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Monday, July 6, 2009

On my Soap Box re: City League Baseball

OK, Stone was on the All Star Team this year for Riverton City Baseball Major 11 team. As well as the Pee Wee All Star Team when he was 8/9. After his 1st experience with All Stars we decided to take the road less traveled and move to Super League, we had been asked by a few coaches in the past to consider it. Well we had 2 great seasons with the Riverton/Utah Rangers and Stone learned a lot and the competition was awesome and we made life long friends.
This past year, when the Rangers decided to disband, we were devastated and went begrudgingly back to City League Baseball. Mind you, this is a big step to go from Super to City, at least we thought so. We had a great Season with the National Major Giants and we loved the coaching, the other players, the parents and Stone was able to show his talent.
Mid-way through April we were invited to join another Super League team that had just lost a player, we did not have to try out, we just had to show up! Stone was so excited that he would be able to play baseball everyday of the week with kids he knew and liked, it was a no brainer. It also helped that we had funds leftover from our old Super Team and were able to pay for the Riverton Rats with those funds. The coaches on the Rats were extremely understanding as to our commitment to City League first and didn't bench Stone if he wasn't able to make practices and kept him rotating around positions throughout the games. We had one of the best compliments from these new coaches when referencing Stone being rotated, they said:
"We know that wherever we put Stone he will be able to play that position and we don't have to worry about him." We explained that to Stone and he felt more comfortable about playing outfield, and other various positions besides Short-stop.
Back to City League;
We ended the season in 2nd place in the National league, Stone was invited to do All-Stars again? So for $150.00 we played 3 pre-tournament games (2-1 /pitched and short-stop) and 3-tournament games (1-2 / he played short-stop half of a game and 3rd base the remaining 2 1/2 games ) The reason I mention this is we were told Stone was picked to be the Starting Short-stop because of his ability...This is why I post the picture below...He played 3rd base the last 2 games of the All-Star Tournament and touched the ball 3 times....Do you normally put one of your best players at a position where he wont be utilized? Now on the other hand, he did not have to sit in any of the games, I am just confused as to the coaching strategy sometimes,
Why would you keep players in key positions who are continually making errors and have an under-utilized super league player not even touching the ball?
( Sounds kind of conceited when I type it down, but WHY?) This is my Question of the Week! Now I'm done and guess what, so is Baseball for 2009, See you Next Year in Super League!!!!!!!

"Mr. Under-Utilized" Stone "Gibby" Gibbons!

2 comments:

Steph Kearns

What a waste of talent!! Stone is an amazing SS, though I have to agree that kid can play anywhere competently. I've struggled with the same question all season while watching T sit the bench 50% of the time. All I can say is thank goodness we're out of there!! I don't care where we end up next season as it has to be better than this season!

The Johnson's

We understand your frustrations with city league--this year has been an absolute joke!! Super league is definitely the way to go for us. (a lot less frustrations). Glad to hear you are done...we still have the tournament and then All Stars to go--sigh!