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Posted - 07/09/2014 : 10:11:38
Hi we are moving in from Ohio. I have spoken with a number of very kind coaches with obvious depth of knowledge regarding the game and the boys. My son is hung up on "playing with his grade" as he does here, but it seems the trend may be to "play with your age" in GA? He turned 11 on May 31 and thus by age should play 11U next season. He played 11U here this year, and will be in 6th grade in the fall. I'd love to hear opinions from all of you on the inside. Thank you so much in advance. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| KeithB |
Posted - 07/06/2015 : 12:08:43
My son had a pretty good season at 9U (he'll be 9 in 3 weeks, going to 4th grade). He batted 1 or 2 all season, played all but 1st and OF in the field, had a ~.470 on base, and only struck out ~5 times in ~75 at bats. Put the ball in play almost every time, regardless of the level of the team we played. Getting ready for 10U fall ball. |
| Mets69 |
Posted - 09/25/2014 : 17:00:01
Play with your age until he goes through puberty. Then play with your grade. |
| KeithB |
Posted - 09/25/2014 : 10:39:10
quote:
Originally posted by KeithB
quote:
Originally posted by Kmk72
play with your grade IMO as well.. not going to help much playing on a team where you kid is going into HS and his teammates are going into 8th.
KeithB, I had the same issue "your son needs more power" and got that from several coaches at the 8U level...I watched a to of 8U travel this season and "Power" was never a reason why a team won or lost. It was fundamentals and baseball IQ and "Power" doesnt teach you that. Im glad your son found a home!
Thanks Kmk72. I'm sure there are a lot of kids fighting that same battle, being a little smaller. Thanks for sharing. We'll see how he does. What he needed is time and coaching to get better, and this opportunity is providing that. I'll keep you posted.
So things are going well so far. We played that team rippit, but they beat us! I am sure we'll get another shot. LOL. The coach actually emailed me and said it was nice to see my son leading off and playing short. So just wanted to make a point here. Derek Jeter has a late June 1974 b-day, and graduated in 1992, which means he played with his grade, at least in HS. I would be curious what level he played as a young boy. Many kids these days wouldn't have started school. |
| KeithB |
Posted - 08/04/2014 : 19:09:01
quote:
Originally posted by Kmk72
play with your grade IMO as well.. not going to help much playing on a team where you kid is going into HS and his teammates are going into 8th.
KeithB, I had the same issue "your son needs more power" and got that from several coaches at the 8U level...I watched a to of 8U travel this season and "Power" was never a reason why a team won or lost. It was fundamentals and baseball IQ and "Power" doesnt teach you that. Im glad your son found a home!
Thanks Kmk72. I'm sure there are a lot of kids fighting that same battle, being a little smaller. Thanks for sharing. We'll see how he does. What he needed is time and coaching to get better, and this opportunity is providing that. I'll keep you posted. |
| Kmk72 |
Posted - 08/04/2014 : 12:51:55
play with your grade IMO as well.. not going to help much playing on a team where you kid is going into HS and his teammates are going into 8th.
KeithB, I had the same issue "your son needs more power" and got that from several coaches at the 8U level...I watched a to of 8U travel this season and "Power" was never a reason why a team won or lost. It was fundamentals and baseball IQ and "Power" doesnt teach you that. Im glad your son found a home! |
| kugs |
Posted - 08/03/2014 : 22:48:18
I just talked to the coach, who is the owner of probably the top baseball academy around, and he said not to skip 13U. We were fortunate to get on a 13U major team for 2014/15 that plans to play up in some 14U tournaments. Maybe the best of both worlds? My son is going to have to catch up somewhere along the line, but not at the expense of 13U ball. BTW, what a great guy DP is for returning my call and giving me some friendly advice. |
| KeithB |
Posted - 08/03/2014 : 21:05:24
quote:
Originally posted by kugs
I've really enjoyed reading through this thread. A friend of mine told me one of the top coaches around is against skipping 13U ball and going to 14U. My son is is an upcoming 13U player and is hitting better than a lot of 14U players. He's also a rising 8th grader, so I'm thinking about 14U AAA instead of 13U Major. That way he'll have a year on the 60/90 field before freshman tryouts. Any thoughts on skipping 13U? He's a strong kid and seems to play well on the bigger field.
