| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
 Posted - 01/09/2015 : 09:32:25
|
I was just curious, based on age, how many kids are typically on a team? I have heard of some 16 and up teams that carry 20 plus players, but I'm sure many of those might be Pitcher only.
So, please tell me how many players are on your kid's team and how many are PO's. Are there some kids that never see the field and are just there for the chance to have that special ballpark name on their Jersey?
Just curious. |
|
|
Mad1
252 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2015 : 10:14:56
|
| 13u Team, We carry 11 players and no PO's. All the players on our team play and all will pitch to different degrees throughout season, with there being about 6 main pitchers that throw every tourney. |
 |
|
|
Critical Mass
277 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2015 : 15:40:56
|
| It's very typical to have the same number of players as the age, ie 18 for 18U. |
|
|
|
DecaturDad
619 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2015 : 15:55:28
|
quote:
Originally posted by Critical Mass
It's very typical to have the same number of players as the age, ie 18 for 18U.
I agree. You start getting more then that, and too many sit on the bench |
|
|
|
CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2015 : 16:20:17
|
| Thanks for the tip Critical Mass, that makes sense. As a follow up, is it true that there are usually a core group of 12 kids and the rest on the team are all PO's? |
|
|
|
turntwo
955 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2015 : 15:26:36
|
| I couldn't imagine 20+! Wow. We only have 17, with 5 being PO. (9U) |
|
|
|
bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2015 : 16:02:30
|
At some point, usually HS, players need to get REAL used to competing for a spot. HS teams will usually carry 17-22 kids on Varsity. Go to college, and the rosters are usually 30+, so competition for play time is VERY intense.
For the pre-HS teams, I think 12-14 players is good. I'm just big on making sure you have enough pitching to get through those long weekend tournaments without overusing anyone. You need to balance the player's health with giving kids development time. I think up through 13u, it's all about development and getting ready for HS. Improving your skills and getting fundamentally sound. For these ages winning is secondary. 14u is probably a mix of honing those skills, but really starting to compete to win. In HS, it's all about winning. You still want to develop your skills because without well polished athletes, you won't win. But the priority becomes winning. Hope that makes sense. |
|
|
|
CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2015 : 10:09:53
|
quote:
Originally posted by turntwo
I couldn't imagine 20+! Wow. We only have 17, with 5 being PO. (9U)
HOLY CRUD! 17 on a 9u team? 8 9 year old's riding the pine per inning doesn't seem right...and telling a 9u kid he can ONLY be a pitcher and nothing else seems down right wrong.
Poor kids! |
|
|
|
SSBuckeye
575 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2015 : 10:16:40
|
| I would agree with what bballman said, except ironically travel ball becomes less about winning as you get older (15u+) and more about exposure. Just need to make sure you get on a team that plays in all of the PG tourneys so you can be seen. You don't necessarily need to be on the top team that wins it all, though that is clearly nice. |
|
|
|
diamonddad
59 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2015 : 10:47:52
|
Turntwo,
You almost made me spit out my coffee! Thanks for the laugh!
quote:
Originally posted by turntwo
I couldn't imagine 20+! Wow. We only have 17, with 5 being PO. (9U)
|
|
|
|
JDP12
89 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2015 : 10:52:23
|
Please tell me a 9U team does not have 17 kids with 5 POs. I am thinking and hoping this is a typo or I am misreading it. No way in the world at 9U you can tell who is going to be a pitcher or even what position a kid could be playing at 15 yrs old.
quote:
Originally posted by turntwo
I couldn't imagine 20+! Wow. We only have 17, with 5 being PO. (9U)
|
|
|
|
bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2015 : 12:07:49
|
quote:
Originally posted by SSBuckeye
I would agree with what bballman said, except ironically travel ball becomes less about winning as you get older (15u+) and more about exposure. Just need to make sure you get on a team that plays in all of the PG tourneys so you can be seen. You don't necessarily need to be on the top team that wins it all, though that is clearly nice.
You are right SSBuckeye. I was going to add something about travel ball and the emphasis on being seen to be recruited, but thought it might muddy the waters.
There are some teams out there that are all about winning, there is no way you are going to win any of the PG events unless you are playing to win, but most teams are more about promoting their players to the next level. There is development going on, but the emphasis is promotion. Development is very important for that as well, but it's really about being seen on the travel circuit 15+. I think you want to be on a team that is going to play at a high level and win more than lose, but it's not about winning every tournament.
