WHAT A MAJOR LEAGUER COULD LEARN FROM A LITTLE LEAGUER
How about sportsmanship and humility?
You see, it's that time of year again when the World Series takes center stage.
It's also that time of year when baseballs finest sit and sulk in the dugout after a playoff elimination or World Series loss.
Anyone who watched the recent Little League World Series final between Japan and Georgia saw some truly inspiring sportsmanship as players lined up after the game for the traditional high fives.
And who could forget the Georgia players comforting the sobbing Japan players.
Now I'm not suggesting that Major League Baseball players hug and comfort the losers.
However, look at it this way.
Boxers congratulate each other after the fight even though they have just tried to bash their opponent's brains in.
Hockey players line up after playoff games and Stanley Cup finals to congratulate each other even though they to have tried to inflict bodily harm on their opponents.
Likewise NFL football players congregate after the game to congratulate the opposing team even though football is a violent sport.
Tennis players meet at the net to shake hands after a match.
Basketball players congregate after the championship series to congratulate each other.
By now you are probably getting my drift.
Virtually every major professional sport exhibits some form of recognition to their competitors after a championship regardless of how hard fought the contest was.
Every major professional sport that is except Major League Baseball.
Oh sure, the losing manager might appear on a TV interview after the game congratulating the winning team.
But is that really enough?
Why aren't the players lining up on the field and congratulating each other.
That is the ultimate gesture of sportsmanship.
Is not doing so the kind of attitude that sets the right example for young sports enthusiasts and players?
Brooks Clark probably said it best:
"Good coaches teach respect for the opposition, love of competition, the value oftrying your best, and how to win and lose graciously."
It seems obvious what a major leaguer could learn from a little leaguer.
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