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All-stars: Too much of a good thing?

Saturday, July 26, 2008 1:37 PM PDT

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Column by Rick S. Alvord
Sports Editor

A buddy of mine called earlier this summer to tell me that his son had been named to an all-star team from one of the local youth baseball leagues.

Oh great. Now he was going to tell me about how his kid batted .422 with runners in scoring position. How he stole 18 bases in one game, not including overthrows. How he pitched a no-hitter with a stomach ache after eating too many burritos for lunch.

Blah, blah, blah. Did anyone really care?

I was just about to tell him my opinion of children’s all-star baseball when he interrupted me with several of the most sane sentences ever uttered by a youth baseball parent.

“Yes, he got chosen for all-stars, but he’s not playing,” my friend said. “You think I want to spend an entire summer driving all over creation for a bunch of tournaments? Have you seen gas prices? Besides, I want my kid to do more than play baseball with his summer — like mow the lawn a couple times a week.”

OK, so maybe that last sentence wasn’t as sane as the others.

The point is, the guy wants his kid to be a kid. He wants him to be able to go swimming, go camping, go on sleep-overs, go to barbecues, go to the movies and go to the beach with the family without worrying what time practice is.

And he doesn’t want to worry about whether the Super 8 in beautiful downtown Aberdeen has enough hotel rooms available when the family drives to that all-important tournament in mid-July.

From what I understand, his kid is a decent little ball player. But he’s 11.

“Baseball can wait,” he told me. “When he’s 12 or 13, if he makes it, maybe we’ll do the all-star thing. But we better start saving money right now.”

This particular father made a choice that was best for his family. His son, he said, was upset “for about a day,” then got back to the business of being 11.

The majority of youth baseball parents don’t go that route. The all-star experience is a special one, for them and the child. It creates bonds between teammates that will last a lifetime, and bonds between parents who assume the role of ballpark vagabonds for up to four months.

Playing on an all-star team is an honor. It’s a way to bring pride and respect to your league, your town and, most importantly, to yourself.

Around here, the youth leagues are some of the best in Southwest Washington. How else do you explain the consistent success of the high school programs? It isn’t a coincidence that Kelso made it to the Class 3A state semifinals this past season after sending teams to the Babe Ruth World Series in 2006 and 2007.

For the most part, they get it right when it comes to youth baseball here. The coaching is top-notch, the volunteers are eager and knowledgeable, the parents are ... well, the parents are predictable.

From my seat, every summer the youth baseball parents’ grip on reality slips ever so slightly. Not all are the same, as my friend points out, but the ones who take this whole all-star thing far too seriously — the “head cases,” as my pal calls them — get more annoying with each swing of the bat.

These people have two primary enemies each summer: umpires and sports editors, not necessarily in that order. Umpires, because they make bad calls against their little all-stars; sports editors, because they refuse to give their little all-stars the “publicity” they so richly “deserve.”

Let me tell you, the only time a 10-year-old “deserves” to be in the newspaper is if he rescues his friend from drowning or makes the honor roll. Otherwise, if your little slugger gets some “pub,” consider it icing on the all-star cake.

As for the game itself? Well, there’s a reason that soccer gains in popularity among youths each year while baseball slowly falls in numbers.

The regular season in baseball is too short, the all-star season too long. Why not eliminate a few weeks of all-stars to allow the non-all-stars an opportunity to play more games?

And while we’re at it, do we really need all-stars for 9- and 10-year-olds? Even 11-year-olds? Start ’em playing all-stars at age 12, so the experience is truly special, then send ’em off to Babe Ruth ball the following year.

The young kids should play the regular season, then trot off and enjoy the rest of their summer skipping rocks or playing video games.

My buddy with the would-be all-star son is in favor of that.

“It just gets to be too much,” he said. “And with this economy, less and less people are going to be able to afford to follow their kids around all summer. It takes time and money — and people seem to have less of both these days.”

