A DETAILED LOOK AT LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL: WHY ARE THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS DROPPING OFF?

With spring right around the corner and with the Major League Baseball lockout finally resolved, our thoughts instinctively turn to the first rite of spring - that being Little League Baseball. The sport has been an American favorite and a cherished pastime since the 1950s - and kids everywhere can’t wait to get their team jersey, caps, bat, and glove, and get ready to play.

But is that really true? According to recent reports, the enrollment in LL Baseball has been steadily dropping on a 3% basis on an annual basis for more than a decade. Whether this drop off is due to travel teams attracting the better LL players to their leagues, or because kids today find baseball to be too slow and too difficult a sport to master, the simple reality is that in many American towns, LL Baseball is beginning to lose its popularity.

In addition, there are other lingering issues regarding the game, including worries about arm injuries due to overuse or by young kids throwing too many curves and sliders. And trying to figure out what kind of bat is okay to use can be most complicated.

On today’s show, long-time WFAN Sports Edge contributor and attorney Steve Kallas provides an in-depth look at LL Baseball and where it is today. Take a listen: The Sports Edge with Rick Wolff