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turntwo
955 Posts |
 Posted - 09/16/2015 : 19:51:28
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So, let's say you have a 10-year old (this past season) and he played at 12U. Now 13 & 14u teams are inquiring. At what level do you step in and say, as a parent, "I know you want to have fun, enjoy the game, and play, BUT we can't put you in the bigger (60-90) field." I don't want to take the fun (and challenge) away from him, but it seems premature for him to make the jump.
So, to those that have "played up", when did you start, and where did you draw the line in terms of how high "up" was? |
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CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2015 : 09:05:41
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My son is 5'9 and 155#'s so he skipped over 13u. Instead of being a giant on a 13u team he is about average sized on a 14u team. I like that he is now playing with kids 1-2 years older than him, they throw harder, hit harder, and move differently than what I would consider youth ball. Instead of just naturally being the best on a team he is having to work his butt off because there are bigger and stronger kids. I think it's good for him and he enjoys the challenge. Last weekend he got up to bat and got the bunt sign. In 8 years of baseball he has NEVER been given the bunt sign because he was always considered a power hitter, it was a pretty decent bunt and it was a new experience that he enjoyed a LOT!
I am of the opinion if the kid can phsycially keep up with that age group then he should play up. HOWEVER, only if he can be a valued member of the team and still learn and grow as a player. I have seen scrappy little kids that are fast as lightning play up and get pigeon holed as the runner for a pitcher/catcher, and maybe they play 2B on occasion. That's not allowing that player to learn and grow with the game, that is a coach thinking about the trophy first and the growth of the player second.
Bottom line if the kid is talented and can truly compete at that level go for it. If people are playing up their 4'3 75# kid to a 14u team because that coach knows the kid is fast and that is pretty much ALL the coach wants him for then I would pass. When he gets into high school he should play with his class for recruitment purposes. |
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RoamingCF
77 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2015 : 09:29:20
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Interesting...is he really that much larger than current 11u/12u kids? Presumably he pitches; is it really a mismatch at 12u? Does he just blow kids away? On offense, does he hit bombs constantly?
The current top 12u and 11u teams in GA are quite talented (especially at 12u) - several competed/won legitimate national titles this summer. In fact, there are many on this board who would suggest 10-12 major leaguers in the group (tongue in cheek).
It just seems unfortunate to suggest playing 12u would be no fun? To me, for an 11u kid, it would be no fun to play him with 14u kids who are far more socially/emotionally mature (and probably interact with their teammates in a way you might not prefer your 11 year old to hear).
In all my years, especially with the talent around here, I've never seen a situation where an 11u kid can't find legitimate competition playing at the 12u level. |
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DecaturDad
619 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2015 : 10:21:57
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quote:
Originally posted by RoamingCF
Interesting...is he really that much larger than current 11u/12u kids? Presumably he pitches; is it really a mismatch at 12u? Does he just blow kids away? On offense, does he hit bombs constantly?
The current top 12u and 11u teams in GA are quite talented (especially at 12u) - several competed/won legitimate national titles this summer. In fact, there are many on this board who would suggest 10-12 major leaguers in the group (tongue in cheek).
It just seems unfortunate to suggest playing 12u would be no fun? To me, for an 11u kid, it would be no fun to play him with 14u kids who are far more socially/emotionally mature (and probably interact with their teammates in a way you might not prefer your 11 year old to hear).
In all my years, especially with the talent around here, I've never seen a situation where an 11u kid can't find legitimate competition playing at the 12u level.
I agree. My son is a VERY big kid. He could have hung with kids two years older from a talent point of view, but I think he would have missed out of the fun part of baseball. He did play up a year, but never two years. Now, come high school, it is a different story. Freshman who make varsity are playing with seniors. But I am talking 11u through 14u here.
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CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2015 : 08:40:34
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quote:
Originally posted by RoamingCF
Interesting...is he really that much larger than current 11u/12u kids? Presumably he pitches; is it really a mismatch at 12u? Does he just blow kids away? On offense, does he hit bombs constantly?
How about it turntwo? Is the kid in question super big and hitting bombs so he just looks out of place on a 12u team? |
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turntwo
955 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2015 : 19:02:23
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quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
quote:
Originally posted by RoamingCF
Interesting...is he really that much larger than current 11u/12u kids? Presumably he pitches; is it really a mismatch at 12u? Does he just blow kids away? On offense, does he hit bombs constantly?
How about it turntwo? Is the kid in question super big and hitting bombs so he just looks out of place on a 12u team?
Not exactly. More like smaller but very fast (as you described above). |
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CaCO3Girl
1989 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2015 : 08:52:16
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quote:
Originally posted by turntwo
quote:
Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
quote:
Originally posted by RoamingCF
Interesting...is he really that much larger than current 11u/12u kids? Presumably he pitches; is it really a mismatch at 12u? Does he just blow kids away? On offense, does he hit bombs constantly?
How about it turntwo? Is the kid in question super big and hitting bombs so he just looks out of place on a 12u team?
Not exactly. More like smaller but very fast (as you described above).
SOME coaches can take a smaller fast player and make them a highly valued member of the team. I know of one team where the smallest kid is the short stop and he's super fast. That kid is learning valuable fielding skills so I have no problem with a kid like that playing up.
Sadly, most coaches don't have a valuable plan for a fast kid they just like that he is fast. It's a tough call for a parent to make. It is of course a sense of pride that their child is sought after by an older team, but a parent should really weigh the pros and cons of will that coach develop the player or will that kid be riding the bench until a need for speed comes up.
In youth baseball you need to be on the field to actually progress as a player. If your son has hopes of going to the next level, be that high school/college/MLB, my suggestion would be to get him on the best team where he sees significant playing time....not just the best team. |
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When do you stop "playing up"?
