Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
Yup. Two really good games today.
Yup. Two really good games today.
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LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
- Thread starter Hammer
- Start date
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
My sense is you're right. Good pitching versus good hitting. I haven't had a dog in this hunt but it was interesting to hear the talking heads trying to play down the advantage to PA playing in front of those huge crowds. "Oh, they may be pressing, trying to hard, etc." Well, that's possible, of course, but playing in front of huge, adoring crowds has to be a net plus, don't you think?
My sense is you're right. Good pitching versus good hitting. I haven't had a dog in this hunt but it was interesting to hear the talking heads trying to play down the advantage to PA playing in front of those huge crowds. "Oh, they may be pressing, trying to hard, etc." Well, that's possible, of course, but playing in front of huge, adoring crowds has to be a net plus, don't you think?
cF[Authentic]
southpaw
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
The idea of the tournament has plenty of "feel good stories." However, as in every childhood sport, there is corruption. I generally have felt like it's entertaining, but I know these kids are the best of the best in their town and a lot of parents are working behind the scenes to make sure the team comes together. Sometimes that is a legit system, often times, it is not.
However, you really realize how the kids are kids when you see both teams dancing with a mascot on the field before the biggest game of their lives. As adults, the viewers, fans and coaches all make these games out to be extremely important. For the kids, they don't realize exactly what is going on. They are having fun, win or lose. Sure, some crying here and there... even when you win. However, the kids are kids and that is what makes this whole thing entertaining.
It wouldn't surprise me if 25% of the kids are complete *******s to their unathletic schoolmates... and that's unfortunate. However, they come off as great teammates and normal kids.
The idea of the tournament has plenty of "feel good stories." However, as in every childhood sport, there is corruption. I generally have felt like it's entertaining, but I know these kids are the best of the best in their town and a lot of parents are working behind the scenes to make sure the team comes together. Sometimes that is a legit system, often times, it is not.
However, you really realize how the kids are kids when you see both teams dancing with a mascot on the field before the biggest game of their lives. As adults, the viewers, fans and coaches all make these games out to be extremely important. For the kids, they don't realize exactly what is going on. They are having fun, win or lose. Sure, some crying here and there... even when you win. However, the kids are kids and that is what makes this whole thing entertaining.
It wouldn't surprise me if 25% of the kids are complete *******s to their unathletic schoolmates... and that's unfortunate. However, they come off as great teammates and normal kids.
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
Please define "corruption." Are you talking Ohio State corruption? A parking lot full of cars for a quarterback? Or Miami corruption? Prostitutes, abortions, strippers, etc? I'd prefer to say "abuses," although those who continue to suggest it in the context of this event offer only vague unverified examples. If you're talking about "helicopter" parents, that's almost certainly true here. But it's also almost certainly true at any activity involving children. Including dressing up little girls like State Street hookers and calling it a "beauty pagent."
Your second graph expresses my feelings exactly. Absent any evidence to the contrary, I'm guessing most of these boys are just like the ones on your block. I think the event is a net plus. And if some of these middle school honchos (I'm not sure of the 25% figure) are tough on their unathletic classmates, time will catch up with most of them. Big deal 12 year old athletes frequently (usually?) wind up on the sidelines in high school. They'll learn more lessons when they and their less athletically gifted classmates are taking the SATs. Isn't it part of the lore that Michael Jordan blossomed late? What you're referring to is bad parenting. It's up to parents to let these little men realize they aren't exactly on the Yankees yet. And until they get there, they should act like boys first and athletic heros second. In my naivte, I would prefer to think there are at least a few parents and team officials in Williamsport who keep these things in perspective.
The opposite extremes are the idiotic kid soccer leagues (do any of these still exist?) where they don't actually keep score, so the losing kids will feel better about themselves. As if these kids don't know the exact score all the time, every time. Talk about reinforcing all the wrong lessons.
Please define "corruption." Are you talking Ohio State corruption? A parking lot full of cars for a quarterback? Or Miami corruption? Prostitutes, abortions, strippers, etc? I'd prefer to say "abuses," although those who continue to suggest it in the context of this event offer only vague unverified examples. If you're talking about "helicopter" parents, that's almost certainly true here. But it's also almost certainly true at any activity involving children. Including dressing up little girls like State Street hookers and calling it a "beauty pagent."
Your second graph expresses my feelings exactly. Absent any evidence to the contrary, I'm guessing most of these boys are just like the ones on your block. I think the event is a net plus. And if some of these middle school honchos (I'm not sure of the 25% figure) are tough on their unathletic classmates, time will catch up with most of them. Big deal 12 year old athletes frequently (usually?) wind up on the sidelines in high school. They'll learn more lessons when they and their less athletically gifted classmates are taking the SATs. Isn't it part of the lore that Michael Jordan blossomed late? What you're referring to is bad parenting. It's up to parents to let these little men realize they aren't exactly on the Yankees yet. And until they get there, they should act like boys first and athletic heros second. In my naivte, I would prefer to think there are at least a few parents and team officials in Williamsport who keep these things in perspective.
The opposite extremes are the idiotic kid soccer leagues (do any of these still exist?) where they don't actually keep score, so the losing kids will feel better about themselves. As if these kids don't know the exact score all the time, every time. Talk about reinforcing all the wrong lessons.
