UPDATE: The board reversed its decision and allowed Connor to continue his tryout. After the conclusion of his tryout the coach decided, based on his merit as a baseball player, that he made the team. He practiced with the middle school team yesterday afternoon and Connor was all smiles as a result.

I want to sincerely thank everyone for their support of Connor. If you shared - please spread the word!

Connor Mills is a 13 year old boy who lives in Milford, NH and loves to play baseball. In almost every regard he is on the same level as his age related peers save one: he is also an academically gifted child who, through hard work, has gotten two years ahead and is currently enrolled as a freshman at a private school.

Connor was excited to try out for his towns middle school team as his private school does not have a baseball team. Originally he was allowed to begin tryouts but on the second day he received word from the board of the Tri-County League that he was an ineligible player due only to the fact that he is enrolled as a 9th grader and not in 5th-8th grade. He was crushed. Connor is a 7th grader by age.

While the by-laws of the league allow for student-athletes who have been held back for academic reasons to continue to play at the middle school level the board claims their by-laws do not allow Connor to play at the middle school level. He would have to play at the high school level, a prospect that his parents find to be inappropriate at the least and quite possibly dangerous for him.

The fact that Connor is registered as a 9th grader despite being a 7th grader by age is the ONLY reason resulting in his ineligibility. It has nothing to do with the fact that he attends a private school or was previously homeschooled as this is allowed under the by-laws.

Connor’s parents are vigorously challenging the board and attempting to get this determination reversed. By signing this petition you agree that Connor should not be punished for his academic success and request that the board reverse its flawed decision and immediately allow Connor Mills to be rostered onto the Milford Middle School baseball team. He should play ball with kids his own age.