How to train to make HS baseball team

[Anonymous]

My son, who will be an incoming freshman, decided he loves baseball now and wants to make the HS team. He understands how hard this will be and the statistics behind how many actually make it but he is determined. He does not want to join a travel team because he wants to play other sports fall and winter. We know nothing about baseball and what it takes and would appreciate any advice. He did make all-stars with mostly travel players so he is not too far behind. They were a talented group! Do we hire a private coach? We live near Springfield/Annandale/Burke. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Depending on which HS you’re zoned for, some of them are going to be very difficult to make the baseball team without being on a travel team.

[Anonymous]

Why is that? Just because he won't be at that level of play or because the coach isn't connected to players that are not on travel teams? Either way, he would prefer to be a multisport athlete over playing travel baseball full time.

[Anonymous]

What HS? Usually it’s not that difficult to make the freshman team…but plenty of those kids still don’t make the JV/Varsity team.

In any event, the specific HS matters a ton.

[Anonymous]

Some travel team players are significantly better than rec, in the way they can always drive the ball, locate pitches, fielding the ball and execute plays(ie double/triple plays) with their teammates.

From hearing some people talk, some different rec leagues have different rules. Where some of the leagues might not have some of the more advanced rules. I never really caught which one has which. But I imagine that travel baseball would have all of them and the rules are ingrained into their head.

But I've seen some middle school students outplay some high school JV players. And think that might speak more to the high school program instead of the middle school player.

So it's like previous posters said, it kind of depends on how competitive the high school your kid going to is.

When you say that he recently decided he loves baseball, he's been playing it right? Not that he's never played it before but suddenly decides he wants to try?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some travel team players are significantly better than rec, in the way they can always drive the ball, locate pitches, fielding the ball and execute plays(ie double/triple plays) with their teammates.

From hearing some people talk, some different rec leagues have different rules. Where some of the leagues might not have some of the more advanced rules. I never really caught which one has which. But I imagine that travel baseball would have all of them and the rules are ingrained into their head.

But I've seen some middle school students outplay some high school JV players. And think that might speak more to the high school program instead of the middle school player.

So it's like previous posters said, it kind of depends on how competitive the high school your kid going to is.

When you say that he recently decided he loves baseball, he's been playing it right? Not that he's never played it before but suddenly decides he wants to try?

nevermind the last part of my question, just caught the last past of OPs post that their kid made All Stars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What HS? Usually it’s not that difficult to make the freshman team…but plenty of those kids still don’t make the JV/Varsity team.

In any event, the specific HS matters a ton.

Northern VA HS don't have freshman baseball teams. Just Varsity and JV. If its a school like Madison, its going to be hard to make because they have a lot of talented players. If it's Fall Church HS, he has a good chance

[Anonymous]

I also have a freshman who loves baseball. There are kids who have been playing travel baseball since 8u who will not make the local high school team. I guess it depends on what school he’s trying out for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some travel team players are significantly better than rec, in the way they can always drive the ball, locate pitches, fielding the ball and execute plays(ie double/triple plays) with their teammates.

From hearing some people talk, some different rec leagues have different rules. Where some of the leagues might not have some of the more advanced rules. I never really caught which one has which. But I imagine that travel baseball would have all of them and the rules are ingrained into their head.

But I've seen some middle school students outplay some high school JV players. And think that might speak more to the high school program instead of the middle school player.

So it's like previous posters said, it kind of depends on how competitive the high school your kid going to is.

When you say that he recently decided he loves baseball, he's been playing it right? Not that he's never played it before but suddenly decides he wants to try?

nevermind the last part of my question, just caught the last past of OPs post that their kid made All Stars.

That doesn’t mean much in most towns. In Vienna it’s good. Maybe McLean but my kid had some pretty average players on his all star team.

[Anonymous]

Right, we understand it will be hard to make it. Back to the original question - any advice on how to train?

[Anonymous]

How big is your kid and general level of athleticism.

A 6’2”+ kid will be given some slack if it looks like he could develop into a good player.

Also, if he can throw the ball 78+ as a freshman and again looks like he could get to high 80s+ (fills out, gets training, etc.) by say junior year, he will get some slack.

[Anonymous]

He’s fairly athletic and tall for his age. Picks up most sports quickly but behind in baseball for sure. Just wondering what he can do until tryouts to help raise his level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Right, we understand it will be hard to make it. Back to the original question - any advice on how to train?

How big is he? How fast? Can he pitch? Lefty? How fast does he throw? Is he baseball smart? What positions does he play?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He’s fairly athletic and tall for his age. Picks up most sports quickly but behind in baseball for sure. Just wondering what he can do until tryouts to help raise his level.

Gain a lot of muscle, run a mile a day, go to a batting cage every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He’s fairly athletic and tall for his age. Picks up most sports quickly but behind in baseball for sure. Just wondering what he can do until tryouts to help raise his level.

You need to go talk to a professional…go to a place like R&D baseball out in Sterling. They do evaluations and will give you general advice on improvement though of course they want you to pay to train at their facility.