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PrezdeJohnson09
Proud supporter of Osmirwich hockey
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
Mexico I think has to be considered the favorite. They have a darn good team.
California has been humbled a little bit its last two games. They've still got a good club but I dont think they quite have the horses Meixco has. Plus, California had to use their best pitcher tonight and he can't pitch again the rest of the tournament.
They have to beat a solid Montana squad twice without their best pitcher available and then try and beat Mexico? I don't like the chances. Mexico just has too much pitching depth with three horses and they can swing the bats too.
Mexico I think has to be considered the favorite. They have a darn good team.
California has been humbled a little bit its last two games. They've still got a good club but I dont think they quite have the horses Meixco has. Plus, California had to use their best pitcher tonight and he can't pitch again the rest of the tournament.
They have to beat a solid Montana squad twice without their best pitcher available and then try and beat Mexico? I don't like the chances. Mexico just has too much pitching depth with three horses and they can swing the bats too.
Tom Morris
New member
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
Go billings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go billings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
The only thing keeping me from openly rooting for Billings is the prospect of a tidal wave of Musberger annecdotes.
The only thing keeping me from openly rooting for Billings is the prospect of a tidal wave of Musberger annecdotes.
Spartanforlife4
Generic Catchy Message
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
Geez, the opening of the International game was a little over the top. They acted like the world is going into nuclear war, and the only thing preventing mass suicide is the LLWS.
Geez, the opening of the International game was a little over the top. They acted like the world is going into nuclear war, and the only thing preventing mass suicide is the LLWS.
Hammer
We'll be back.
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
Oops. Shows what I know. Japan beats Mexico 5-2.
Cal-MT is next.
Oops. Shows what I know. Japan beats Mexico 5-2.
Cal-MT is next.
PrezdeJohnson09
Proud supporter of Osmirwich hockey
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
Hold on a second...
Japan and California don't have to beat Mexico and Montana twice to advance to the finals?
So much for a double elimination tournament. Doesn't seem fair to the team that won all their games to face a one loss and out situation once they reach the us/international final.
Hold on a second...
Japan and California don't have to beat Mexico and Montana twice to advance to the finals?
So much for a double elimination tournament. Doesn't seem fair to the team that won all their games to face a one loss and out situation once they reach the us/international final.
MountieBoyOz
Eater of Worlds
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
I know that's the way they do it at the College World Series.
I know that's the way they do it at the College World Series.
unofan
Well-known member
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
No, it isn't.
CWS was a pure double elimination tournament til 1988. Since then it's been 2 brackets, but within the 2 brackets it's still double elimination with an "if necessary" day if one or both no loss teams lose to a one loss team within the bracket.
From 1988 til whenever ESPN took over the final from CBS (2005? maybe) the final itself was a single game between the two bracket winners. Now it's a best-of-3 between the two bracket winners.
No, it isn't.
CWS was a pure double elimination tournament til 1988. Since then it's been 2 brackets, but within the 2 brackets it's still double elimination with an "if necessary" day if one or both no loss teams lose to a one loss team within the bracket.
From 1988 til whenever ESPN took over the final from CBS (2005? maybe) the final itself was a single game between the two bracket winners. Now it's a best-of-3 between the two bracket winners.
PrezdeJohnson09
Proud supporter of Osmirwich hockey
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
I didn't think what mountie said was correct. I know it worked out this past year but in 2010 both teams that were undefeated lost and had to play the if necessary game before the best-of-three finals.
I didn't think what mountie said was correct. I know it worked out this past year but in 2010 both teams that were undefeated lost and had to play the if necessary game before the best-of-three finals.
PrezdeJohnson09
Proud supporter of Osmirwich hockey
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
Pretty cool article on a different side to the Danny Almonte story.
http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...es-happened-oceanside-team-lost-danny-almonte
Pretty cool article on a different side to the Danny Almonte story.
http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...es-happened-oceanside-team-lost-danny-almonte
Re: LLWS 2011 - Nothing like watching 12 year olds sob on national TV
Interesting story. I was working in Richmond then, and we spent a whole day and maybe more cracking ourselves up with stupid Danny Almonte cracks. "Danny's 15 year old son is going to testify under oath his dad is only 12." "Danny's gonna prove he's 12 by bringing in his drivers license." etc. These we repeated as though they were news bulletins (hey, we were easily amused). Although Danny certainly had to know how old he was and that his age made him ineligible, you have to put the blame on the adults. Not only did they sneak a 14 year old in to pitch to 12 year olds, they had to find a 14 year old who could "pass" as 12. Most of the time, it ain't that hard to tell the difference.
Interesting story. I was working in Richmond then, and we spent a whole day and maybe more cracking ourselves up with stupid Danny Almonte cracks. "Danny's 15 year old son is going to testify under oath his dad is only 12." "Danny's gonna prove he's 12 by bringing in his drivers license." etc. These we repeated as though they were news bulletins (hey, we were easily amused). Although Danny certainly had to know how old he was and that his age made him ineligible, you have to put the blame on the adults. Not only did they sneak a 14 year old in to pitch to 12 year olds, they had to find a 14 year old who could "pass" as 12. Most of the time, it ain't that hard to tell the difference.