IE am I making LL too big a deal?
Preface...
Last year my 7yo moved up from a strictly "Coach Pitch league" the year previous and was the youngest in his "Player Pitch" league that had an age limit of 7-11 (very few 10 or 11yos...as most of them where in "Majors"). I wont lie...he had some growing pains and as a 7yo in a league with 8 and 9 yos I expected it and was proud of his efforts and performance ( I would be regardless of how he did but you get the idea). Most importantly HE was happy and seemingly challenged without getting dejected. At the end of the season he was good enough to start his teams playoff games (over some older kids) and the team was good enough to win their championship. (Left Handed 2nd Basemen Booyah!)
In that league the Players did "80%" of the pitching. If a Pitcher threw 4 balls during an at bat the Batting teams coaches came in and Pitched to their own player to finish that at bat (K, Out or Hit). If a Pitcher K'd a batter the batter sat down. Basically 3 Strikes and your out......4 Balls and you get the coach....who could still strike you out....even if inadvertently.
This year we combined our LL system with a neighboring town that we have very close ties with (we share the same High school, Our towns are referred to as A,B by most locals, basically we are one entity with 2 names etc etc).
During this combining the powers that be decided to reorganize the Levels to the below:
(AA) Player Pitch Baseball: Ages 7-8
This level is intended to bridge the transition from coaches pitching to players pitching to each other. Players at this level will pitch to other players in every odd inning (1,3,5) and coaches will pitch in the even innings (2,4,6) or to give a batter the opportunity to hit. Coaches will be on the field with the players providing instruction during the game. There is increased competition at this level; standings will be kept and there will be a two game playoff at the end of the season to determine a Player Pitch champion.
Players need attend Tryouts/Assessments.
(AAA) Minors Baseball: Ages 9-10
**NEW IN 2014** This level is intended for players whose skills have advanced beyond what is offered at the Player Pitch Division, but are not ready to compete in the Major Division. At this level, players do all of the pitching and the coaches remain in the dugout during the game. Players in the Minor Division age 9 and above are eligible to be selected for all-star teams. There is increased competition at this level; standings are kept and there will be a playoff at the end of the season to determine a Minors Division Champion.
Majors Baseball: Ages 10-12
Intended for the most advanced players. Once a player has been placed on a major team, they may not return to a lower division. Players in the Major Division are eligible for all-star teams. There is increased competition at this level; standings will be kept and there will be a playoff at the end of the season to determine the Major Division Champion.
As I said earlier....my son last year was in his "age 7 Little League season" ....which obviously would mean that this year would be "Age 8".
As an 8 yo he is only eligible for "AA Player Pitch". As you can see "AA PP" is actually a hybrid of coach pitch and Player Pitch. The problem as I see it is that My son will need to "regress" (for lack of a better term) to facing his peers every other inning and Coaches every other inning. I have found nothing "official" but I suspect in this league that if a Pitcher has control problems in one of the "kid Innings" then a coach will come in for that batter (much like they did last year in the Minors).
So last year where the coach may have pitched 20% of the time (only for those batters that faced "wild pitchers") this year they will pitch 50% of the time PLUS the Batters that are facing "wild Pitchers".
I sent an email to the LL board asking why they did not "Overlap Ages" between Coach Pitch and Minors like they did between Minors and Majors.
It seemed to me that doing so, while using the "tryout" methodology would solve the issue my son is facing. He would either make the "Minors" at tryouts or have to stay down in "Player Pitch".
I guess I am wondering if I should be concerned about this at his age and possibly press the issue (short of being an ass), or if I should just shut up and let him play in a league he basically played in 2 years previous.
I know some of the personalities on the LL Board...and while I applaud them for putting alot of time and effort into the league, there are also individuals who are Sanctimonious in the fact they are the masters of this little fief of baseball. I am POSITIVE that they will take affront to me even suggesting that they may not have done this perfectly. As such I suspect that they may dig their heels in regardless of logic.
Am I wrong? I would love some coaches/ League official input.
