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Is it just me, or have the amount of Little League games played skyrocketed over the past several years? Back when I played, we played 13 regular season games and then an all-star tourney. Now it seems leagues are playing more and more games. I know Norton has a 37 game schedule, Pound plays near 40 games, while Wise plays 18.
Personally, that's way too many games for kids 10-12 years old.
What are your thoughts on this?
More games =more fun and more experience....what LL needs is the parents to be eliminated...they make a good sport bad
When I played (WAY back in the day) we played no more than 10-12 games against guys from our home town and then played in a post season tournament depending on your age. No more than 20 games total.
More does not always mean better!
The wear and tear on kids that age is too much with more than 12-13 games...especially the pitchers and catchers.. Players don't necessiarily get better playing a ton of games...they do get better with more time spent on the practice field tho...
whats wrong? the greeny screen name wasnt enough?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sup-rbeast</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The wear and tear on kids that age is too much with more than 12-13 games...especially the pitchers and catchers.. Players don't necessiarily get better playing a ton of games...they do get better with more time spent on the practice field tho... </div></div>
Looks like what they are doing is playing more games and practicing less.
the more games the better im in a little leauge org.and if you guys didnt know most some leages ages 5-11 are going to machince pitch so there is not that much stress on the kid's arms.
Machine pitch takes at least one kid off the field per game who could be learning how to pitch. IMO t-ball taught the fundamentals well enough to be left alone...little league played enough games at 13 to make better players...why add all these pitching machines etc. etc. when the traditional way was enough to produce good players. Nowdays folks take kids sports like Little League way to seriously..without really understanding the damage that can be done to youngsters...It's not a job and anything over 15 games for these kids is overkill...I have 2 girls playing softball right now..and their schedule is ridiculous.
The kid is out there with the coach or the maching playing the position.in the second half of the season they teach the kids the pitching fundamentals.and let them live pitch.If you they the scheduale is to much your your girls take it up at the next meeting untill you say somthing you have no Say so .
When I played (WAY back in the day) we played t-ball at ages 5-6, played a handful of games. In minor league we faced live pitching, played each team twice. That added up to no more than 10 games. We learned the fundamentals of the game and had fun playing. Maybe played 1 or 2 games a week and practiced 1 or 2 days.
In little league, we would again practice a handful of times and play each team twice and then have all-stars. We never traveled around playing other towns or anything. There is such a thing as burning kids out. If you do things too much, you make it more of a job than a game, especially to young people. You have to give them just enough to teach them the game and have them wanting to play more.
Why not have them play less games, leave them wanting more, and having them working individually with their dads to learn the game!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JimBobCooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The kid is out there with the coach or the maching playing the position.in the second half of the season they teach the kids the pitching fundamentals.and let them live pitch.If you they the scheduale is to much your your girls take it up at the next meeting untill you say somthing you have no Say so . </div></div>
i AGREE WITH MACHINES IN PRACTICE BUT NOT IN GAMES... THAT IS CRAZY.We also have some over zealous coaches and parents that try and play through their kids.
I agree 100% with Golic. Leave them wanting more!!
Machine pitching is crazy!! It's not real baseball. Teach them how to play the game the right way. How can they learn to pitch in live game situations unless they pitch in live game situations?
Limit their games, leave them wanting more, but most importantly make baseball fun for them!!!!! I'm afraid the focus has shifted because of "coaches" wanting to relive some kinda glory day fantasy. I know a situation that happened the other night at Pound where a kid threw 150 pitches in ONE GAME! Why? It's pointless. What did the coach gain by allow the kid to do this? More importantly, what did the kid gain (except his arm about falling off)? It's not about W's and L's at this level. It's about teaching kids to play the right way.
That's why a lot of towns have a hard time fielding j.v. and varsity baseball teams in this area. Kids are playing too much, too young. They burn themselves out on it. If you don't believe that, go and talk to your local little leaguer and let them tell you personally.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greeny</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree 100% with Golic. Leave them wanting more!!
Machine pitching is crazy!! It's not real baseball. Teach them how to play the game the right way. How can they learn to pitch in live game situations unless they pitch in live game situations?
Limit their games, leave them wanting more, but most importantly make baseball fun for them!!!!! I'm afraid the focus has shifted because of "coaches" wanting to relive some kinda glory day fantasy. I know a situation that happened the other night at Pound where a kid threw 150 pitches in ONE GAME! Why? It's pointless. What did the coach gain by allow the kid to do this? More importantly, what did the kid gain (except his arm about falling off)? It's not about W's and L's at this level. It's about teaching kids to play the right way.
