Bad News Bearers
By
Michael Blake
Story Created:
Aug 3, 2009 at 1:49 PM CDT
The Del Mar 11 and 12 year old all stars just learned a life lesson the hard way. Life is rarely fair. In a game that was far from over, their chance of continuing a dream season run was cut short.
In the world of little league baseball, Williamsport, Pennsylvania is Mecca. A hallowed ground where only few from around the world earn the right to tread. The Little League World Series embodies all that is good and pure about the American pastime. There are no steroid controversies, no free agent contracts, and no trade deadlines. But in the regional round of this year’s tournament, something was amiss.
The weather forecast the night of the game called for a high possibility of rain. During the second inning, with McAllister up to bat, rain began to fall. The game was not immediately halted. During the rain, McAllister scored 3 runs and the Del Mar starting pitcher was hurt by a line drive. After all this, the game was finally delayed. The game resumed, and in the bottom of the 5th, things finally started going Del Mar’s way. McAllister’s ace pitcher reached his pitch limit and had to come out of the game. Down 6-3, Del Mar had 2 runners on base with one out and the heart of their order coming up to bat. The time was 10:15 p.m.; Rain began to come down again. Quickly, play was suspended and McAllister was never forced to deal with the wet conditions the way Del Mar had. This rain delay lasted longer, all the way until 11 p.m. Little League rules stipulate that for players aged 12 and under, no new inning may start after 11 p.m. If a game is suspended for any reason, only 4 innings need be completed for the game to be considered complete. Because the game was already in the 5th inning, it was ruled that the game was complete and the Del Mar team was eliminated.
As expected, the staff from the Del Mar team wanted to appeal the ruling. Unfortunately, the ruling was correct. The Del Mar Team just happened to be the unlucky bunch this year. But Still, appealing is not out of the ordinary. This is where the story took a dubious turn. The Tournament director claimed that this ruling was un-appealable! Richard Rosas, the president of the Del Mar Little league association, argued that was incorrect. After meeting with the state director, it was agreed that the game would be appealed to little league headquarters. The same night, the Del Mar staff was contacted by the tournament director and told that little league officials ruled that the game was indeed over.
The next morning, Mr. Rosas was contacted again, this time by the state director, who explained that the official ruling had just come in. So why had he been told the night previous by the tournament director that the ruling was already in… because the tournament director never actually called to make the appeal. The problem had evolved from a simple rules appeal to something much more complex.
You know the old saying, “A lack of preparation on your part, does not constitute an emergency on my part,” well in this case the opposite was true. The Del Mar association is not disputing the rules. Even illogical rules are fair as long as everyone has to abide by them (BCS). The problem lies with the shortsighted decisions made by the tournament directors that ultimately lead to Del Mar being eliminated. The directors knew that there was rain in the forecast and previous games had their start times altered in order to avoid any complications. The game started at 8 p.m., leaving only a 3-hour window for a game that was sure to be delayed by rain. Alex Aguilar, Del Mar’s head coach, was especially frustrated with the fact that there was no back up plan in place for this very likely situation. It seems to me, that if you know a scenario is very likely to happen, you would say to yourself, “lets make sure that we’re prepared, so that none of these KIDS are sent home unfairly.” It seems as if the tournament directors saw some need to push this game through no matter the circumstances. Why??? The regional tournament was still a week away, plenty of time for travel arrangements to be made. Nearly every game at the state tournament had been decided in the last 2 innings and the McAllister team told Del Mar coaches they were willing to resume the game in the morning if the rain delay caused the game to run past curfew. So what gives?
At this point it seems like there will be no justice. In light of the fact that the Del Mar little league was lied to, the little league organization is giving the appeal a second consideration. In all likelihood, there is little chance that there will be any change in the ruling. If there is a silver lining, it’s that rule changes could come into effect for next year so that this doesn’t happen again. When asked if the World Series Championship game would be handled in the same manner as this state championship game was, the tourney director answered simply… no. Little league champions can come from anywhere. It seems that in this case, someone has lost sight of that.
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Anonymous said on Monday, Aug 31 at 3:33 PM
If you really see it McAllister had only 1 lose just like chula vista so in all truth they are really tie for first in the nation and yes 4th in world. great job McAllister and congrads....
