Politically Correct Baseball

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Source: Hartford ( CT ) Courant:

Courant.com

Controversy Over 9-Year-Old Pitcher Divides League
By PAUL DOYLE
Courant Staff Writer
August 27, 2008
NEW HAVEN


— By Tuesday afternoon, Jericho Scott's story was an Internet sensation.

Bloggers were commenting, sports talk radio hosts were skewering the Youth Baseball League of New Haven, and Jericho was a 9-year-old cause célèbre. The story line was etched: A kid was kicked out of his league because he was too good.

So at 6 p.m., parents, coaches and kids gathered at New Haven's Criscuolo Park to tell their side of the story. With cameras from Connecticut's TV stations lining the infield, a procession of speakers defended the league's decision to bar Jericho from pitching.

It was the latest twist in a bizarre battle between adults concerning a kid with a 40 mph fastball.

"It's unfortunate that it's gotten to this point," said Peter Noble, the league's attorney. "This has escalated out of control."

First, some background. The Youth Baseball League of New Haven — otherwise known as Liga Juvenil de Baseball de New Haven — is a community league with no affiliation to Little League or any other sanctioning body. The league, in its third year, is made up of more than 100 boys and girls from New Haven neighborhoods, and has teams sponsored by local businesses.

There is a division for ages 8-10, another for ages 10-12. League officials say they make their own rules and bylaws based on the experience and skill of the players.

"Let's be real," said Abraham Hernandez, who sponsors a team. "We've got teens getting killed in the city and we've got the mayor concerned, not knowing what to do. And we've got a league that's taking these kids off the street. They're here in the park, playing ball."

Trouble began Aug. 9, nearly a month after the season started. As Will Power Fitness defeated Bomberos Hispanos 12-3, Jericho pitched five innings in his league debut.

According to league officials, parents expressed concern because Jericho threw so hard. He pitched three innings the next day and more parents conveyed their concern, according to the league.

When Jericho pitched five innings Aug. 13, coaches and league officials told Will Power Fitness coach Wilfred Vidro that parents were worried about the safety of their children and they suggested Jericho play another position. An argument ensued and Vidro — according to Noble — threatened to leave the league before agreeing to keep Jericho off the mound.

Over the next week, league officials say they spoke to Vidro and to Jericho's parents, Leroy and Nicole Scott. Noble says it was suggested that Jericho should move to the higher division, but Nicole Scott didn't like the idea.

Vidro sent Jericho to the mound Aug. 20 after a warning from an umpire. League officials say Nicole Scott came onto the field and threatened them. The game was called and members of Carlito's Barber Shop left to taunts from parents of the Will Power Fitness players.

"Thing escalated to a very, very ugly point," Noble said. "That particular day, it was a very hostile environment, a very unhealthy environment for the players."

The league says Vidro resigned. The team was disbanded, with players given the opportunity to shift to other teams. Vidro says he was fired by the league.

Parents of Will Power Fitness players went to the New Haven Register and the story picked up speed. Jericho's parents hired lawyer John Williams, who plans to meet with parents this week.

"I've had cases before involving both players and coaches in youth athletics, and it is invariably terrible what the adults do," Williams said. "I've never seen one before where excellence is being punished."

Williams said the dispute has nothing to do with safety concerns. Jericho was recruited by Carlito's Barber Shop, Williams said, and his parents' decision to join Will Power Fitness left coaches and parents from other teams envious.

"The concern was, we want him on our team," Williams said. "The problem is, it's not part of national Little League. It's a local league, run by small businessmen with small minds."

Williams said Jericho hasn't hit a batter all season. But Roberto Melendez, a coach for Carlito's, said the accuracy of a 9-year-old can vary from pitch to pitch.

"We don't want to punish Jericho," Melendez said. "He's good. This is just the wrong league for him. We've got kids here, they've never played before. What if one pitch got away and hit someone?"

Jericho's team was 8-0 and going to the playoffs, but the league's actions likely will prevent the team from competing.

"I expect that there will be litigation," Williams said. "It's not going to make things change because it's going to be too late, but we hope to send a message to these people and others like them."

Back at Criscuolo Park Tuesday night, parents were talking about the comments by ESPN bloggers and the chatter on the radio.

"We had to tell our side," Noble said. "We just need to work this out."