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The Chester baseball team is as bad as the basketball team is good.
As a former player, it’s hard to stomach how bad Chester baseball is. Even worse, there are no signs of it getting better. Our top basketball rival, Penn Wood, is just a hair better at baseball.
On Tuesday, those two teams lost by a combined score of 31 to 1. Thank goodness Penn Wood scored a run on Chichester.
It’s easy to identify the problem. There is no youth baseball in Chester. And, I don’t think Chester kids are playing youth baseball in surrounding leagues in the county.
Baseball is one of the hardest games to play and the variety of skills and fundamentals you need to be successful can’t be learned when you start playing in 9th grade.
It’s no secret that black kids have all but abandoned baseball. But Chester has had a large Hispanic population for quite a while and they love baseball.
In my New York days, I’d watch high school baseball and without much imagination it felt like I was in Santiago, Dominican Republic, as all the players, coaches, and fans were Hispanic.
If I had my way, Chester and Penn Wood would play each other all season. At least the games would be competitive.
Do you think if the Phillies had some sort of outreach program for areas like Chester and Darby our kids will get more interested in baseball. I can remeber playing for both Chester Youth and Chester East little leagues. I am not sure why there is such a disconnect with baseball and inner city children. Is it because yu dont see baseball players in rap videos? Someone should tell these kids that the best baseball players are paid more than best basketball players.
ReplyDeleteThe Phillies met in Chester Township Feb 29 to talk about starting a youth league. I didn't hear anything about the results of the meeting or any other details to what was decided in that meeting.
DeleteMy daughter plays softball and she loves it. You are right there are very little African-Americans playing in her league. I guess basketball is the popular sport of choice. I always told my daughter to try it once then decide if it's for you.
ReplyDeleteWomen's softball is a big college sport. If she's good, on a AAU team, going to camps, she's got a good shot at one.
DeleteStefan,
ReplyDeleteI was one of the organizers of the meeting regarding the Phillies RBI program. Unfortunately there was a low turnout. This was very disappointing especially after I read all of the comments that were posted in the blog by others reminiscing about playing baseball in Chester back in the good old days. The Phillies RBI program would be a great asset to the youth in Chester Township and Chester and could serve as a feeder program for the high school baseball program. It is unfortunate with the number of children in our communities that we could not get a better turn out of volunteers. There is still hope! There is a group of us still working to get the program up and running for 2013! But we cannot do it without volunteers. Anyone interested in helping us can send an email to ctrbi12@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Addie
Thanks for the update. I had intended on coming. I recall it was a rainy night and my parents needed my help.
DeleteConsider having a meeting in the summer during baseball season. It may help bring people out since baseball will be on their minds.
I did see a sign for the Jackie Robinson league in Crozer Park. Maybe something is happening there this year.