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2boysbaseball
9 Posts |
 Posted - 02/10/2010 : 16:04:35
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| Is there an age when a player needs to decide on a specific postion? |
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Hitman
33 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2010 : 18:36:12
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| I think you better be able to play at least two positions very well if not 3 or 4. The higher the level of play the more competition you'll have to beat out to earn a spot. |
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wildcats9596
110 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2010 : 22:08:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Hitman
I think you better be able to play at least two positions very well if not 3 or 4. The higher the level of play the more competition you'll have to beat out to earn a spot.
This makes a lot of sense.
Rick Ankiel changed positions at 25.
Troy Glaus is doing it at 33. |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2010 : 22:35:04
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Nope. You play where the team needs you and you are happy about it. Your coach will decide for you. Whether it is your travel coach, HS coach, college coach or MLB coach. It could change from level to level or from year to year or from game to game. You just better be able to hit.
Seriously, I would have your player ready to play anywhere. If you get to HS playing only SS, and there is a superstud SS a year ahead of you, you better be able to play somewhere else or you won't be playing much. |
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Mike Corbin
523 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2010 : 22:44:05
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I have always told my son to keep as many gloves in his bag as possible! When he tried out for the middle school team, there were 20 or so kids at 2nd (his usual position) and SS. There were only about 5 or 6 at 1B and none of them could catch very well. He got out his firstbaseman mitt and made the the team. The next year he moved to SS. He also started as a sophomore at 1B on the Varsity team then moved to MIF the next two years there as well. Play and learn as many positions as you can! It will only make you more valuable later on.
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11baseball11
90 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2010 : 23:33:30
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| I had a coach tell me the boys should play only one position at 9u. I couldn't leave fast enough. All kids should play as many positions as they can handle at the younger ages. Some kids have the game smarts to learn alot, others a couple spots is all they can handle. It really depends on the kid and how much he can master. The big benefit comes later when they know what everyone does on any given play, not just their position. |
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TMB
80 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2010 : 23:49:21
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| In my opinion it depends on how far player wants to go and 14-15 is when they decided. Once you decide, you can really lock down on the specifics of the position and “PLAY” that position. Some players get in trouble because they try and do too much (multiple positions) and then they can become a utility player instead of an everyday player. If you’re speaking on the HS Level, then that depends on the type of program you’re going to play in. Top HS in the State, you play 1 position + Pitch depending on arm action off the mound. |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 09:48:54
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That's not necessarily true TMB. When you get to High School, if you are a good athlete, you could play where ever they need you. If you can hit, they will find the best position that you fit into on the field. If there are other guys that are better than you or are upperclassmen in the infield, but you can hit and run, you will probably wind up an outfielder - even though you grew up a SS. You just never know where you will wind up.
I still say pre-HS ball is all in preparation for HS ball. The better you prepare yourself, the better your chances of making the HS team. Like Wildcat said, players change positions (depending on team need) at every level. I'm not saying that you HAVE to switch around all the time in travel ball, but you should play multiple positions from time to time. And at a minimum, you should practice at multiple positions. Either with the team or with your dad on your own. |
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gasbag
281 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 11:22:39
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| My son is a lefty so his options are limited but our mentality has always been to learn every position a lefty can service and play where the team needs you not where you necessarily "want " to play. This has served us well ( currently at 13U ) up until now. I've chatted with several high school and college coaches and they have all encouraged this perspective. What they have also added is that he must also continue to work on being an all around athlete...ie if he can hit and he has speed, we'll find a place on the field for him ! Lastly, maintain a healthy attitude about playing "where the team needs you" vs. where you want to play. Those upper level coaches I believe are looking for good athletes with good attitudes and good work ethic. |
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Alter-Ego
802 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 15:44:07
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I think there are several variables that drive this. LH vs RH, fast vs "big and slow", good hitter vs mediocre hitter, Strong pitcher/average fielder vs strong pitcher/strong fielder, etc.
With the amount of work that goes into it, deciding you want to C has to be done earlier on than most positions. That does not mean you cannot transition easily to other positions (3b, 1b) but requires a lot of specialized work to develop at the catching position.
If you are a LH pitcher, to be an everyday player, you either have to play 1b and hit with some power or higher BA, or you have to be fast enough to play out in the OF. I see a lot of LH pitchers that throw at a much higher level than they play the rest of their game. They either have to put in a lot of extra work to get the other parts of their game up to their pitching level, or decide to only pitch.
If you are a middle infielder, concentrating on that area is needed to develop the glove and footwork to play it effectively. If you are successful at those positions, it is generally easier to transition to other spots (3b, 1b, OF) if your team needs it.
If you are big and slow, but can mash, you are typically limited to 1b, 3b(if you have the arm for it) or DH. Increasing speed and mobility could allow you to play OF if the team needed it.
Eventually when you get to 13 or 14, you have to have some idea of the general area you want to play (C, Pitcher only, infield, OF) but that does not mean you don't also try to take some reps at other positions. If you are an infielder, any time BP is going on out on the field, take a few at your spot, but move out to take fly balls in the OF. Rotate to each of the OF positions. Conversely if you are an outfielder, come in short field and see some hits at a closer level (although transitioning from an infielder to an outfielder is a lot easier than vice versa).
