Llws

[zeous]

Quite a fun little tourney. Some of these strike calls are well beyond questionable though.

I am a little curious about the set up of this annual tourney. Being that it is children the motto of most sports is usually: play fair, have fun and sportmanship. So, every year when this tourney comes back around I am always found wondering why the USA gets two divisions and a guaranteed team in the finals.

Instead of having 8 of the 16 teams be American and a guaranteed final spot shouldn't just one team from America make the final tourney and play on a level field? Shouldn't the American team have to qualify like all the other teams? Is it American pride? Is there something I am missing? Am I the only one who cares?

I can't see a logical explanation as to why one American team is guaranteed to be in the final. In that logic of thinking Greece, would be in the final of every Olympic event while all other countries faced off to get the other final position.

Just curious about others thoughts on the subject.

[tvz1997]

Definitely the wrong forum for this.

As for your question, I'm opposed to the whole thing. I blew out my arm trying to pitch my way onto travel teams. I can't imagine what these kids are willing to do to succeed on national television.

Having said that, it does seem that increased media coverage has led to increased scrutiny and heightened awareness about the limits of young arms. I'm still not convinced that little league coaches, players, and parents are enlightened enough for the precautions to sufficiently minimize the risks.

[Hans Moleman]

I enjoy watching the parents trying to live vicariously through their superstar, baseball playing children.

I noticed, also, this year a kid on Team Canada named Matt Woo, who was from Vancouver yet his favorite team was the Baltimore Orioles.

How an 11/12 year old from Vancouver starts rooting for the O's, when they haven't even had a winning season since he was born, is beyond me.

Good for him, but lord knows how he came to root for the O's.