Expert: Martin Hoover - 5/17/2010

Question
Thank you in advance for your answer.  Our boy is currently in AA and is 8 1/2 years-old.  He wants to try out for the LL travel team this summer.  I know this question comes from the proud mom but we are not a family trying to create the next Derek Jeter.  Anthony happens to be a superior athlete and a great sportsman.  He was not only champion of the local MLB pitch, hit and run competition, his scores were highest is every age group, including the 14 year-old group.  I contacted our LL director and although he said that there is an allowance for and 8 year-old to join, that he will not allow it.  He also refuses to waiver that we might send him to the neighboring LL org.  He refuses to even watch his play and make a decision based on that.  Is their any other recourse we have?  Obviously, he won't be harmed if he has to wait another summer. This is somthing that he really wants to participate in and any private leagues are too expensive for us.

Thank you for any ideas.

Lori

Answer
Lori,

Little League allows the local leagues to align their divisions according to specific ages.  The local league would then follow these age alignments for their program.  I can understand both sides in this disagreement.  You want your son to play, but they are also trying to maintain their age structure.  My league has had the same issue in the past.  If one child is allowed to move up, then you have to give that option to every child.

As for the waiver, if you live within the boundaries of that league, you must play there.  It would be up to the local league's Board of Directors to grant you such a waiver, the league you would go to would also have to approve it, and then it would get sent to Williamsport, PA, where they would make the final determination on the waiver.  From personal experience I can tell you its a pain.

I hope this has helped.

-Martin Hoover