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bmoser
1633 Posts |
 Posted - 07/18/2011 : 19:18:16
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In 2 weeks, you will move on to 14U. My son is 12 and moving up to 13 August 1st. I want to learn from you all. What do we need to know about moving up to the larger field? Dealing with the boys reaching puberty? I'd like to hear the things you wish you knew this time last year. The thing I wish I knew about 13U this time last year was...???
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Home run ball
50 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2011 : 20:23:09
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not a huge difference from 12 to 13. I think the big change comes from 13 to 14.quote:
Originally posted by bmoser
In 2 weeks, you will move on to 14U. My son is 12 and moving up to 13 August 1st. I want to learn from you all. What do we need to know about moving up to the larger field? Dealing with the boys reaching puberty? I'd like to hear the things you wish you knew this time last year. The thing I wish I knew about 13U this time last year was...???
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Stretch
13 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2011 : 22:57:41
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| 13u catchers seemed to have a higher percentage chance of throwing out runners attempting to steal both 2nd and 3rd. Puberty was obvious on a few opposing teams (some of the boys looked like they were shaving and driving themselves to the games). Not as many HR's hit at 13u than there was at 12u. That's some of my observations, I'm sure others have more. |
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itsaboutbb
164 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2011 : 23:50:20
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Fields are big in the beginning of the year and aren't as big at the end.
More doubles and triples, less home runs unless you play with the big boys. ie Astros, Roadrunners, GBC Excel. It is different when you come up to some of those teams and they are all 5'9 to 6'. It's fun enjoy it. |
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rippit
667 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2011 : 07:45:57
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The bigger field wasn't that big of a deal. I agree with the poster who said the jump to 14U is more of an adjustment. It's looking like it could be, but for now let's just blame it on the new bat regs.
Here's one that is a big deal: players playing up. Average player trying to jump from 11U to 13U. This isn't the year for dad to think that precious won't have a problem keeping up. BIG disparity at 13U with a kid who has a June birthday and will be 14 having to play with a kid who should still be playing 12U. Not a kid still playing 12U because he can (playing down), but a legitimate 12U birthday. Puberty is huge. Especially in boys. Don't kid yourselves. Oh wait, y'all all went through this...so you should know.
Not saying it doesn't happen, but it's an issue for the average player. Give them the extra year.
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2011 : 08:46:56
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Thanks for responses. I see teams in 13U carrying more players than in 12U..why? Do you notice other sports and interests pulling at boys at 13U than 12U? Will we see more Pro Coaching in 13u than in 12U?
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momshell
103 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2011 : 13:35:06
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bmoser, I didn't see a big drop off of players this year, but it's wise to carry more players. If you go deep in tournaments, especially the bigger ones, you'll need the extra pitching and catching. AT 13u I noticed more sore shoulders and elbows. You really have to be careful to avoid growth plate injuries. Rippit is right, puberty really changes the game.
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itsbaseballtime
348 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2011 : 14:53:40
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| No, More girls at 13 than 12. I am talking about the ones they are texting and facebooking.... |
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Power Of Dixieland
13 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2011 : 22:09:42
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quote:
Originally posted by bmoser
Thanks for responses. I see teams in 13U carrying more players than in 12U..why? Do you notice other sports and interests pulling at boys at 13U than 12U? Will we see more Pro Coaching in 13u than in 12U?
Larger rosters most likely a reflection of teams starting to carry "pitcher only's". From a coaches standpoint the biggest obstacle was the overwhelming number of arm injuries. My advice (worth very little, most would say) is to stay with the long toss program consistently through the fall and winter. |
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2011 : 12:30:46
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| Thanks all! Great comments. Very helpful indeed. Long toss in off season to reduce injury, I like that idea a lot. |
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wildcats9596
110 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2011 : 11:09:34
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quote:
Originally posted by bmoser
Thanks for responses. I see teams in 13U carrying more players than in 12U..why? Do you notice other sports and interests pulling at boys at 13U than 12U? Will we see more Pro Coaching in 13u than in 12U?
I was warned to go from 11 to at least 12 due to injuries. We went to 12 and were still challenged. Injuries increased dramatically.