28539419Lee said on Monday, Aug 31 at 8:33 AM
Told you so!
28515212Hello said on Monday, Aug 31 at 6:45 AM
Yup, Don't blame the rain, and looks like they got beat by some soccer playing Mexicans. But in all, Good job boys !!! 4th in the World, you should be proud ! Congrats ! Have a safe trip home. Enjoy the memories.
28511152Lee said on Friday, Aug 28 at 4:28 PM
What goes around....comes around!
28409093new puppets said on Friday, Aug 28 at 10:39 AM
Totaly agree with you, Del-Mar recruiting new puppets is a good one. Those are the ones that cry to the coaches when there kid doesn't play. Laredo has talent but the ones that get seen are the ones that have parents that tell the coaches "if my kid doesn't play he's out of the team" and some coaches are scared to loose the parents friendship. Del-Mar picked a Asst. coach that didn't even know the rules how lame is that. Del-Mar will never change, they should of recruited a whole new board.
28391111Anonymous said on Friday, Aug 28 at 6:22 AM
Hey Del Mar I bet it hurts not seeing yourself on T.V. It was a good run but not good enough. Who would think that McAllister would be in the semi-final. I sure didn't, but you got to love that Mcalister coach the way he talks to his kids, care for them when their sick, and see them all the same. OH and by way awesome board members it looks like the MAFIA is still alive and recruting new puppets. YES RICHER!!! YES RICHER!!!
28379473sergio macias said on Sunday, Aug 23 at 6:00 PM
thank you wyatt willis i apreciated that moment alot and now i tell 2 my self that you are a friend
28161832Much Respect said on Friday, Aug 21 at 9:31 PM
Thank you McAllister so much, for the upmost respect. You guys have class. I don't care what anybody says. One of your players mentioned one of the Del Mar players in his intro. Thank you !!! and tell the kids Good Luck !!!
28094269Give it up said on Thursday, Aug 20 at 8:39 PM
Stick to soccer Laredo,let the athletes play football,basketball,baseball,(the real sports).Shaved bats,do you have any idea what you are talking about at 12 years old?At least at soccer you have a chance because the last kids that don't get picked for all of the other teams have to play soccer.The best in Laredo play soccer.Be happy with that.Go McAllister,or anyone who plays against any team of any kind in Laredo!!!!!!!!!!!
28041374to macallister said on Tuesday, Aug 18 at 2:46 PM
good luck
27921009Anonymous said on Tuesday, Aug 18 at 6:19 AM
There you go again saying bad things about the other team. I guess you can stop crying you are probably one of those parents that counted it chicks before they hatched and now you trying to blame others and just making excuses.So you lose life still goes on but for you you always be known for the ones that lose to the team that made it to the LLWS. LET'S GO McAllister!!!!!!
27895384to hey del mar said on Monday, Aug 17 at 3:44 AM
funny, they only had like wut two hits in the championship game ..just like del mar did in that game ..please stop the jealousy mannn..people just dont know wut to say anymore..ohhhhhhhh well ..Both teams have talent ..just one had better luck ..Goodluck Mccallister!.....
27851509qqqqq.......... said on Monday, Aug 17 at 12:49 AM
We need to get over and move on.....Everyone can point fingers but what are we teaching the kids..... Whatever happened....happened....only God knows why....Lets just cheer McAllister on because I know my child got and get alongs with those kids and so do the other ones... All we have left is to wish them luck like they would do for us if we were in their feet... So Go McAllister get them all!!!!!!!
27850131Mrz. said on Sunday, Aug 16 at 11:03 PM
This issue does not happen to be about the individual teams, because they both worked real hard. It has to do with the officals who should've had a better grasp of the rules. With rain in the forecast, this game should've been re-scheduled. You never want to see a game cut short due to some out of date rule.
27848921hey del mar!!!!!! said on Sunday, Aug 16 at 12:24 PM
Have you all been watching the LLWS? There's been tons of home runs right? Maybe it's because of shaved bats? Just like the ones they used against you all ........NOT. It's called knowing how to hit the ball. Pitching does not seem all that great compared to last years teams but you have to give these hitters credit when credit is due. Hope you all plan to play in the JR league next fall or this Winter and attempt to play baseball on a real field. Select? What? Are you afraid 2play? Let's C!
