This may not be precisely on swimming, but I feel an overwhelming need to vent. This is my reaction to an essay by Josh Levin arguing that the Little League World Series needs to "do something" about early maturing 12-yr olds who dominate the competion. Hope it's food for thought for those of us involved in helping with age group swimmers:
Mr. Levin,
You are on the right track when you argue that oversized 12 year olds dominating the Little League World Series is a problem. However, I think you have missed the more significant point by attributing the problem to the kids. I coach summer league age group swimming. As you rightly note, comical differences in growth development are part of youth sports. But, it is also not fair to a legit 12 yr old to tell him he is too big or too good to play with kids his age; he should go let the 14 yr olds do to him what he would do to kids his own age if we let him. His age is his age. It may not accurately reflect who grew up faster, but it is a more objective yardstick than anything else we might use to let younger kids compete against someone "their own size."
No sir, the problem is all of we adults paying too much attention to athletic achievements of 12 yr olds. 19 yr old high school graduates have a difficult time dealing with all attention of Div I college athletics. What in the world are we doing covering 35 Little League games, NATIONALLY (!!!) on ESPN?!! (For the love of Pete, you did not even get national coverage of all the games of the first round of MLB playoffs a couple of years ago!)
The problem is not overdeveloped 12-yr olds dominating; the problem is our message to the kids that it means so much more than it actually does. Coverage in the local paper is fine, maybe even regional TV coverage in the areas of the teams as they get close to the championship. But, this disgusting hyping of a child's game is BAD for the kids that play in the Little League World Series, BAD for the "grown-ups" caught up in it, and WORST of all for the kids who are expected to carry their teams to the championship.
The subtitle for ESPN's coverage is a perfect microcosm "See the big leaguers of tomorrow." BULL CRAP!!! Not every major league player was a dominant Little Leaguer (or even played in the Little League World Series), and not every dominant Little Leaguer will make it to the Bigs. It is pure BULL CRAP, yet for corporate profit interests, we are shoving it down the throats of 8-12 yr olds who do not know any better. Sad and disgusting. ESPN should be ashamed of themselves.
Matt
Parents
Former Member
As a coach of Pop Warner Football, I see some of the same pressures here. The "National Championship" of Pop Warner Football is played every year in Orlando - with some age groups on ESPN. There are parents in our organization who have been reminding their kids that getting to the National Championship would mean a trip to Disney. As a coach, I want the kids to learn a little bit about the game, have fun and try their best. It is clearly not good for a kid to worry about winning so that his family gets a vacation. But that is the pressure that some parents put on the kids.
The other thing I hear sometimes is the parents want the boys to be good at football so that they can get a scholarship. Heck, the boys are only 7-14 years old. They can't be worrying about college yet! That is a stress for a 16, 17, 18 year old and for adults to worry about.
Don't get me wrong - between tackle and flag football and cheerleading, we have over 500 kids involved. There is only a small percentage of the parents like this. Most of the parents are great. But the few can be a big problem. These parents tend to be the ones who get in fights with coaches/referees after games. These parents are the ones that embarass their kids with their behavior. What kind of example is that for the kids.
The message that kids should be getting in youth sports is that participation in athletics is fun, has many benefits (fitness, teamwork, friendships etc.) and can be something that you can enjoy for many years. But the pressure to "win it all" is crazy at this level.
As a second thought, I heard that the Little League organization is getting a good bit of money for being on ESPN. Does anyone know where the money is going to go? Is it going to stay at the upper levels of the organization? I would hope they use much of the money to build ball fields in poor neighborhoods, provide equipment, etc.
As a coach of Pop Warner Football, I see some of the same pressures here. The "National Championship" of Pop Warner Football is played every year in Orlando - with some age groups on ESPN. There are parents in our organization who have been reminding their kids that getting to the National Championship would mean a trip to Disney. As a coach, I want the kids to learn a little bit about the game, have fun and try their best. It is clearly not good for a kid to worry about winning so that his family gets a vacation. But that is the pressure that some parents put on the kids.
The other thing I hear sometimes is the parents want the boys to be good at football so that they can get a scholarship. Heck, the boys are only 7-14 years old. They can't be worrying about college yet! That is a stress for a 16, 17, 18 year old and for adults to worry about.
Don't get me wrong - between tackle and flag football and cheerleading, we have over 500 kids involved. There is only a small percentage of the parents like this. Most of the parents are great. But the few can be a big problem. These parents tend to be the ones who get in fights with coaches/referees after games. These parents are the ones that embarass their kids with their behavior. What kind of example is that for the kids.
The message that kids should be getting in youth sports is that participation in athletics is fun, has many benefits (fitness, teamwork, friendships etc.) and can be something that you can enjoy for many years. But the pressure to "win it all" is crazy at this level.
As a second thought, I heard that the Little League organization is getting a good bit of money for being on ESPN. Does anyone know where the money is going to go? Is it going to stay at the upper levels of the organization? I would hope they use much of the money to build ball fields in poor neighborhoods, provide equipment, etc.
