player, but too young, you have to wait it out in a lower level. After registration where you pay and show proof of address and age, you show up at your assigned time for try outs. The try out is really just a chance for the coaches to grade you and select you for their team. Everyone gets picked. Good and bad. Everyone. The coach with the worst last season record gets to pick first, and so on. They go around and around until every kid is on a team.

Now my son is in high school, and things are different there. Last year his school had 129 boys try out for 14 spots on the team. There you get judged on your baseball abilities. Your GPA comes into play too, and they won't take a boy who isn't passing his classes. In fact, if two boys are of equal ability in their eyes, they then look at their GPA's to decide.

This is my son's second year of high school baseball. He still signed up at Little League in the senior division. He said he would use those games as practice, but now he regrets even joining again since HS practices every day and has a game a week. Also he says the boys in Little League don't pitch fast enough for him and it's thowing off his swing.

Are there any AAU organizations there to play for? They are a travel team, and it involves some driving around, but they are competitive and boys I've seen who have played for them are pretty good. Even the PBA runs a baseball league -- called PAL I think.

I hope this disappointment doesn't take the joy of baseball out of your son's heart.

 

[Stacerita]

It's a cut throat league that is for sure. Really makes me wonder.

We told DS .... he is crushed. Threw his glove in the garbage. As of right now he doesn't want to play at all.

Im so sorry for your DS. Hopefully he will change his mind and keep up with the sport. Find a new league or maybe one thats not so competitive.

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

It's a cut throat league that is for sure. Really makes me wonder.

We told DS .... he is crushed. Threw his glove in the garbage. As of right now he doesn't want to play at all.

Oh I'm so sorry! Poor kid! That breaks my heart!
We're having our own little issue with LL here, I've emailed the regional director.