Big Lessons for Little Leaguers
March 13, 2015
The only thing worse than adults corrupting kids for their own glory and gratification is politicians trying to excuse those adults so the kids learn nothing positive and much that’s negative from the situation.
So, things went from bad to worse when the mayor of Chicago tried to pressure Little League Baseball to restore the victories and championships that the Jackie Robinson West All-Stars baseball team claimed during the 2014 Little League World Series while some of its players were in violation of the organization’s residency rules.
So far, the kids have learned that it’s not right to cheat. The mayor would have them learn that you can avoid the consequences of cheating if you know people in the right places.
Little League is a victim of its own success. The more hype it has brought to what once was a healthy local game for 9-12 year olds of modest skills – the more it has become a spectacle for all-stars who, really, are merely those children who have matured the most – the more it has raised the stakes, the more Little League Baseball has invited excesses and even corruption.
This trend will only get worse; and it will get worse much faster if the politicians try to overpower those Little League officials who are still trying to hold things in check. Those so-called “stubborn” leaders offer Little League its biggest and best legacy.
Hey Cheer Sections: Get Ready to 'Battle'
December 4, 2012
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Brush up on your favorite chants, get the roller coaster rolling again and schedule those theme nights.
"Battle of the Fans" is back, and we're looking for your best as we begin our second quest to find the top high school student cheering section in the state of Michigan.
Following up on its successful inaugural contest last school year, the MHSAA's Student Advisory Council again will host “Battle of the Fans II” to reward the top high school student cheering section in the state again this winter.
Sections are invited to submit a short video, via YouTube, of their cheering sections in action. Video submissions should be between 90 seconds and three minutes long and explain how that section meets the following contest criteria: positive sportsmanship, student body participation, school spirit, originality of cheers, organization of the group, student section leadership and fun.
The deadline for student-submitted video applications is Jan. 12. Five finalists including at least one Class C or D school will then be chosen and visited on a home game night by MHSAA staff and Advisory Council representatives. The MHSAA will produce a video of that finalist after each visit, with the champion being selected by the Student Advisory Council based in part on a public vote to be conducted on the MHSAA’s Facebook page.
This year’s champion will be announced Feb. 22 and recognized March 22 at the Breslin Center.
A total of 19 sections submitted videos for the 2011-12 contest. Frankenmuth was named champion and presented with a banner during the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center. Sections from Grand Rapids Christian, Reese, Petoskey and Rockford also were finalists.
And every one showed us something that goes into a strong student section. Click to read our final analysis from the day we announced the winner.
Contest rules and directions for submitting videos can be found on the MHSAA site. This year’s finalist videos, plus the announcement of the 2012-13 winner, will be published on Second Half. Click below for links to the finalist stories and videos from last year's MHSAA visits.
Frankenmuth - Grand Rapids Christian - Petoskey - Reese - Rockford
Make sure to keep up with the buzz on Twitter via our hashtag #BOTF, and follow us @MHSAA.
The Student Advisory Council is made up of eight seniors and eight juniors, who each serve two-year terms. The Council acts as the voice of Michigan's student-athletes; it serves as a student sounding board for the MHSAA's Representative Council, assists in planning Sportsmanship Summits, Captains Clinics and other student leadership events; participates in a yearly focus group about the state of high schools sports for Michigan State University's Institute for the Study of Youth Sports and assists with medal ceremonies at MHSAA championship events.
PHOTOS: (Top) Grand Rapids Covenant Christian fans create a powdery fog before the start of this fall's MHSAA Division 4 Boys Soccer Final at Troy Athens. (Middle) Members of Frankenmuth's student cheering section accept their championship banner in March at the Breslin Center.