How important is hitting at the 13u baseball level?

[Anonymous]

My 12u played on a club team (AAA level with paid coaches) this past year, and intends to play on the same team again this fall. This summer he played on a summer all-star team that made a state tournament run. The rosters of these teams overlap, with 7 kids playing on both teams.

In club ball this past year, my kid had a great experience- awesome coaches, was one of the top 3 hitters on the team, was always in the batting order even when batting 10, played 3B/LF and usually pitched a game in pool play.

His experience this summer in LL was a lot different- again one of the top 3 hitters (tons of doubles and 2 HRs, 2nd best avg and OBP on the team ) but he was never allowed to play in the field- ever. He pitched one game in districts and then sat the bench every single inning the rest of the summer. Instead, kids who batted under .200 (3 of them) played every inning of every single game (at RF LF and 2B). (Continuous batting order mandate). Two of these kids are on his club ball team (both last year and this year…they didn’t cut anyone). Neither hit well in club ball either. One batted under .100. Same thing happened to his club ball/all star teammate (the #1 hitter on the team, just ahead of him). That teammate played 0 innings in the field all summer also. Both played full time on the club team. Some might guess that my kid is slow/heavy etc (would make sense) but that isn’t the case either…he’s 5’3” 100, one of the fastest on either team.

I am worried that the above scenario will carry forward into club ball, considering much of the roster is the same- and am wondering if we should be on the lookout for a new club team. DH thinks that is unnecessary and at 13U, “hitters don’t sit” will come more into play, and lineups with have nothing to do with little league etc. and paid coaches will handle better. There will be 13 on the roster (one more than last year) and they will bat 10.

Any advice? Should we stick with this club team or look around a bit? Would a 13u team really bench hitters? We had been very happy with the team but am feeling very salty and am extremely wary of the little league stuff carrying over- and being stuck for a year on a team where my kid doesn’t ever play in the field. The club coaches are paid professionals but attended some of the all star games and/or followed on gamechanger. Do you think seeing the LL situation would somehow color their opinions?

[Anonymous]

As you should know, everything changes in a few weeks when they get to the bigger field. Big hits become singles. Was he hitting far, or frequently or both?

Can he throw far enough from LF? Can he make the throw from 3rd to 1st? That's what he needs to be working on right now.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand why he might be sitting. He is one of the top hitters. Is he not a good fielder? Or are you saying you think politics/favorites/prioritizing some kids over others is making coach bench your kid?

I wouldn’t have my son stay on a team where he didn’t play in the field and bat. You don’t improve and it feels terrible. There are other teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As you should know, everything changes in a few weeks when they get to the bigger field. Big hits become singles. Was he hitting far, or frequently or both?

Can he throw far enough from LF? Can he make the throw from 3rd to 1st? That's what he needs to be working on right now.

Both? batting average was almost .500, OBP almost .600. Hit 2HRs over the fence, 2 ground rule doubles, the rest 50/50 doubles and singles.

Definitely can make the throw 3rd- 1st on the big field, OF have not seen…probably yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why he might be sitting. He is one of the top hitters. Is he not a good fielder? Or are you saying you think politics/favorites/prioritizing some kids over others is making coach bench your kid?

I wouldn’t have my son stay on a team where he didn’t play in the field and bat. You don’t improve and it feels terrible. There are other teams.

He is a good fielder in club ball, but apparently not in Little League? - and that is on a smaller field….🤷‍♀️ Now I’m concerned that this will carry over to club ball, since it is many of the same kids on the roster.

[Anonymous]

Um OP I just thought I wrote this. Exact same scenario for us to the point where I’d be outed if I posted any more. My son has adhd and I don’t think the coaches could handle him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why he might be sitting. He is one of the top hitters. Is he not a good fielder? Or are you saying you think politics/favorites/prioritizing some kids over others is making coach bench your kid?

I wouldn’t have my son stay on a team where he didn’t play in the field and bat. You don’t improve and it feels terrible. There are other teams.

He is a good fielder in club ball, but apparently not in Little League? - and that is on a smaller field….🤷‍♀️ Now I’m concerned that this will carry over to club ball, since it is many of the same kids on the roster.

Have you talked to the coach? A year older and it would have to be your kid who talks to coach (and it would be great if kid could now) but you could tell coach you would like to know what your kid should be working on, and what is preventing him from rotating onto the field.

It’s just really weird - sometimes kids don’t hit but coach will still put them out in left field for two innings. Hitting but never playing the field is weird, and weird enough that a conversation is warranted, I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um OP I just thought I wrote this. Exact same scenario for us to the point where I’d be outed if I posted any more. My son has adhd and I don’t think the coaches could handle him.

Wow really?? Do you think it was just the adhd issue for yours?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why he might be sitting. He is one of the top hitters. Is he not a good fielder? Or are you saying you think politics/favorites/prioritizing some kids over others is making coach bench your kid?

I wouldn’t have my son stay on a team where he didn’t play in the field and bat. You don’t improve and it feels terrible. There are other teams.

He is a good fielder in club ball, but apparently not in Little League? - and that is on a smaller field….🤷‍♀️ Now I’m concerned that this will carry over to club ball, since it is many of the same kids on the roster.

Have you talked to the coach? A year older and it would have to be your kid who talks to coach (and it would be great if kid could now) but you could tell coach you would like to know what your kid should be working on, and what is preventing him from rotating onto the field.

