Has Little League gone too far?

Every August eight teams from around the world arrive at Little League's Field of Dreams. South Williamsport, Pennsylvania has been the center of Little League baseball for 61 years, with two stadiums (Lamade, Volunteer), a museum and a hill, which can seat 20,000 and it does every year. The Little League World Series has been called the Late Summer Classic, and it has been nationally televised since its beginnings.

When the kids arrive at Williamsport, they receive brand new gear, which seems like a nice gesture, and it is until you realize that each brand's gear gets highlighted at one point in the tournament. During the Massachusetts-Oregon game this year it was raining, so analyst Orel Hershiser pointed out what good shoes the kids had on to give them grip, and he also thanked the company for supplying them to the teams. When Texas battled Minnesota it was a bit chilly out so the kids were wearing long sleeves. The logo of what they were wearing was clearly seen on each player, as his jersey was cut just so you could see it under the neck line. Are we pushing these kids too far? Has corporate America taken advantage of what could be called the "purest form of baseball?"

We have all heard the story about two teams in a qualifying tournament last year, where one was going to be forced to forfeit because they didn't play all of their players. One manager said let them tie the game, so they could get the kid in the bottom half of the sixth, the other manager told his kids to purposely get out and not tie the game, so that they would win by forfeit. Hoping to win by forfeit, thats where Little League has gone? A few days ago at the World Series, the Georgia manager called a pitchers conference in the first inning, after his kid had made a mistake giving up One hit and One run. Announcer Gary Throne was irate, and he had every right to be. Throne said, "Let the kids play." Hall of Famer Bob Lemon said, "Baseball was meant for kids, grown ups only screw it up." Don't get it wrong, Little League has done some amazing things for kids by getting them to get out and play no matter what their skill level. But has Little League gone too far? Is the pressure on these kids too much? Did Little League turn from a great youth organization, to a money making machine?