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bizowner wrote on Jul 26, 2008 12:05 AM:

" ...swimming, go camping, go on sleep-overs, go to barbecues, go to the movies and go to the beach with the family... Sounds great. But reality is sleep in, video games, more video games, bored, mom & dad are working. Sports gives the kids a little exercise and gets them out of the house and they have maybe three weekends of tournament ball. Some of our best summer memories have been allstars - at 10, 11, & 12. "

Cre8ive1 wrote on Jul 26, 2008 6:10 AM:

" Wow! This is one of those columns that make you go "hmmm"...because there will always be those parents with their kids that live for the "game", whatever season it is. And there are the bored kids who beg their parents to play a team sport who do not get the opportunity to do so. Then, there are the "annoying", yet "predictable" parents that are there every year, some that force their kids to be stars, so the parents can shine and relive their "glory days" or whatever (just saying)! Maybe the ones whose kids actually enjoy the sport and want to play and have their parents there to support them and their team. Look! There's one of those "predictable" parents right now posting an "annoying" or, better yet, "predictable" comment right now! In other words, I guess it just depends on the parents and their kids and how they want to spend their summer!! Hey! As they say, we all march to the beat of a different drum. The challenge is to pick up the beat and choose which one to follow. ;o "

reader0 wrote on Jul 26, 2008 7:40 AM:

" I would agree that the regular season is too short and adding a couple weeks to it would be a great idea. Being the mother of a 9 year old who has been on the all-star team 2 years in a row now, I wouldn't miss the chance to let my son play for anything. Yes, it is a huge commitment (especially when dragging younger siblings to the ballpark 6 days a week). However, after all-stars is over there is still plenty of summer left. Away tournaments are a great chance for kids and parents to play together off the field in hotel pools. I feel confident that all-star parents are bragging more about the value of teamwork,commitment and perseverance their child has learned from the experience and less about batting averages. "

CowlitzSounding wrote on Jul 26, 2008 9:31 AM:

" Alvord is as guilty as anyone in the local area of promoting underage baseball players. The sad truth is that local tweenage baseball players have gotten way to much ink in TDN over the years. Where the rub comes in, is not all teams are reported on equally. I wish the paper had a sports page policy where individuals under the age of 13 would not get recognized, but the teams could be.

Another knock I have has to do with the way the paper deals with coaches. I wish that there would be no biases shown by the sports staff. An example: Buchanan and Hymes are both good H.S.football coaches. TDN likes Buchanan better. That's OK, but the readers of the sports pages shouldn't know this. We do. "

happymom wrote on Jul 26, 2008 1:10 PM:

" every word you said is true Rick. As the very proud aunt of one of the local all stars, the season is too short and the all-stars are long if your that good and you go the whole distance. The years in Babe Ruth that he went the distance there were trips out of state 2 years way in August. I've watched my sister juggle it every year. Starting the all-stars at 12 is a great idea too. Thanks for all your teams reporting on sports. I know it takes alot of work to keep up with the different teams and personalities! "

LongviewFam wrote on Jul 26, 2008 5:48 PM:

" I'll state the obvious...it's not always the best kids who fill the all-star rosters. Unfortunately, it is often very politically motivated. "

princess wrote on Jul 26, 2008 6:17 PM:

" A few thoughts: I agree All-Stars start way TOO YOUNG!! Just this year, we had 6 year-olds playing on a 8 year-old team...enough players (8 year-olds) tried out to make 2 teams but they weren't quite good enough so the 6 year-olds made the team. 6 year-olds were good but All-Stars?!? When is enough, enough?? I think 10 year-olds should be the start of All-Stars... that is when Cal Ripken starts the tournament trail (State, Regionals, World Series). As far as "head cases"...that is in every sport. Parents get kicked out of football stadiums, too!! Publicity: while I know we have many teams in our community I find it hard to believe that TDN did not know about 3 State tourneys in our area over July 9-July 13. The community was crawling with little ball players. I know it is the league's responsiblity too but NO ONE at TDN knew anything? Just game times and scores would have been nice. In fact, at the 15 year old State tourney, the mayor "talked up" your paper to visitng teams about your exceptional coverage of youth sports. (FYI---you did have plenty of coverage of that---Thank you) If nothing else, more mention of the 3 State tourneys could have boosted sales to each game at Western, TamO and Cowlitz. "

princess wrote on Jul 26, 2008 6:24 PM:

