By Mike Fiaschetti
The great American sport of baseball is alive and well in the U.S. However, it is increasingly difficult to maintain or even grow a Little League program locally. It seems that with the many activities that kids have available to them, baseball can sometimes be overlooked. There are many reasons for this, but it ultimately comes down to kids and parents having an interest in the sport of baseball. If parents are not fans of major league baseball, the kids are not exposed to the sport. Many people are turned off by the way big money has changed professional sports and kids may not look up to professional athletes as heroes like in the days of Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio.
At the Little League level, baseball has not changed. Baseball is hitting and catching and throwing and running. Baseball is not a sport where everyone gets a trophy for showing up. Kids have to work at improving their individual skills through practice to combine for a solid team to meet the goal of winning games. Baseball teaches kids sportsmanship, how to play fair, support your teammates and work together. Win or lose, you never see a Little League game where the kids do not shake hands/high-five the other team’s players after a game. Players learn discipline and respect for coaches, teammates and opposing teams. Baseball doesn’t always come easy for kids. Practice, repetition and effort are the keys to success. Parents of players do not need to know the game of baseball to have their kids participate. Although, it is a great opportunity for parents to play at home with the kids. Playing catch, catching pop flies and fielding ground balls in the yard is fun for kids.
That being said, the main reason that I believe that kids choose other sports over baseball is the idle time. Kids don’t want to stand around waiting for something to happen during a game. This is understandable. However, just because you are not running up and down the field doesn’t mean that the game is idle. Baseball is a mental game. When playing the field, players have to constantly remind themselves and each other of the current situation and how to react when the ball is put in play. Is there a runner in scoring position? Which base should I throw the ball to if it is hit to me? Where should I be positioned in the outfield for the current batter? Players learn to communicate and work as a team.
Even major league baseball is looking at ways to speed up the game. The Mad River Valley Little League is working to improve and make the game more fun for the kids, particularly the younger kids. This season, we are planning to have smaller T-ball (5 to 6 years) and Farm League (7 to 8 years) teams to speed up the play and give the kids more action. The batting cage will be open as soon as the field dries up. Players can use the batting cage seven days a week with adult supervision, of course. Aside from opening day, all regular season games are played during the week, leaving weekends open. Regular season games are done when the summer vacation starts.
The league is completing a new press box in order to have improved announcing and scoreboard usage as well as field maintenance improvements. The snack shack offers inexpensive food for the convenience of parents and players. What other sport allows you to bring the family and have dinner at the game for very little cost? And don’t forget the traditional opening day parade with all teams in uniform featuring a fire truck, an ambulance and sometimes even a race car.
The league has some very enthusiastic coaches, board members and sponsors providing a great outlook for the league and future players. Please join us for another exciting season of baseball.
Sign up at madriverbaseball.com or email
