TRAVEL BALL/ LITTLE LEAGUE

[Peanut]

Rumor has it that district 11 wants leagues to have a "attendance policy" that says if a boy/girl misses a little league game and causes her/his team to forfeit then they would be dismissed from the league. I do not have a problem with "attendance policy" but you can't use it to "single-out" a group of kids. This would have to be if any child misses a game, for any reason, then they would be dismissed from the league. What are the thoughts out there? Any leagues thinking about putting this in their rules? I believe parents will definately fight this all the way to regionals if not Williamsport. Little league would not allow you to "single-out". Thoughts? One more thought from me, it takes more than one girl/boy not being there to cause a forfeit. How can you punish just one?

[buckeyediva]

How can it be just one district??? Sounds like someone that is
in charge is trying to throw their weight around... This is the
reason L. L. is becoming a dying breed. As a parent of a child
that plays both, I would choose travel over L.L. any day.
AT LEAST WHEN YOU SHOW UP TO A TOURNEY YOU KNOW
WHAT THE RULES ARE... They are not changed for whatever
reason.. District 11 will decline at a fast pace with people
trying to install rules that don't even exist. These people
need to sit down and read the rule book. " No child left
behind" They need to focus how they get get parents and
children more involved with L. L. vs pushing them away.

[Peanut]

I do believe the district is trying to tell the local leagues to do this. I called regional headquarters and I was told that little league DOES NOT have an attendance policy. However, the manager has the right to dismiss a kid who excessively, and repeatedly miss games. I have no problem with the that, as long as it's all kids who miss excessively and repeatedly for any reason. My daughter loves to play with her friends and have fun and that is what little league is about. She also loves the competition of travel ball and with 9/10 only allowed to pitch 6 innings a week in little league, travel ball allows her to pitch more and become better. I just think it is so unfair and wrong to "single-out" a small group of kids. I hope the local leagues don't try this, I know some I've talked too have kinda laughed over it because they know how wrong it is.

[COACH1]

This is a perfect example give someone a little power and it goes to thier head, LL has went down hill and is dropping fast because of people that gets a liitle power and and tries to run something not thinking what is best for the kids just what is going to make them look good not worry about the kids or what they think. These people are starting these rules because of travel ball, people started playing travel ball because of the stupid rules that LL has made or thought up.

[The_Sports_Junky]

I was on District 11 staff for 5 years. I removed myself last year.

Far as I know the rule is , Only the board of directors ( president, Vice president,etc.....) can remove a child for not showing up for games and pratices. The manager can not remove a child but must report to the president that the child is not showing up. It is then up to the board to decide what is to be done with that child.

Minford did pass a local rule that if a child misses LL to play travel ball, That child could be removed. Williamsport said that rule was ok.

[Peanut]

I should of said with the board's approval also. Regional's said there was not an attendance policy, only if a kid misses repeatedly and excessively. What is the policy with Minford? Is it repeatedly and excessively or is there a certian number of games? Does this apply to all kids who miss the same amount? Like I said, I have no problem as long as it affects all kids!!!!!! I want to hear from Minford if your on here on how this rule can affect only a few kids.

[sticks]

The problem I have with tavel ball is when these kids don't show up for L.L. practice and they think they should play more than the kids that have been to every practice. It sends the wrong message to the kids that show up for every practice and have to sit the bench.

[Peanut]

I do not have a problem with them sitting for missing practice or games, as long as all the players who miss practice/games have the same penalty. Really, this isn't about travel ball, it's about every child in your league receiving the same rules and treatment. Just make the rules to affect all kids and most people will be fine with it. Have a policy, if you want, but it has to affect all kids.

[wemufans]

I can see both sides of the story.Why make it more difficult for your child? Just pick either travel or local and there won't be a problem. All parents should be happier that way. Local kids feel desserted when the good players don't show for games because they had a tournament somewhere else. There would be less hard feelings if all the kids were dedicated to just one team and not having to spread their loyalty to two different programs in the same year. Same thing happens when kids are trying to play two different sports at the same time.

[Peanut]

Again, the point is being missed here. My child did travel some and she didn't miss little league games. We still forfeited games when kids were on vacation or parents didn't bring them. How then when these kids caused their team to forfeit did the league not punish them. This is about an unjust rule against those who travel. I have left travel games, came back for regular games and went back for travel. Most parents are pretty dedicated. My question is not about travel vs. little league, but about a rule that "single's out" a group of kids. Those on vacation for a week will miss usually 3 games, but that is not held against them.