In HS and college, it is about winning though. I'll stick to what I said on that point.  |
|
|
|
Bulldawg34
7 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2015 : 19:52:03
|
| Pitcher only on a 9u team. Someone could remake the movie "Idiocracy" with a youth baseball theme. And who are the parents allowing their kids to be a part of that? |
|
|
|
in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2015 : 09:00:17
|
Turn Two,
Hats off to you guys. My sons 9u team only carried 4 PO's, but we did have two DH only kids and also carried one kid who was a burner that only courtesy ran. Brought our roster to 19. All 19 are now playing D1 today, so it worked out pretty well. 15 of them as baseball players, 1 in track and field (our courtesy runner) 2 in soccer and one of our DH's (the prototypical "heavy" kid) as a wrestler.
Clearly most people missed your tongue in cheek humor on your post. Like DiamondDad, I about lost my coffee. Love it.
C'mon people, he was joking. |
Edited by - in_the_know on 01/23/2015 09:30:02 |
|
|
|
CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2015 : 10:02:14
|
LOL, I wouldn't put ANYTHING past some travel coaches/organizations. Some of them probably would be able to convince 9u parents that 17 kids is normal, and PO's are normal, and this is the way it will eventually be so just get use to it now.
There was a point in time that having a 6u travel team would have been considered a joke...but it's real. There was even an article online about a 5u T-ball travel ball team!
As you can tell by how many people fell for the joke, me included, we believe there are parents who would do this...for the right name on their Jersey.
|
|
|
|
turntwo
955 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2015 : 17:47:25
|
quote:
Originally posted by in_the_know
Turn Two,
Hats off to you guys. My sons 9u team only carried 4 PO's, but we did have two DH only kids and also carried one kid who was a burner that only courtesy ran. Brought our roster to 19. All 19 are now playing D1 today, so it worked out pretty well. 15 of them as baseball players, 1 in track and field (our courtesy runner) 2 in soccer and one of our DH's (the prototypical "heavy" kid) as a wrestler.
Clearly most people missed your tongue in cheek humor on your post. Like DiamondDad, I about lost my coffee. Love it.
C'mon people, he was joking.
My son is one of the PO's. The team motto coach has the boys repeat is: Know Your Role, or as he tags it on twitter/FB #knowyourrole |
|
|
|
Critical Mass
277 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2015 : 09:52:11
|
Know you role at 9U & a PO? That kid will be the loser in the end if he plays there most of his youth career and can't pitch in or past HS...if he even makes the team. I guess soccer or lacrosse is an option? IMO, when you have POs below 15U, the coaches want to win every tournament they're in and its about them and the parents not the kids. 9-14 should be about playing the game and growing into the dimensions of 60/90 baseball, playing multiple positions, having fun and learning the game.
|
|
|
|
turntwo
955 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2015 : 19:24:57
|
Diamond dad and In the know caught my tongue-in-cheek humor. It was a joke. Kinda. No our team doesn't have PO's but I know of 3 9U teams, in the metro area, that do. Winning is the ONLY thing that matters to them. It's sad really. Worst yet, the parents that buy into it.
Is it spring yet??? We all seem to be getting cabin fever! |
Edited by - turntwo on 01/25/2015 20:36:56 |
|
|
|
OPHornets
135 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2015 : 09:02:03
|
quote:
Originally posted by turntwo
Diamond dad and In the know caught my tongue-in-cheek humor. It was a joke. Kinda. No our team doesn't have PO's but I know of 3 9U teams, in the metro area, that do. Winning is the ONLY thing that matters to them. It's sad really. Worst yet, the parents that buy into it.
Is it spring yet??? We all seem to be getting cabin fever!
Turn two - While I believed you were joking, it is situations like the one you put out there that I also personally know of. I know of 9U teams (who are not major teams) with PO. We also played in a tournament last year with one of the dumbest rules I have ever seen: base burglar. For an entire tournament, a team used one kid to come in and run for EVERYONE who got on base.
While it was meant tongue-in-cheek, the sad fact is the responses show that we all see it regularly. |
|
|
|
offspeed4
169 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2015 : 08:52:09
|
| I agree with having 10 on a team up until age 11 as long as they are all committed and make every game; otherwise, I would prefer 11 through age 11 and then beginning at age 12, carry the same number of players as the age for Major teams. Triple A teams could get be just fine with 11/12 players as long as they had at least 8 or 9 pitchers. |
|
|
|
SOGAS
143 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2015 : 13:56:29
|
PO's at 9U is just plain sick. Parents if your kid is 9yo and is a PO, get him off that team and on another. Bottom line is teams that carry more than 12 to 13 at the 13 and under level are probably just money makers. You have so many of these organizations making a killing off Parents hopes. Parents hoping their son becomes the next great D-1 player and paying these fee's to carry their son all over Gods creation to sit on the bench and watch his teammates play. Some organizations will take those kids along and let them play at some of the off tournaments but as soon as they go to a PG tournament they'll bring in kids to up the organizations status. If you on one of those, find another. If your son is not getting the opportunity to be seen at the big events then you shouldn't be paying those ridiculous fee's to be on a team if the organization doesn't believe in your kid enough to give him the opportunity. To often I see Parents as well as the money making organizations take away far to early the fun and love of the game. If your kid is not an elite player, just let him enjoy the game. Chances are his playing days won't extend past High School so don't mess up his opportunity to enjoy the game.
