Media, PA Was Up So Big In A LLWS Regional Game Last Night The Manager’s Mound Conference Was Like A Scene Out Of Bull Durham

I’m a huge critic of The LLWS and almost always looking to find the negative in the thing people seem to love. While clips of kids slapping hands after giving up a home run gets pushed as “sportsmanship”, the competitor in me is livid that anyone of any age could let their guard down for even one second in a huge game. To quote Richie Aprile, “I’m from the old school.” Shake hands before the game … fight like hell in between the lines … and then shake hands after the game. No bullshit handshakes during especially after a home run. If I was the pitcher I would be livid. 

Anyway, as much of a curmudgeon as I am even I can find some humor in this clip. Media, PA ended up winning 16-3 and was up 10-3 when this went down. A cruise control win from start to finish. Making a pitching change in the 3rd inning, the manager reached the mound and started talking about a dog eating a rosin bag, to which a kid replied “no but you did tell us the hot dog story.” And another kid asking to say hi to his mom. Looked like a scene out of Bull Durham mixed with a substitute teacher trying to get control of a class (think Mr.Presbo in the Wire). 

Listen this was funny and this is why the LLWS is always entertaining to me. You think Aaron Boone makes a trip to the mound and has to deal with players asking to say hi to their mom. These kids are as unpredictable as it gets and are on a national stage, watch the chaos ensue and enjoy it. It’s a great event.