" Sorry....2nd post:

I have an All-Star and it is what you make of it. Our family loves baseball so traveling to the different places for tourneys is fun. We still have time to have BBQS, go to parties, have sleepovers, play Playstation 3, go swimming at the pool...my son even reluctantly finds time for chores! The kids even overcome "cross-town rivalry"...I usually have our team plus Longview All-Star kids at the house eating us out of house and home!!! When Kennewick teams are here, they come over too!! Kids keep in touch over winter too!! We've made many memories and great friends through the years of baseball. I know it was "just a column". The subject comes up every year and I am sure we will read about it again next summer!! "

TDN Bad Boy wrote on Jul 26, 2008 10:40 PM:

" As a sponsor at Western, I take great exception to the tone of this article. Keeping kids active is one way to keep them out of trouble. I will gladly spend lots of money on youth sports becasue it is usually a very healthy activity for the kids. I would rather see them at the park, playing, and learn skills such as team work and ocmmunication that may actually help them later in life. Why would any father want to rob his son of the memories? Alvord I am ashamed of you for not reprimanding that father. Tell me, what will be that boy's memory of his father if something tragic happens to that family before that child gets a chance to play at that level? Too often we hear I only wish I had done this, or done that. Then a child achieves something worthwhile and his father takes the dream from him? Wow, what a parent. "

Blogger Jogger wrote on Jul 26, 2008 10:42 PM:

" I've seen the excess that is "All Stars." Tell me, how do the low income players travel from town to town staying in hotel rooms and playing with their families in the hotel pools? Oh, that's right, there aren't many, if any, low income all stars. Funny, the way the talent follows the buck. "

MW wrote on Jul 27, 2008 9:01 AM:

" Gee Mr. Bad Boy, so you think Rick should have reprimanded this individual? I'm curious as to how you would react to an individual who gave you an unsolicited reprimand for how you chose to raise your 11 year old child? Just wondering. "

TDN Bad Boy wrote on Jul 27, 2008 2:30 PM:

" Alvord's makes his feelings known. He believes the father was right. I don't. I see the kid participating in something that is wholesome and clean fun. If the kid was a problem, OK. I played at Western in the 60s, and my dad and mom never missed a game. And believe me, I knew they were there. And I never missed a game my children played in, and they knew I was there. I just think the father is sending the wrong message. The child achieved something noteworthy. Why take that away from him? Children don't forget momets like this. Instead of making it a negative for the child or the family, why not make it a positive, with loving support. Playing baseball is the least of a problem a family can have with a child. If money were the problem, I am sure there are people who could help. I have helped families that I knew had money problems go watch their children play. The child doesn't need to know. What they need to know is that their parents support them. Geez being a kid is tough enough. Why make it tougher? "

MW wrote on Jul 27, 2008 4:28 PM:

" Yes Bad Boy, I understand how it work's. My daughter play's softball on a scholarship at a university. I spent many year's every weekend during the summer from May till September at ballpark's all over the country. If someone would have come up and "reprimanded" me for denying my daughter a summer, I would have been in their face, telling them to mind their own darn business. You have a right to your opinion, but to suggest Rick reprimand this individual is WAY WAY out of line. It's not his place and it's NOT YOURS either. "

TDN Bad Boy wrote on Jul 27, 2008 10:26 PM:

" MW, you are entitled to your opinion, but if I did meet the father, I would definitely talk to him about his misguided decision to keep his son out of the competition. Regardless of what you say, the parent was wrong and sometimes a third party saying something can be good for the parent. This was a bad decision anyway you look at it. And I do think Alvord was a coward in not saying so. Somebody needed to speak up on behalf of that kid. I just hope for that parent's sake, the kid doesn't lose interest in sports and turns out another way ... like in trouble with the wrong crowd. Sports doesn't prevent that but it does help build the bond a child needs with their parents. It's a way a parent can show support, guidance, and care. This parent sent exactly the opposite message to the kid. Sorry you think that is his devined right. I think somebody should speak up and tell him just how wrong he is. "

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