The Pirates, a team of 10 – 12 year old boys playing
in the Kansas City RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner City) league, are 8 – 5. Not bad for a team of mostly first and second
year inner city players learning the fundamentals of the sport. The keys to the team’s success have been
pitchers who throw strikes and do not walk lots of opposing batters, the team’s
hitting has improved, and its improved defense.
However, there are still too many dropped balls (trying to catch with
one hand instead of two) and errant throws.
Also, some players still need attitude adjustments as they willfully do
not want to follow directions. Knowing
they did not have perfect attitudes in their youth, the team’s coaches try to
be tolerant. However, they are not going
to allow the patients to run the asylum.
There have been games where the team has been outmatched
and ones the team won handily. The best
games however have been the close ones when both the Pirates and their opponent
play well. During those games, there was
an infectious, exciting atmosphere that both the players and their fans were
caught up. An atmosphere that is no
different than a Major League game. An
atmosphere that gives no credibility to anyone who says baseball is a dull
sport. An excitement Pirate players will always remember
about the sport.How is your favorite little league team doing?
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