LLWS

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 6:14 pm

Though the WWLiS force feeds me a bit, I am a sucker for black squads. I'd settle for no overage scandal. Chitown is looking a bit suspect on that basis. Philly's got a chick dealing. Will let the daughter check out those starts just to see what a girl can do. Funny thing is that there's no little league to be had around here. Almost all the leagues have opted out to dizzy dean and others. Talk about hardcore. Gotta rob your 12 yr old of a shot at glory on the 0.00001% chance that the kid gets a leg up on the bigs with a lead and bigger diamond.

Post by **brian** » Thu Aug 14, 2014 7:38 pm

Team from Las Vegas looks good. Rocking South Dakota right now.

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Fri Aug 15, 2014 5:44 pm

HaulCitgo wrote:Though the WWLiS force feeds me a bit, I am a sucker for black squads. I'd settle for no overage scandal. Chitown is looking a bit suspect on that basis. Philly's got a chick dealing. Will let the daughter check out those starts just to see what a girl can do. Funny thing is that there's no little league to be had around here. Almost all the leagues have opted out to dizzy dean and others. Talk about hardcore. Gotta rob your 12 yr old of a shot at glory on the 0.00001% chance that the kid gets a leg up on the bigs with a lead and bigger diamond.

RAJ offered her a 9 year deal with a vesting option for year 10. probably the best business he's conducted to date.

teeteebee · Post by **teeteebee** » Fri Aug 15, 2014 9:28 pm

She's too young cerrano. RAJ only likes players alive during the Carter Administration.

Exciting to see the kids from Philly going on this run. Definitely enjoying this.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 5:54 am

Note the youngest brother's name...

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....aaaand it's not bullshit:

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 3:52 pm

Maybe there will be a movement to pay the Little Leaguers soon

bfj · Post by **bfj** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 8:46 pm

I can't turn the channel fast enough when this is on.

Post by **brian** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 3:07 pm

Las Vegas is dominating. Another mercy rule win.

teeteebee · Post by **teeteebee** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 9:07 pm

Will be an interesting matchup on Wednesday night when pitching of Mo'ne Davis goes up against an solid offensive team.

Game tonight was a lot of fun to watch.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 11:16 pm

bfj wrote:I can't turn the channel fast enough when this is on.

Same. I watched one inning. I tried. But that strike zone is ridonkulous.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 11:18 pm

I wish my kid were old enough to understand how cool this Mo'Ne Davis thing is.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 12:15 pm

Huh. I guess I've loved this tournament for so long, it wouldn't even occur to me to NOT like it.

I love just about everything about it. The level of play is spectacular. My daughter is 14 and plays travel softball and watching these little dudes turn 2, hit the cutoff, make diving plays in the outfield... Not to mention the caliber of pitching and hitting. I think you might need to see some youth baseball/softball to understand just how good some of these kids in Williamsport are.

But what I really love are the coaches and the umpires. I can relate to the coaches, as a dad that has been in around soccer and softball coaching for 12 years. Some of my favorite moments are watching how these coaches (dads) handle kids when things aren't going well. It breaks your heart watching a pitcher who just gave up a 2 run homer start to lose it on the mound... But almost without fail, coach comes out to the mound, knows the right words to say, and dammit if that kid doesn't whistle 70mph pitch off the outside edge to start off the next AB.

There's a clip making the rounds today of the RI coach talking to his just eliminated squad. Try listening to that and keeping the eyes dry.

http://deadspin.com/little-league-coach ... 1623699530" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 12:43 pm

Nonlinear FC wrote:

I think you might need to see some youth baseball/softball to understand just how good some of these kids in Williamsport are.

No thanks, I can barely stand to watch my own son's baseball games. It is cool seeing the kids who really know what they are doing, have proper technique, and understand the game. At his age, it isn't many of them. Next year, 3rd grade, they move from coaches pitching to kids pitching. Really hoping my son decides he doesn't want to play by then.

Post by **brian** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 12:49 pm

It's a great story and all, but I hope Mo'Ne Davis gets lit up tomorrow.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 12:51 pm

The Sybian wrote:
Nonlinear FC wrote:

I think you might need to see some youth baseball/softball to understand just how good some of these kids in Williamsport are.

No thanks, I can barely stand to watch my own son's baseball games. It is cool seeing the kids who really know what they are doing, have proper technique, and understand the game. At his age, it isn't many of them. Next year, 3rd grade, they move from coaches pitching to kids pitching. Really hoping my son decides he doesn't want to play by then.

:D It gets better, Syb.

What is kind of weird/funny for me: I didn't start playing organized ball until 6th grade (12). I was that kid that played with my mom's friends on their beer league softball team (unless the other team objected) and held my own.

My daughter, same thing. She has played travel soccer for the last 5 years, but just started playing rec 2 years ago, and last season was her first playing travel. Now she can't get enough, and we're probably going to have to make a tough choice this year.

