Mr. B. expects his Muckdogs will lose this afternoon against the Redwings, because the Redwings include a few of his better friends from first grade, and last year’s Rangers’ team, who were/are good players. Looks to me to depend on the hits. None of the little league teams have much defense. So the big-hitting squads will win. Plus, the Redwings don’t have the two secret weapons the Mets had in the Muckdogs’ loss on Wednesday: two pink batting-helmet girls who could hit farther than any of the boys and were pretty good at fielding, too. Game’s at 2:30 pm.
UPDATE Muckdogs pulled it out, 13 to 12, despite better fielding by the Redwings. Mr. B had one run on three hits. He was stranded once and tagged out at third. But he fielded well.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 
Based upon the ads I have seen, too much emphasis is put on hitting in a game that if you have one hit in every three at bats you are a hall of famer. Coaches should be emphasising the defensive skills. But based on my experiences in Litle League, Babe Ruth (or what ever they call it now) and High School, there was always a lot more batting practice then defensive practice. You can see it at the Big League level when players do not know which base to throw the ball to in a situation ( ie throw home when there is no play instead of second to stop the hitter from advancing to second).I am probably prejudice since I was not a great hitter but was always put in for a defensive replacement.
Th Muckdog coaches do emphasize defense, and have batting practice as an afterthought that takes up little time. Far as I can see it’s the kids who put the emphasis on hitting, such that the strikeouts come back looking really crushed, almost in tears. Mr. B. has always hit well. Not sure why. He’s got lots of hustle on defense but he’s not reliable.
I hope he always enjoys the game.
Me, too. I think we’ll start getting him to watch pro games this year. Might be too slow for him, though. He doesn’t understand the pitcher-batter duel yet. Player-pitch is next in their training, maybe next year or the year after. That might be the dividing line for the ones who aren’t so sure they want to stand there while the ball is thrown at them.