Funny stuff! The way the O's handle their prospects, even if they did sign him now, he probably wouldn't pitch in the major leagues until he's 31 years old. They wouldn't want to "rush" him.

They should just let the kids play, but that's real hard for some parents. If a parent is concerned for their son's (or daughter's) safety, then make him (or her) wear a face mask on their batting helmet. Most kids don't wear face masks (and dont want to.)

Maybe the other kids in the league will become better players because of this pitcher, who should probably move up to a better level of play (like a travel team.)

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Pete's reply: He apparently was offered a place on a better team, but his parents want to keep him with his friends and let him be the best player in the league.

Fast and accurate isn't a problem for a hitter - it's fast and wild that's scary. I remember one such incident from my own youth, where I was on the receiving end of an errant pitch that caught me flush in the back and knocked the wind out of me. I later saw Nolan Ryan drill Mike Devereaux the same way, but amazingly, Ryan had great control the rest of the game and the Orioles didn't muster any more offense against him, after banging him around pretty good the first few innings. But I never heard of not letting a kid pitch or play because he was "too good" if he met the age requirements for the league.

Okay, I'm a tad confused by all this. If the kid is at an age that makes him eligible to play in this league (and he really IS 9 and not 22 as has sometimes been the case), then my only response to these parents and coaches that want his team disqualified is...tough. Time for a little reality. I mean, what lesson does this teach the kids? Do they see the Orioles saying, Hey, it's not fair, the Yankees, Red Sox and Tampa Bay are all better than we are so THEY have to forfeit? Whhhaaaa? And how is safety an issue for the kids? It's not like this kid is Mitch Williams or Rick Ankiel-as-a-pitcher, the kid throws strikes (something our guys might want to take notice, even LITTLE LEAGUERS are more accurate than our supposed MLBers). Finally, as a competitive fencer who has had to endure the occasional parent/coach who thinks acting like an arrogant, loudmouthed jackass or Yankee fan (same thing, check your Roget's) is somehow beneficial to his kid's performance, I can only say, take a long hard look in the mirror. The sport is for the kid's enjoyment and growth, not yours. Stop ruining the game because you feel so insignificant and unworthy you have to make a big scene in order to convince yourself that you matter. You don't. Your very behavior only proves it.

and we going to top the Chinese? If the kid is eligible what's the issue? assume he has inning limit so he can't pitch every game.

Pete, very funny. Could not agree more about the O's. The "service time" issue really bugs me about the O's. Weiters should get a September call up.

I read this story in some AP agates the other day, then read a full story on ESPN's site.

I coached for many years and had a similar situation occur back in the late 80s when I was coaching in a league of players, ages 13-15.

One year I had a very good 13-year old shortstop that was the league's MVP runner up. He came from a troubled family but he had a great attitude and was always encouraging the other players. He was a really good kid.

The next year, the league president (and also the coach of our rival team) set new territorial borders. Amazingly, the new arrangement just happened to make it that our shortstop now was part of his territory. He demanded that the SS play for his team.

Our SS had many friends on our team and didn't want to play for a team on players he said he didn't like. The other coach wouldn't waiver. So after many arguments, the SS was forced to play for the other team. He only played two games, then quit baseball altogether.

Tragically, he died of a drug overdose 5 years later. I am not saying there was a causal relationship, but I do wonder sometimes. He was basically a good kid when I coached him, but was heartbroken when told he had to leave his friends and play on a team against his wishes.

After reading this article, I sadly see that things have not changed.

What's next, the kid that leads the league in Home Runs has to go, or the kid with the highest batting average has to go?
It would have caused quite a stir if in 2001, they said Barry Bonds had to go after he hit 73 home runs, or when Denny McClain, in 1968, won 31 games for the Tigers, was told he couldn't pitch anymore, or in 1941 when Ted Williams hit .406, he was told he couldn't hit anymore he would have to become a pitcher. I played Little League with a kid that struck out 20 of 21 batters in a game and the opposition fans didn't demand that he be tossed out of the league. Instead they marveled at what he had accomplished. Tell the parents to go home and let the kids play, and the game will be a lot better off. Also, somebody should boycott that guys barber shop.

Any surprise this crap is going on in New England? I guess the parents of players on opposing teams think that their children are entitled to always succeed even if it means disqualifying any players that are better than their own children.

Didn't the Red Sox basically argue the same point when they called the Yankees the "Evil Empire" despite having the second highest payroll in baseball that season?

Has anyone talked to Scott Boras, yet? Surely, he represents the kid.

You can bet that Bill Veeck would keep his eyes on young Jericho Scott, and make sure that in his first minor league performance the walls would come crumbling down.

Bill would say, "Show me in the rule book where it says you can't do that."