SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Parents say their kids aren't getting a fair shake when it comes to playing football. And when the league was unresponsive they turned to ABC 4 to take action.
The controversy has to do with weight limits. If a kid weighs more than a certain amount in little league football the rules say the player is not allowed to carry the ball, but this year the rules have changed in one league and parents and coaches say it's putting the kids at risk.
Coach Percy Pearson says this year is going to be a bit tougher for his squad this year.
At the beginning of the season all the players had to weigh in. Any kid who weigh more than 100 pounds got and "X" taped on their helmet. The "X" means they're forbidden from carrying the football.
The idea is to avoid a larger kid from hurting a small kid. Most kids missed by just a pound or two. ABC 4 talked to several parents who say their children weighed in at barely over 100 pounds and they think their kids should have a second chance to weigh in and have the "X" removed.
According to the league's own by-laws, the kids should get that chance. Rule 13.5 reads, "there may be a weigh in of "X'ed" players...to give them the opportunity to have the "X" removed."
This year the players are not being given that chance. "Only 10 to 12 kids made weight. So about six skilled players for about two teams and they said we have to learn with that," said Pearson.
Mom's like Tanira Goins are worried about safety for her son, "I feel like he deserves somewhat of a break especially with this being his first year."
Mike Wiley is the President of the UTE Football League. He says the rule allowing kids to weigh in a second time changed more than a year ago. He says the fact that it's still here in the rule book is a typo. "It was a misprint. You find a misprint in about everything you do...unfortunately it happened here. It's an unfortunate situation and I personally feel bad about it," said Wiley.
If it really is all about the kids, is this rule change really fair to those who do want a chance to carry the ball? "Is it fair? No comment," said Wiley.
The league does say that after hearing all these concerns they will consider raising the weight limits for kids next year.
