• Tuesday-What'sUP July 2 - 10:45 am

I've always enjoyed watching baseball, not so much the pros on TV, but a good Little League game like this one that I happened upon over the weekend. There's nothing like the enthusiasm of these youngsters playing baseball, dreaming that they'll one day be a Major Leaguer. From the pitcher, to the catcher, to the infield, the outfield, the umpires, the coaches and even the fans, you catch the "fever" of the sport, the intensity of the game and before you know it, you're cheering for the players too. I'm not certain how many games were played there on Saturday afternoon, but it was the CLK-TL Championship Tournament and their "end of the season" picnic too. That last picture is the tent that housed all the picnic food for young and old alike. Something like this doesn't just "happen", it's orchestrated and the directors of this show, were Shane Middleton and Jack Kumpula, from what I was told. It was quite impressive, with players names announced over the loudspeaker, music between innings and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, sung live. Looking at these pictures, you might be thinking it's all about the kids, right? That's true for the most part, but it's also about the adults, the people that make it happen, the coaches, the umpires, the parents and the rest of the fans. Good old fashioned family fun, in the fresh Copper Country air.

They had to have fun and the weather turned out nice Saturday too.

Such a coincidence, as I finally got to grandson Luke's final season game a week ago. So far to travel that I didn't get there sooner. Everything you mentioned, Mary, plus seeing folks I hadn't seen for several years. You can't help getting all wound up in the enthsiasim of these young folks so serious about their game. And I was happy to see how the coaches encouraged fair play, taking turns and the old fashion values we don't always see or hear of these days.

Good morning: Its 9:oo and its already over 100 degrees here in Mesa! Wish I was in Lake Linden right now!

When I was a kid they didn't have organized sports in Hubbell. We would play at Lincoln school where the closed bank is. Just make up games. Who ever was there played. Sometimes we would play in Micky Gafneys back yard. Next to the convent. The road behind the garage was the out field and the worst player would be playing there. One kid, who shall remain nameless would alway catch the flyballs. Now the rest of us couldn't witness his catching ability, so it was suspisious. We never knew for sure if he caught the ball or not. We sometimes would have Mickeys Grandfather Walter Hanner as an umpire. Other times Speedy Jenks would be our official. During the late forties early fifties the girls played softball under the lights where the ice arena between Hubble and Lake Linden was. Two of the best players that I remember were Mary DuTemple [nee DuLong] and Debs Mother. We would go to the games and watch the girls play. Once they played the King and His court, a comedy ball team. The King had to have his team play straight ball. The girls were kicking his butt when he was screwing around.

I remember what little league was like UP there as my dad was a coach for many years, and my brother played. Out here it's not as good. These kids aren't allowed to win or lose because you might dent their little feelings. How awful it would be for them to learn that you actually lose occasionally in life. Here, everybody gets to bat in an inning. You're "at bat" until you hit the ball. If you can't hit the ball, somebody will help you hold the bat until you DO hit the ball. You can only go to first, no matter how far you hit it because God forbid the outfield has to actually run for the ball and throw it in. The coaches pitch until they're about 10 years old. No score is kept because you wouldn't want to know which team actually won. And the last batter gets to run the bases and touch home plate. This goes on for quite a few years out here. It's not fun to watch and the kids are not learning how to be good sports. It's hard for me to watch this because I rememember what it was like when my dad coached.
Thank you, Mikie. I will tell my mom what you said about her softball playing abilities. She really was good.

You're right Deb...those kids are not learning anything valuable...only how to manipulate the outcome of just about anything. Learning to win and lose are very important lessons. Those adults are creating monsters and then will wonder why their kids will not think twice when they break the law when they don't get what they think they deserve. They will be all living with the entitlement attitude and no one will be happy. Very, very sad outcome.

We have 5 grandkids that play softball/baseball here in Monroe county..they play somewhat the same rules as above but #1 they keep score, #2 have pitching machines till they are 10, #3 they only score 5 runs an inning, #4 they each get 5 strikes, no balls and are called out if they miss on the fifth one. Last year we had one grandaughter whos team only gave up one run for the whole 14 games so they play some good defence at the age of 12-13. Last evening we had 3 games going so did some traveling from Monroe to Wyandotte to take them in...Keeps us busy here in our retirement years.

I miss the days of going to a ballgame and seeing a "good" game, not one where no score is kept, where 3 outs means inning over, and everyone is made to feel happy and such.

I also miss the days of "laid-back" playing in the Tech summer leagues. Here in Texas, it's a whole other story!! Here, there is so much pressure put on little league players by their parents to not only beat the opposing team into submission, but for their child to outplay every other kid (including their own teamates) on the field. It is sick to watch.

I won't even play softball here because what is taught in little league carries over into adulthood to the point that even the rec leagues are way too competitive, even though there are official competitive leagues. There have been numerous fights at ballgames because somebody missed an outfield catch, or the parent of one kid felt another teamate was getting too much playing time.

Gosh I miss the days of "laid-back" ball games........