I've had 3 kids. One that never played for an organization but ended up playing football and Graduating from then D-2 and now D-1 School. My 2nd born never played with an organization and played 2 years JUCO and now in the Minors. My 3rd is in High School and has played with a name brand organization. All I'm saying as a Parent is to be realistic about your child's ability and not a sucker to finance someone's pocket.
Another thing but is a topic all on it's own is Paid Coaching vs non paid. There is good paid Coaches as well as good non paid. Just one thought for you here. Just because a Teacher gets paid doesn't make him/her a good Teacher, just because a mechanic gets paid doesn't make him a good mechanic. Just because a coach is paid doesn't make him a good coach. A coach who translates, teaches proper techniques, who teaches mental toughness and resilience along with heart, hustle, and effort will probably benefit your child more at the younger ages paid or not than worrying about what organization he is playing for. |
|
|
|
brball
615 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2015 : 17:12:25
|
quote:
Originally posted by SOGAS
PO's at 9U is just plain sick. Parents if your kid is 9yo and is a PO, get him off that team and on another. Bottom line is teams that carry more than 12 to 13 at the 13 and under level are probably just money makers. You have so many of these organizations making a killing off Parents hopes. Parents hoping their son becomes the next great D-1 player and paying these fee's to carry their son all over Gods creation to sit on the bench and watch his teammates play. Some organizations will take those kids along and let them play at some of the off tournaments but as soon as they go to a PG tournament they'll bring in kids to up the organizations status. If you on one of those, find another. If your son is not getting the opportunity to be seen at the big events then you shouldn't be paying those ridiculous fee's to be on a team if the organization doesn't believe in your kid enough to give him the opportunity. To often I see Parents as well as the money making organizations take away far to early the fun and love of the game. If your kid is not an elite player, just let him enjoy the game. Chances are his playing days won't extend past High School so don't mess up his opportunity to enjoy the game.
I've had 3 kids. One that never played for an organization but ended up playing football and Graduating from then D-2 and now D-1 School. My 2nd born never played with an organization and played 2 years JUCO and now in the Minors. My 3rd is in High School and has played with a name brand organization. All I'm saying as a Parent is to be realistic about your child's ability and not a sucker to finance someone's pocket.
Another thing but is a topic all on it's own is Paid Coaching vs non paid. There is good paid Coaches as well as good non paid. Just one thought for you here. Just because a Teacher gets paid doesn't make him/her a good Teacher, just because a mechanic gets paid doesn't make him a good mechanic. Just because a coach is paid doesn't make him a good coach. A coach who translates, teaches proper techniques, who teaches mental toughness and resilience along with heart, hustle, and effort will probably benefit your child more at the younger ages paid or not than worrying about what organization he is playing for.
There's a thread on the 13U board about 20 kids on one team... Now that's just plain sick!
|
|
|
|
BaseKnock
29 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2015 : 13:48:43
|
| Our 15U travel team will carry 11 players. Of these nearly all are serviceable pitchers while about 3 are top HS performers. In fact one just pitched a 5 inning no hitter with 13ks. No need for POs or pine riders. All these boys will play and none will end up being overpitched. Our HS Freshman squad carries 24+ players and play time is hard to come by for some. Pinch hit, pinch run, maybe a relief appearance is all some kids get. Summer baseball provides the opportunity for reps and working on things that will help their HS career and this is what the parents want. Kids who truly love the game get a chance to play beyond their HS season. I can't help but think if some of those 15+ player rosters would send a few another team's way there would be more teams and the boys would play and develop more and everyone, players and parents alike, would be happier. Not sure why it doesn't work out this way. Maybe folks want to be on Team X for the reputation and prestige, maybe there aren't enough quality instructors and programs out there, or maybe folks think they have to be on a certain team to get noticed and are willing to accept minimal playtime (a bit paradoxical). I'm sure there are plenty of reasons but none compelling enough to me to get onboard with it at this stage of my son's career. |
|
|
|
Katya_27
28 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2015 : 21:49:15
|
| My son's 13u team had somewhere between 20-22 boys on the team. We parted ways after the 1st spring tournament. Sad to say, this may have been a post in jest, sadly, there are team manager/coaches who have ulterior motives. Since leaving the team, my family and my son have never been better. Lesson: go with your gut feeling. Get validation from the forums. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
How many kids are on your son's team?
