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prologo
5 Posts |
 Posted - 07/09/2014 : 10:11:38
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| 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. |
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zwndad
170 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2014 : 12:11:12
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To summarize what I have read here over the years, plus adding my own opinion:
- Play where you can get the best combination of competition / coaching / playing time / fun / drive time. You can look all over this message board and find solid advice on all sides of this issue.
You have to decide how to balance these factors. Generally I would recommend playing with your grade if possible, BUT some of the best teams around in the younger age group will be better than many of the teams in the older age group.
Another factor you might want to consider as you're moving into town ... is it important to create friendships with new classmates? With the changes in travel baseball over that last 5 years or so, that becomes more difficult no matter what decision you make. However, if that's important to you, then you probably want to play up to grade level on a team that is closer to your school.
The last thing I'll throw out, not knowing your kid at all ... from a personal growth / maturity standpoint, what does he need most? Does he need to find a place where he's comfortable getting his feet on the ground in a new home? Does he need to be pushed to develop his leadership skills, in which case he may be better on a younger team? Does he need to be pushed to work his hardest to keep up / catch up? If so, maybe an older team is better?
With all this said, most of us on here could argue multiple sides on each of these factors.
FINAL ANSWER: Do your homework. Find tryouts for both age groups and shop around. Ask lots of specific questions of coaches and parents.
Good luck, and Welcome South! |
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turntwo
955 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2014 : 12:55:38
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| This depends on what team(s) he's looking at... If he's playing in a 'feeder program' to the high school, then he'd want to play (and be required to I think) with his grade. But if he's looking at rec or more traditional 'travel' ball, then it would be by age, unless he just wants to play up. All travel ball (with exception of freeder programs) is based on age. |
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Strategizer
86 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2014 : 13:41:31
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| Base part of your decision on what's being offered in regards to rec and travel teams in the area you are/will be living in. After you identify teams, come back to this site, go to the age specific "Tryout" links and see when team tryouts are being scheduled this month and in August. Take your son to either tryout or observe. Also pull some parents at the tryout aside (most will have some experience with rec and travel baseball teams)and ask them questions about the team or teams, coaches, and training. Also, the cut-off date for travel baseball is May 1st. According to your son's current age he would play 12U this coming season. Good luck! |
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zwndad
170 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2014 : 15:15:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Strategizer
According to your son's current age he would play 12U this coming season.
quote:
Originally posted by prologo
He turned 11 on May 31 and thus by age should play 11U next season.
I think prologo is correct that his son can play 11U next year, but all/many/most 6th graders will be playing 12U. |
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tuffmavrick
47 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2014 : 16:17:48
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| My son played up an age the first to years he played travel ball and gained a lot of knowledge doing so. This past season I dropped him back to his age group and he shined. He got noticed everywhere he playes and had a great year. He will turn 11 in August and is going into the sixth grade. It's all in what you feel is best for him. I know dropping my son moved him to major and he loved it. |
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theycallmeespn
2 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2014 : 14:05:57
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| My son just turned 11, going into 6th grade and will be playing 11u. Just depends on age |
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nastycurve
244 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2014 : 03:07:54
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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. |
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KeithB
282 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2014 : 18:42:58
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| My son turns 8 in two weeks and will play 9U this Fall/Spring, with his grade. I asked him if he wants to stay back, and he said no. He can hang, so I don't have a problem with it. I agree with nastycurve. He needs to be ready to make the 9th grade team when he's 14. If he doesn't and wants to play, he'd play on a 15U team with other freshmen who were cut. |
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DecaturDad
619 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2014 : 08:02:41
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I think it is more a mater of finding the right fit then age versus grade. Find a team where he can learn from the coach gets lots up reps at the highest level he is capable of. If he is the youngest player on a team, will he be good enough to get a lot of playing time? And if he is the oldest will he be challenged? There is a lot more to selecting a team then just the age.
My son has a May birthday. He has spent most of his travel years playing age instead of grade. We had found great teams where he learned a lot, got lots of reps and also had a lot of fun. Last year, he entered high school and tried out for the baseball team as a 14 year old. He ended up making varsity and getting lots of playing time. Why? because he had the natural skill along with the proper training to allow him to play. The HS coach never asked about his travel ball experience. He went by what he saw on the field.
You know your son. Go where he can learn the most and get the best experience. By having an early birthday, you have more options then some others.
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Critical Mass
277 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2014 : 08:07:53
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| Unless the situation is aboslutely clear (down is better team/situation for player than up) i would play him at his grade. IMHO, "big fish in small pond" learn less that the other way around. |
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PowerOfDixieland
16 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2014 : 10:55:56
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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. |
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rippit
667 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2014 : 22:58:40
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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.
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2014 : 00:05:06
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| 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. |
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bball2008
100 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2014 : 07:18:42
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| 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. |
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KeithB
282 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2014 : 19:17:03
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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. |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2014 : 19:54:06
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| 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. |
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CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2014 : 12:01:31
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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. |
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DecaturDad
619 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2014 : 12:26:45
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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. |
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KeithB
282 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2014 : 07:43:15
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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. |
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rippit
667 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2014 : 09:57:02
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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. |
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Critical Mass
277 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2014 : 16:30:07
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| 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. |
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T13
257 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2014 : 18:39:14
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| 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!) |
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KeithB
282 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2014 : 19:55:56
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| My son just accepted an offer to play on a 9U team. Thanks for all the advise and input. |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2014 : 20:29:33
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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. |
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DecaturDad
619 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2014 : 07:39:19
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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. |
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Play your age? Or with your grade?
