Mookie Betts encountered significant challenges as a young player in Little League due to his small size and light weight. His mother, Diana Collins, shared with CNBC Make It how Betts’ stature kept him from joining a local Little League team in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, when he was just five years old—well before he signed a lucrative 12-year, $365 million extension with the LA Dodgers in 2018.
At the initial sign-up event, the coach declined to include Betts on the team, saying he required larger kids to balance out his roster. Collins recalled the coach’s words clearly:
“He said, ‘No, I don’t really think [so]. I really need some bigger kids. I’ve got enough small kids, and I’m trying to balance my team out,’” —Diana Collins, Mookie Betts’ mother
Despite approaching other teams, Collins and Betts met similar rejections, leaving the young Betts discouraged from playing a sport he loved. Collins tried to support him by urging the coaches to give him an opportunity.
“I said, ‘Give him a chance, because he really can play,’” —Diana Collins
Nonetheless, Betts felt unwanted and disheartened by the repeated refusals.
“He said, ‘Nobody wants to have me,’” —Diana Collins
“I’m like, ‘Oh no, you’re going to play.’ I looked over and all of these other kids had the same [discouraged] look. … other parents were kind of panicking that nobody wanted to play [their kids],” —Diana Collins
How Diana Collins Created a New Little League Opportunity
Seeing that Betts was not the only child left without a team, Collins used her past experience as a high school softball player to take action. She decided to form a new Little League team comprised of all the children who had been rejected by other teams. This initiative gave these kids a chance to play and enjoy the game.
“It’s kind of a little sad story, but we just gathered up everybody that nobody wanted and we just formed our own team,” —Diana Collins
“It didn’t matter, I wanted my kid to play ball,” —Diana Collins
Little League officials permitted the addition of a new team but required a coach to organize the players. Collins stepped up as coach, becoming the first to mentor Betts and several other children who had been left out.
Performance and Growth of Betts’ Team under Collins’ Leadership
The team’s first year was challenging, finishing last in the league. However, there were significant highlights, including a memorable victory against the team whose coach originally rejected Betts due to his size. Motivated by Collins, Betts delivered a standout play during this game by throwing from the outfield to cut off a runner before reaching base.
After that inaugural season, another coach took over, but Collins‘ efforts laid the foundation for Betts’ continued growth in baseball.
Her persistence and encouragement helped steer Betts away from discouragement toward a future as a respected Major League Baseball player, accumulating three World Series championships and winning an MVP award during his career.