My nine-year-old grandson is now in his third year of LL baseball. After a not so good performance on Monday, Friday night he strode up to the plate like he owned it, spun his bat around like an old west gun slinger and knocked the first pitch into left field getting a double and an RBI. Major League Baseball doesn't come close in fun to watching these little men play their hearts out while the tiger Moms' and Dads cheer them on. Brings a tear to your eye to see these fellas compete with the focus, teamwork and intensity of Major Leaguers, come off the field for their post-game huddle, Gatorade and snack and as soon as they walk through the fence transform back into kids, laughing and cutting up and generally acting their age. Or get beaned by a fast ball upside the head, arm or in the back, cry for a minute then shake it off and run out and take their base and play more determined than before.

My daughter said when he first tried out for Little League about four years ago, he was so bad she went to the car and cried. She took him for some personal batting lessons from Mr. Youngblood who had been on the coaching staff at Clemson. A little encouragement and personal attention can work wonders in helping a little fella gain self-confidence. I relate that to my own Dad who was professional Army and considered punishment and negative reinforcement the way to raise kids. 

I used to have a negative attitude toward sports due to the commercialism, steroids and other scandals but the young are really what sports is all about. It's an educational and development tool. This brings me to my final point. Not enough appreciation for the men and women who have full time jobs, and all the responsibilities of everyone else but find time and energy to spend many hours a week to contribute to the development of young boys and girls while most people are headed home to the supper table and the TV tube. Friday night both teams took a knee and thanked the Lord that one little fella found out he didn't have the suspected bone cancer.   That's sportsmanship and a life lesson in itself. Hope for the future yet.

Nothing to do with aviation, computers or simming but this is my only social media and just had something I wanted to express. Thanks for reading.  

  

Little League World Series from Williamsport is more fun to watch than major league! ⚾

13 minutes ago, charliearon said:

Little League World Series from Williamsport is more fun to watch than major league! ⚾

Yep, a few years ago they held here in little ole Easley SC. Had teams from far away as Japan.

On 5/22/2022 at 4:59 PM, charliearon said:

Little League World Series from Williamsport is more fun to watch than major league! ⚾

I lived in Williamsport for 14 years.  It was a wonderful place to live from 1968 through 1982.  My children were all born there.  People were awesome and the town was so friendly.  I looked forward to the Little League World Series every year and I used to sit on the big hill behind 1st base.  Actually the "hill" extended from 1st base all the way through 3rd base. The cost for these seats on the grass was FREE!  Taiwan usually won the series back then until they found that many of the kids were above 12 years old.

My memories of Williamsport stay with me today and I certainly hope some of you simmers can get there some day.

Edited May 23, 20224 yr by spilok

From 1951 to 1979 I was always involved in Little League. Everything from player-to-coach-to manager- to league president. I owe so much to my coaches in those early years (especially Dale) . I'll always remember them. I really believe I'm a better person because I knew them