Johnson County to start a new Cal Ripken league

[ace in the hole]

What does everyone think? Good or bad? Will it hurt the quality of play in both leagues(Cal Ripken and Little League)? There is an article about the league in today's Paintsville Herald.

[UKBLUE1964]

Anytime you have two leagues it takes away the quality of play. I remember several years ago in Louisa, there was a group of parents started a Bambino league in Fort Gay,WV although it didn't last but a couple of years the Louisa/Ft. Gay Little League has never recovered. They still have good players and good all-star teams, but the number of kids playing has dropped alot since then.

[Sidelines]

It will definately hurt!!!

You have one side that has control and won't relinquish it to anyone. And you have another side that has always been jealous and wants to take their ball and go to another field!

Neither are willing to work together and Johnson County is not big enough to be competitve in all-stars trying to support 2 leagues!! It wouldn't surprise me if both leagues folded!!!

The kids, who ironicaly it is supposed to be about will be the ones hurt the most!!!

I have seen Paintsville Little League for many years and can honestly say IMO that refusing to surrender any control of the league and only one person in charge has caught up with Paintsville Little League!

[Sidelines]

One thing that has stood the test of time at Paintsville LL, is that no matter what school the kids attend. They are friends and teammates in LL and if the so called grown ups would work as hard on doing whatever they can to make everything better for the kids, as they do trying to keep some out of the league or trying to take over the league then it could be the best in the state!!! Cause even with all the petty grown up problems they have....they are still one of the most respected.

 

Here is a suggestion to the powers that be and the wannabe powers that be.......

GROW UP AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OUR YOUTHS!!!

 

p.s. even if it means we don't get to host a State Tourn. next year!

and even if it means you have to watch from the stands, no matter how much you want to be the coach!

There are enough people out there that would coach that do not have kids involved and would make excellent coaches but won't get involved because of all this childish hawgwarsh!

[STRIKE3]

IMO, this Cal Ripken League will be a tough task to form.The funding for this project and where will they play?Is this league open to the county schools only or to everyone?

 

Sidelines, I know you have been around this league a long time. I also know the people that run this league and they are there for the kids and what is best for them.

It is very surprising hearing something like that from you.

 

They also advertise for coaches, and umpires so that anyone can apply.

[statman101]

Sidelines, I'm really surprised of the comments you posted since you once coached in the very LL that you are now dogging. I have been around this LL since Cobb Clay was there and not one time in all those years have I ever seen anyone who wasn't there for the kids. The LL program is where its at today because of the hard work and loyal dedication of the adults and parents who support it and work hard so their children and grandchildren can reap the benefits of everyone's knowledge. You know that old saying it takes a community to raise a child, well it appears to me the LL community is doing something right for the last 30 some years.

 

Anytime something new comes to town you're gonna have those who go and check it out, and I'm sure there will be plenty of them with this new league. Do I think it will affect LL, sure, you'd have to be silly to think it wouldn't, but do I think LL will fold...NOT ON YOUR LIFE (IMHO)...why?...because of the tradition and excellence that the program has developed and the parents and volunteers who simply love the game.

 

Why would giving up the state tourney be of any good...all you're doing there is robbing the kids of the right to which they've worked so hard and earned in show casing their town and facility to the state.

 

Lets leave the running of the organizations to the officers and board members who have only the best interests of the kids at heart...and leave the rumors and inuendos and personal feelings unprinted

[Sidelines]

You all are taking me the wrong way!!! I am sorry if I have led you to believe that I am dogging anyone!!

What I am trying to say is that Johnson County can't support 2 different leagues!!!

I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way or as a personal attack from me. But there have been many, many disgruntled people who wish to have a sayso but for reasons unknown can't. I have heard from many that they want change, maybe it would be good and maybe not. What I am trying to point out is that PLL has been a great thing for the entire county for many years. If all the powers that be, and I am talking about both sides, need to get together and try to do what is best for our youth!!! If that means a time for change so be it!!! If a change is not neccessary, then great!! But simply deviding the youths just so one league will fall....and trust me, that is why they want to put another league in, is wrong!!!

And when I say that if it means PLL doesn't get to host a State Tourn next year....all I am saying is that would be a drastic measure, but if it was needed to save a great organization for our youths....shouldn't it be done??? I am not saying it needs to or should be. But I had to put something or it would for sure seem as though I was trying to put down the people that want a new league. And I am not trying that either!!!

statman101.....you and I both know it always starts out as being there for the kids....but for than a few times it becomes about some of the kids and then a complete ego trip for the grownups!