Every time my son was moving up a field size we went to the next size field the first possible day after his season ended and 1) stood on 3rd and 1st and threw (he is a corner infielder), 2) pitched from the new mound distance and 3) put him in RF and had him make throws to the cutoff man and to 2nd. We spent nearly the first three weeks doing those three things, plus some grounders and hitting. He was usually ready when his fall practices started.
I agree that the jump from 13-14 is a bigger deal. |
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ballcrazy
44 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2011 : 15:11:29
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| Do not over think it because it is still a game. However, I now been through 13U twice over the past two years with my two sons - my two cents is that (1) the precentages are very high that you will have significant injury issues at points during the year. It is unavoidable, typically a team cany get 2-3 injuries at a time and I have seen some teams even have up to five. Unless you are an Elite Majors level team, my advice is to NOT manage to these extremes as you will just have to work through it with guest players. Not a good idea to staff up with 14-15 players to guard against injuries if your goal as a team is to develop. My team was a mid to high AAA team and we only carried 11 - but the key is that 9 could pitch. Most think that is crazy, but our players got many more reps and more opportunity to develop. I have a saying, "I would rather scramble for players in 10 games, then to have limited opportunities for some players in all 60 games". The second big point that is not talked about often.... (2) DISCIPLINE!!!!!! At 13 kids start to know more than you and start to have an explanantion why things went wrong. Nip that in the bud at the first practice. Set rules day one on talking back and behavior issues. Do not let it sneak up on you. If you set strong rules day one, it will not be an issue. If you just threaten....watch out, it becomes a cancer! |
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With-a-stick
33 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2011 : 17:40:40
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Bigger field, pitcher/defense advantage. If you figure pitching vs batting as 60/40 when it's all level:
Fall 13u Pitchers = 70 batters = 30. Spring 13u brings it back to the natural 60/40. Figure the pitchers throw only marginally harder over the course of the season. Maybe hitting their spots more as well? Pitchers and catchers would be smarter because of experience but coaches take it out of the players hands and call pitches so they're really no smarter than last year. (Why are our coaches doing this so universally now?) Batters on the other hand look much better in the spring, stronger and bigger. Base running and speed improves through the fall and winter with speed and agility or football. More reps in batting cages through the fall and winter?
Still the magic of baseball is it's scaled to players development which keeps batters right at the edge of equal to pitching. Batters get 3 strikes to spend, but pitchers get 4 balls to spend, right? What a masterpiece in a game. |
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coachpitch
66 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2011 : 09:14:39
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I'm with you "itsbaseballtime". The single greatest distraction at this point is girls. And, to add to it, too many adults urge the kids to go down that path. We have learned that the boy-girl relationships will be there plenty as the kids progress. There is no need in encouraging it. My son has stayed relatively balanced in it, but there has been a bombardment of texts and FB's to draw away his focus from school and getting better at baseball.
quote:
Originally posted by itsbaseballtime
No, More girls at 13 than 12. I am talking about the ones they are texting and facebooking....
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Peanutsr
171 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2011 : 09:24:40
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quote:
At 13 kids start to know more than you
LOL  I thought that started at 12. |
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rippit
667 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2011 : 10:22:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Peanutsr
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At 13 kids start to know more than you
LOL I thought that started at 12.
Unless it's a girl - then it's 11. |
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balk
37 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2011 : 10:23:36
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quote:
Originally posted by itsbaseballtime
No, More girls at 13 than 12. I am talking about the ones they are texting and facebooking....
Smartest post I've read on any of these boards. |
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bbmom2
119 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2011 : 11:22:19
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| Or my son - when asked about girls a couple of months ago I was told "Mom, it's baseball season!" Okay - good. Keep that thought for a couple of years! |
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rippit
667 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2011 : 13:38:41
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quote:
Originally posted by balk
quote:
Originally posted by itsbaseballtime
No, More girls at 13 than 12. I am talking about the ones they are texting and facebooking....
Smartest post I've read on any of these boards.
We had to actually put "no cell phones in the dugout or on the field" in the code of conduct after last fall. Some kids just don't think... |
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