I usually reserve this for the end of my column but this topic affects the future of this country, as we know it.
WHAT THE @$#!. The Knothole Little League in Cincinnati has banned one of the most time-honored traditions in baseball: Chatter to the other team.
Gone are the days of the chants of “Hey batter batter swing!” and “We want a pitcher not a belly itcher!” Why you ask? These statements damage the psyche and self-esteem of the kids playing according to Knothole President Dave Epplen.
I’m sorry I just had an aneurism. Did this tree-hugger say chatter damages self-esteem? What does he want the kids to say? “Please swing batter if you think it’ll make you feel good.”
This guy needs to stop passing out hugs, stop watching Dr. Phil and stop fooling with a game that has been around for over a century.
Ask anyone who has played not just baseball but any sport and you’ll find that chatter is part of sports culture at every level of competition.
If you really want to play the blame game then we should look at the crazed parents that roam the bleachers like gang members representing their children.
Chatter doesn’t kill self-esteem. Raving parents who scream at their kid because Billy dropped a fly ball or Suzy popped out with runners in scoring position do.
What’s next? Are they going to outlaw base stealing because it teaches kids the value of theft?
If Mr. Epplen wants to make his league “kid friendly” maybe he should consider binding and gagging the loonies in the stands.
Let us bow our heads in remembrance as some hippie has effectively killed one of best traditions in baseball. WHAT THE @$#!.

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