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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| DecaturDad |
Posted - 11/08/2011 : 21:52:04
I have read on here that 12u does not matter when it comes to playing college or beyond. So, what age does matter? If a kid really does have the raw talent to make it past high school, what is the age that matters?
All of us hope our kids have the talent it takes. But we also know that most of them will not play past high school. that tells me that fun should be a high priority.
I also hear from some people that it is never too early to get top training.
So, what age do you think is the best age to really prepare for the next level?
(yes, the season is winding down, and I am getting bored.) |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Hurricane |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 16:42:15
I think it matters for each player at different times. A kid can take tons of lessons and know baseball inside and out and end up being one of the best players until puberty hits. Then he may be left behind some of the faster bigger and stronger kids who don't know the game as well or who don't have the best mechanics. Some kids like the private lessons some could do without them. Some want to train all the time some don't. At the high school level a lot will depend on how much they train, hustle and do things that make them more valuable. Good coaches will pick the smaller player that will hustle and be a bullpen catcher or pinch run, or be the utility guy. Bad coaches wont even give this kid a look. At 15 if a kid is a super stud he could get looks by major league scouts. About 1 or 2 of these players exist per year. Back to the original question, when does it matter. I think for the player it matters every game. Just might not matter as much to them as it does the parents. |
| EastsideBB |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 11:25:50
I would say at 16. My son started travel ball at 13 but if we had to do it all over again he would have waited until he was 14 to play on the big field. I believe at 16 its more projectable to where they may play at the next level - Division 1 to Division 3 college baseball. I would not spend a lot of money on training until then because at 12 and below you or them really do not know if they want to pursue the sport at the next level.
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| beanball |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 10:54:18
If you're thinking beyond HS ball you start serious training when you get to the full size field. There are too many variables before that you cannot determine ie; size or speed & arm strength. Once you get to the full size field and your player can master that then its time to think of serious training.
One thing that has been my experience is that all the pitching or hitting instruction is good but what is more valuable is strength and conditions training. My son added 5mph on his fastball simply by working on explosion/acceleration training.
He'll be in the low 90's as a 17U player. |
| momshell |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 10:26:45
Rippit makes some great points. I know that mine started at 12 and we wish we had started at 11. We now have a kid on our team who is playing his first travel season. He is very athletic, but it will take him all season to catch up with the other kids on the team. Never underestimate the value of high baseball IQ.
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| rippit |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 08:42:00
I think no matter what age you start "training", please do it with someone who is teaching the right things and not just reinforcing bad habits. I see a LOT of Dads saying they can coach their son (hitting and pitching) and they are doing it badly.
As for age, I believe playing enough games helps you gain the experience needed and with good coaching, the skills needed. That being said, when a boy reaches puberty (or around the age of 13), the aches and pains that come along with it, the clumsiness etc. all need to be addressed to help that boy deal with the changes and not lose his confidence. It's still too early to put him on an all out weight training program, but there are many things you can do without using heavy weights.
We avoid the cattle call speed/agility programs that just herd players in of all ages without any regard for the sport they play or the individual athlete. We opt for small groups.
Training: it's about the long term, and should be approached that way. If I gain 50 lbs. over the course of a year, I cannot expect to get rid of that weight in a month. If your son developed something in his swing at 8,9,10,11 etc. that's holding him back on the big field at 13, it will take more than a session or two with a top hitting coach to correct it. Invest the time. It pays back huge dividends. I'm not talking about money either...
Same goes for pitching. We've seen many kids in the last year develop sore elbows/shoulders and some serious injuries because after all these years of being the stud pitcher, they hit puberty and because the injury forced them to see a sports med doc, did they realize the kid had lousy pitching mechanics. I'm not joking either.
Dads: continue to volunteer to coach your son's teams, but hire a professional (even if you are one!) to coach your son privately. He'll love you long time for that! (said in my best Bob Marley voice...)
And you mentioned the season winding down. This is the BEST time to do all the above. Off season is where you learn new things. In season is where you put them to good use. My son knows that when he's in the facility working out hitting, pitching or running ladders/ropes etc., that he's going to blow the kid of the field who is currently playing MW3 in his basement. |
| AllStar |
Posted - 11/09/2011 : 08:04:51
quote:
Originally posted by DecaturDad
I have read on here that 12u does not matter when it comes to playing college or beyond. So, what age does matter? If a kid really does have the raw talent to make it past high school, what is the age that matters?
All of us hope our kids have the talent it takes. But we also know that most of them will not play past high school. that tells me that fun should be a high priority.
I also hear from some people that it is never too early to get top training.
So, what age do you think is the best age to really prepare for the next level?
(yes, the season is winding down, and I am getting bored.)
My son started playing Travel at 11, mostly to start to get ready for HS. More practice, more games, better competition. We got his first hitting lesson at 12, mostly to prep for a State Tournament and Cooperstown. First pitching lesson at 13 because that's when he really decided he wanted to be a pitcher.
Now that he is in High School, he's enjoying that experience and not even worried about the next level. Yet.
I guess my point is 12 is probably early to be looking "past high school", but not too early to plant and tend to the seeds for making his HS team.
Don't be in a big hurry. It will be over too quickly as it is. Enjoy this year (12 is one of the best) and look one step ahead.
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