I would say go for it. It's a long enough season to work out the kinks, if there are any. I think the sooner the better to get kids with their grade. My son has been playing with his grade the entire time, so he doesn't know any different. We'll see how this season goes though. Still a lot to be seen. |
| kugs |
Posted - 08/03/2014 : 14:43:21
I've really enjoyed reading through this thread. A friend of mine told me one of the top coaches around is against skipping 13U ball and going to 14U. My son is is an upcoming 13U player and is hitting better than a lot of 14U players. He's also a rising 8th grader, so I'm thinking about 14U AAA instead of 13U Major. That way he'll have a year on the 60/90 field before freshman tryouts. Any thoughts on skipping 13U? He's a strong kid and seems to play well on the bigger field. |
| Critical Mass |
Posted - 08/01/2014 : 09:25:34
quote:
Originally posted by T13
Play your age..... All this junk people are saying about getting use to the big field is nuts.... Puberty takes care of the big field issue and for good players the size of the field is irrelevant. HOCO just won the 5A state title and they ALL played little league thru the age 12 with just an occasional travel tourney... Physically most kids aren't ready for the big field til the 10th grade anway (otherwise why don't we start all our kids swinging a -3 bbcor at 10 to get him ready!)
As i said in my post, the good or better players adjust and adapt and continue to play the game, the others fade away and play other sports or ride the pine when there is room on a roster. The dimensions do affect a significant portion of youth players as speed, power, hitting to ALL fields, pitching from 60'6" while hitting your spots and not walking guys and arm strength all matter at that level. You can hide a few at the HS level but the weaker players don't play ahead of better players (Insert daddy-ball/dumb head coach w/ misguided allegiance to said weak player comment here) For the record, i have a son who is not PROJECTIBLE regarding HT/WT for most D1 colleges and MLB teams and is a pitcher (because he struggled hitting around 14-15) who will play D1 baseball in the ACC in 2016. i know about the outliers who continue to grind and love the game enough to sacrifice their social life so they can accomplish their goal to play D1 baseball and possibly be drafted. If you have a kid on the borderline, get him in the weight room, it matters and will help him reach his potential. |
| KeithB |
Posted - 07/30/2014 : 08:38:35
quote:
Originally posted by rippit
quote:
Originally posted by KeithB
I sincerely hope your son gets to play that coach's team in another 6 years so he can show that coach his "power". Seriously. What kind of coach makes a lack of power statement about an 8 year old? He's 8. My goodness.
[/quote]
I hope we play them THIS season! |
| DecaturDad |
Posted - 07/30/2014 : 07:39:19
quote:
Originally posted by bballman
I don't agree T13. You should get on the big field before HS. My son also played rec ball until he played 12u travel, but wound up a starting pitcher on varsity as a freshman. And he wasn't a big kid. Like 5'8" - 140lbs as a freshman. But he had a year of pitching from 60'6" before he got to HS and was ready to jump in. If he'd pitched from the shorter mound, there is no way he would have been ready for that.
And in some of these programs, you have a ton of kids trying out and you may only get one chance to make the team. You better make sure you're ready. And a lot of programs do not have a freshman team, so you'll be trying out for JV.
I just think you should do everything you can to walk into HS ready to compete for a spot. Depending on the program, it can be extremely competitive.
I agree. My son played 14u as an 8th grader even though he was technically 13u. That extra time on the big field helped come high school. |
| bballman |
Posted - 07/29/2014 : 20:29:33
I don't agree T13. You should get on the big field before HS. My son also played rec ball until he played 12u travel, but wound up a starting pitcher on varsity as a freshman. And he wasn't a big kid. Like 5'8" - 140lbs as a freshman. But he had a year of pitching from 60'6" before he got to HS and was ready to jump in. If he'd pitched from the shorter mound, there is no way he would have been ready for that.
And in some of these programs, you have a ton of kids trying out and you may only get one chance to make the team. You better make sure you're ready. And a lot of programs do not have a freshman team, so you'll be trying out for JV.
