Best Column

Little League on TV: 'The worst sort of reality television'

Televising the Little League World Series exploits the emotional fragility of the game's pubescent athletes, says Bill Plaschke at The Los Angeles Times

It's the most exploitative, incorrigible, and demeaning TV event that's airing this summer, says Bill Plaschke at The Los Angeles Times. No, it's not Jersey Shore, or even Bachelor Pad. It's the 65th annual Little League Baseball World Series. Currently airing on ESPN and ABC, these games "are the worst sort of reality television, turning 11-to-13-year-olds into adults, turning adults into kids," and "turning my stomach." What's ostensibly innocent summer fun turns into anything but as these children — years younger than any other athlete whose skills are televised and scrutinized — emotionally crumble under the pressure of an international spotlight. "Allowing the public viewing of pubescent angst under the guise of a baseball game is opportunistic, offensive and just plain wrong," Plaschke says. Consider these scenes from a typical Little League World Series game:

There is a scrawny pitcher who begins the game with eye black dripping all over his face. Then he gives up a few hits, and suddenly the polish is mixed with tears.

There is a stocky shortstop wearing sunglasses on his cap even though it's a night game. Then he screams at an umpire's call and drops a pop fly, and now the sunglasses are crooked, and he's trying not to look at his grandparents growing pale in the stands...

The cameras heighten the already incredible pressure and alter the already erratic behavior. The cameras needlessly deify and unfairly embarrass. The cameras change everything for kids who just aren't ready for it.

Read the entire article at The Los Angeles Times.

Recommended

How the MLB's rule changes will affect this year's season
baseball hat
Briefing

How the MLB's rule changes will affect this year's season

Is this year's March Madness too mad?
An illustrated collage of a basketball surrounded by players
Today's big question

Is this year's March Madness too mad?

New York Knicks legendary captain Willis Reed dies at 80
Willis Reed.
Rest in Peace

New York Knicks legendary captain Willis Reed dies at 80

March Madness 2023: Everything you need to know
The March Madness logo.
Briefing

March Madness 2023: Everything you need to know

Most Popular

The snowmelt in California could cause a long-lost lake to re-emerge
flooding in Corcoran, California.
lost lake

The snowmelt in California could cause a long-lost lake to re-emerge

The 8 most bizarre moments of Gwyneth Paltrow's ski crash trial
Gwyneth Paltrow
downhill

The 8 most bizarre moments of Gwyneth Paltrow's ski crash trial

33 swimmers in Hawaii accused of 'pursuing, corralling, and harassing' dolphin pod
A group of swimmers chase after a pod of dolphins.
Leave 'Em Alone!

33 swimmers in Hawaii accused of 'pursuing, corralling, and harassing' dolphin pod