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
Aquageek,
I appreciate your concern about language. There are other options for expressing emotional intensification that vulgarity (I have used "bovine eschatology" when I am trying to be amusing). However, my understanding is that "crap" is not on the generally accepted list of cuss words. So I understand your concern, up to a point.
I also acknowledge you have a point about the Little League governing body having some role in this, and that we have a capitalist system that considers the profit motive to be legitimate, within reason. However, we also expect tobacco companies not to market to children, and we expect companies that contract with the Dept of Defense to go the extra mile during times of national crisis. In short, we expect ethical, responsible behavior even in the face of the profit motive. Most TV networks insist on substantial flexibility in the selection of games they air and their presentation. Although the Little League could walk away from a whole contract, ESPN is still responsible for the message it is sending, explicitly and implicitly, that the dominant players in the Little League World Series are going to be Major Leaguers when they grow up. That message is factually wrong for the vast majority of the kids playing, and it is not something responsible adults tell 12 yr old children.
Matt
Aquageek,
I appreciate your concern about language. There are other options for expressing emotional intensification that vulgarity (I have used "bovine eschatology" when I am trying to be amusing). However, my understanding is that "crap" is not on the generally accepted list of cuss words. So I understand your concern, up to a point.
I also acknowledge you have a point about the Little League governing body having some role in this, and that we have a capitalist system that considers the profit motive to be legitimate, within reason. However, we also expect tobacco companies not to market to children, and we expect companies that contract with the Dept of Defense to go the extra mile during times of national crisis. In short, we expect ethical, responsible behavior even in the face of the profit motive. Most TV networks insist on substantial flexibility in the selection of games they air and their presentation. Although the Little League could walk away from a whole contract, ESPN is still responsible for the message it is sending, explicitly and implicitly, that the dominant players in the Little League World Series are going to be Major Leaguers when they grow up. That message is factually wrong for the vast majority of the kids playing, and it is not something responsible adults tell 12 yr old children.
Matt
