I along with the names below, petition to have the 2018 Little League Age Determination ruling thrown out or pushed back to the 2020 season. As understood by those signing this petition, the age determination change pushes 13 year olds, just turning or have been 13 along with countless other kids across multiple countries, out of 1 year of baseball. This petition allowes a couple different looks at the future of Little League. Please allow this lengthy & heartfelt plea. There will now be young 11 year olds having to complete their one and only chance at 12 year old world series. Cheating them out of the now 4 years to compete for districts and state and replacing it with 3. The fact that a young 8 year old who is/was competitive, now skipping the 8 year old league thrown into 9/10 year old kid pitch, where will now be the bench kid, the sometimes outfielder, not able to grow as a player. Or the young 8 year old who struggled even in the 7's division thrown into 9/10's to be the bench kid, the sometimes outfielder not able to grow. These kids now embarrassed, frustrated, confused, bored and discouraged. The kids that now learn nothing and quit. You have to consider the mental & physical. Little League's decision only considers the physical. Now think about the coaches & the kids. Growing up with this baseball family. This is Little League, not travel ball. We are here as volunteers, role models, for the love of kids & passion of the game. Enforcing the age determination prior to 2020, is a DIVORCE. These kids have been playing together for anywhere up to 5 years, coached by the same 1-5 or so coaches. Some kids knowing their coach more than their parents in some cases. Loved by them. I ask you to revisit your Little League expierence. The coach that changed your life in even the smallest of ways. The coach you remain close to today, that sends you birthday & Christmas cards every year until you reach highschool. Who gave you your first glove or bat, the one who taught you the meaning of team, hardwork, to set goals. The man or woman who in some ways replaced a missing parent or grandparent. The first person who saw something special when maybe no one else had. These are bonds & relationships already formed that will be ripped away by this decision. Little League has always been more than just the game of ball. It's been about sportsmanship, team work, leadership, play, learning, fun, education, respect, work ethic, hopes & dreams! Little League is a staple of a childs memory, please continue to let it be. Please postpone this decision until 2020. It makes sense as no age group will be affected. As this change in rule applies to 2014's tee ball teams only.

Signed,

Coach, Parent, Community Volunteer