That's why a lot of towns have a hard time fielding j.v. and varsity baseball teams in this area. Kids are playing too much, too young. They burn themselves out on it. If you don't believe that, go and talk to your local little leaguer and let them tell you personally. </div></div>
Respectgully I do not think machine pitching is crazy. It helps you keep your eye on the ball and practices are mor productable.. meaning a kid can no throw strikes all the time but the machine does 99% of the time... so it is good for offense. The pitcher should be throwing after practice.. around 30 to 40 pitches or sometimes less. The pitcherdoes not have to always throw to live batters during practice.
Sorry, I wasn't talking about using machines during practice. I'm cool with that. Live pitching should take place during game action though.
i can understand it both ways tho.You dont want to have one stud pitcher and him strike everone out and kill the kids attitude and he/she get down on themselves.By machince pitch theyh can hit the ball.But it also kills the hand eye cordnation because they know it is gonna be in the same place everytime.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greeny</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry, I wasn't talking about using machines during practice. I'm cool with that. Live pitching should take place during game action though. </div></div>
Oh yes I fully agree... I was not aware that they use machines during games. Does Big Stone do that also?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JimBobCooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i can understand it both ways tho.You dont want to have one stud pitcher and him strike everone out and kill the kids attitude and he/she get down on themselves.By machince pitch theyh can hit the ball.But it also kills the hand eye cordnation because they know it is gonna be in the same place everytime. </div></div>
I do not know if I agree fully with your assesment about killing you hand eye coordination because it is in the same place everytime. I have been coaching for 7 years now and we use machines in practice a lot... really all it is for is to ensure that you see the ball... hand eye coordnation will follow. It has worked for us.
I guess that is why they changed the pitching rules. Pitchers age 12 can only pitch 86 pitches a week.. The younger kids pitch less than that. Most of the kids that are playing catchers usually don't catch in high school. It's hard for any team to find a kid that actually can catch, and likes it.
Just curious, did any of you guys use machines during practice while you were growing up? Our coaches pitched to us and it seemed to work pretty well.
That's true, hard to find a good catcher at that age level. Guess youngin's figure out in a hurry why catching gear is call "The Tools of Ignorance"!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boogie49</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I guess that is why they changed the pitching rules. Pitchers age 12 can only pitch 86 pitches a week.. The younger kids pitch less than that. Most of the kids that are playing catchers usually don't catch in high school. It's hard for any team to find a kid that actually can catch, and likes it. </div></div>
86 pitches is not a lot of pitches but I guess it is for a little youngster.Catchers are not made they are bred.
i dont mean it kill's hand eye coordnation i just mean they know it is gonna be in the same place evertime.I used to do it when i batted.I personally like live pitching it is better.I have been to state 7 times 6 playing 1 coaching threw little league and everone up state said all they do is Live Pitch.
Anytime you teach kids to hit off a live pitcher is much better IMO.. The biggest thing machines does, is help them get their timing down on faster pitches.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JimBobCooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i dont mean it kill's hand eye coordnation i just mean they know it is gonna be in the same place evertime.I used to do it when i batted.I personally like live pitching it is better.I have been to state 7 times 6 playing 1 coaching threw little league and everone up state said all they do is Live Pitch. </div></div>
You are right I guess..... I guess it is good in some cases and not so good in others.
We hit off of our regular pitchers, some guys that wanted to learn to pitch and coaches as well. Our regular pitchers were limited to 3 batters per day...we had 5 guys that pitched regularly..out of 12 kids all of us tried it at least once...we had 3 out of that 12 that could play catcher...so, all together out of 4 days of practice, out pitchers would pitch to 6 batters and on the day they didn't get batters they pitched 50 pitches on the side on one day and 30 the other...And as far as LL meetings..I'm not the kind of person that goes to a meeting complaining...but some thought of moderation should be a given when setting up a schedule of an 8-12 year old...
I agree it isn't a lot of pitches, but it is the new rules this LL season. They are enforcing it too. I wish they could pitch a little more than that, because with a rule like that you end up pitching kids that don't pitch, and the games go on and on forever it seems. haha..
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boogie49</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree it isn't a lot of pitches, but it is the new rules this LL season. They are enforcing it too. I wish they could pitch a little more than that, because with a rule like that you end up pitching kids that don't pitch, and the games go on and on forever it seems. haha.. </div></div>
Who is over LL this year?
The same person that has been for the past several years, haha. Saundra Neece is the President for the 3rd year in a row in BSG anyway.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boogie49</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The same person that has been for the past several years, haha. Saundra Neece is the President for the 3rd year in a row in BSG anyway. </div></div>
She is a nice lady... have no idea how she governers though. How are they selected anyway... I might want to run for it. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif[/img]
They have LL meetings every year for the public to come to. Someone can nominate you to be on the board. They have a vote from the ppl that show up for the meeting. Everyone there votes for the board members, and then the board members, once voted on, nominate someone to be president and then the board members take a vote for who they want to be president. I hope that made since. . . lol
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boogie49</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They have LL meetings every year for the public to come to. Someone can nominate you to be on the board. They have a vote from the ppl that show up for the meeting. Everyone there votes for the board members, and then the board members, once voted on, nominate someone to be president and then the board members take a vote for who they want to be president. I hope that made since. . . lol </div></div>
Yes.. I understood it.. I was just kidding though.
