12 YO wants to play baseball - has no experience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does Arlington Babe Ruth allow League Age 12 kids to play majors in the fall for one last season? I know our non-BR, regular Little League allows LA12 to play majors for one last fall season; might be worth looking into as fall’s definitely less intense than spring, as others have noted.

I don’t know if this would become overwhelming, but aside from becoming technically proficient in hitting and fielding, I’d make sure he learns baseball IQ for sure. Doesn’t matter if you can hit or catch the ball if you don’t know how to run the bases correctly or where to throw the ball. Kids who are 12 have typically been playing for several years and will already have some baseball awareness.

Also, C-flap helmet for sure as some 12s are throwing heat and those inside pitches are scary, to say the least.

Yes- The baseball IQ isn’t something he can learn from a training facility like ignite, so he definitely needs some on field experience or going to one of the camps this summer. By the time he’s 12 they take leads, have balls, there’s a rule about the dropped third strike, etc. More than just running to first if you get a hit

[Anonymous]

^ balks not balls

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A suggestion:

It is not a big issue to start at 12, but obviously there is some catching up to do. How do you do that?

1. Sign up for Fall ball near you. Does not really matter as long as his placement on a team is assured.

2. Make arrangements for several half-hour batting lessons at a baseball training center near you. Twice a week through the summer should be good.

3. Make arrangements with a local high school player from your immediate area to meet twice a week for an hour at a local field early in the morning for throwing, catching and fielding lessons. Ask around. You are looking for a 16-18 year old who plays on a local team and who would like to work with a beginning kid who is 12. Your kid will respond better to a young instructor. An hour is sufficient time. Early mornings are great as fields are unused and high school kids are available. I would say - pay $50 an hour and you will have no problem finding guys welling to do the job. They can focus on fielding and throwing mostly.

By September your kid should be ready to go. You can decide how much to continue on based on time. I would add though that lots and lots of kids keep up private training year round.

+1

Agree with all of the above! I would also suggest attending/watching some local games with him-at the 12U level if you can- (or you can stream old 12u games online too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A suggestion:

It is not a big issue to start at 12, but obviously there is some catching up to do. How do you do that?

1. Sign up for Fall ball near you. Does not really matter as long as his placement on a team is assured.

2. Make arrangements for several half-hour batting lessons at a baseball training center near you. Twice a week through the summer should be good.

3. Make arrangements with a local high school player from your immediate area to meet twice a week for an hour at a local field early in the morning for throwing, catching and fielding lessons. Ask around. You are looking for a 16-18 year old who plays on a local team and who would like to work with a beginning kid who is 12. Your kid will respond better to a young instructor. An hour is sufficient time. Early mornings are great as fields are unused and high school kids are available. I would say - pay $50 an hour and you will have no problem finding guys welling to do the job. They can focus on fielding and throwing mostly.

By September your kid should be ready to go. You can decide how much to continue on based on time. I would add though that lots and lots of kids keep up private training year round.

The only thing I would add to this is he should practice catching/fielding the ball daily. He can literally just throw the ball in the air and catch it for practice. My 12u son uses a tennis ball and soft tosses it against the wall or furniture in the house to practice fielding. It’s learning how to anticipate where and how the ball is going to move.

[Anonymous]

Has your child played any sport that involves hand eye coordination- tennis, lacrosse, golf? If he hasn’t it really is probably too late to start playing baseball. Your child for little league next year will be leaguexage 13 or if he turns 13 before Sept 1st next little league year (sept-August) he will be league age 14.

If your child has good hand eye coordination then follow the advice in previous posts.,

[Anonymous]

I’d find him a camp. My kid started in 5th grade this year and it’s been fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has your child played any sport that involves hand eye coordination- tennis, lacrosse, golf? If he hasn’t it really is probably too late to start playing baseball. Your child for little league next year will be leaguexage 13 or if he turns 13 before Sept 1st next little league year (sept-August) he will be league age 14.

If your child has good hand eye coordination then follow the advice in previous posts.,

At 12? Is this where we are now? OP didn't say he wanted to go to the MLB, they just said he wanted to play. Come on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has your child played any sport that involves hand eye coordination- tennis, lacrosse, golf? If he hasn’t it really is probably too late to start playing baseball. Your child for little league next year will be leaguexage 13 or if he turns 13 before Sept 1st next little league year (sept-August) he will be league age 14.

If your child has good hand eye coordination then follow the advice in previous posts.,

At 12? Is this where we are now? OP didn't say he wanted to go to the MLB, they just said he wanted to play. Come on.

Don’t listen to Pp! I know a kid with Down syndrome who played. We had a kid on our team last year who literally never had a hit. There is room for everyone and the others will cheer him on as long as he tries.

