Can ESPNABCDisney replay the Little League World Series again? I don't think EVERYONE saw it. Christ. At least there'll be 350-something days until I'll have to see a kid from the United Colors of Benetton crying into his baseball glove again. Or that every kid's favorite actor is Adam Sandler. And what kind of bats do these kids use? I've never seen so many check-swing home runs.
Anyway, it's over and congratulations to the team from Warner Robins, GA for taking the crown. I'm sure they'll receive the hero's welcome and all kinds of perks when they get home. There'll be a parade, a visit to the White House, TV apperances, and Lord knows what else. But is that all they should get? Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports thinks they should get much more. More after the jump...
We've all heard this same argument about college athletes: since the schools, sponsors, and networks are all making money off the events, then the athletes themselves are entitled to a cut. Well I say bullshit. Main reason: without the sponsors and networks, the game is still played. Sure, the sponsors and networks make a lot of money off the event. But so does Little League Baseball as a whole -- and all Little Leaguers benefit from that, not just the ones lucky enough to get on TV. In the age of reality television, do we need to reinforce to youngsters that in order to make lots of money, all you have to do is get your stupid mug on TV? This is utterly ridiculous. And this isn't even taking into account crazy, pushy parents. Imagine the possibilities. Like, say, when final rosters are decided and it's a tough choice. Which kids get to be the golden geese? Yeah, that won't cause any problems or anything. As for the argument about child actors getting paid? Also bullshit. Kids are not hired to play Little League baseball. Nor should they be. But child actors are hired to act. It's a job. As ridiculous as it may be, that's just reality.
Bottom line, if it's a problem for promotional leeches to be making money off the events, then the promotions need to be limited. Or, more of the proceeds need to go to LLB and be distributed evenly (a potential problem in itself).
Nice post. I couldn't agree with you more.
Posted by: Art Vandelay | August 27, 2007 at 12:39 PM
You may want to consider becoming the commissioner of a professional sport.
I've often wondered why, when the owners, league and networks take 100% of the financial risks, they're obligated to pay the players, who take no financial risks, proportionally to the league income. They have unique talent, but all they're required to pay them is $1 more than the highest offer a competing league can offer and let that be the end of it.
Posted by: Assman | August 27, 2007 at 12:43 PM
You watched little league baseball on ESPN this weekend?
Posted by: M. Butler | August 27, 2007 at 12:57 PM
"You watched little league baseball on ESPN this weekend?"
No I watched the fuckin' Wiggles, and some Happy Feet and some toddler Sign Language DVD's. And during naptime I watched the pathetic Atlanta Braves (which is not much better than any of my daughter's silly programs). Still, it was wall-to-wall LLWS coverage -- even on channels other than ESPN.
Posted by: Jack Klompus | August 27, 2007 at 02:04 PM
No I watched the fuckin' Wiggles
If hell has a DVD player, they'll have the fucking Wiggles on repeat. And I'm not even halfway joking about this.
Posted by: Assman | August 27, 2007 at 02:36 PM