Episode Transcript
Growing up in the early 90s, R. J. McKenzie's life revolved around baseball. And in his hometown of Pomona, New York, it was all about Little League. Little League was like the thing. That's what we all look forward to. It was just the focal point of the community. That's where everybody went in the spring. And you lived and died with whatever...
Episode Description
Youth baseball — long a widely accessible American pastime — has become overrun by $10,000-per-year, for-profit travel leagues. Zachary Crockett peers inside the dugout.
- SOURCES:
- Linda Flanagan, author.
- Nick Mackenzie, future New York Yankees shortstop.
- R.J. Mackenzie, physical education teacher and baseball dad.
- John Miller, journalist and baseball coach.
- RESOURCES:
- "The Cost of Youth Baseball Is Getting Absurd," by Adam Minter (Bloomberg, 2024).
- "Perfect Game Sees Prosperity Thanks To New Investments In Youth Sports," by Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr. (Forbes, 2024).
- "How America Sold Out Little League Baseball," by John W. Miller (America Magazine, 2022).
- "In Youth Sports, Talent Helps but Money Rules," by Roman Stubbs (The Washington Post, 2022).
- Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids Sports and Why It Matters, by Linda Flanagan (2022).
- "State of Youth Sports: Parents, Policymakers Better Appreciate Physical Activity, Face Barriers to Help Kids Play," by Jon Solomon (The Aspen Institute, 2022).
- EXTRA:
- Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids Sports and Why It Matters, by Linda Flanagan (2022).