Too Dangerous?

Does Jericho Scott, pictured above (AP photo) look like he’s dangerous?  Apparently the Youth Baseball League of New Haven, Connecticut, thought so.  As a 9-year old in the 8-10-year old division, his 40 mph fastball was deemed too threatening, so they banned him from pitching.  When his coach put him in to start a game, the opposing team chose not to take the field.  Jericho's team was subsequently disbanded as punishment for allowing him to pitch, and the players redistributed to the other teams.  Which leads to the question – with helmets with faceguards on them, how much danger is a 40 mph fastball?  It suggests that the real fear is not a bruise on the arm but a bruise to the ego.  And, of course, whose ego are we concerned about?  The 8-year old who might be overmatched, or the parents who will feel so bad if their child strikes out against that nasty pitcher who throws too fast?

It seems to me that there are a couple of important issues that are being missed by the YBL of New Haven.  First, there is a need for us to face fears.  A lot of the things life throws at us are scary.  Not only fastballs and bad-hop grounders, but death, divorce, disease, and all sorts of other nasty things that people, young and old, deal with every day.  Sports can be a proving ground for endurance, perseverance, and overcoming fear for a greater good.  I learned a lot about myself by running (mostly walking) through stomach cramps and knee pain to finish a marathon.  I learned that I can endure a lot more than I ever imagined.  What does it do to a player when the parents say, “That pitcher’s too fast for you, we won’t let him play”?  Don’t we want the message to be, “Get out there and do your best – it may be scary, but you can face that fastball”?

Second, I’ve argued here before that the greatest part of competition is that it allows players to showcase God’s glory by doing their best and accomplishing wonderful feats.  By not allowing Jericho Scott to pitch, the players, coaches, parents, and spectators are all deprived of (1) the wonder of a 9-year old who can throw 40 mph (and, so far, with enough control that he hasn’t hit anyone), and (2) the glory of another player – maybe an 8-year old? – putting the ball in play and, wonder of wonders, getting a hit!  Wouldn’t the better story be, “Eight-Year Old Homers Off Nine-Year Old Wonder Pitcher”?  But, when the parents and league officials are afraid of someone’s bruised ego, the opportunity for displaying wonderful God-given talent and hard-practiced skills is lost.

How sad for Jericho Scott and all the other players in the Youth Baseball League of New Haven that these displays of glory in competition and these opportunities to grow in character have been lost because of the fear of a 40 mph fastball.