There are easy ways to keep developing and not narrowing your playing scope. |
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ljames
48 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 18:29:56
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| Gasbag I have a lefty as well and he has also learned to play all the lefty positions (not many to pick from, LOL). Between the ages of 5 - 9 he played all infield positions based on the coaches putting what they felt were the best gloves in the infield. I thought it was kind of crazy at the time because he is a lefty, but looking back on it I'm glad he got a chance to play the other positions. He is now 13 and in our case it has become obvious where he will end up in the field. I know I am not a High School coach, but he is not a huge target and he has speed. He is developing as I did as a teen and has the body makeup of an outfielder. His field workouts are now pitching and outfield with the work on first down to near nothing. I really can't tell you the last time the 1B mitt has left his bat bag. I don't see a coach at the next level taking his speed and locking him down to 1B. Our situation definitely is not the same as a righty, but for us it's pretty clear cut that he's either going to toe the rubber or play in the grass. The good thing is my son loves to play the outfield and understands his body development as well. |
Edited by - ljames on 02/11/2010 19:29:50 |
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gasbag
281 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 22:08:20
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| ljames - I guess I'll have to etch the memory of my lefty playing 3rd base at 8u in my mind forever....he'll never see it again ! HA....but it was oh so sweet while it lasted !!!!! |
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6bomber
68 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 23:02:31
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i hate to say it but my son has pretty much played OF
his whole travel career. granted he played every pos.
in rec. ball. he learned early to work at this with
his speed and range. at the younger ages let them see
the dif. pos. so they can better understand their pos. better. no matter the age if you can hit you WILL play. |
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TMB
80 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2010 : 02:24:56
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Bballman if a player is a good/great athlete then, yes he’ll wind up on the field depending on the need of the High School. The BAT always plays (no question)…..Good high school coaches will recognize the player is out of position and place him in the proper position to help the team and/or further his career.
However, I’ve seen kids want to play everywhere on the field but the best position may be the Outfield. Athletes can play multiple positions but most kids playing too many positions can get in trouble if they can’t even play the one they desire. There is no right or wrong answer; it’s based on the team and what is available. The more advanced coaches for the travel ball teams start to narrow the players down to their primary positions + pitcher.
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da97076
10 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2010 : 07:41:07
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| @ljames, everything ok have not seen you in a while....southside |
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2010 : 09:54:06
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quote:
Originally posted by TMB
Bballman if a player is a good/great athlete then, yes he’ll wind up on the field depending on the need of the High School. The BAT always plays (no question)…..Good high school coaches will recognize the player is out of position and place him in the proper position to help the team and/or further his career.
However, I’ve seen kids want to play everywhere on the field but the best position may be the Outfield. Athletes can play multiple positions but most kids playing too many positions can get in trouble if they can’t even play the one they desire. There is no right or wrong answer; it’s based on the team and what is available. The more advanced coaches for the travel ball teams start to narrow the players down to their primary positions + pitcher.
You are pretty much right about that. However, you just never know. Like I said, if your son is a pretty good shortstop and there is a stud ahead of you, you've got to be willing to consider another position.
While playing travel, there may have been better outfielders than you. You're pretty good in the infield, so that's where you played. It may be completely different when you get to HS. You may be a pretty good infielder, but there is someone else better than you. However, even though you weren't the one of the best outfielders on your travel team, you may be one of the top 3 on the HS team and therefore your skills are needed there on that team.
The difference between travel and HS is that in travel, coaches can recruit for the positions they need. They can go out and only look for outfielders if they don't have anyone really strong in that position. In HS, there is no recruiting (theoretically). You have to deal with the hand you are dealt. So, you may not have been one of the top outfielders on the travel team, but you may be one of the best on the HS team.
I don't think you have to run around playing a different position every game in travel. I just think that when you get to HS, you have to be willing to play where ever the team needs you. Don't pidgeon hole yourself into one position, or you may not get a lot of playing time.
I also agree that for a lefty, those options are more limited. 1B, pitcher and OF. If you have a body type that limits you to 1B (you are slow), better hit the stink out of the ball and work on your fielding at 1st. You hit good, they will find a place for you. Even if you start out DHing. |
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BBall123
395 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2010 : 09:58:17
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2 BB , great topic here ! Some very good information, just to throw my 2 cents in ;
I also think at the younger age's try and learn as many positions as you can, find the ones you #1 like and #2 are good at ! but get all the expirience you can.
Mike you are right on the money, we carry a first basemans mitt,catchers gear and mitt, outfielding glove and infielding glove.
Who knows how a 9u or 10 u kids body is gonna develope, learn to hit well and be ready for what the coach needs from you on any given team in any given season. |
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PS Iron Pigs
129 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2010 : 10:41:18
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| My input would be on the mental preparation of each position as well as the physical aspects. Playing several positions physically makes you more valuable, but KNOWING the responsiblities of each positions and how to run the bases will make you indispensible. There are alot of great baseball players that aren't the best athletes as well. If Sid Bream wouldn't have taken the extra lead at second base and known that Barry Bonds couldn't throw, the braves wouldn't have beaten the Pirates in '92. |
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Critical Mass
277 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2010 : 16:39:17
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| As bballman said, if you can hit , you have a chance to make the H.S. team. I've had several cobb county h.s. caoches tell me that is you can hit, you have a great chance to make the team in some capacity. Add to that the abbreviated tryout period for h.s. baseball and it being contingent on the weather to get on teh field and demonstrate your skills, you better be able to hit the baseball and show off your skills indoors. |
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ljames
48 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2010 : 19:55:16
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quote:
Originally posted by da97076
@ljames, everything ok have not seen you in a while....southside
Everything is good. Lil man is still playing basketball and I'm ready for it end so the focus can shift to baseball. |
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mechanicsplus
64 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2010 : 11:00:01
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bball and others are correct. Get as much "position" experience as you can. Hitters will play so give the H.S. Coach as many opportunities as possible to find you a spot in the defensive line-up. At the next level, College, as a position player, the "Bat" definitely rules and you could find yourself playing an entirely new position based upon his size, speed, athleticism, etc.
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loveforthegame25
448 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2010 : 12:07:49
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just hit youll play somewhere |
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Age to decide on a position...
