Club Baseball vs. Little League

7/27/2012

My son Grant played both this year. He had a great time playing Little League for the first time. I personally dont love the Little League game as I feel like the players these days have outgrown the field and style of play. Not to mention I think it is a real safety issue for batters and pitchers to be 46 feet away......Would like to hear some feedback.

Brent Densmore

7/28/2012 11:26:06 pm

Although my son hasnt played little league for three years (we have been playing club ball) I realized then that the game was played on way too small of a field for the size of the players. There has been rumors of expanding the fields in the upcoming seasons. Which would be a great thing safety wise. As far as the overall game , until they get to the point where they are playing real baseball ( leadoffs and pickoffs etc.) I feel it isnt quite there in developing and teaching kids to play the right way. Its a huge organization and change takes time . This year they finally implemented the dropped strike three . Little at a time I guess. Someday maybe they will get it to where it needs to be for saftey reasons and development of baseball players . Could be great.

Michael Kearney

7/30/2012 12:20:11 am

Little League International has added a new division of play this past spring. The 50/70 division is for ages 11,12 and 13 year olds. The rules are the same as club ball for the most part from what I have seen. Lead offs, steals and pick offs. This was to address and deal with the serious safety issues. While the District and Leagues are working through the logistics of fields to handle the change in size of the fields (which has been the reason Little League has been slow to implement) the new changes address the safety concerns and the level of play. Tiem will tell over the next year or two as to how well this will play out.

Greg Clarkson

7/31/2012 06:23:39 am

I believe there is a place for LL, its just not for everyone. My thought is just getting kids off the sofa and participating in a sport is never harmful. Yes the field is too small and the game is different but the fact is the kids are learning to be part of a team, hopefully getting some discipline, and finally learning how to become accountable. Are they getting the best coaching, no. Are they going to be the best prepared when high school comes, no. So its a little give and take.

For my son, I like to think that by playing club ball he has become much more advanced. Better game, better coaching, bigger field, better competition, better baseball player!

Carter Chapman

8/18/2012 04:04:47 am

both of my son's play club ball so we have obviously gone that route for a lot of reasons. I have a lot of experience with both and advanced club ball clearly builds better players and you have much better coaching. However, one thing I miss from all of the years in LL and Pony League is that the boys from the local neighborhood play with and against each other. My oldest son has built a few strong, long-lasting friendships with his schoolmates through LL. He's with them everyday now in High School and their friendships were formed during their early years of LL baseball. With the Club teams that both of my sons are on now, they do not have a single teammate that goes to their same school. Sure, they see their club teammates outside of baseball and they've built strong friendships, but it is just not the same as doing the same thing with kids from your own neighborhood and school.

robert liddington link

3/21/2017 10:44:12 am

Kelly

10/10/2018 12:04:54 am

Hi, my son has played in Little League for 5 years and 7 season (spring /fall) . He is 11 and in the Majors bracket. I love that he wants to keep playing, being active..etc..
In no way shape or form is my son going to make a career of baseball. Little League is for players like my son. Who, in the majors, has a hard time making that pitch cross home plate consistently. For kids who arent as aggressive or talented . For kids just picking up the sport at a later age. If the changes to Little League took place as you described.. what would happen to those kids? Just curious if you thought about it.

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Rob Gorrell the General Manager of Sandlot Baseball grew up in beautiful, but rainy Tigard, Oregon. Played baseball for Sacramento City College under renowned head coach Jerry Weinstein (Colorado Rockies) before coming to Arizona State to play for the late Jim Brock. Drafted in the 21st round of the 1991 free agent draft and signed a professional contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. Had a short professional career due to some injuries and self proclaimed analysis "I wasnt very good." Baseball has always been his first love and when approached about the opportunity to start the club baseball side of Sandlot with Murph he took advantage of it. Having been surrounded by a lot of great baseball people in his life, Rob has gained a tremendous amount of knowledge about the game over the years. Having spent the past 5 years around Murph has helped Rob grow that knowledge and got him to start seeing the game with a unique perspective.

Club Baseball vs. Little League

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