Parents Go to Bat for ‘Safety’ Baseball

I am appalled by Little League Commissioner Claudia Shea’s remarks concerning the use of the “safety” ball as a replacement for the conventional hardball (“ ‘Safety’ Ball Strikes Out in Laguna Niguel,” May 8). She asked, “What are we doing, raising a bunch of wimps here?”

My son was injured a year ago when a Little League coach hit him in the face with a ball during a practice game. He lost two permanent teeth, broke his nose, and had multiple lacerations on his face and mouth. I have learned through this accident that many coaches and Little League officials care little for the children that play the game or their safety and seem to be more concerned with enhancing their own egos through winning.

I believe this is evident by Ms. Shea’s remarks. Being safe has nothing to do with machismo, Ms. Shea! What’s next, Ms. Shea? Should we do away with those bothersome athletic cups, and what about those batting helmets? Get rid of them? And while you’re at it, tell those wimpy hockey players to stop wearing those protective pads and helmets.

If I were those Little League parents, I would be very concerned about a commissioner who equates being safe with “wimpiness.” For the children’s sake, don’t give up the fight for safer equipment.

JACKIE ARRIGO

Mission Viejo

* As a parent involved in Rancho Niguel Little League, I know that the kids themselves enjoy playing with the “safety ball” much more than the hardball, and shouldn’t that be the point, rather than arguing over the scientific method used in some study?

Besides, how much tradition can one have in machine pitch baseball games involving 8-year-olds?

I suggest a solution. Line up the Little League board, especially Claudia “No Wimps” Shea, let me fling a number of both the hardball and the RIF ball at them, and then they will be in a better position to give an opinion as to which ball is best to be struck by.

Why do these adults, supposedly representing the parents while organizing a sport for children, become so out of touch with the purpose of the game?

STEPHEN N. DIMOND

Laguna Niguel