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I know it is off topic as a sport but I thought it is a note worthy article for discussion.

Boy barred from field hockey team


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Updated Apr 26, 2012 6:13 AM ET


SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y.

Keeling Pilaro is one of the best field hockey players in Southampton, N.Y., and one of the best in his division -- but he is not allowed to play on his high school team because he is too good.





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Keeling is all of about 4-foot-8 and 82 pounds, but when he picks up a field hockey stick he is a star -- or at least he was the last two years he played on Southampton High School's varsity team. That is exactly why he is not allowed to play this year.

The 13-year-old is the only boy playing on an all-girls team. After two years, Section XI -- which oversees Suffolk County's high school sports -- determined that as a boy, Keeling is such an impressive player, he is "having a significant adverse effect on some of his opposing female players ... the rules state he would be allowed to play if he wasn't the dominant player."

Keeling said he is not the best player but also not the worst. He said some girls are faster and stronger and can beat him one-on-one.

But Section XI's executive director, Ed Cinelli, told FOX's WNYW, "As a sport it's a girls sport. When a boy plays, it leads the way for other male players to come in and take over."

Keeling learned to play the sport in Ireland, where it is a men's sport too. He, his parents, and his teammates are not taking the committee's decision lightly and the Long Island boy's fight is not over yet.

He may have lost his bid and initial appeal, but he is going back again for a final time May 15. If he wins that, he will be allowed back on the field. If not, he may never play in that town again.

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His fight is over. Maybe they modify some rules to let him play during the regular season. Deal.


Bill DeWitt
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How is a boy playing a girls sport any different than when a girl wants to play football?

I know boys are bigger, stronger, etc. but everyone wants a "fair" shake, but not when it doesn't benefit them.


Alex R. Ryan
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Originally Posted By: Bronco Wrestler
How is a boy playing a girls sport any different than when a girl wants to play football?

I know boys are bigger, stronger, etc. but everyone wants a "fair" shake, but not when it doesn't benefit them.


You are a Russell grad, therefore you are smart enough to know the answer on your own. This question should not even have to be asked since you answered your own question. Boys are bigger, stronger etc. so it will never be "fair" where being bigger, stronger, etc. is a characteristic directly tied to success.

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4'8" 82 pounds doesn't seem to be bigger or stronger than girls but he is no doubt faster than all the girls.

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I would like to see boys be allowed to play fast pitch softball with the girls. Don't think boys size or spped would affect a coed team. I grew up in the 50s and boys and mens fast pitch was huge. Home town park department had league play 6 nights per week to accomodate almost 300 mens teams. Many small high schools palyed boys fast pitch. Most small towns had two or three teams, or at least a town team. Then came slow pitch! Slow pitch is for fat guy beer drinkers--hate to
call it a sport. Missouri still has a boys state fast pitch softball tournament--all small schools that probably do not play football.

Boys playing on girls soccer or volleyball teams would certainly be a mismatch.

Last edited by WillyM; 04/29/12 03:11 PM.

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