Youth baseball and ethics
I came across this story today about a youth baseball game in Utah, in which, a frail little boy who has recovered from a malignant cranial tumor, suffered years of chemotherapy and can only play if he wears a batters helmet at all times. The little kid, Romney Oaks, steps up to the plate with a chance to win the championship game for his team in a 10 and under league. Unfortunately, Romney strikes out and his opponent wins the game.
At first it sounds pretty normal. Someone has to win and someone has to lose. It's the nature of sports. Then comes the ethics question. First how did Romney get in the game winning situation, well, the opposing team intentionally walked the batter in front him, mind you, the best batter on the team. Perfect strategic baseball. Walk the guy who could has the better chance of hitting the ball and go after the weaker hitter, especially if you only need one more out. However, should the opposing team have walked the best batter to get to Romney? Is it ethical in a little league situation to do such a thing? There is nothing in the rules that states intentionally walking a player is not allowed so the other coach instructed his pitcher to do something legally. They didn't cheat but did take advantage of a weak player.
Is it okay to teach kids to win at all costs? Is there a certain line we're not suppose to cross in youth athletics? I have mixed emotions about the whole thing. Sure, the best coaching move is to pitch around the best batter and go after the weak batter. However, it's little league baseball. You're not under pressure to win. There is no owner or upper management breathing down your neck waiting for you to bring home a championship. With that in mind, I'd say pitch to the best batter. Take your chances and see how it plays out. You'll be back to coach again next year if you chose to. There won't be an owner screaming at you and there won't be angry fans calling into radio stations voicing emotional opinions calling for a new coach.
Then I start to think about how ESPN televises little league baseball, more specifically, the Little League World Series. Well, doesn't that change everything? I would want my team to feel the joy of winning and celebrate a championship even if it's not on TV. If it came down to the last out, first base was open, the best hitter was at bat and I knew a weak batter was on deck, I'd walk the best batter and pitch to the weaker batter. If first base is open and I had a David Ortiz at the plate and a Damien Jackson is on deck, I would walk Ortiz take my chances with Jackson(Oh, for those of you who don't know, David Ortiz maybe one of the best clutch hitters in the game today and Damien Jackson is not known for his hitting abilities).
Look, it's unfortunate that a kid who's gone through so much in his life had to be the final out. I don't think people should be in outrage about it and spark a national debate. I think it comes down to how you view youth sports. Are you on the side of winning/losing or the side of creating an atmosphere where kids can take part in a fun learning experience about teamwork. I think there should be balance of both sides. I still don't know what I would have done. I'd probably would have pitched to the best batter and taken my chances.
At first it sounds pretty normal. Someone has to win and someone has to lose. It's the nature of sports. Then comes the ethics question. First how did Romney get in the game winning situation, well, the opposing team intentionally walked the batter in front him, mind you, the best batter on the team. Perfect strategic baseball. Walk the guy who could has the better chance of hitting the ball and go after the weaker hitter, especially if you only need one more out. However, should the opposing team have walked the best batter to get to Romney? Is it ethical in a little league situation to do such a thing? There is nothing in the rules that states intentionally walking a player is not allowed so the other coach instructed his pitcher to do something legally. They didn't cheat but did take advantage of a weak player.
Is it okay to teach kids to win at all costs? Is there a certain line we're not suppose to cross in youth athletics? I have mixed emotions about the whole thing. Sure, the best coaching move is to pitch around the best batter and go after the weak batter. However, it's little league baseball. You're not under pressure to win. There is no owner or upper management breathing down your neck waiting for you to bring home a championship. With that in mind, I'd say pitch to the best batter. Take your chances and see how it plays out. You'll be back to coach again next year if you chose to. There won't be an owner screaming at you and there won't be angry fans calling into radio stations voicing emotional opinions calling for a new coach.
Then I start to think about how ESPN televises little league baseball, more specifically, the Little League World Series. Well, doesn't that change everything? I would want my team to feel the joy of winning and celebrate a championship even if it's not on TV. If it came down to the last out, first base was open, the best hitter was at bat and I knew a weak batter was on deck, I'd walk the best batter and pitch to the weaker batter. If first base is open and I had a David Ortiz at the plate and a Damien Jackson is on deck, I would walk Ortiz take my chances with Jackson(Oh, for those of you who don't know, David Ortiz maybe one of the best clutch hitters in the game today and Damien Jackson is not known for his hitting abilities).
Look, it's unfortunate that a kid who's gone through so much in his life had to be the final out. I don't think people should be in outrage about it and spark a national debate. I think it comes down to how you view youth sports. Are you on the side of winning/losing or the side of creating an atmosphere where kids can take part in a fun learning experience about teamwork. I think there should be balance of both sides. I still don't know what I would have done. I'd probably would have pitched to the best batter and taken my chances.
posted by teddyjb at 8:12 AM
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