Hey All,
I coached the 12u Tallmadge team that went to the World Series last year and I can assure you that the coach was afraid to play the Iowa team again and that is why he did what he did. HOWEVER you feel, the rules of Little League international state that you cannot make a travesty of the game, and must play fair and strive to win. That is the way they govern softball, it is different than travel ball but it is a great system. All of those teams were flown in to Oregon, fed (10 days), put in a hotel (10 days), given 2016 makos, Russel uniforms, helmets and catchers gear, etc....all free of charge...coaches too! BUT you play by their rules ( that they had been playing by all year). Whether you agree or disagree, that coach knew it and broke the rules. What is he saying to those girls by his actions of 1) telling them that even though they beat Iowa once, they were afraid to play them possibly in the championship again, and 2) It's okay to bend the rules if you don't get caught! That coach is the new Black sheep of their town and will get run out. The girls paid the biggest price! What a shame.