27832922Check it out said on Sunday, Aug 16 at 9:35 AM
Del Mar you are really showing your true colors. Calling the other team cheaters, shave bats, umpires making bads calls, and the director a lier. Doesn't that happen everywhere even in the MLB. You are starting to make Laredo sound bad for future kids wanting to win state or more.
27827704To: Laredo said on Sunday, Aug 16 at 9:26 AM
Ok since things didn't go your way and your plans to go to Willamsport got cut short. First you need to think about the other team Yes you have a great bunch kids and maybe more in laredo, but remember you also lost to lubbock and plus the other game was a close one too so maybe instead of thinking that you were going to beat us next time don't under estimate the other team and then you might be able to go where you want. Remeber take one game at time.
27827371laredo said on Sunday, Aug 16 at 1:49 AM
you should play those sports then cause no good for baseball your just good at cheatin
27819956San Antonio said on Saturday, Aug 15 at 10:44 PM
You may have not heard the fat lady singing cause you were to busy balling. And yes my boys do know how to play soccer,football, basketball and they also run track. Maybe you are the one to change sport.Don't forget to see us T.V. hahahaha!!!!!
27817031San Antonio said on Saturday, Aug 15 at 10:38 PM
You may not have heard the fat lady singing cause you were to busy balling and they do play soccer, football, track and basketball when they aren't playing baseball.
27816864TO: SANTONIO said on Saturday, Aug 15 at 3:47 PM
but i didnt hear any fat lady sing and i dont know about you all but i didnt see any money on any table i aslo didnt feel any hands in our throats so it wasnt possible that we could choke and just admit that you guys can never even beat us on your own some way or ontoher you always get help, what about the mexicans you have are your team are you going to tell them go learn soccer no right because i would love to hear you tell them!!!!!!!!!
27805132San Antonio said on Saturday, Aug 15 at 10:05 AM
It didn't matter if you beat us in a tournament the game you all think you should of beat you didn't. It just prove to you to go back to your play book and restudy the game of baseball and like the saying goes it ain't over to the fat lady start singing well she sang along time ago get over it. Why in two more years you all don't plan to play next year or because your kid may not make it to the allstar team.
27795171game over said on Saturday, Aug 15 at 7:17 AM
You all really don't know how to let it go do you/ You all see like a bunch of sore losers. Maybe you all did beat them in the fall but when the money was on the the table you all seem to have choke. Yes, it did rain but you sorry coach should of done something about it. Shaved composite bats? Come on get real and stop being so gulible. This is baseball and not old men trying to hit homeruns in slow pitch softball. It's ppl like you that give us the bad rep. You lost and thats the bottom line!
27790669TO:MCALLISTER said on Saturday, Aug 15 at 3:56 AM
why dont you tell JACOB RAMOS TROY MONTEMAYOR AND TRAVIS DAVES DAD TO GO LEARN SOCCER MYBE THERE GOOD AT THAT HAHAHA
27788598Response to San Antonio! said on Saturday, Aug 15 at 3:48 AM
the umpires are always on there side and the tournament directer mr.lackey is a cheater like coach shull were are going to meet them in two years and were going to beat them like we did before lackey lied to the coaches that the game was called because he had called williamsport when they told him to wait till next mornining the MCALLISTER TEAM are not TRUE CHAMPIONS, just CHEATERS!Mcallister was all scared after they saw Del Mar hit there homeruns.They sent ppl to scout us at practice and games
27788542Laredo! said on Saturday, Aug 15 at 3:23 AM
Everybody thinks Mcallister is SOO good, they can't compare with Del Mar's players like; Mario " Chipper" Garcia, Bernardo Martinez, Dylan Duarte, Felipe Rodriguez, Sergio Macias, Abel Aguilar, David Garza, Gera Ramos, Alan Campero, Jason Hernandez, Arty Guarardo, and Oigres Garcia! They have NOTHING, only shaved bats! All those players are homerun hitters! Every game that Del Mar played had 2 or more homerun and Mcallister get all excited when they hit a lil homerun that there bats hit!:@
27788398Del Mar said on Saturday, Aug 15 at 3:10 AM
Mccallister doesnt have anything on Delmar, Delmar beat them 18-3 in a plain old tournament. Delmar is a very good team, # 3 in state and 8th in the NATION! Ppl could say what they want to say, its not fair to them that it rains and the game is called! How could such ppl do that!? Mcallister ALWAYS gets there lucky breaks and Mcallister has been fixing there bats the past 3 or 4 years! What cheaters, Del Mar is the best team! Mcallister didnt win! The rain won for them!
