Introduction
Baseball has always been a distinctly American game. While the rest of the world plays other games like soccer, the Americans focus on baseball, however in the game of baseball the age and skill level of those participating must be considered and the moral effects of play are most important (Bronson, 2004, p.141).
Baseball rules
In the game of baseball or any other form of the game, the play of a boy corresponds to the work of an over-aged player. Every quality that is requisite in an overage player to make him completely and honorably successful is necessary to complete success in the plays of the boys.
In baseball, it is morally justifiable to have respect for the game with its written and unwritten rules along with respect for one’s opponents. However, cheaters do not respect the game. Neither do coaches who use overage players (pitchers) and spend more time on trick plays than on fundamentals.
Let’s consider the case where a little league baseball coach anticipates a poor season because he lacks a competent pitcher. Just before the season begins, a new family moves into the neighborhood. The coach discovers that one of the boys in the family is an excellent pitcher, but that he is over the age limit for little league participation. Because the family is not known in the area, the coach is sure he can use the boy without being discovered. He wants a winning season very much, for himself and his team.
In such a case study it is not morally justifiable for the coach to use an over-age player in the league. A baseball coach who uses an over-age player in the little league baseball in an attempt to win a competition has no respect for the game or the opponents. Being a good coach also means knowing when a young player is ready to take his place on the ice because it is easy to get caught up in an exciting new prospect. Moreover, trying to push a player too early can be detrimental to his development, hence deciding the proper time to play a player is the coach’s call.
Although major leaguers know how to retaliate in ways to attempt to keep respect for the game, the physical means they use cannot be used at lower levels of play (Voigt, 1983, p.114). Coaches at lower levels or little leagues should be aware that it is morally unjustifiable to use an over-age player in the little league game and they should also have respect for the game and another team.
As odd as this may sound respect and sincerity must be reinforced by any coach because someone who plays and understands the game of baseball should be able to teach which acts of deception are respectful of the game and one’s opponents. If, though, strategic plays of deception can be occasionally used, they should not be used to detract from or replace a team’s basic skills.
Generally, baseball authorities have given limited attention to respecting the rights of young pitchers. There is still a very low level of awareness and understanding about the specific human rights issues generated by intensive training and leagues. Due to their vulnerability, children can be put at risk in any situation in the baseball league. However, to ensure the rights of the game, safeguards must be put in place, and pre-existing models must be implemented (Bronson, 2004, p.287).
Conclusion
The baseball administrators must implement and carry out a check on all players or pitchers that will play for a league and they must respect the rule of law and play since they are bound by the human rights law and policies and can no longer remain an entirely closed hermetic system.
In addition, to ensure that baseball leagues remain a largely positive experience for the young people, its potentially use of overage players by coaches must be addressed, so that the number of pitchers whose holistic development is irreversibly affected is kept to a minimum.
Reference List
Bronson, E. (2004). Baseball and philosophy: thinking outside the batter’s box. Illinois: Open Court Publishing.
Voigt, D., Q. (1983). American Baseball: From the Commissioners to Continental Expansion, Volume 3. Pennsylvania: Penn State Press.