| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| DecaturDad |
Posted - 05/26/2010 : 10:29:33
I have seen a fair amount of conversation about how only 1 to 5 percent of kids playing ball at 10 to 12 play in college or beyond. Maybe it is even a smaller number. What if you think your son has a chance to be in that group? (And don't we all?  ) How do you balance avoiding injuries now with allowing your son to be his best? Any one with an older boy who wants to share thier wisdom? |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bballman |
Posted - 05/27/2010 : 10:39:27
Here's an addition to what I said earlier. To make it in HS (somewhat) and certainly beyond, you have to have the skills. Some have them, some don't and some are borderline and to go to the next level, must work very hard to hone them. I think working on fundamentals at a young age is very important - if your goal is to continue your baseball career. I really don't think winning or being on the best team out there really matters. I think my son won maybe one or two tournaments from 12-15 (12 twice, so 5 seasons). Came in 2nd a bunch, but not a lot of tournament wins. But whether your goal is to just go out and play baseball or to go as high as your talent will let you, like I said earlier, you got to have fun and enjoy playing the game.
This is never more evident to me than when I watch a group of grown men jump up and down, get in a big group hug and pile up on one another when a teammate his a walk off game winner. It really is so cool!!! Those big guys still LOVE to play baseball - and that is part of the reason why they are where they are. |
| DecaturDad |
Posted - 05/27/2010 : 10:01:14
It seems the general consesus is have fun, save the arm. I guess I see that no matter if the plyer will never play past 8th grade or goes on past college. And those who mentioned it are right; There is no way to know if a 10 to 12 year old really has what it takes long term. But for this post, I was purposely avoiding that. :-)
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| MadSkills |
Posted - 05/27/2010 : 08:40:03
oldmanmj,
If a kid is throwing 75 pitches in 3 innings then there is a bigger issue at hand. Seems really high for any age group. |
| oldmanmj |
Posted - 05/26/2010 : 20:02:04
Amen to what has been said. Let them choose, rec-travel, they will move toward that which is most fun for them. They do not want to be bored. Watch how your coaches uses him. He shouldn't be pitching 2-3 times in a tournament. Every age needs to recooperate and 75 pitches in 3 innings and then 60 more pitches in 2 more and all the warms ups, etc. will harm their arms. FUN FUN FUN, work hard, stay out of their way. They will come to you if they want more-personal lessons, more competition. Be the fun dad you always wanted to be by supporting and teaching. |
| AA17Dad |
Posted - 05/26/2010 : 18:34:13
You really wont have much of a clue about his future at 10 or 12.
When kids get through puberty is when you can start looking around and wondering if your kid has a chance.
The physical,chemical and emotional changes of puberty make it impossable to judge kids prior to it.
If you look at the " Studs " in the 12 and 13 y/o group you will notice that most are fuzzy faced and about ready to shave. You can not compare his talents to a child that has not fuzzed over as well.
Keep it real and keep it fun until after puberty. If he still stands out amongst his peers then you just might have one that can play on. |
| AllStar |
Posted - 05/26/2010 : 12:16:32
quote:
Originally posted by bballman
The biggest advice I have is to make sure the game stays fun. If it becomes a chore, he will get burned out.
Next would be if he is a pitcher, be very careful about how much he throws. Two biggest things are when he begins to tire, take him out and make sure he gets plenty of rest between outings. If he is a position player, just let him play.
Really, with travel ball starting earlier and earlier, my concern would be too many games and too much pressure from an early age. My son played rec ball until he was 11, started travel at 12. I think it provided him a balance in his life so it wasn't all about baseball all the time. We worked together in the off season on throwing, hitting and fielding, but only played a 30 game (something like that) spring and maybe 20 games in the fall. Every year, he couldn't wait to start playing again. I think (just a supposition) if he was playing 80-100 games from when he was 8, things wouldn't be the same.
My son is a sophomore in HS. He played Varsity in region 6 5A his freshman and sophomore years. He still loves baseball. He is pretty good and we still hope he has a future beyond HS in baseball :) He does as well. Doesn't complain about going to practices or playing in tournaments every weekend all summer. Yes, he will get a little disappointed that he can't do some things with his friends at times, but he gets over it quick and does what he needs to do. Like I said, just try to make sure he continues to have fun. Baseball, after all, is just a game.
Forget my answer, this is what I was trying to say and then some. |
| atlbaseball |
Posted - 05/26/2010 : 11:22:21
How about get the best coaches, personal instruction and follow Dr. Andrews advice. Everyone has an opinion, I prefer to go with the experts. Not every child has the physical capabilities of Heyward and unfortunately parents will see he could do it and think oh my child can do that, come on, does your childs body resemble his at all? |
| bballman |
Posted - 05/26/2010 : 11:07:49
The biggest advice I have is to make sure the game stays fun. If it becomes a chore, he will get burned out.
Next would be if he is a pitcher, be very careful about how much he throws. Two biggest things are when he begins to tire, take him out and make sure he gets plenty of rest between outings. If he is a position player, just let him play.
Really, with travel ball starting earlier and earlier, my concern would be too many games and too much pressure from an early age. My son played rec ball until he was 11, started travel at 12. I think it provided him a balance in his life so it wasn't all about baseball all the time. We worked together in the off season on throwing, hitting and fielding, but only played a 30 game (something like that) spring and maybe 20 games in the fall. Every year, he couldn't wait to start playing again. I think (just a supposition) if he was playing 80-100 games from when he was 8, things wouldn't be the same.
My son is a sophomore in HS. He played Varsity in region 6 5A his freshman and sophomore years. He still loves baseball. He is pretty good and we still hope he has a future beyond HS in baseball :) He does as well. Doesn't complain about going to practices or playing in tournaments every weekend all summer. Yes, he will get a little disappointed that he can't do some things with his friends at times, but he gets over it quick and does what he needs to do. Like I said, just try to make sure he continues to have fun. Baseball, after all, is just a game. |
| AllStar |
Posted - 05/26/2010 : 11:00:54
quote:
Originally posted by DecaturDad
I have seen a fair amount of conversation about how only 1 to 5 percent of kids playing ball at 10 to 12 play in college or beyond. Maybe it is even a smaller number. What if you think your son has a chance to be in that group? (And don't we all? ) How do you balance avoiding injuries now with allowing your son to be his best? Any one with an older boy who wants to share thier wisdom?
Play hard all the time. Nothing is guaranteed. The injuries that affected my son's team this year, you couldn't have managed around, so just play.
What you can control is his schedule. If you don't think playing 100 games a year benefits him, don't. Personally, I think the younger boys need a summer. I like a July 4 season end which gives them about a month off from baseball before school starts back up. About 5-6 weeks before Fall baseball starts back up.
Of course if he plays football.... |
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