Unbelievable Little League Story.

[538280]

Yes, I do.

You think I'm Bill James, right?

[wamby]

You think I'm Bill James, right?

Actually, no. But I am suspicious about another member here.

[RuthMayBond]

Actually, no. But I am suspicious about another member here.

Well, don't hold out on us

[wamby]

Well, don't hold out on us

I'm afraid my opinion on that has to remain confidential.

[538280]

Actually, no. But I am suspicious about another member here.

Suspicious about what, that they're Bill James? Who do you think I am then?

[wamby]

Suspicious about what, that they're Bill James? Who do you think I am then?

I have to keep that confidential also.

[RuthMayBond]

I have to keep that confidential also.

You could just tell us, and then kill us, secret agent man. We know exactly who you are, Mr. Oliver Stone, and we're not afraid to te . . . ow, I've been hit . . .

[wamby]

You could just tell us, and then kill us, secret agent man. We know exactly who you are, Mr. Oliver Stone, and we're not afraid to te . . . ow, I've been hit . . .

I've been warned not to.

[mac195]

I am Bill James.

[trosmok]

I am Bill James.

I am Spartacus.

[sandlot]

I am William James. But you can call me Bill.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

I am Bill James and I can prove it.

-The most overrated player in history is George Sisler.
-Some guy named Bill Burgess keeps sending me tons of letters about Ty Cobb. STOP IT!!!
-In the 1990s, Craig Biggio was a better player than Ken Griffey, Jr.
-I believe Mickey Mantle was better than Ty Cobb, though the stats say otherwise.
-Oscar Charleston is the 4th greatest player of all time.
-Joe Morgan was easily a better player than Rogers Hornsby.
-I hate Seymour Swioff!!!

[Honus Wagner Rules]

You think I'm Bill James, right?

Apparently, wamby thinks you are lying about your age.

[flash143817]

I am Bill James and I can prove it.

-The most overrated player in history is George Sisler.
-Some guy named Bill Burgess keeps sending me tons of letters about Ty Cobb. STOP IT!!!
-In the 1990s, Craig Biggio was a better player than Ken Griffey, Jr.
-I believe Mickey Mantle was better than Ty Cobb, though the stats say otherwise.
-Oscar Charleston is the 4th greatest player of all time.
-Joe Morgan was easily a better player than Rogers Hornsby.
-I hate Seymour Swioff!!!

-George Brett was better than Eddie Mathews, stats be damned!

-Dick Allen was the greatest clubhouse cancer ever!




And for the record... I AM BATMAN!

[Padday]

And for the record... I AM BATMAN!

Wow. Just one thing I've been wondering, where exactly in Gotham City do you live. I've been trying to find your house on Google Earth.

[justamom]

My son has played little league since he was 5. He's now 10. I prefer not to judge a person, or situation ,that I know little about, based on an article by someone who was not there and knows neither coach or much about the league or the season.
Intentional walks are allowed in little league per the published rules. It has been used in our league at 3 games I actually attended. The parents were up in arms the first time a coach used it, but the kids were aware the major league pitchers did it and were pretty nonplussed.
I think perhaps the best alternative, if you think it's not appropriate for little league play, would be to petition those who make the rules. This particular rule has already been changed once from just having the batter go directly to first base after notifying the umpire, to this year, having to actually pitch to the batter.
You might start with this site: www.LittleLeague.org
instead of wasting your time arguing morality!
As for the kids...Play Ball!!

[DisabledMess]

I agree with micsmith. At least the kid got to play in the game. If I was his parent, I would of been happy to see my child get to hit in a game especially since he is a cancer patient that's going to die.

[justamom]

That was my first thought, why was he behind their best batter if he was the weakest hitter?

[CoachHenry]

OK I'm just coming into this thread. Here are my thoughts:

If you walked the stud to get to a normal kid who wasn't that good, what are your thoughts? Same strategy, different heart string being tugged upon. Society says there is a huge difference, strategy to win the games says there isn't.

What would I do? Below HS I would pitch to the stud. I have lost games as a coach where the "baseball" thing to do would have been to walk the batter in the box to get to the next guy. I *have* walked kids to create a force out in situations but not to get around a kid. Below HS I want my players playing their players, with a little bit of my coaching thrown in. HS and above you do what you have to do within the bounds of accepted baseball to win.

[CoachHenry]

That was my first thought, why was he behind their best batter if he was the weakest hitter?

Probably a late inning substitution to get his playing time in. That's my guess.

[RuthMayBond]

OK I'm just coming into this thread. Here are my thoughts:

What would I do? Below HS I would pitch to the stud. I have lost games as a coach where the "baseball" thing to do would have been to walk the batter in the box to get to the next guy. I *have* walked kids to create a force out in situations but not to get around a kid. Below HS I want my players playing their players, with a little bit of my coaching thrown in. HS and above you do what you have to do within the bounds of accepted baseball to win.

Although it was a league championship game

[stejay]

From a coaches point of view, that was good strategy, and did what he ha to do to win. From a human's point of view, that was sick, twisted and just plain wrong.

[Cubbyfanjohn]

I say pitch. The best hitters in the MLB make outs 7-10 at bats.

[stejay]

I say pitch. The best hitters in the MLB make outs 7-10 at bats.

I am not being funny here buddy, but this is LITTLE LEAGUE, not MLB.

[CoachHenry]

Although it was a league championship game

True, but not in a league that I would do that to win. I don't look poorly on the coaches for doing it, just that I wouldn't.