And the scouting begins on a nine year old Jericho Scott. Scott is a pitcher with a very nice fast ball. He is already throwing it at 40 mph and he's the best pitcher in the league. However, being the best means you cannot play. He is so good that the league is refusing to have teams play when he pitches because they are worried that he could hit someone or hurt someone, something that he has never done. Even in this youth baseball environment, there are calls of controversy because Scott refused an invitation to join the league champion team, which is sponsored by the employer who has employees that administrate the league. So of course, and rightfully so, his Mom is calling foul.
Your heart has to melt for him, especially with this quote he gave CNN and SI (article found here):
“I feel sad,” he said. “I feel like it's all my fault nobody could play.”
Because on top of not allowing Scott to play, the League wants to disband his entire team. That is straight out ridiculous and it is well too much pressure and guilt to put on a great player. I really hope something or somebody has the ability to step in and prevent this from happening.
The only suggestion that I could think of, and its terrible because Scott won't be able to play with his teammates, is that Scott would be allowed to transfer to another nearby league for older players where Scott won't be the best anymore, but he will still be very good. It would be like being called up from High Single A to AAA, but it could very well help develop his skill as a pitcher (and a pitchers mind).
This story has already hit ESPN and has been on Sportscenter. If I find out anything else, I will post it here.
