Instead of our kids looking up to the professional players, our Little Leaguers will serve as role models for Big Leaguers.
“Careful the things you say,
Children will listen.
Careful the things you do,
Children will see and learn.
Children may not obey, but children will listen.
Children will look to you for which way to turn
To learn what to be.
Careful before you say ‘Listen to me,’
Children will listen.”
– Stephen Sondheim
For many of us, Spring is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a time of anticipation, and a time of new beginnings, with the smell of fresh grass, a time of hope and possibility.
It means that baseball season is upon us.
This year, though, feels different. Mixed in with feelings of eagerness are feelings of sadness, disappointment, and distress. That’s what a cheating scandal can do, especially one that hasn’t been remedied adequately.
Yes, like last year, Beverly Hills, California, is going to be one of over 300 cities nationwide to participate in MLB’s and the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ “Play Ball” initiative. That program “focuses on the fun nature of baseball and encourages widespread participation in baseball-related activities.”
But rather than looking to the highest level of professional baseball–Major League Baseball–to offer a model of fairness and sportsmanship (which all baseball enthusiasts and players should aspire to), we’ll turn elsewhere this year. Instead of our kids looking up to the professional players, Little Leaguers will serve as role models for Big Leaguers.
Courtesy: BHLL Facebook
Beverly Hill’s “Play Ball” activities this year will include presenting the city’s Little League with an official proclamation, thanking the League for its ongoing commitment to fair play, and congratulating them for honoring our country’s hallowed national pastime, baseball.
In response to the Houston Astros cheating scandal, the Beverly Hills Little League has banned the use of the name ‘Astros’ as a BHLL team name. Should MLB’s investigation determine that the Boston Red Sox cheated in 2018, our Little League has also decided to forego the use of Boston’s nickname.
We believe that the decision to ban name use is necessary and admirable. As reflected in its code of conduct, the Beverly Hills Little League understands what happens when players disrespect the game.
No Beverly Hills Little Leaguer should have to endure the shame of wearing the sullied name of the Astros on his or her jersey. No parent should have to see their child play the game in the tainted colors of athletes who cheated their way to an illegitimate World Series title.
The Beverly Hills Little League clearly understands the importance of honoring the game. It’s something we teach every player in the league–and we do so from the very first time they pick up a bat and throw a ball. In addition to “wholesome community participation,” the League urges “using the ball field as a classroom to instill discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play, and to establish a set of values to guide them into adulthood and hopefully, responsible citizenship.”
Courtesy: Beverlyhillslittleleague.org
Responsible citizenship includes accountability. But, sadly, MLB doesn’t seem to understand that. Major League’s unwillingness to hold cheaters accountable means that we will turn to Little Leaguers to elevate the principles of fair play and sportsmanship. Little Leaguers will be the game’s moral elite.
I am as disappointed as one can be at the Commissioner’s lack of meaningful action and his unwillingness to redress the Astros’ cheating scandal genuinely. I wrote about that topic on these pages immediately after MLB released the results of its investigation. In my article,
I also expressed the belief that we need to recognize that an equal measure of the blame lies with the all-powerful players’ union, the MLBPA. The players’ association seems to be more interested in protecting cheaters than in promoting the values of responsible citizenship. Maybe that’s to be expected when a game becomes all about money.
But if MPLA executives don’t understand why holding players accountable is critical to the integrity of the game, then I recommend that they attend one of our Little League games. It would remind them what baseball is all about.
Let them see why I’m so proud of our kids. Let them know what baseball means to our kids. Let them observe how baseball can instill values that lead to responsible citizenship and honorable adulthood.
Our kids–including my 12-year-old son, who is entering his eighth season in the Beverly Hills Little League–may not be headed to Williamsport. Our players may never win state championships or make it to the pros. But our kids play their hearts out with every pitch, every slide, and every at-bat. They show how much they love the game.
Our kids honor the game. Our kids play the game as it should be played. That’s something both MLB and the MLBPA should learn from.
Play ball!
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John Mirisch was elected to the Beverly Hills City Council in 2009. He is currently serving his third term as mayor.