I just think you should do everything you can to walk into HS ready to compete for a spot. Depending on the program, it can be extremely competitive. |
| KeithB |
Posted - 07/29/2014 : 19:55:56
My son just accepted an offer to play on a 9U team. Thanks for all the advise and input. |
| T13 |
Posted - 07/29/2014 : 18:39:14
Play your age..... All this junk people are saying about getting use to the big field is nuts.... Puberty takes care of the big field issue and for good players the size of the field is irrelevant. HOCO just won the 5A state title and they ALL played little league thru the age 12 with just an occasional travel tourney... Physically most kids aren't ready for the big field til the 10th grade anway (otherwise why don't we start all our kids swinging a -3 bbcor at 10 to get him ready!) |
| Critical Mass |
Posted - 07/29/2014 : 16:30:07
14U is the beginning of the end for a lot of youth baseball players. Curveballs and dimensions really begin to affect the game and at 15u you find out who really hit and pitch. Lots of kids move to LAX or other sports around that time. |
| rippit |
Posted - 07/28/2014 : 09:57:02
quote:
Originally posted by KeithB
My son turned 8 on Friday and has been trying out for 9U travel teams. He didn't make the first couple he tried out for. Friends were suggesting trying out for age group teams. I don't want to do that, and neither does he. It's not that serious. I think it'll work out. The good thing is, coaches are a little surprised when I tell them his age. I was told he needs more power by the last coach. We'll work on it. Now it's time for LAX.
[/quote]
I sincerely hope your son gets to play that coach's team in another 6 years so he can show that coach his "power". Seriously. What kind of coach makes a lack of power statement about an 8 year old? He's 8. My goodness. |
| KeithB |
Posted - 07/28/2014 : 07:43:15
quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
My son is 11, birthday in August, and going into the 7th grade, and he is playing 12u this year, while most of his grade plays 13u. 6 years ago we didn't know any better and just played his age, and we would do it all again. However, after this 12u year we will be playing up to his grade so that he can be around the other kids in his grade, learn their quirks, and in general play against and with the people he will be with in High School.
In my opinion, up to and including 12U the kids are playing baseball because it is fun....after that it becomes a matter of who is serious and who is not about continuing.
For what it's worth, I would start your son in his grade and not his age group. We kept our son playing down because he was with friends and it wasn't a serious thing. Now that he is talking about playing ball in high school and college we will have to move to where a HS coach can see him next year...you may as well start there since you will be new anyway.
My son turned 8 on Friday and has been trying out for 9U travel teams. He didn't make the first couple he tried out for. Friends were suggesting trying out for age group teams. I don't want to do that, and neither does he. It's not that serious. I think it'll work out. The good thing is, coaches are a little surprised when I tell them his age. I was told he needs more power by the last coach. We'll work on it. Now it's time for LAX. |
| DecaturDad |
Posted - 07/25/2014 : 12:26:45
quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
My son is 11, birthday in August, and going into the 7th grade, and he is playing 12u this year, while most of his grade plays 13u. 6 years ago we didn't know any better and just played his age, and we would do it all again. However, after this 12u year we will be playing up to his grade so that he can be around the other kids in his grade, learn their quirks, and in general play against and with the people he will be with in High School.
In my opinion, up to and including 12U the kids are playing baseball because it is fun....after that it becomes a matter of who is serious and who is not about continuing.
For what it's worth, I would start your son in his grade and not his age group. We kept our son playing down because he was with friends and it wasn't a serious thing. Now that he is talking about playing ball in high school and college we will have to move to where a HS coach can see him next year...you may as well start there since you will be new anyway.
My son did a similar thing. In my opinion, 12u is the most fun. never skip that. By your son playing 14U next year, it gives him a chance to get on the big field before HS. If he really struggles, he could always play 14u a second time. But getting on the field early is a big thing. |
| CaCO3Girl |
Posted - 07/25/2014 : 12:01:31
My son is 11, birthday in August, and going into the 7th grade, and he is playing 12u this year, while most of his grade plays 13u. 6 years ago we didn't know any better and just played his age, and we would do it all again. However, after this 12u year we will be playing up to his grade so that he can be around the other kids in his grade, learn their quirks, and in general play against and with the people he will be with in High School.
In my opinion, up to and including 12U the kids are playing baseball because it is fun....after that it becomes a matter of who is serious and who is not about continuing.
For what it's worth, I would start your son in his grade and not his age group. We kept our son playing down because he was with friends and it wasn't a serious thing. Now that he is talking about playing ball in high school and college we will have to move to where a HS coach can see him next year...you may as well start there since you will be new anyway. |
| bballman |
Posted - 07/24/2014 : 19:54:06
I think it is. Won't you be jumping a good bit in field size between the two? I don't remember what 13u played, but I don't believe it was 60'6" pitching and 90' bases. And I know the fences were not as deep. IMHO, you should really get a feel for the big field before you get to HS. |
| KeithB |
Posted - 07/24/2014 : 19:17:03
quote:
Originally posted by bball2008
I wouldn't over think this one too much. You will see that all of the 17u tournaments are loaded with both 17u and 16u teams anyway so you can pretty much consider both of those age groups as being the same and experience the same level of competition. Just get your kid on a team where he will enjoy his teammates and coaches. If he's unhappy in his environment you won't get the same effort.
