Parents and Sports....

On the radio today and on the Internet I have read some stories of a nine-year-old named Jericho Scott. I must apologize, this is going to be a rare one for this blog, this is a thread with a serious meaning. For those of you that do not know the story, Jericho Scott is a an extraordinary pitcher for a child his age. At the start of the season he was given an invitation to join the leagues defending champions (Who just happened to be sponsored by the company of the leagues administrator). He turned down that invitation to play on a team with his friends. The net result is that the kids his age can not hit him and his team is the top team in the league going into the playoffs. The league administration has now decided that Jericho throws too hard for their league and they are banning him from pitching. This past week Jericho's opposing team forfeited the game once he took the mound.

For some of you that can possibly read this that do not know me, I coached youth football for many years. This situation does not surprise me and it supports my statement that parents are one of the worst things for youth sports. I worked on a complete volunteer basis, the only thing I took out of coaching was the joy of being around the game of football and teaching the game to children that want to learn. It seemed every season that I coached, I knew that I would have a couple parents that were going to be a problem. Either they were the over the top 'every call against us' style of parent or the 'my boy is the best athlete ever' parent. Now don't get me wrong, positive encouragement is great for children. However, you also have to give realistic expectations as well. If the kid is not athletically inclined to play quarterback, don't expect him to play quarterback and then bitch and moan at the coach during the game when he is not in at quarterback. I have actually had parents walk up to me on the sidelines, during the game and argue with me. I may also add that I have had many wonderful parents that appreciated my time, expertise and patience in working with their child in their education of the game. I have many of the children that I have coached stay in touch with me and let me know of their continued progression. Every time I hear from them it makes me feel proud that I helped shape their future.

So back to the issue at hand with Jericho Scott. I cannot believe that this league administrator is being this poor of a parent. In the article on ESPN Jericho is stated as saying, "I feel sad," he said. "I feel like it's all my fault nobody could play." I don't know how this individual can sleep at night. He is crushing a 9 year old, so his/her son's team has a better chance at repeating their championship. There is no change in the boys throwing since the start of the season, so what changed from the invite to his team to Jericho playing on the other team? Absolutely nothing has changed other then the perception of the greedy parent.

Today, I have listened to every type of argument for this parent and I have not heard one that can make it justified in my eyes. I heard the argument that this is a youth sport and it is not building up the esteem of the members of the other team. My counter to that is, what is it doing for Jericho Scott? No matter what level of sport you play in, there is always going to be that one guy that is clearly better then the rest, it could be in youth sports, high school, college or in the pros. It happens, it is part of the game, someone will be better then rest. So here, you sacrifice the one for the many why? Because he is too good?

I feel bad for Jericho Scott but I even feel worse for the kids on the other teams. What example is this setting for them? This is teaching the kids that if you are not good at something, don't become better, just get rid of your opposition. Maybe these parents should spend less time worrying about Jericho Scott and maybe more time working with their kid so they can become better. If they did that maybe the speed of Jericho Scott's pitch would be less of an issue. What happens next? Johny down the street has hit three home runs, he must be the next Babe Ruth. He can no longer hit, he can only field. It could possibly be Jose at short stop, maybe he has too much range and he can only hit.

The bottom line is that this is a game, this is a game for kids, played by kids. Let the kids play, if they are within the framework of the rules, then what is the problem? The problem is not with the kids as not one child has complained about Jericho Scott. The problem lays with the parents and their egos. I hope that someone intervenes and Jericho Scott is allowed to pitch and have fun with his friends.