27788316Del Mar. said on Saturday, Aug 15 at 3:08 AM
Mccallister doesnt have anything on Delmar, Delmar beat them 18-3 in a plain old tournament. Delmar is a very good team, # 3 in state and 8th in the NATION! Ppl could say what they want to say, its not fair to them that it rains and the game is called! How could such ppl do that!? Mcallister ALWAYS gets there lucky breaks and Mcallister has been fixing there bats the past 3 or 4 years! What cheaters, Del Mar is the best team! Mcallister didnt win! The rain won for them!:@
27788302laredo said on Saturday, Aug 15 at 1:13 AM
hey no hard feelings wish u luck but u guys went up in 1 inning at regionals what makes u think we couldnt and i think we could have won that game
27787354unknown said on Saturday, Aug 15 at 1:06 AM
ohhh sure you dont shave your bats thats why one of your friends betrayed you guys and your big headed coach and told us and even proved to us that you guys shave your bats "MCALLISTER" the whole state tournament knew about it even the umpires
27787254.......... said on Saturday, Aug 15 at 12:54 AM
b the the way our best hitter was about 2 hit and that pitcher was nothing 4 us
27787114game over said on Friday, Aug 14 at 5:03 PM
Del Mar's loss to McCallister was fair by all means. Your coaches should know the rules by heart. You all need to stop crying and accept that you all were beat by a better team. Look at it this way, at least you all were beat by the best team from the South West region. Suck it up and move on. p.s. It's okay to have goals but next time make sure those goals can be realistically reached.Don't look for excuses if you don't succeed. Sorry you had to cancel your Willamsport reservations. Game over!
27774648San Antonio said on Friday, Aug 14 at 2:28 PM
You say that is bad sportmanship cause the way the game end it, in what way? You nor I can predict what mother nature is going to do. Just cause my coach is looking out for my kid and calls time-out and time runs out, Oh well!! I guess you can call that bad sportmanship for looking out for the kids.
27767422anyf said on Thursday, Aug 13 at 11:35 PM
personally i never supported del mar nor mccallister at fortworth .... but chill out mccallister ..all kids are saying is that it wasnt fair the game didnt end the right way ..they never said mccallister were no good ..as part of the little league organiztion, that is just bad sportmanship.
27731472San Antonio said on Thursday, Aug 13 at 10:48 PM
Say What Del Mar? Bridge City also had 2 ruuners on base no out and did they score NO!!!! So what make you think you would of beat us that why you are at home watching us on T.V. still balling.
27730168San Antonio said on Thursday, Aug 13 at 10:40 PM
Explain how you can shave a bat if you say they did cause they can hit the ball and you all couldn't.Don't the ump's check your equipment before each game.Be the bigger person and except your lost. You all said this was the Year I think NOT!!!! GO SW Regional Champions
27729886nnnn said on Thursday, Aug 13 at 10:33 PM
del mar was about to beat them
27729712........... said on Thursday, Aug 13 at 10:31 PM
yeah but something everybody should know mcallister park cheaters shave their bats they fix them
27729633Check it out said on Thursday, Aug 13 at 9:30 PM
Congratulation McAllister first State Champs and now Southwest Regional Champs next Little League World Champs. Great job and Good Luck in Meca I mean Williamsport, PA.
27726974UnitedLonghorn said on Thursday, Aug 13 at 9:12 PM
I just finish watching a coach that had the out most respect and confinent for his players. He started a pitcher that probably wasn't his aces in a chanpionship game and then put in a player that started the bench and came and did his job. That is coach that knows his players.
