Steroid scandals noticed by Little Leaguers

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) " Thirteen-year-old Nathan Gerard gripped his hands tightly as if he were clutching a baseball bat and mimicked the batting stance of his favorite player, New York Yankees' slugger Alex Rodriguez.

There's one chapter of A-Rod's career that he would rather not copy.

The Little Leaguer from Detroit doesn't call his idol a cheater after Rodriguez admitted earlier this year to using steroids, but the diminutive second baseman said, "I feel (he) did a bad thing by taking drugs."

The Major Leagues' steroids era has gotten the attention of baseball's next generation.

Put in perspective, chatter about steroid sagas is far less common in a Little League dugout than arguing about whether to get pizza or burgers after the game. But mention A-Rod, Manny Ramirez or Roger Clemens to some Little Leaguers, and they've heard all about it.

At a Memorial Day weekend tournament of Little League teams from urban areas held at the World Series complex in South Williamsport, youngsters had strong opinions just like other baseball fans.

They are disappointed in their heroes. They believe in second chances.

Jarrad Thompson, a chatty 12-year-old outfielder from the Houston South Central league, called Clemens his favorite player " even though the seven-time Cy Young winner hasn't pitched since 2007 with the Yankees.

"He retired didn't he?" Thompson asked.

Clemens hasn't officially retired. When he does, a 10-year personal services contract will take effect with the Astros; Clemens pitched in Houston from 2004-06.

Clemens is under investigation by a federal grand jury trying to determine whether the pitcher lied when he told a congressional committee that he had not used illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Clemens has denied that a former personal trainer injected him with steroids.

Trudging up the hill to the cafeteria after a game at Volunteer Stadium, Thompson said he was aware of Clemens' troubles after revealing that he loved the "Rocket."

"But I still like Clemens," he said. "You know, everyone needs a second chance. He messed up."

Later, on the other side of the Little League grounds, Seattle Central league players lounged on the floor and the cots of their dorm room after losing a morning game, looking like big leaguers taking a clubhouse break before the nightcap of a doubleheader.

Unsolicited, a couple of players started poking fun at Rodriguez.

"He left our team for money, now he's using steroids," said 11-year-old Harald Hyllseth, a second baseman, referring to the start of A-Rod's career with the Mariners.

"Cheater, cheater, pumpkin-eater," said 12-year-old Matt Gordon, a first baseman.

That's when coach Jeron "Bookie" Gates chimed in. Gates, who starred in high school baseball growing up in Seattle, went on to play a couple seasons in the minors.

His talkative players fell silent when Gates told them he had unknowingly used a banned substance while playing at Washington State. He said he stopped using the substance after he learned it was banned.

"We can point the finger at A-Rod. But he may not have known," Gates said. "He may not have known that what he was taking was a banned substance. But then again, he may know. We never know the full details."

Gates and other coaches said they don't often talk about the steroids scandal with their Little Leaguers. When it comes up, they view it as a teaching opportunity.

One such lesson came up when the dorm room conversation turned to Ramirez, the dreadlocked Dodgers star currently serving a 50-game suspension for using a banned drug.

"I thought Manny was clean," Gordon said.

Gates interrupted and used the Ramirez case as a primer to encourage his players to learn more about the dangers of using banned substances.

"It's unfortunate," Gates said in a nurturing voice. You "want to know what it will do for you as an individual, and even as a family, how it can destroy a family ... beyond the game of baseball."

Little League last year partnered with the "I Won't Cheat Foundation," which was founded by two-time National League MVP Dale Murphy with the goal of eliminating steroids and other banned performance-enhancing drugs from sports. Little League players in the World Series wore "I Won't Cheat" patches, and all leagues this season could voluntarily sign up for the pledge.

The program, Keener said, "will make an initial impression on kids. ... What they need to do is know they are doing something wrong."

It's a philosophy favored by Sean Murphy, one of Nathan Gerard's coaches at the THINK Detroit PAL Northwest. While Murphy hasn't had to talk specifically about big-league steroids issues with his Little Leaguers, he tries to offer broader lessons that can be applied to sports and beyond. One key message: Role models won't always live up to expectations.

"You have to look at those who are (role models) and distinguish the good and the bad," Murphy said. "When you do things against the rules, it doesn't matter who you are."