Regular readers of my blog know that I am concerned about the proliferation of youth sports into a major business which no longer has the best interest of the youth in mind. In 2019 youth sports was a $19 billion industry. As a result, many kids are being pushed too fast and too hard at young ages in which their bodies are not ready. This morning I received the following text from a fellow reader of my blog and a person who has dedicated his life to sports officiating. Here is his text.
TEN YEAR OLD- boy throws 66 pitches on Sat and then 90 on SUN, All in the name of ” TRAVEL BALL FUN” in FEBUARY in the MID WEST. Whatever ” coach” allowed this to take place should NEVER be allowed to coach baseball at any level ever again. CHANGE is needed, not a committee! Parents sat in stands watching and said nothing.
This is abuse by the coaches and parents who allowed this to happen. To put it into perspective. The MHSAA has instituted pitch count rules for all high school baseball players as follows. Most states have similar rules. High school players are 13 years or older.
Less than 25 pitches, no rest required.
25-49 pitches, at least one full day of rest following the last day pitched.
50-75 pitches, at least two full days of rest following the last day pitched.
75-105 pitches, at least three full days rest following the last day pitched.
No pitcher may start pitching to a batter once they have achieved 105 pitches in a game.
To put this abuse in further perspective, when Justin Verlander, a three-time American League Cy Young Award winner, reaches 90 pitches during a game, it is most likely that his manager will not allow him to pitch another inning, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Then Justin gets four full days rest before his next start.
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Today Leah and I went on a 12-mile bike ride in Gulf Shores State Park. I am starting to really dislike E-bikes as they are taking over bike paths. Nearly every municipal bike path I have ever been on has signs indicating “not for motorized vehicles” yet each year, bike paths are becoming overloaded with E-bikes.
Unfortunately, most E-bikers are beginners (although old) in bike path etiquette. They ride too fast, they rarely ride single file when in a group setting, they stop and chat at the worst places, and most importantly the bikes are too heavy for them to properly control. I am starting to think the traditional road bike, mountain bike, and cross-over bike which most serious bikers own are soon to be outnumbered on bike paths, even though they are not legal on most bike paths.
Following our ride today, I saw a person riding an E-Bike (not pedaling) through a restaurant parking lot while talking on the phone going much faster than I would go in my car.
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The following can be considered a public service announcement from my daughter Katy based on what happened to her yesterday. She posted this on Facebook yesterday.
Today, we were in the car, charging an iPhone and the charger caught fire. It started with Alaina smelling something burning and Nolan saying the cord was hot.. about the same time, Brad, Alaina, and Nolan all saw flames. Alaina and Nolan both touched the cord. They may have blisters but hopefully the cream we put on stops it from blistering too bad.
We are unsure if it was from the plug, the cord, or what? We will be looking into it more. Either way, be careful! We were lucky brad was sitting in the back with the kids when it all happened.
It could’ve been much worse so glad nothing else got burnt but you hear of these stories. Crazy when it happens to you and your family.
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Quote of the Day: At one point during a game, the coach called one of his 9-year-old baseball players aside And asked,
“Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?”Yes, coach”, replied the little boy. “Do you understand that what matters is whether we win or lose together as a team?” The little boy nodded in the affirmative. “So,” the coach continued, “I’m sure you know, when an out is called, you shouldn’t argue, curse the umpire, or call him an asshole. Do you understand all that?” Again, the little boy nodded in the affirmative. The coach continued, “And when I take you out of the game so that another boy gets a chance to play, it’s not a dumb-ass decision or that the coach is a shithead is it?” “No, coach.” “Good”, said the coach. “Now go over there and explain all that to your grandmother.”
Orchid of the Day: Beyonce’. Thirty-six Grammy’s.
Onion of the Day: Brandon Johnson, the CEO of a government contracting company embezzled from the firm and spent more than $10 million on pain pills, according to federal criminal cases that describe an outsized series of drug deals amid the nation’s opioid crisis. The misappropriation and drug binge are detailed in federal court filings charging former GTJ Consulting CEO Brandon Johnson and his alleged drug dealer, Grosse Pointe Park resident Matthew Adams. They have been charged with a variety of tax-related financial crimes stemming from large-volume, big-dollar drug deals in a region ravaged by opioid-related overdoses.
Johnson, 44, of St. Clair Shores, a well-known figure who coaches junior varsity baseball at the prestigious University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe Woods, is portrayed in court records as an addict with access to both a big bankroll and a drug dealer with an endless supply of opioids. He has pleaded guilty to two tax crimes while Adams is scheduled to plead guilty to crimes Feb. 14.
Question of the Day: Did you watch the Grammy’s last night?
Video of the Day: 50 years of Hip Hop. It is amazing how many of the early hip-hoppers have become mainstream entertainment personalities.
That was horrible last nite in the case of what happened to Katy and Brad it could have been a lot worse.. Alaina smelled it first and poor Nolan it was terrifying Jay and I happen to be with them it was scary!!! Miss seeing you and Leah. And no those young kids should not be pitching that many pitches that will ruin there arms… tell Leah hi enjoy that warm weather hope to see you both soon Cindy
Cindy,
It sounds like you had a great visit with Brad, Katy and the kids. Yes it was scary. Good thing Brad was back there. Leah and I are really enjoying ourselves. We love this place. Technology makes interacting with the kids so much easier. Hope to see you soon.
Tom