It’s just really weird - sometimes kids don’t hit but coach will still put them out in left field for two innings. Hitting but never playing the field is weird, and weird enough that a conversation is warranted, I think.

We didn’t, considering it was just a summer LL all star team (limited time, and he won’t be playing with those coaches again). He does play the field on his club team, or at least he did last year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why he might be sitting. He is one of the top hitters. Is he not a good fielder? Or are you saying you think politics/favorites/prioritizing some kids over others is making coach bench your kid?

I wouldn’t have my son stay on a team where he didn’t play in the field and bat. You don’t improve and it feels terrible. There are other teams.

He is a good fielder in club ball, but apparently not in Little League? - and that is on a smaller field….🤷‍♀️ Now I’m concerned that this will carry over to club ball, since it is many of the same kids on the roster.

Have you talked to the coach? A year older and it would have to be your kid who talks to coach (and it would be great if kid could now) but you could tell coach you would like to know what your kid should be working on, and what is preventing him from rotating onto the field.

It’s just really weird - sometimes kids don’t hit but coach will still put them out in left field for two innings. Hitting but never playing the field is weird, and weird enough that a conversation is warranted, I think.

We didn’t, considering it was just a summer LL all star team (limited time, and he won’t be playing with those coaches again). He does play the field on his club team, or at least he did last year

Ah, so it sounds like it’s over? I’d just shrug it off and move on. Some teams just don’t work for your kid. Life (and kid baseball) is too short - if a team doesn’t make your kid happy let it go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um OP I just thought I wrote this. Exact same scenario for us to the point where I’d be outed if I posted any more. My son has adhd and I don’t think the coaches could handle him.

Dugout behavior matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why he might be sitting. He is one of the top hitters. Is he not a good fielder? Or are you saying you think politics/favorites/prioritizing some kids over others is making coach bench your kid?

I wouldn’t have my son stay on a team where he didn’t play in the field and bat. You don’t improve and it feels terrible. There are other teams.

He is a good fielder in club ball, but apparently not in Little League? - and that is on a smaller field….🤷‍♀️ Now I’m concerned that this will carry over to club ball, since it is many of the same kids on the roster.

Have you talked to the coach? A year older and it would have to be your kid who talks to coach (and it would be great if kid could now) but you could tell coach you would like to know what your kid should be working on, and what is preventing him from rotating onto the field.

It’s just really weird - sometimes kids don’t hit but coach will still put them out in left field for two innings. Hitting but never playing the field is weird, and weird enough that a conversation is warranted, I think.

Not really. In some summer tournaments you use all your hitters (eg 11 of them) but obviously only field 9. So 2 sit. Usually the worst fielders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why he might be sitting. He is one of the top hitters. Is he not a good fielder? Or are you saying you think politics/favorites/prioritizing some kids over others is making coach bench your kid?

I wouldn’t have my son stay on a team where he didn’t play in the field and bat. You don’t improve and it feels terrible. There are other teams.

He is a good fielder in club ball, but apparently not in Little League? - and that is on a smaller field….🤷‍♀️ Now I’m concerned that this will carry over to club ball, since it is many of the same kids on the roster.

Have you talked to the coach? A year older and it would have to be your kid who talks to coach (and it would be great if kid could now) but you could tell coach you would like to know what your kid should be working on, and what is preventing him from rotating onto the field.

It’s just really weird - sometimes kids don’t hit but coach will still put them out in left field for two innings. Hitting but never playing the field is weird, and weird enough that a conversation is warranted, I think.

Not really. In some summer tournaments you use all your hitters (eg 11 of them) but obviously only field 9. So 2 sit. Usually the worst fielders.

Usually only occurs at the little kid ages, when it doesn’t matter much anyway.

That said, many travel teams do bat 10 with an XH at the older ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Um OP I just thought I wrote this. Exact same scenario for us to the point where I’d be outed if I posted any more. My son has adhd and I don’t think the coaches could handle him.

Dugout behavior matters.

Of course it does. But many very talented athletes have issues and good coaches know how to get the best out of them. My son has many issues and isn’t very “smart.” But he is an excellent baseball player, and it’s always been an area for him that’s easy up until this team. The kids that make these LL teams try out often several times and are generally very competent players. They are picked based on their overall performance during the season. There’s not really any valid reason for not playing any of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Um OP I just thought I wrote this. Exact same scenario for us to the point where I’d be outed if I posted any more. My son has adhd and I don’t think the coaches could handle him.

Dugout behavior matters.

Of course it does. But many very talented athletes have issues and good coaches know how to get the best out of them. My son has many issues and isn’t very “smart.” But he is an excellent baseball player, and it’s always been an area for him that’s easy up until this team. The kids that make these LL teams try out often several times and are generally very competent players. They are picked based on their overall performance during the season. There’s not really any valid reason for not playing any of them.

The last 2 kids or so are usually courtesy pics in my kids’ league. Kids of board members or coaches usually. No sour grapes as my kids made the teams when deserved, but it is true.

Behavior wise I think it depends…at 12, sitting and pouting after a strikeout or being silly is one thing…vs doing something dangerous or being mean to teammates or hurting the experience of other kids is a bigger issue. Not saying your kid did that, just giving examples.