JUST THINKING

I'm watching the LLWS Western Regional and one of the announcers (Eduardo Perez) gives the pitcher credit for throwing a 96 MPH fastball. Of course, he is (ab)using the oft-featured conversion of the actual MPH the 12 year old is actually chucking his fastball (in this case, about 72 MPH) and extrapolating using the LL pitching distance compared to the major-league distance (46 feet vs. 60 feet 6 inches).

So we get 72 MPH x (60.6 / 46) = ~ 96 MPH

Great, I get that. We're actually comparing the reaction time, but I'm OK with the comparison.

But isn't about time we give equal love to the hitter?

I mean, the next time one of these little shavers check swings and launches one about 50 lawn chairs into the bleachers, with the shittiest looking swing from a mechanics perspective, but the best technology that Easton can provide, why can't we also provide a LL to MLB comparison for the hitter?

My proposal:

A kid launches one about 300-350 actual feet into the bleachers for a HR, while he's rounding the bases, we display the conversion based on the following measures:

The bases are 60 feet LL distance vs. 90 feet MLB, a 2/3 conversion MLB to LL.
The outfield distances down the line are 200-210 LL feet vs. about 315 feet average MLB distance again a 2/3 conversion. Even the mount distance is approx. 2/3 but that's pitching distance, so we're comparing apples to oranges, but again close to 2/3.

Invert to get the LL to MLB conversion and you have your LL->MLB equivalent, or 3/2.

So again using our example above, kid hits one 300 feet over the fence, well
HEY FOLKS, THAT'S THE MAJOR LEAGUE EQUIVALENT OF A 450 FOOT BOMB.

Little Johnny cranks one 350 feet and it's
OH MY GOODNESS, I'VE GOT SCOTT BORAS ON LINE 2, CAUSE THAT'S A 525 FOOT MAJOR LEAGUE BOMB. DON'T FORGET THE THE POST GAME PEE-TEST.

I'm just saying we have the technology, if ESPN wants to inject it's cameras in and provide instant replay on HR calls, let them bring the HR measuring equipment and give the hitters some loving.

And one more thing, while I'm thinking about it. Bring the K-Zone technology, so we can see exactly how far outside the strike zone some of these strike calls are in fact. You couldn't reach some of these "strikes" with a telephone pole.

Oh and one more thing, is it me or is this pitch count rule having the unintended consequence of having coaches "milk the count" and jack the pitch count up to get the stud pitcher out early, hopefully by the fourth inning? So then you have two rips against the bullpen which will include the third or fourth best pitcher since you're saving #2 for the next start? I have no actual data to support this, just the observational data so far. But it does seem like that is why we are seeing so many "late" rallies. And they are not just normal rallies, they are explosions of runs. At what point, does this hurt the entertainment value of the product to the WWLIS, and cause a "massaging of the rule"? In the best interest of the children, of course.

JUST THINKING, OUT LOUD AS USUAL.

By the way, good luck to Citrus Park Little League, the Southeast Regional Representative from my former backyard. The park was a mere stones throw from our previous Tampa address. They give me another reason to stay tuned.

GO CP!!!