| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
loveit
26 Posts |
 Posted - 07/25/2011 : 15:53:30
|
What is best? Our son has a July birthday. He is the oldest in travelball (majors) but, one of the youngest in his grade. Most of his classmates have always been one year ahead in ball. He will try out in the Fall of 2012 for the following Spring HS season. He pitches (primary), plays 3rd and left. He is 5'4" and 103lbs. Puberty is only just beginning. I would like your opinions on this subject. There are pros and cons to any choice. We just want to make the best decision possible for our son.
|
|
|
Coach D
167 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2011 : 19:59:42
|
| Hi Loveit my son is in the same situation.Just played 12s but is going to the 8th grade/is it better to skip straight to the big field and play 14u or let him step up gradually and play 13u ? Could use some solid info on this one. |
 |
|
|
mdjohnston
16 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2011 : 07:08:39
|
You will probably hear a lot of different opinions, but I think it really depends on the player and the opportunities available to him at 13U or 14U. My oldest son had a May birthday and was always one of the smallest on his team. He played 13U in 8th grade, and he got plenty of playing time to continue to develop. He finally hit a growth spurt his freshman year, and he had no problems adjusting to High School ball.
If by playing 14U, your son will not get as much playing time, then I do not think there is much benefit to moving to 14U. You can not beat the experience of playing to help with development. For posistion players, the adjustment from 80 to 90 ft bases is not that big a deal as long as they have the arm strength.
If your son's primary position is P, and you think that will be his primary spot in high school as well, then I would consider going straight to 14U to get used to throwing from 60'6". The most importing thing is to put your son on a team where he will get good instruction and plenty of playing time regardless of the age level. The high school stuff will work itself out if your son has been playing good baseball. |
|
|
|
loveit
26 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2011 : 09:05:53
|
| Thank you mdjohnston. Great info.! |
|
|
|
Mets69
70 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2011 : 09:29:36
|
| I would play him at 13U. If he were a much larger boy, then I might consider playing up. We had a boy who was on our team at 14U who was in the same position (birthday and size) and struggled all year just to keep up. After a while, his playing time was reduced and he was primarily used to bunt. I didn't see any benefit to this boy playing up in age group. His reduced role on the team did nothing to build his confidence and the struggles he faced against some of the bigger and stronger pitchers only added to his frustration. Once he goes through "the change", he'll be back on an equal playing field with the rest of the boys, but between 13YO boys and 14YO boys, the physical differences can be quite significant. |
|
|
|
in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2011 : 15:53:28
|
| Reps, reps, reps. The most important thing you can provide as you prepare him for high school. If he is a talented ballplayer from a skill perspective, then he should continue to develop those skills. That will occur by getting reps in practice and games. If he sits on a bench, he won't be doing that, then when the growth hits, he's behind the curve from a skill development perspective. Better that he get reps now so that the skills are there when the size catches up. |
|
|
|
loveit
26 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2011 : 16:05:18
|
| Thank you both.Well taken. |
|
|
|
ryerye
21 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2011 : 19:02:08
|
| I think is great advice for your situation. Too many kids are staying 13U because their parents want them to be the best on their team, instead of pushing them to keep getting better. |
|
|
|
Coach Cole
102 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2011 : 17:02:38
|
| Given his size, I think he fits right in with 13U (give the 13U East Marietta Mets a try). Baseball is about confidence and each kid is different. My son is similar with a Mid May birthday, 5'8", 125 pounds with good talent but I see no need to push him up to 90 foot bases where he would probably not pitch given the distance. The other big jump in going from 12U to 13U or 14U is hitting the ball out of the infield for the kids yet to hit puberty gets more difficult and beating out infield hits is more difficult even for the speedy! |
|
|
|
loveit
26 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2011 : 07:48:24
|
| Thanks for your input Coach Cole. My son will play 13U next season with the offer to pitch for our 14U as needed. It feels absolutely perfect!I think this will give him "the best of both worlds" and help him prepare for HS ball without running the risk of destroying his confidence. We are very excited with our team and, more importantly, my son is very excited about his 13U season!I hope the Marietta Mets have a stellar season. |
|
|
|
strongx
12 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2011 : 09:42:23
|
| I had the same issue with my son the past 3-4 years. He is now a jr in high school. Number 1: it does depend on the kid - his talent, patience, how he deals with both success and adversity, etc. Number 2: what are the options at each age? Personally, I believe he should play the best competition (pitching) he can be competitive with. My son played down with his age but played on a major team that played in 4-5 super nit's and wound up at the Elite. The older team played local (couple of bigger out of town trips) and saw more mediocre pitching. My son benefited more by seeing the better pitching at the younger age. Although there is a slightly general difference in size, running speed, arm strength, and how hard some balls are hit, the top teams that are one year younger create a much more competitive situation than mediocre older teams. With that being said, he did play this summer with his grade instead of his age. JMO! |
|
|
|
knucklecurve
171 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 09:09:04
|
| I feel kids need to play with their grade no matter what their age, especially by age 13. They are at a disadvantage when the fields get bigger in highschool and they have not played on highschool size fields. I get tired of hearing about size and playing down. Boys hit puberty at ALL different ages whether they have a May bday or an October bday. If I had a 13 year old 8th grader with a May bday I would make sure he hit the big field before starting highschool! In my opinion rising 8th gradres no matter the size should play 14U. |
Edited by - knucklecurve on 08/10/2011 09:55:21 |
|
|
|
pops
30 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 10:48:41
|
My son played 13u last season (sept. 25 birthday)as an 8th grader. He had "played up" each of the previous years in order to play with kids in his same grade.
I would suggest playing 13u for the highest level team possible. The higher level of coaching coupled with higher talent players and competition made for a great experience. We found with the Astros last year more than half of the team were in the 8th grade. No regrets.
Now, as a rising 9th grader, he can make a smooth transition to the big field.
Good luck. |
|
|
|
waldo
11 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2011 : 16:16:53
|
| Sounds like the perfect time to hold him back a year in school. |
|
|
|
loveit
26 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2011 : 00:12:27
|
| I really appreciate everyone's input. Though our decision has been made, it is still so interesting to read the differing opinions. I feel you can learn so much from others' experiences. Thanks to each of you for taking the time to share yours. |
|
|
|
highcheese
71 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2011 : 18:18:05
|
| Is your team at 13u trophy hunting or into development? Reps, reps, reps, good instruction, and more reps, plus competing at as high of a level as you can. Tell your 13u team to start out at 54/80, become a team, and then practice later in the season, I said practice at 60/90, and then enter a few 14u tournaments to get a feel for the game pace and size at 14u. This alows your player to develop, grow, and grow again, and take on the big field with confidence. After he has the confidence the field will only be big to worried parents. |
|
|
|
loveit
26 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2011 : 10:10:27
|
| Our coach's approach is absolutly about training and NOT trophy hunting! Our 13U team practices on a high school field (60/90)with our 14U team and the boys are encouraged to use their -3/-5 wood bats(at practice) to get ready for what will be required in H.S. We will be playing "major" which will be an appropriate challenge for our boys.I think it's a great combination of factors to help prepare the team for the following year! Very happy with our choice. |
|
|
|
loveit
26 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2011 : 10:25:06
|
| "absolutely"....I hate spelling errors. :D |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
