We all know the famous quote by former Packers coach Vince Lombardi. “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing”. In today’s world of youth sports, some adult coaches are adopting and believing in that philosophy. However, some coaches may be pushing that motto a little too hard on their players and may be crossing the line when it comes to legality and ethics. The latest incident, involving a young boy recovering from a brain tumor, has made national news.

Earlier this summer, on June 23 in Bountiful, Utah — a place seemingly delivered from the mind of a sentimental screenwriter — a similar scenario presented itself. In the final inning of the Mueller Park Mustang League 10-and-under championship game against the Yankees, the Red Sox’s Romney Oaks found himself at the plate with two outs and the tying run on third base. Oaks is a frail boy whose growth was stunted by a malignant cranial tumor at the age of 4. How frail? Not knowing what his prospects for recovery were, the Make-A-Wish Foundation arranged for Romney and his family to visit the President of the United States last year.

He has recovered. Still, years of chemotherapy and radiation, a steady dose of human growth hormone and a shunt in his brain have ruled out contact sports — Romney was allowed to play baseball only if he wore a batting helmet in the outfield –but here was his chance to be the unlikely hero.

After he conferred with assistant Shaun Farr, Yankees coach Bob Farley elected to intentionally walk Jordan Bleak — the Red Sox’s best hitter, who already had thumped a home run and a triple — to get to Romney.
Romney, who had managed only two hits in a dozen previous games, never had a chance. With two strikes, tears already filling his eyes, he swung weakly. His bat hit nothing but air. And so, the Yankees won.

Was the play legal? Of course. Was it ethical? No, and that’s where the problem lies. Everyone knew this kid was not a good ballplayer and stood a slim chance of succeeding in the situation he was in. The Yankees knew that if they chose to pitch to Oaks instead of Bleak, they would more than likely win the championship. That being said, you as a manager have to do what you feel is right for your players and your team. However, in this case, winning may not be as important as playing the game the right way.

Coaches of little league ballplayers not only teach their team how to swing a bat and throw a ball, but they also teach them about life and how to act, not so much how to win. Let’s not kid ourselves, it was a 10-and-under league. How much could winning really matter to these kids? All they care about is going out and having fun with their friends and if they happen to succeed in the process, so be it. While the coach of the Yankees wanted to win and legally did nothing wrong as far as the rules go, it almost seems like he cheated in a sense. He took the easy road out instead of facing the challenge of the Red Sox’ best hitter.

What kind of message does that send to the players? What he is ultimately telling his players is that when they are confronted with a difficult situation in life, don’t work to reach what you strive for but take the easy way out. That’s what the Yankees manager did and that’s the wrong lesson to be sending young kids. If he truly wanted to teach his players the right way to win, he would have done nothing and had his pitcher throw to their best hitter. You don’t walk him to face the much less skilled boy just because he is perceived to be an easy out. The championship victory shouldn’t feel like one that was completely earned and is now tainted forever. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. That’s a much better message isn’t it?

Little league coaches these days are putting entirely too much merit on winning and individual accomplishment. Their egos get in the way of allowing the young players a fun experience on field, which is really what is all about for these kids. While the Yankees did win the game, their coach is going to have to live with his controversial decision.