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.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
April 3, 2023
Reached 100 supporters
April 3, 2023
186 Comments
I am 100% behind this petition! This is not only my opinion as a parent of 2 boys, but it is my professional opinion as a physical education teacher of middle school and high school students for 38 years and a coach!
Let him play - should be based on age, not grades (like in soccer). If they can allow for children being "held" back then it absolutely should allowed for "going ahead" - why blame the child for being smart/gift!!
Academically it shouldn't matter. His age puts him at the middle school level. Kids who are homeschooled are allowed to play with kids in their age bracket and most of the homeschooled kids are technically grades higher.
This too happened to me in Nashua when I was a kid. I was allowed to play based off my age, not my grade. I was a successful player right up through high school with great memories! Please reconsider.
Connor should have the opportunity to play with kids his own age, for physical safety, as well as being in a socially and emotionally healthier environment. He should not be penalized for his academic achievements.
If anyone should play baseball, it’s your son. He’ll learn from the best!
Little league sports has always been by age. This decision does not make sense. Common sense tells us that the child's age is what makes these children eligible to play with each other. Seems like there might be some other reason that a decision like this was made.
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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.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
April 3, 2023
Reached 100 supporters
April 3, 2023
186 Comments
Hi Dr. because he is ACADEMICALLY advanced doesn’t not mean he is PHYSICALLY advanced enough to safely play with the high school team. Having him do so could result in servere to even deadly consequences to his health
I am 100% behind this petition! This is not only my opinion as a parent of 2 boys, but it is my professional opinion as a physical education teacher of middle school and high school students for 38 years and a coach!
Let him play - should be based on age, not grades (like in soccer). If they can allow for children being "held" back then it absolutely should allowed for "going ahead" - why blame the child for being smart/gift!!
Academically it shouldn't matter. His age puts him at the middle school level. Kids who are homeschooled are allowed to play with kids in their age bracket and most of the homeschooled kids are technically grades higher.
This too happened to me in Nashua when I was a kid. I was allowed to play based off my age, not my grade. I was a successful player right up through high school with great memories! Please reconsider.
Connor should have the opportunity to play with kids his own age, for physical safety, as well as being in a socially and emotionally healthier environment. He should not be penalized for his academic achievements.
If anyone should play baseball, it’s your son. He’ll learn from the best!
Little league sports has always been by age. This decision does not make sense. Common sense tells us that the child's age is what makes these children eligible to play with each other. Seems like there might be some other reason that a decision like this was made.
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Hi Dr. because he is ACADEMICALLY advanced doesn’t not mean he is PHYSICALLY advanced enough to safely play with the high school team. Having him do so could result in servere to even deadly consequences to his health