AAU v LL {Rec}

I found the articles concerning AAU vs.
LL {rec} very well written and insightful.
I've also felt and experienced much the same.
I curently sit on my local LL board.

My son is also a very talented player and has
played LL and Travel simultaneously. While
I am not the team Manager for either, I
make sure that the manager knows I am very
much in charge of my son when it comes to
pitching. I am clear that I care more
about his arm at this age {12} than I do
about winning a game, any game.

Early in our Rec season some parents started
a petition to get my son out of the league
because he throws too hard {75-78mph} and
he may hurt someone. While he has excellent
control, he is only 12 and has hit a few
batters (7 all season), but all with his
change-up. My hat is off to the League
president for responding that they should
teach their child to play better and should
be thankful they have a chance to be on
the same field as my son. A bit dramatic
perhaps, but much appreciated.

Catchers also complained to him that he
throws too hard and they're afraid to catch
him. It's incredible, but its Rec. I wholeheartedly
agree with RAD that Rec tries to equal the
playing field for everyone, and any who
excel are looked down upon. I've had
grandparents at Rec games come over to me
and tell me how much they "hate" my son
because he struck our there grandson each
time he got up. {Yes, they actually said Hate)
My wife couldn't even attend these games any
more because of the mean comments and all
the cheering against him on his home field.
It did build a tremendous amount of character
in him though.

The "best" Rec situation I experienced was
when one of our players received a walk.
He got to first base and just took off
for second. He was an easy out and as he
jogged by me coming off the field he said "I have to leave for soccer practice now". He never went into the dugout; he just kept running to his mom waiting in the car with the door open so they can get to soccer parcatice! I can go on and on as I'm sure many of us can.

In district play, my son went 4 - 0 and
batted .750. Since we came from the losers
bracket we had to play the undefeated team
twice for the championship {if we won the
first game} since its a double elimination. My son pitched the first of the two games and struck out the first nine batters and 16 of 18 overall, issuing no walks, no HBP and two singles. We won 2-1, with the opposing run scoring on a single & 3 infield errors in the 4th inning. Its very frustrating to pitch like that and be in a postion to lose because of players who "have" to play because "daddy's the coach".

For the rec championship game, he was
intentionally walked 3 times because in
his first at bat {he batted third) he hit
a 2 run homer. {He hit 31 for the season) I mentioned that its not in the spirit of Rec and the opposing coach said "yeah, but its the only way we can win". I just thanked him for not allowing my son to play in this game.

My son also participated in Cooperstown
last year and we all had the experience
of a lifetime and his team performed
better than we expected, lasting into
the 3rd playoff round. Tremdous competition
and true sportsmanship in that tournament.

LL is good but it definitley has its limitations.
My son learned to love the game because of Rec
and it is run very well. As parents &
coaches we need to be aware that some players
may excel and require more than what a Rec program can deliver. This is not a bad thing. Rec should be proud that such a player came from their program. They should recognize that trying to limit him or her to playing only Rec is not in anyone's best interest.

Thank you for very candid articles and
commentary. It makes my son's decision
to have Travel as a priority over Rec and
even school baseball all the more valid.

I apologize for ranting but it's very
comforting to know I'm not alone in my LL experiences.

Peter J.