Jericho Scott, 9-year-old Pitcher, Too Good For Little League
Ground Report
August 26, 2008 Jericho Scott, 9, is unhitable from the little league baseball pitchers mound. While some might praise his natural talent for throwing the baseball faster than anyone in his league, officials in the Youth Baseball League of New Haven have instead banned Scott from pitching, saying that his fastball is too good for the caliber of the league. Scott's forced removal from the mound has his coach, parents and others up in arms.
Jericho Scott can hurl a baseball at near 40 mph, which, to a 9 year-old, might look frightening and intimidating. And that is the exact logic used by the League when they asked him to play other positions or be moved up to an older, more difficult league.
Some parents are scared that a wayward fastball might injure their children, but Jericho Scott's coach, Wilfred Vidro, doesn't think that the youngster should be punished for being the best pitcher in the league. "He's never hurt any one," Vidro said. "He's on target all the time. How can you punish a kid for being too good?" Opposing teams have forfeit games when they saw Scott take the mound and the league is calling for his team to be split up because they are so dominant.
Jericho Scott is a confused boy caught in the middle of this heated argument. "I feel sad," Scott said. "I feel like it's all my fault nobody could play." After accusations, threats for legal action and tantrums thrown by parents (both in support and against Scott), the problem has not yet been resolved.
Source: Associated Press
Tags: Jericho Scott , New Haven Youth Baseball , Danny Almonte , League , Scott
Comments
Let him play, he is gifted. Are we teaching our kids they should only be mediocre and not to try their best? Is too bad the opposing team forfeited, because that is teaching kids to quit and not even try. What if Tiger Woods was told this when he was Jericho's age? Is too bad this is happening in America. What a privilege it would be to play against him. Just think if your 9 year old could get a hit off Jericho even after trying many times. It would be something your child would remember and feel proud of for many, many years.
Rating: No RatingThese other kids seem like spoiled little pieces of crap that are scared of a 40mph fastball. Let your kids play. its a game for petes sake.
Rating: No RatingIts not his fault the rest of the league isn't good enough to hit his pitches. Instead of punishing the pitcher how about the rest of the league practice more and become better so then they CAN hit the kids fastball. Sounds like the rest of society, bring down the achiever because its fair , never work harder to become the achiever.
Rating: No Rating40-50 mph is average for 9-10 year olds. See http://www.efastball.com/baseball/pitching/grips/average-pitching-speed-by-age-group/
Rating: No Rating