Let them play! Just not on National TV

There is no need to put 11-12 year-old kids on National TV to compete in the Little League World Series. It has always bothered the heck out of me.

Don’t get me wrong. The Little League World Series is a fantastic event that has gone on for decades. I can’t imagine the dream it must be for youngsters to get to compete in it. These kids are incredibly talented.  That is not my complaint.

I think putting virtually every Little League World Series game on ESPN networks puts far too much pressure on kids that young. We all remember making an error, or a base running mistake that cost our team. Now that error is played out in front of the whole world to see with instant replay. I just hate it. The coverage makes the kids out to be superstar professionals, with well produced opens, and pre-game and post-game interviews. It’s just way too much for a kid that young.

What makes me the most squeamish is all of the money that ESPN/ABC/Disney is making off it. They have overloaded their programming schedule with LLWS games. I don’t want to go overboard and say the network is exploiting the kids. That’s a pretty strong statement. However, it seems pretty close to the exploitation border.

Selfishly, I also hate it because ESPN has blown out one of my favorite shows!! I am dying for Pardon the Interruption to return on Tuesday.

I’m not trying to be a complete fuddy-duddy. Put the championship game on TV. Maybe even the 2 semifinals. Right now there are nearly 60 games put on TV. That is absurd.

Comments

[Jeff P]

Agree entirely. Mostly because I find it boring and never watch it. But I do agree with the fact that it isn't right to put such a spotlight on these kids, and making millions off of them as well.