What about going from 13U to Freshman (15U) in HS? Is that a big difference? Thanks. |
| bball2008 |
Posted - 07/24/2014 : 07:18:42
I wouldn't over think this one too much. You will see that all of the 17u tournaments are loaded with both 17u and 16u teams anyway so you can pretty much consider both of those age groups as being the same and experience the same level of competition. Just get your kid on a team where he will enjoy his teammates and coaches. If he's unhappy in his environment you won't get the same effort. |
| bballman |
Posted - 07/24/2014 : 00:05:06
Play your grade. In addition to what everyone else has said, when you are wanting to be recruited, most college recruiters will associate you with the team you are on. With a little digging, they can find out you are a grade ahead of your team, but they may just dismiss the team altogether because they are recruiting for a certain class. You may miss your window of opportunity by being on a team too young for what they are looking for. It really matters most between junior and senior year, but why wait till then? Start facing your peers that you will be playing against for the next four or eight years. |
| rippit |
Posted - 07/23/2014 : 22:58:40
quote:
Originally posted by PowerOfDixieland
quote:
Originally posted by nastycurve
Play up, you dont want him on pace to play against 16u in his last year of hs. He will take his lumps early, but he will be much more prepared when it comes time to pitch and hit against 15/16u on JV and 18u on varsity.
The trophies and accolades you get at 11/12/13 will mean nothing if he cant see the ball being thrown at him when he gets older.
Gospel.
My son is currently playing on a 16U team (2016 gaduate) with a couple of 2015's who are very good when compared to the other 16 year olds. The parents cannot figure out why they are not getting interest from any schools. It's been my experience that many kids who play down run the risk of not even making their varsity high school teams
If your son is simply playing for fun, then play where it's the most fun. Otherwise, always play with his grade.
quote:
Originally posted by PowerOfDixieland
quote:
Originally posted by nastycurve
Play up, you dont want him on pace to play against 16u in his last year of hs. He will take his lumps early, but he will be much more prepared when it comes time to pitch and hit against 15/16u on JV and 18u on varsity.
The trophies and accolades you get at 11/12/13 will mean nothing if he cant see the ball being thrown at him when he gets older.
Gospel.
My son is currently playing on a 16U team (2016 gaduate) with a couple of 2015's who are very good when compared to the other 16 year olds. The parents cannot figure out why they are not getting interest from any schools. It's been my experience that many kids who play down run the risk of not even making their varsity high school teams
If your son is simply playing for fun, then play where it's the most fun. Otherwise, always play with his grade.
I agree 100%. Let me give you some other examples.
A rising junior still playing 15u. How is he going to fare against kids who might be possibly turning 19 within 2 months of graduating IF he makes varsity?
Rising seniors still playing 16u. Why??? Many 16u teams are stuck playing 15u teams who are playing up. Where's the challenge?
Likewise, what about a team full of studs who trophy hunt instead of playing up? Where's the challenge? When it's time to really compete, can you? Guess you'll never know.
If you want to be the best, play the best. Notice I didn't necessarily say play WITH the best. Do your own PR. Learn to compete. Learn to lead. Be THAT guy.
|
| PowerOfDixieland |
Posted - 07/21/2014 : 10:55:56
quote:
Originally posted by nastycurve
Play up, you dont want him on pace to play against 16u in his last year of hs. He will take his lumps early, but he will be much more prepared when it comes time to pitch and hit against 15/16u on JV and 18u on varsity.
The trophies and accolades you get at 11/12/13 will mean nothing if he cant see the ball being thrown at him when he gets older.
Gospel.
My son is currently playing on a 16U team (2016 gaduate) with a couple of 2015's who are very good when compared to the other 16 year olds. The parents cannot figure out why they are not getting interest from any schools. It's been my experience that many kids who play down run the risk of not even making their varsity high school teams
If your son is simply playing for fun, then play where it's the most fun. Otherwise, always play with his grade. |