Do I think PLL will fold???? A very good chance IMO. If what I have heard from very good sources is true, and I believe they are. PLL does not have the $$ to compete!! If they expect to sit in a room and wait for people to come to them to sign their kids up....they will lose drastic numbers....and numbers is what keeps a league going!!!

Don't worry yourself to much about what I type about my opinions on a public forum....the officers and board members could care less what I think!!!

The things I have stated that you refer to as rumors......are all things I have been told. It was my opinion that the reasons were petty.

A2000, I know that they are there for the kids!!! They always have been!!! But sometimes the best interest is not always served. But a lot of those are petty as well...I could PM you about that. And yes, they do advertise for coaches, umpires and volunteers!!! But sometimes it just doesn't matter!!

[Gold Swarm]

I read in the article that the Cal Ripken League would be open to all kids in Johnson County regardless of their school system, kids from surrounding counties that does not offer Cal Ripken and kids that participate in Paintsville Little League. Will Paintsville Little League allow the kids to play in both? The reason that I ask is that I have heard that members of the Paintsville Little League Board of Directors have said that they would not allow anyone that plays Cal Ripken to play in Paintsville Little League. Can these kids be denied the opportunity to play both? Could be an interesting winter in Johnson County.

[Sidelines]

I read in the article that the Cal Ripken League would be open to all kids in Johnson County regardless of their school system, kids from surrounding counties that does not offer Cal Ripken and kids that participate in Paintsville Little League. Will Paintsville Little League allow the kids to play in both? The reason that I ask is that I have heard that members of the Paintsville Little League Board of Directors have said that they would not allow anyone that plays Cal Ripken to play in Paintsville Little League. Can these kids be denied the opportunity to play both? Could be an interesting winter in Johnson County.

I also heard that PLL was raising the cost for sign ups!!! Not a very good time for that.

It will be very interesting.

[RNCSportsaholic]

PLL just won two state titles. Using both Paintsville and Central kids. Paintsville Little League is known around the state as being a great program. Why would anyone want to break away from this great league? This is only going to water down both leagues and probably now neither one will be able to compete at the level we have in the past. This is going to have a long term affect as well. Players will not be competing against the "elite" from our region because they will be divided into seperate leagues. This will cause our high school prgrams to suffer as well. This is not going to help in any shape, form, or fashion. I am clueless to the power struggle that people are talking about and if that is true then it is really sad that some "grown-ups" can not come together and preserve this great staple of our community. "UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL."

[STRIKE3]

PLL just won two state titles. Using both Paintsville and Central kids. Paintsville Little League is known around the state as being a great program. Why would anyone want to break away from this great league?

It was awesome and the junior league makes back to back, in 2004 and 2005. The senior league was runnerup in 2004 and won it this year. Players from both JCHS and PHS played on both teams, with coaches on both teams. I know a lot of kids and coaches and board members, are from both schools. Little League is not going to raise there fees, that I've heard, which I can find out very easy.

With the state tournaments for Little League to be here in Paintsville, for the 9&10, 11 and 11&12 Baseball next year, I hope that age group stays in Little League and our junior and senior stays together, for a chance at a 3peat and back to back. All the players had a blast last year and got along great.

[wintergreen]

Why do this, they have just won 2 straight state titles in junior league and one state title in senior league. It looks to me like the Johnson County league that was started around 97 or so that went under. That league was all future Johnson Central students. Does this Cal Ripken thing look to be a Johnson Central thing?

[STRIKE3]

Why do this, they have just won 2 straight state titles in junior league and one state title in senior league. It looks to me like the Johnson County league that was started around 97 or so that went under. That league was all future Johnson Central students. Does this Cal Ripken thing look to be a Johnson Central thing?

I heard some different stories about why and in the paper, it said johnson county principals would be the board and school people, so I guess so.

[wintergreen]

I heard some different stories about why and in the paper, it said johnson county principals would be the board and school people, so I guess so.

That is rediculous. Let em, they have tried before and were not succesful, and I dont think this would be any different. Although last time the Johnson County Leauge wasn't under any national control.

[Czar]

Why do this, they have just won 2 straight state titles in junior league and one state title in senior league. It looks to me like the Johnson County league that was started around 97 or so that went under. That league was all future Johnson Central students. Does this Cal Ripken thing look to be a Johnson Central thing?

There was no Johson County League that was started in 1997. There was a Connie Mack league that was started around 1997 but it was played at Charlie Adkins field.