[wemufans]

You can not have a rule that doesn't affect all the kids. Absences are absences I agree the rule should be for everyone. Htye can not make a rule that if you miss for travel then you must quit. Then I am sure the parents would always say their kids was "sick"

[buckeyediva]

Why punish a kid thats talented enough to play at a next level.
Let's be real and honest. Their is kids that all they do is pick flowers
in the outfield. Why people don't just choose one or the other, pretty
simple. They want to represent their area at the end of the season.
There is pride. I feel very strong that district 11 will get worse. Who
we have in charge is worthless and has a big head. He has ruined L.L.
for me by himself. L.L. is there for kids that want to play 10 games a year.
Travel ball is as many as you want. My daughter for example loves to play.
Last 2 years she has avg. 100. This was her wanting to, not me pushing.
As for Minford I rest my case. They don't and are unable to compete
with anyone. I have coached there as well, the guy over 11 and Minford
should coach together. L.L. will continue to decline with the genius'
running it the way they are.

[Peanut]

I really don't want to see people who volunteer their time for little league get bashed. I know people make mistakes, but I also know the time and energy it takes to run a league let alone a district. I know what a "thank-less job it can be". I just want people to remember that all the kids in little league have other things in their lives. Maybe not travel ball, but other things that keep them from being at a game. I have never read a rule in the little league rule book that "singles-out" any kid. All the rules are made for the all the kids to go by, let's just keep it that way.
Little league was established for kids just to have fun and enjoy being with their friends. Nothing else!! Sometimes we make it so much more than what it little league intended.

[The_Sports_Junky]

Why punish a kid thats talented enough to play at a next level.
Let's be real and honest. Their is kids that all they do is pick flowers
in the outfield. Why people don't just choose one or the other, pretty
simple. They want to represent their area at the end of the season.
There is pride. I feel very strong that district 11 will get worse. Who
we have in charge is worthless and has a big head. He has ruined L.L.
for me by himself. L.L. is there for kids that want to play 10 games a year.
Travel ball is as many as you want. My daughter for example loves to play.
Last 2 years she has avg. 100. This was her wanting to, not me pushing.
As for Minford I rest my case. They don't and are unable to compete
with anyone. I have coached there as well, the guy over 11 and Minford
should coach together. L.L. will continue to decline with the genius'
running it the way they are.

[
If your going to be REAL HONEST then do it. If kids are in the outfield picking flowers then the coach is not doing a very good job of planning their practice. Truth is many coaches don't care about teaching the game to kids who are not very good. These are the kids who need to work harder to help the team but coaches find it easier to put them in the outfield so they don't get in the way.

In Little league teams are required to schedule 12 games. I have heard ( at District 11 meetings) and told many coaches,and presidents they can play as many games as they want. Do they do it? No they don't and why? I have an idea as to why but I'll keep it to myself.

You can bash Little League and it's volunteers all you want but I seen many Leagues that are run right. I'm going to tell you, You'll not find a better place to play ball. The kids learn the game and have fun doing so. I have seen and have been a part of all the work that goes into running a league and District. Do I agree with every rule and decision they make? No I don't but they talk about it and vote on the rules and the people they want to run the league, and District.. These volunteers have my respect. They TRY to do what is right.

Why is it everyone wants Little League to change? Go ask your High School coach if your kid can miss practice to go to travel ball pratice. If you don't like Little League then go play travel ball. Little League will be just fine without your superstar.

Little League is for all the kids. Little League thinks all kids have a right to play ball and have fun doing so. I thank god we have Little League in our area.

My child has played Little League and travel ball. Little League gave her the desire to play hard win or lose. There are good in both Little League and Travel Ball.

[buckeyediva]

You are the one started this post questioning this rule. Don't back up and punt for points. As I said before, it is great for the kids. Seasons end it is wonderful to see all the communties showing support for the kids. As for my "star" she plays both and does miss games or practices. She is loyal to whatever league she is in. The only problem I have is punishing some for playing outside L.L. If your daughter does actually travel, you must admit it is better caliber of ball. LL gives kids a chance and that is wonderful. I can go on and on. As a true coach, I choose to tackle the task of the lesser talent. Once you win with these kids, makes it better. I myself do not have to coach LL or travel to enjoy helping any kid. I have not coached a team and had kids come to fields for help. That's what it is about. Not your volunteers that want to take that away. Let all the kids play. Its not for the adults. My child has been very lucky to have some great coaches in LL. Therefore I will express my concerns. You have twisted my battle. Take a good look around your leagues. several are ran down for your wonderful volunteers. There are some great people involved, yet some bad apples that sour alot!

[Peanut]

good post!!! There are good people who take a lot of time and those for whatever reason want to make idiots of themselves. I just meant to see why the rule is even talked about, just didn't make sense to me. Of course, travel is much better competition and daughter is the same, she loves being with her friends and just playing the game as much as she can.

[buckeyediva]

Very good post. Just don't want any "kid" to be treated differnt. I have seen a lot of politics in my time. Tired of seeing that occur. To me as a coach all kids are great to work with. Some do need more time, I have taken off days in league play to conduct a clinic style practices for those who wanted to attend. There is not many who love the game as I.