Mullen: Oh, the games adults play with their children's sports

By Maureen Mullen

Item Sports Editor

I am a firm believer in the benefits of youth sports. Many of us who are long past playing youth or organized sports have some of our fondest memories wrapped in those times.

The advantages are undeniable and beyond question. Learning to be part of team. Showing up on time. Realizing that others are counting on you. Leadership. Commitment. Sportsmanship. How to work toward a common goal. Pushing yourself beyond what you thought were your limitations. How to win – and lose – with dignity.

Many of these lessons will serve kids well throughout their lives, well beyond the time most are done actually playing organized sports.

And then there are some lessons kids will learn that are tougher to take, but no less meaningful.

We saw one example of that earlier this week when the Lynn Chargers Spartan division team – made up of fifth- and sixth-graders – was stripped of its Northeastern Conference Youth Football League title because an ineligible player was on its roster for the entire season.

There is still much to be sorted out in this issue. Why did the issue not come to light at some point earlier in the season? The player has participated in the NECYFL for several seasons. Why was the situation not addressed in previous seasons? Which adults knew what and when did they know it?

The issue has also been wrapped in abhorrent accusations of favoritism, classism and racism. It’s ugly all around.

The bottom line, though, seems to be adults messed up and kids paid the price. Again.

I’m sure there are many good, well-meaning, hard-working, altruistic adults involved in the NECYFL. Just as there are in almost every organization. Unfortunately, though, it’s times like these when the adults with questionable motives get more attention, obscuring the spotlight that should be given to those who volunteer countless hours of their time, with little expectations beyond having fun and helping kids.

I truly believe the good outnumber the bad.

The Item has decided not to name the child involved in this particular situation. Yes, many of those involved already know his name. But, he’s a minor. And he will likely live with this – one way or another – for the rest of his life.

Doubt it? Remember Danny Almonte? Of course, you do. Just about everyone does.

It’s been more than a decade since Almonte became the poster boy for kids in youth sports who are manipulated by adults with ulterior motives. More than 13 years since he played in the 2001 Little League World Series – blowing away batter after batter after batter with a dazzling array of pitches – despite being too old, in a scheme reportedly engineered by his coach and his father.

More than 13 years. And yet Danny Almonte’s name is never far from our collective consciousness. Does anyone remember the name of his coach or father? No. It was the kid who has had to live with it and who has had to pay the price.

“They always say that I’m the cheater guy,” Almonte said in an emotional Grantland.com “30-for-30” short film in August.

“At one time, I wanted to disappear…It was hard for me.”

And it should be heartbreaking for us all to hear. He was just a kid.

The coach, by the way, was Rolando Paulino; the father is Felipe Almonte.

Danny Almonte went on to college and is now an assistant baseball coach at a high school in New York City. He has made amends with his father. He has done his best to move past the scandal.

Hopefully, these kids will move past what happened to them this week. And learn from it.

But, will the adults?

Maureen Mullen is the Item sports editor. She can be reached at mmullen@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MaureenAMullen.

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