27725991UnitedLonghorn said on Thursday, Aug 13 at 6:51 PM
There you go again don't hate cause they are going to come out in ESPN2 and you aren't. win or lose McAllister is a better team. Soooooo let's GO McAllister!!!!!!!!!!!
27719468anonymous said on Thursday, Aug 13 at 4:41 PM
mcallister is going to make a shame of themselves today in front of the whole world
27714818state champs said on Thursday, Aug 13 at 4:37 PM
McAllister its worser than texas east
27714687truly concern said on Wednesday, Aug 12 at 11:01 PM
del mar board i know that you all have had a lot of feed back on what happen at state this year maybe you should really sit down and think about sending the kids that really deserve to represent del mar and get coaches that got you there in the first place by making kids play for the coach.Let's get the coaches that really care for the kids not about their personal agenda. Mr. Rosas let's make things right again and make it fun for the kids and let's get back to state and win this time around!!!
27678058Check it out said on Wednesday, Aug 12 at 10:52 PM
What ever that why McAllister is still playing and you all aren't. Don't blame it on the rain just cause you beat them once you all though you were going to beat them again. Wake up and smell the coffee want be STATE CHAMPION.
27677803catcher said on Wednesday, Aug 12 at 10:28 PM
del mar is a better team than them and you freakin rednecks know it
27677019state champs said on Wednesday, Aug 12 at 10:26 PM
state champs del mar was a frekin better team than mcallister we could beat them anytime and we were going 2 beat them but it started raining
27676953state champs said on Wednesday, Aug 12 at 10:25 PM
del mar was a frekin better team than mcallister we could beat them anytime and we were going 2 beat them but it stared raining
27676899Check it out said on Wednesday, Aug 12 at 7:29 PM
Tune to ESPN2 tomorrow and see the State Champion McAllister Texas West play against Texas East live. Way to go McAllister you are a true CHAMPION.
27669644UnitedLonghorns said on Tuesday, Aug 11 at 7:40 PM
Welcome to the world of baseball JC and CR. Turn the table around and put yourself in McAllister shoes is it fair now?
27615414JC said on Tuesday, Aug 11 at 5:47 PM
If each and every individual who commented out of anger, revenge, or maybe even racism calls themselves a son's of God, shame on you, God Bless You
27610772carlos ramos said on Tuesday, Aug 11 at 4:11 PM
I'm in the Del Mar Baseball team and I think that the game that we played with McAllister wasn't fair
27606354smart........ said on Friday, Aug 7 at 5:14 PM
Your right cause a kid could go and play the game everyday and give it his all and more but, if you get down to it it is all about Who you know,Politics and Money just to make it and say my kid plays Del Mar Allstar Team....
27447699A coach said on Friday, Aug 7 at 4:18 PM
You all can point fingers, say bad things, and call people bad names, and blame everyone, when things don't go your way. There are a million other towns and cities, that strive for a State Championship, and yet fall short. it's the fight and the heart of the kids, that really matteers, when it's all said and done. But remember this... There will always politics and it will always be about the money, no matter where you live, or what sport you play. We do it, cause we love the kids, and the game.
27445429UnitedLonghorn said on Friday, Aug 7 at 1:07 AM
The talent's there, but I think sometimes the Coaches exploit it to their advantage only, and I agree, it's not about the kids anymore.
27416044The Keeper said on Thursday, Aug 6 at 9:57 PM
Nothing is ever "for the kids" anymore. Right?
27411997Smart...... said on Wednesday, Aug 5 at 9:55 PM
I guess after reading this article you can established that the McAllister coaching staff were looking out for their kids not like the Del Mar coaches cause even after one of their kids got hurt in the 3rd inning while still raining the Del Mar coach could have stop the game but did he NO!!!What goes around comes around so just stop the whining and admit your fault coach.God does work in mysterious ways.And by the way there is no such thing as CO-CHAMPIONS in STATE.GOOD LUCK McAllister
27362733Unfairly....... said on Wednesday, Aug 5 at 9:36 PM
Speak for yourself coach. Maybe if you would get off your high horse you would see the light up head alot brighter.Blame yourself coach!! You got the team you want and it yet you still weren't able to accomplished the mission again.Unfair you say I don't think so.
