NBC 7's Derek Togerson offers commentary on Thursday night's Little League World Series semi-final game
The Little League World Series run ended for the Sweetwater Valley Little League team with a walkoff loss to Texas. But more people are focused on the controversies that happened during the game than the dramatic way it ended.
SVLL first baseman Jacob Baptista's elbow collided with an opposing player who was running down the line when there was no play to be made. It looked intentional, and many people watching believed it was intentional. SVLL head coach Ward Lannom says it was incidental contact, something Jacob maintains, as well. Either way the episode has cast a shadow on the entire, fantastic series the kids from Bonita and Chula Vista put together.
People on social media gave the moment a life of its own, with many calling it a cheap shot. But all those people who are taking shots at the kid (and there are plenty of them, unfortunately) are WAY off base here. During the LLWS we see kids crying when they lose. The overriding opinion for that is it’s touching to watch how much the kids care. They’re playing for all the RIGHT reasons and simply love the game. It’s raw emotion and human beings love seeing raw emotion.
But, guess what? Raw emotion in 12 and 13-year-olds does not always manifest itself in tears. Sometimes it comes out in elbows. You put a middle-school kid in a pressure-packed situation on national TV and yes, you’re going to see some stuff happen. So calling Baptista a poor sport based on one unfortunate moment is simply not fair, and honestly not right.
I’m not saying what happened was OK. It was unfortunate. I tend to believe, based on the video, that it was not an accident. But even if it was not I have no problem with Jacob for it. Neither should anyone else. I've done things I regret in the heat of a game. Most everyone who has played a competitive sport has. It's part of sports. It's something we all have to do and learn from.
One of the most important lessons we learn in youth sports is how to win with dignity and lose with grace. Baseball, in particular, is a great teacher of life lessons. Want to learn how to deal with failure? Try baseball. Like Ted Williams and Tony Gwynn said, if you fail seven out of 10 times you’re an All-Star. Good luck finding another line of work where that’s the case.
The Sweetwater Valley situation could have been a moment to learn a lesson. The problem is that lesson was not taught. But sometimes (often, actually) kids do things better than adults do. I was sent a picture on Friday of Jacob and Tristan Schwehr, the Texas player who was running down the first base line, shaking hands. A very classy move from both of them, and I think a much more accurate indicator of Jacob Baptista's character.