But, anyways, softball went from absolute debacle (rec) to watching some very entertaining, gripping games this spring (travel) with good hitting, pitching, fielding and base running.

I agree, though... Basketball MIGHT be worse, and hockey at the earlier ages is brutal... But I'm not sure there's a worse team sport to watch as a parent than t-ball, baseball.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:04 pm

Nonlinear FC wrote:
I agree, though... Basketball MIGHT be worse, and hockey at the earlier ages is brutal... But I'm not sure there's a worse team sport to watch as a parent than t-ball, baseball.

My wife's family goes all gaga over the niece and nephew playing sports. Going to games and shit. At least he's 10 now so the games are a little better, but Christ do the little kid games suck. If it was my kid or I could have a beer they might be a bit more enjoyable, but sitting in the fucking plains of eastern Colorado watching 9 kids chase a baseball around a dirt field is no way fun.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:36 pm

A roadie full of bourbon goes a long way in youth sports. A flask goes further.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:46 pm

AB_skin_test wrote:A roadie full of bourbon goes a long way in youth sports. A flask goes further.

How small are your roadies? How big are your flasks?

Why am I picking on you today?

Post by **Shirley** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:47 pm

Kids' sports are great. If you have kids, that is.

Once you have a kid playing, it's fun as hell to watch. It's even sometimes fun to watch games your kid isn't in, just to make comparisons.

But if you don't have kids of your own ... it can be pretty tough.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:53 pm

govmentchedda wrote:
AB_skin_test wrote:A roadie full of bourbon goes a long way in youth sports. A flask goes further.
How small are your roadies? How big are your flasks?

Why am I picking on you today?

My flask is a handle.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 2:27 pm

I don't know. There is a park in front of my house and last night I watched organized adult co-ed softball.

It was pretty bad.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 2:38 pm

degenerasian wrote:I don't know. There is a park in front of my house and last night I watched organized adult co-ed softball.

It was pretty bad.

They don't call it "beer league" softball for nuthin'. I played adult coed softball for decades and enjoyed it. But, I never enjoyed the prick players who thought it was about the game - it was always about the camaraderie and a couple cold ones, afterwards.

Back to kids' baseball - it is really huge here in the Bay Area suburbs. My friends' boys play on traveling teams and go all over the place. No surprise numerous big leaguers come from this area, because the kids all start at a really early age and receive year-round coaching. A surprising number of dads played at a high level, and now they are the coaches. And, Brian - that Las Vegas team is awesome. A team from a couple towns over here, played them in the Western finals, and Las Vegas smoked them.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 2:52 pm

sancarlos wrote:
degenerasian wrote:I don't know. There is a park in front of my house and last night I watched organized adult co-ed softball.

It was pretty bad.
They don't call it "beer league" softball for nuthin'. I played adult coed softball for decades and enjoyed it. But, I never enjoyed the prick players who thought it was about the game - it was always about the camaraderie and a couple cold ones, afterwards.

Back to kids' baseball - it is really huge here in the Bay Area suburbs. My friends' boys play on traveling teams and go all over the place. No surprise numerous big leaguers come from this area, because the kids all start at a really early age and receive year-round coaching. A surprising number of dads played at a high level, and now they are the coaches. And, Brian - that Las Vegas team is awesome. A team from a couple towns over here, played them in the Western finals, and Las Vegas smoked them.

I know for my daughter's travel team, we had our season ending tournament at the end of July, took 3 weeks off, had tryouts this week, and we start up in 2 weeks and don't take anytime off until a few weeks in late November-early December. Then it's non-stop (3 practices a week until season starts in April, then weekend tournaments or double-headers May-July.)

Year 'round. (Her travel soccer, which I co-coach, is pretty much the same thing.)

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 2:56 pm

sancarlos wrote:I played adult coed softball for decades and enjoyed it. But, I never enjoyed the prick players who thought it was about the game - it was always about the camaraderie and a couple cold ones, afterwards.

I loved my league in Boston and want to find one as a single here but that's what's stopping me.

(True story: My old team, where I was a top 3 player but known for Cano-ing around, replaced me with a guy who was apparently 10% better and 100% more hustle-y. They were cruising to a semis win this year when he hit an IF grounder and tried to beat it out for literally no true gain and popped a hamstring. They lost in the finals but probably would have won with him. Perhaps this belongs in the irony thread.)

Jerloma · Post by **Jerloma** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:03 pm

Nonlinear FC wrote:Huh. I guess I've loved this tournament for so long, it wouldn't even occur to me to NOT like it.

I love just about everything about it. The level of play is spectacular. My daughter is 14 and plays travel softball and watching these little dudes turn 2, hit the cutoff, make diving plays in the outfield... Not to mention the caliber of pitching and hitting. I think you might need to see some youth baseball/softball to understand just how good some of these kids in Williamsport are.