This is a catch 22 if there ever was one.
First off you have to keep the kids interested, which is really hard to do these days.
Plus you gotta keep kids coming out. Just because a kid doesnt make the all star team when he is 9 years old doesn't mean he potentially couldn't go on to be all state when he gets in high school.
Then you got the scenario of kids being overworked on the mound, which little league finally put in a rule on pitch count this year (86). Not to mention the IDIOT coaches who have kids throwing curve balls in little league. You might as well send your little leaguer across the middle against Brian Urlacher. STUPID STUPID STUPID. In the big picture it doesnt matter if your team goes undefeated if your pitcher won't be able to pick up a baseball by the time he 14.
but to get back to your question, there is no answer it depends on the kids and the league. If the kids are having fun and there is no risk of a young pitcher (or catcher) getting injuried from being overworked there is no set number of games that you should or should not play. That being said, as a kid begins to mature they should play in more and more games each year, something that really hurts highschool kids in the VH$L. We get in 26 games if you make it to the state tournament. Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, etc gets in atleast 35 before there conference tournament even begins. And I think this hurts kids the most trying to make the transition from highschool ball to college ball/pros in Va.
As far as pitching machines are concerned there great. We used them at Kelly (one for fastballs and one for breaking stuff) and we used them when I was playing college ball.
I see nothing wrong at all in having a few intersquads a month where all you see is the machine. This saves pitchers arms, you can play a 7 inning game in about an hour, and you can work on every aspect of the game (besides stealing).
In all honestly I have never hit off of a pitching machine that threw it the exact same spot every time, it really depends on the ball you stick in there. But as long as you are getting some cuts in, and surrounding yourself in a game-like atmosphere I think it can do nothing but help.
I think we should remember that LL is an all inclusive community program. The amount of games should be reasonable based on the age group. There are other leagues and travel teams for kids that are more into sports. I have an 8 year old boy and a 9 year old girl that both play LL and have no interest any doing anything more than being with their friends. I also have 2 older kids that play in USSSA and ASA travel baseball and softball teams that play 75-100 games a year. It's what they like doing and it is designed to be more serious than LL.
Well said.
My problem with so many games being played is this: my son plays little league, his team has 4 scheduled practices for the season, the rest are games. Last weekend he played in 3 games. he never had a ball hit to him in the field during any game. He walked every time he came to the plate except his last at bat, he grounded out on the first pitch. So, he swung the bat once and fielded no balls. Practice time is definitely needed.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greeny</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it just me, or have the amount of Little League games played skyrocketed over the past several years? </div></div>
I just finished up a book by Cal Ripken on this subject and his son was still at the little league age. He brought up a great point in that by playing too many games the kids lose the chance to learn the fundamentals of baseball in practice. Plus, the kids could get burnt out on the game at an earlier age by playing too many games during the season. I'd like to see more practice time and less games. They'll have plenty of time to play in games once they reach the senior leage and high school age with fall ball and summer ball.
I would agree that more practice than they have scheduled is needed. I also think 3 games in a weekend is way too much. LL prohibits more than 1 double header a week and does not allow Sunday games. As someone pointed out in an earlier post there are pitching limits, and a team playing 4 games a week would have to have 6-8 pitchers which isn't impossible but is not likely every team will have that many capable pitchers.
what is the right amount of games for 11-12 year olds? nobody knows for sure. i like the idea of getting kids playing more games for some reason. i like the fact that kids are playing america's pastime though. it seems that in the past decade, lpd and swva baseball has dropped off significantly. more kids are concentrating/specializing in basketball these days it seems. tell me the last kid from swva or mainly the lpd that went on to play pro/college basketball. now tell me how many kids have went on to play college/pro baseball from around here. my point being, kids have a greater opportunity to play beyond high school in the sport of baseball.
I think its more about qualitity then quantity when it comes to practice. If the coaches know the ball game then thas gonna help the players while practicing.
I remember in little league we had coaches teaching us everything from double cuts to hitting the ball the other way when a guy's on third.
As long as the coaches are teaching proper fundamentals and the kids are having a good time while learning, thas all that really matters at this age.
wrong.12 & under The new rule is 1 to 20 pitches can pitch the next day. 21 to 40 1 day rest 41 to 60 2 days rest 61 to 85 3 days rest. The only diff. is maximum pitches in a day . Age 9 & 10 75 pitches 11 & 12 85 and 13 & 14 95.