OT-9 yr old boy banned from pitching for being too good

[Luvsaugeri]

I think this is just ridiculous. Parents in kids sports are just insane. I think they wanted him banned because he is too good and it's making the other kids look bad and 'fail'. Parents don't want their kids to ever fail. Some leagues don't even keep score so that all the kids are 'winners'. It's crazy. What do you guys think about this??


9-year-old boy told he's too good to pitch
Associated Press

9-Year-Old Banned From Youth League NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Nine-year-old Jericho Scott is a good baseball player -- too good, it turns out.

The right-hander has a fastball that tops out at about 40 mph. He throws so hard that the Youth Baseball League of New Haven told his coach that the boy could not pitch any more. When Jericho took the mound anyway last week, the opposing team forfeited the game, packed its gear and left, his coach said.

Officials for the three-year-old league, which has eight teams and about 100 players, said they will disband Jericho's team, redistributing its players among other squads, and offered to refund $50 sign-up fees to anyone who asks for it. They say Jericho's coach, Wilfred Vidro, has resigned.

But Vidro says he didn't quit and the team refuses to disband. Players and parents held a protest at the league's field on Saturday urging the league to let Jericho pitch.

"He's never hurt any one," Vidro said. "He's on target all the time. How can you punish a kid for being too good?"

The controversy bothers Jericho, who says he misses pitching.

"I feel sad," he said. "I feel like it's all my fault nobody could play."


Officials with the Youth Baseball League of New Haven say they will disband Jericho Scott's team because his coach won't stop him from pitching.

Jericho's coach and parents say the boy is being unfairly targeted because he turned down an invitation to join the defending league champion, which is sponsored by an employer of one of the league's administrators.

Jericho instead joined a team sponsored by Will Power Fitness. The team was 8-0 and on its way to the playoffs when Jericho was banned from pitching.

"I think it's discouraging when you're telling a 9-year-old you're too good at something," said his mother, Nicole Scott. "The whole objective in life is to find something you're good at and stick with it. I'd rather he spend all his time on the baseball field than idolizing someone standing on the street corner."

League attorney Peter Noble says the only factor in banning Jericho from the mound is his pitches are just too fast.

"He is a very skilled player, a very hard thrower," Noble said. "There are a lot of beginners. This is not a high-powered league. This is a developmental league whose main purpose is to promote the sport."

Noble acknowledged that Jericho had not beaned any batters in the co-ed league of 8- to 10-year-olds, but say parents expressed safety concerns.

"Facing that kind of speed" is frightening for beginning players, Noble said.

League officials say they first told Vidro that the boy could not pitch after a game on Aug. 13. Jericho played second base the next game on Aug. 16. But when he took the mound Wednesday, the other team walked off and a forfeit was called.

League officials say Jericho's mother became irate, threatening them and vowing to get the league shut down.

"I have never seen behavior of a parent like the behavior Jericho's mother exhibited Wednesday night," Noble said.

Scott denies threatening any one, but said she did call the police.

League officials suggested that Jericho play other positions, or pitch against older players or in a different league.

Local attorney John Williams was planning to meet with Jericho's parents Monday to discuss legal options.

"You don't have to be learned in the law to know in your heart that it's wrong," he said. "Now you have to be punished because you excel at something?"

[jrnyman28]

The first thing I thought of is that the kid should move to an older league, then I see that it was suggested. So, the boy is not being "banned" from playing...just from THAT league. It seems the parents are turning this into something worse...making the kid feel bad. This doesn't need to be a negative, they can turn it into a positive by moving him UP!! Another case of someone trying to play the victim....

[epresley]

It's farked up.

[AlteredDNA]

The first thing I thought of is that the kid should move to an older league, then I see that it was suggested. So, the boy is not being "banned" from playing...just from THAT league. It seems the parents are turning this into something worse...making the kid feel bad. This doesn't need to be a negative, they can turn it into a positive by moving him UP!! Another case of someone trying to play the victim....

...make a quick buck...

[jrnyman28]

Welcome to the Litigious United States of America!! (Thank gawd for www.dictionary.com )

[texafana]

Anytime there is real talent, they move the kid up to the next level so he can still experience a challenge. In this case, the parents want to keep the kid in the same level so he becomes a "star". That's fked up. Move the kid up so he can develop his skills better.

[journey062393]

I'm on the fence on this. If this league is for 8-10 yr olds then the next might be 11-13 or even 14. Should a 9 year old, no matter how good he is, be playing against 13/14 year olds? These older kids can hit the ball much faster than 8-10 yr olds can. And i've seen some pretty good athletes in my time, but a 9 year old doesnt have the reaction time of a 13 year old. PLus, just because he can pitch great, doesnt mean he can hit great. Maybe the 11-13 league pitchers throw 50-60mph and maybe thats way too fast for a 9year old. Not sure what i'd do in this case. Yes you want him to be challenged. But if this is his first year playing possibly, then maybe you just let him play at his own age level to see in fact how great he is.

[nutz4Neal]

I don't know, this is pretty wacked to me.

But like journey062393 said, there are lots of issues here I had not considered.

Sad for the kid 'tho.

[Rick]

Anytime there is real talent, they move the kid up to the next level so he can still experience a challenge. In this case, the parents want to keep the kid in the same level so he becomes a "star". That's fked up. Move the kid up so he can develop his skills better.

Agreed.