But what I really love are the coaches and the umpires. I can relate to the coaches, as a dad that has been in around soccer and softball coaching for 12 years. Some of my favorite moments are watching how these coaches (dads) handle kids when things aren't going well. It breaks your heart watching a pitcher who just gave up a 2 run homer start to lose it on the mound... But almost without fail, coach comes out to the mound, knows the right words to say, and dammit if that kid doesn't whistle 70mph pitch off the outside edge to start off the next AB.

There's a clip making the rounds today of the RI coach talking to his just eliminated squad. Try listening to that and keeping the eyes dry.

http://deadspin.com/little-league-coach ... 1623699530" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That guy is actually the hockey coach for Mount St. Charles too which is like kind of legendary.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:12 pm

mister d wrote:(True story: My old team, where I was a top 3 player but known for Cano-ing around, replaced me with a guy who was apparently 10% better and 100% more hustle-y. They were cruising to a semis win this year when he hit an IF grounder and tried to beat it out for literally no true gain and popped a hamstring. They lost in the finals but probably would have won with him. Perhaps this belongs in the irony thread.)

You didn't re-replace him? Or you did and went F8 4 times?

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:17 pm

mister d wrote:
sancarlos wrote:I played adult coed softball for decades and enjoyed it. But, I never enjoyed the prick players who thought it was about the game - it was always about the camaraderie and a couple cold ones, afterwards.
I loved my league in Boston and want to find one as a single here but that's what's stopping me.

(True story: My old team, where I was a top 3 player but known for Cano-ing around, replaced me with a guy who was apparently 10% better and 100% more hustle-y. They were cruising to a semis win this year when he hit an IF grounder and tried to beat it out for literally no true gain and popped a hamstring. They lost in the finals but probably would have won with him. Perhaps this belongs in the irony thread.)

Funny - similarly, my second last year of playing, we got a new kid on the team, 15 years my junior and he wanted to be the shortstop, which had been my position for the previous few years. Well, the first practice we have, he started launching moon shots over the left-field fence. My best friend on the team watched it and deadpanned to me, "I think it just became clear that you are now an outfielder."

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:24 pm

Shit. I thought sancarlos was Derek Jeter til the end.

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:19 pm

AB_skin_test wrote:
govmentchedda wrote:
AB_skin_test wrote:A roadie full of bourbon goes a long way in youth sports. A flask goes further.
How small are your roadies? How big are your flasks?

Why am I picking on you today?
My flask is a handle.

fucking giants got to throw it in our mere mortal faces that they can drink more than us. sheesh.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:25 pm

The game I was watching it didnt look like they were having fun.There is always a serious guy. He was even on the girl's case for throwing badly.

Youd think people here would just enjoy being outdoors since summers are so short. My rec soccer team blows but we have fun. Im old now so im the keeper. Last week I unleashed my inner Tim Howard and we only lost 6-4.

howard · Post by **howard** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:09 pm

So it has come to setting up the second screen so I can watch the Giants and a little league game at once.

I don't think I like this media attention for a 13yo girl. SI cover, and network news coverage. But they don't give a fuck about what I think.

Post by **brian** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:12 pm

howard wrote:So it has come to setting up the second screen so I can watch the Giants and a little league game at once.

I don't think I like this media attention for a 13yo girl. SI cover, and network news coverage. But they don't give a fuck about what I think.

Las Vegas going to use up a woman and spit her out. Not the first time, nor the last.

rass · Post by **rass** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:14 pm

brian wrote:Las Vegas going to use up a woman and spit her out. Not the first time, nor the last.

Ouch

howard · Post by **howard** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:15 pm

brian wrote:Las Vegas going to use up teenaged girl and spit her out. Not the first time, nor the last.

fify

ETA: in a completely innocent and non-sexual way, she is really cute.

Post by **brian** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:23 pm

Wonder if Rece Davis watching the same game as me. Not sure if characterize 3ERs and 6 hits in 2 IP as "in control". But I'm not a saber guy. Maybe her FIP is good.

howard · Post by **howard** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:42 pm

video challenge? are you fucking kidding me?

Rams Fanny · Post by **Rams Fanny** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:48 pm

Just wanted you guys to know not all of us in Vegas get on boards and talk shit about how much they're going to win by....some of us are sweating the under.

Post by **brian** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:49 pm

Rams Fanny wrote:Just wanted you guys to know not all of us in Vegas get on boards and talk shit about how much they're going to win by....some of us are sweating the under.

Calling bullshit. There were no lines on this.

(I looked.)

Post by **brian** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 8:57 pm

Unless Taiwan sent a team full of 16-year-olds again I don't see how this Vegas team is going to lose.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 9:01 pm

howard wrote:
brian wrote:Las Vegas going to use up teenaged girl and spit her out. Not the first time, nor the last.
fify

ETA: in a completely innocent and non-sexual way, she is really cute.

Huh, I had no idea you found black girls cute. You are more progressive than I gave you credit for.