Preface...
Last year my 7yo moved up from a strictly "Coach Pitch league" the year previous and was the youngest in his "Player Pitch" league that had an age limit of 7-11 (very few 10 or 11yos...as most of them where in "Majors"). I wont lie...he had some growing pains and as a 7yo in a league with 8 and 9 yos I expected it and was proud of his efforts and performance ( I would be regardless of how he did but you get the idea). Most importantly HE was happy and seemingly challenged without getting dejected. At the end of the season he was good enough to start his teams playoff games (over some older kids) and the team was good enough to win their championship. (Left Handed 2nd Basemen Booyah!)
In that league the Players did "80%" of the pitching. If a Pitcher threw 4 balls during an at bat the Batting teams coaches came in and Pitched to their own player to finish that at bat (K, Out or Hit). If a Pitcher K'd a batter the batter sat down. Basically 3 Strikes and your out......4 Balls and you get the coach....who could still strike you out....even if inadvertently.
This year we combined our LL system with a neighboring town that we have very close ties with (we share the same High school, Our towns are referred to as A,B by most locals, basically we are one entity with 2 names etc etc).
During this combining the powers that be decided to reorganize the Levels to the below:
(AA) Player Pitch Baseball: Ages 7-8
This level is intended to bridge the transition from coaches pitching to players pitching to each other. Players at this level will pitch to other players in every odd inning (1,3,5) and coaches will pitch in the even innings (2,4,6) or to give a batter the opportunity to hit. Coaches will be on the field with the players providing instruction during the game. There is increased competition at this level; standings will be kept and there will be a two game playoff at the end of the season to determine a Player Pitch champion.
Players need attend Tryouts/Assessments.
(AAA) Minors Baseball: Ages 9-10
**NEW IN 2014** This level is intended for players whose skills have advanced beyond what is offered at the Player Pitch Division, but are not ready to compete in the Major Division. At this level, players do all of the pitching and the coaches remain in the dugout during the game. Players in the Minor Division age 9 and above are eligible to be selected for all-star teams. There is increased competition at this level; standings are kept and there will be a playoff at the end of the season to determine a Minors Division Champion.
Majors Baseball: Ages 10-12
Intended for the most advanced players. Once a player has been placed on a major team, they may not return to a lower division. Players in the Major Division are eligible for all-star teams. There is increased competition at this level; standings will be kept and there will be a playoff at the end of the season to determine the Major Division Champion.
As I said earlier....my son last year was in his "age 7 Little League season" ....which obviously would mean that this year would be "Age 8".
As an 8 yo he is only eligible for "AA Player Pitch". As you can see "AA PP" is actually a hybrid of coach pitch and Player Pitch. The problem as I see it is that My son will need to "regress" (for lack of a better term) to facing his peers every other inning and Coaches every other inning. I have found nothing "official" but I suspect in this league that if a Pitcher has control problems in one of the "kid Innings" then a coach will come in for that batter (much like they did last year in the Minors).
So last year where the coach may have pitched 20% of the time (only for those batters that faced "wild pitchers") this year they will pitch 50% of the time PLUS the Batters that are facing "wild Pitchers".
I sent an email to the LL board asking why they did not "Overlap Ages" between Coach Pitch and Minors like they did between Minors and Majors.
It seemed to me that doing so, while using the "tryout" methodology would solve the issue my son is facing. He would either make the "Minors" at tryouts or have to stay down in "Player Pitch".
I guess I am wondering if I should be concerned about this at his age and possibly press the issue (short of being an ass), or if I should just shut up and let him play in a league he basically played in 2 years previous.
I know some of the personalities on the LL Board...and while I applaud them for putting alot of time and effort into the league, there are also individuals who are Sanctimonious in the fact they are the masters of this little fief of baseball. I am POSITIVE that they will take affront to me even suggesting that they may not have done this perfectly. As such I suspect that they may dig their heels in regardless of logic.
Am I wrong? I would love some coaches/ League official input.
