When I was a kid, Little League was about having fun. Now, with ESPN and other venues covering it on nationwide TV, it's big business. Are we taking the fun out of childhood and stressing our kids, making them grow up way too fast?
That's an opinion posted by Washington Post columnist Sally Jenkins. As she notes, not only do Little Leagues try to emulate the mannerisms of big leaguers (fortunately, not to the point of chewing tobacco), they are interviewed by ESPN (and others) and playing in a AAA sized ballfield in from of 40K+ spectators.
That has to affect them psychologically. The mission of Little League is to develop "the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being. By espousing the virtues of character, courage and loyalty, the Little League Baseball and Softball program is designed to develop superior citizens rather than superior athletes." The pressures of being onstage has to be a detriment to all this, however.
Let's also not forget the influence parents have on all this. We've seen dozens of incidents where parents slug umpires, coaches, and the like, including other parents, when their kids fail at a sport, and the perception is the sluggee had something to do with it.
Jenkins also brings up the physical aspects of Little League, particularly when you reach the Little League World Series. The pressure is so high to win, that pitchers, for example, can throw way more pitches than a major leaguer, at a time when they're still growing. Anyone recall the pitch count controversy in MLB?
Some are campaigning to eliminate the Little League World Series. I, for one, would join that camp. Childhood should be fun, not pressure.
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