| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
KMball
54 Posts |
 Posted - 05/23/2012 : 15:06:08
|
| I have noticed that several 12U teams have played up in 13U tournaments this year. We will be doing the same this weekend for the first time. For those that have already done this, what do you see as the biggest 1) benefits, 2) drawbacks and 3) adjustments your team/players had to make when competiting at 13U? |
|
|
rippit
667 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2012 : 19:53:11
|
quote:
Originally posted by KMball
I have noticed that several 12U teams have played up in 13U tournaments this year. We will be doing the same this weekend for the first time. For those that have already done this, what do you see as the biggest 1) benefits, 2) drawbacks and 3) adjustments your team/players had to make when competiting at 13U?
Puberty. Base path increase. Bat drop change. Puberty. Pitching difference. Puberty.
Oh. And puberty. |
 |
|
|
SSBuckeye
575 Posts |
Posted - 05/23/2012 : 21:45:50
|
We played up in 13u for the first month of the season. I'll jot down my thoughts in no particular order. We played 13u AAA, so your experience would be different if you play major.
1) Our pitchers LOVED it. Almost immediate transition to 54 feet. Kids get a lot more movement on their pitches at that distance.
2) Very few issues playing defense on the bigger field, including the catchers. We LOVED the big outfields, which plays to our team speed. Made more great plays playing on the bigger field.
3) The biggest negative is puberty. We were totally outclassed physically. Our boys saw a 13u kid hit a 340 foot home run, and saw numerous 300 foot shots. It was boys against men at times.
4) Hitting was easier versus hard throwers. Had few issues with fastballs. We got junked to death. The biggest adjustment was to all the curveballs that have four extra feet to break.
5) Was generally unimpressed with the fundamentals we saw. We competed based on playing sound defense and staying low with our strikes and throwing offspeed on any count.
All in all, I thought it was a GREAT experience, and can't wait to play on the bigger field next season. The biggest negative after playing up for a month was the adjustment to a legit major pitcher throwing from 50 feet. The transition back was tough.
Andy |
|
|
|
in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 05/24/2012 : 10:41:45
|
As all others stated, SIZE matters.
Last weekend SNIT in Auburn one team had a 13u player 6'2"/240. Another was 6'5"/190. Many, many others in the 5'10"-6' range.
Not exaggerations, the two above were verified with their parents (and it was obvious that the kids looked it). |
|
|
|
gatorboy1
56 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2012 : 09:16:15
|
quote:
Originally posted by KMball
I have noticed that several 12U teams have played up in 13U tournaments this year. We will be doing the same this weekend for the first time. For those that have already done this, what do you see as the biggest 1) benefits, 2) drawbacks and 3) adjustments your team/players had to make when competiting at 13U?
curious to see what your thoughts are now that you've played 13's? |
|
|
|
KMball
54 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2012 : 10:55:48
|
| It was a great experience. The fields were 310-320 feet all the way around and it was eye opening how much real estate those outfielders need to cover. It definitely exposed the importance of fundamentals and backing up plays. Hard grounders and gappers turned into triples and in-the-parkers it not properly cut-off and backed up. The pitchers adjusted easily without any issues at all. The extra mound distance also allowed most hitters to catch up to almost anybodys fastball. Like everyone said, the effect puberty was definitely eye opening. Where at 12U you may have 2 or 3 kids that have hit it, at 13U its more like 10 or 11 kids. These were young men. I loved the intensity, hustle and maturity displayed by the players and coaches alike... it was refreshing. 7 innings and 2 hour time limits allowed a more a complete game experience. I really enjoyed the 13U game in general. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