27361877Anonymous said on Wednesday, Aug 5 at 8:59 PM
Del Mar All Star 12yrs old, have what their want and deserve, the same coach Alejandro Aguilar (HERO)for his 3rd consecutive year have been stright out in State tournament,he must be OUT!!base on his lack of performance and leadership he is not able to lead the team to the next step .LAredo Del Mar All Stars need a fresh full of knwoledge and willigness to extrive for exellence and build a TEAM!! not a spoild kinds.have the best plaers base on performance not in personal compromise and personal
27360514Lied to???? NOT!!! said on Wednesday, Aug 5 at 6:23 PM
Well Del Mar you say you all were lied to, now how does it feel to get a taste of your own medicine??? Just the way you all have lied to a lot of parents that have there kids in Del Mar Little League. According to you all the kids that make the All Star team was going to be based on stats, where are "those stats"? No one has ever seen them!! Coach Aguilar still got the kids that he wanted regardless of stats or votes. So I am glad you all feel lied to,"so you say" now you know how it feels!!!!
27356053Check it out said on Wednesday, Aug 5 at 4:53 PM
Is the "white" tennis player from Laredo the only Division 1 athlete from laredo in the last 5-10 years?all of the rest go to no names like tamiu ,lcc,texas-kingsville etc.penn state also needs good grades.Get used to losing now little league,there is plenty more on your horizon in laredo.
27352739Laredo Reality said on Wednesday, Aug 5 at 2:15 PM
To Laredo Reality(clever name),yes you know all.Only drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in hockey and the playing two years in the Montreal Expos system in AA would definitely not qualify as knowing how to spot talent.I'll bet you and your children are some great city of Laredo soccer league players."SOCCER IS NOT A SPORT".Playing with Gary Carter,Andre Dawson,Ellis Valentine and Warren Cromartie,I think I can safely speak more than anyone from Laredo on athletics.Any real sport vs. you,anytime.
27345058Athletic Wasteland said on Wednesday, Aug 5 at 2:00 PM
Laredo is a barren wasteland for athletics anyway.Has there ever been anyone from this town who has made it into the pros in any sport?This does not count soccer or boxing,two sports Americans do not care ANYTHING about,only Mexicans.I have seen enough to know that Laredo cannot compete in football,anytime they are not playing another Laredo high school thhey are destroyed,basketball ,too small.Yet Laredoans make up stories how they have all of these great ALL-AMERICANS.Have any played Div.1.
27344221wake up call said on Wednesday, Aug 5 at 9:59 AM
Get a life.....it seems to me people are over doing these situation when they have nothing to do with this....just let it be
27329461To Reality Laredo said on Wednesday, Aug 5 at 2:44 AM
get your facts straight before you speak, if you knew anything about baseball, you would know all the rules and legalities required to make it to the little league state tournament, you must have a child who sucks at sports or probably you think you were all that and never became anything- not even a soccer player
27316556wake up call said on Wednesday, Aug 5 at 12:11 AM
del mar has the talent.....they just need to be wiser in selecting the right coaches to coach the kids not cater to certain individuals.....The talent was there with these kids but once again it is a wake up call coaches!!!!!!!!! Rule books are given before the tournament starts!!!!!!!
27314159Get Over Yourself Laredo. said on Tuesday, Aug 4 at 12:14 PM
Lied to,no way Laredo could be out-lied.They are the masters of lying ,stealing,corruption and incest.In fact ,why not have Raul proclaim "Lie-Redo",the city of Champions as winners of the tournament and give them all a little trophy.They can go beg for stimulus money and have a celebration.
27284276Reality Laredo said on Tuesday, Aug 4 at 12:08 PM
Well it would not really matter,"the heart of the order " only scored 3 runs in the first 5 1/3 innings.What makes them think they were going to score any more?AppaRENTLY THE OTHER COACH WAS NOT TO AFRAID OF "THE HEART OF THE ORDER "EITHER.Now Laredo can take their fake birth certificates over to Mexico and try and get into the Mexican World Series.The team was probably full of illegal aliens anyway.Laredo needs to have their kids learn soccer,they will just get into high school and get beat bad
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