Traditionally, children play in sports leagues based on their age. At times, there may also be height and/or weight requirements. Rarer still, especially for younger children, the division may take place, at least in part, in consideration of the relative skills of each individual.
No matter how the league sets its standards, there are likely to be unhappy children and unhappy parents. Kids grow and mature at different rates ad acquire skills at varying paces.
But problems really arise when the rules change along the way, as they seem to have in the case of a New Haven, Connecticut baseball league. In this case, nine-year-old Jericho Scott got booted from the league and his team disbanded. His offense? Not cheating. Not lying about his age. But simply being too good. Apparently he throws too hard for the other kids in the league.
Some parents allegedly had safety concerns, though all acknowledge that Scott has demonstrated good control and has not hit anyone with a pitch. Of course, there's plenty of he-said, she-said here, with allegations flying that Scott's mother was verbally abusive to league official. A parent would be justifiably angry if her child was banned for being too skilled, though obviously everyone must comport themselves in a responsible manner, especially around impressionable children.
It seems that, at a minimum, the Youth Baseball League of New Haven handled things poorly. At worst, more sinister motives may be at play. According to the Associated Press: "Jericho's coach and parents say the boy is being unfairly targeted because he turned down an invitation to join the defending league champion, which is sponsored by an employer of one of the league's administrators."
Unsurprisingly, Scott's mother is considering a lawsuit. It doesn't seem to me that there's a great case here, but you never know what will happen once you get into court these days. A private league ought to be able to do what it wants.
That said, leagues need to be clear up front what criteria will be used to determine who can play. Changing midstream will create serious problems.
If this young man were endangering other children, there would clearly be cause for concern and moving him off the pitching mound would be justified. But the case is harder to make if he is simply "too good." That's life. Some kids will play better -- even much better -- than others.
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