Get him one of these to practice hitting.

https://www.hitrunsteal.com/products/largemouthnet?variant=12090172833828


Go to Dick’s or casual adventure and ask them about bats. There are different ones for different leagues. He will probably be placed on a team with kids who are playing majors 60 if he’s new. He will pick it up if he has the will. Have him become familiar with the rules.

http://arlingtonbaberuth.com/site/File/download/613a323a7b733a323a226964223b693a313136303338363b733a343a226e616d65223b733a35323a224142522d414c4c2d2d46616c6c2d323031385f4d616a6f72735f36305f616e645f37305f52756c65732846696e616c292e706466223b7d

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has your child played any sport that involves hand eye coordination- tennis, lacrosse, golf? If he hasn’t it really is probably too late to start playing baseball. Your child for little league next year will be leaguexage 13 or if he turns 13 before Sept 1st next little league year (sept-August) he will be league age 14.

If your child has good hand eye coordination then follow the advice in previous posts.,

At 12? Is this where we are now? OP didn't say he wanted to go to the MLB, they just said he wanted to play. Come on.

+1

My DD started softball at 12 (rec league) and is now on her 2nd year of rec ball at 13 and doing fine (not one of the best players but not embarrassing herself by any means). Last year she was the weakest player but this year is closer to the middle of the pack. She is having a great time.

That said, our metro area has a wonderful and very popular rec softball program that goes all the way up to 14U so she’s been lucky to have the opportunity. There is no rec baseball past age 13 in our area (ends at LL 50/70 and some of the leagues dont even offer 50/70).

OP if you can find a rec ball program for 13+, your son will do just fine playing with the prep that others have outlined. At 13, the super skilled baseball players have mostly left for club ball. These rec teams usually have a few kids newer to baseball (he won’t be the only one) or kids who have played rec before and then taken some time off- often even a few years (some stayed away quite a while with covid closures etc or just took breaks for various reasons). I would really encourage your son to go for it. It isn’t too late for him to play rec ball and have fun.

[Anonymous]

OP these parents who are saying go ahead and sign up your son who has never played before don't realize your son is at least league age 13 starting this fall if he is already 12 years old (and if he turns 13 this summer he will be league age 14). If you can find a little league that has intermediate (ages 11-13) there is no way your child can keep up if they have never played any sport that involves hand eye coordination. And it will be worse in juniors division.

This is different than someone who is league age 11 or 12 starting. You missed this spring season. The intermediate level kids pitch way to fast and no one will be happy to see your son strike out over and over again. By that age many kids will have been playing for 6 to 8 years since they were 5 or 6 years old.

[Anonymous]

I’ll leave the suggestions to others (I coached Arlington Babe Ruth, but years ago), but let me just say: I think it is absolutely awesome that your kid is 12/13 and wants to just start playing baseball when he never has before. It’s honestly so f$cking admirable, and I hope you let him know that regardless of whether it ends up being his thing! Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP these parents who are saying go ahead and sign up your son who has never played before don't realize your son is at least league age 13 starting this fall if he is already 12 years old (and if he turns 13 this summer he will be league age 14). If you can find a little league that has intermediate (ages 11-13) there is no way your child can keep up if they have never played any sport that involves hand eye coordination. And it will be worse in juniors division.

This is different than someone who is league age 11 or 12 starting. You missed this spring season. The intermediate level kids pitch way to fast and no one will be happy to see your son strike out over and over again. By that age many kids will have been playing for 6 to 8 years since they were 5 or 6 years old.

My kids ARE those kid that started t-ball at 3 and 4. I still say it’s ridiculous to say a kid can’t start playing ANY sport at 12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP these parents who are saying go ahead and sign up your son who has never played before don't realize your son is at least league age 13 starting this fall if he is already 12 years old (and if he turns 13 this summer he will be league age 14). If you can find a little league that has intermediate (ages 11-13) there is no way your child can keep up if they have never played any sport that involves hand eye coordination. And it will be worse in juniors division.

This is different than someone who is league age 11 or 12 starting. You missed this spring season. The intermediate level kids pitch way to fast and no one will be happy to see your son strike out over and over again. By that age many kids will have been playing for 6 to 8 years since they were 5 or 6 years old.

My kids ARE those kid that started t-ball at 3 and 4. I still say it’s ridiculous to say a kid can’t start playing ANY sport at 12.

This! I know someone who started playing lacrosse in high school and went in to play at Duke. Get a high school
Player to tutor him and do the coach Padgett camps. He will be just fine. Also, we are past age change for the year. It’s April 30th. So he still has a year to play at 12s. There are 13 year old on my kid’s majors 70 team, and he’s 11. If they don’t make majors 70, then default is majors 60. The head of babe Ruth loves baseball and wants the kids to have FUN!!! He will be thrilled that you son wants to play and will have lots of suggestions if you contact him. Definitely sign him up for fall ball. Registration is in the next few months.

[Anonymous]

OP, does your child watch baseball? Does he understand pitch count, innings, scoring, what a force is, when to slide, etc? In addition to the above tips, I would get him watching baseball this summer and understanding all of the above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP these parents who are saying go ahead and sign up your son who has never played before don't realize your son is at least league age 13 starting this fall if he is already 12 years old (and if he turns 13 this summer he will be league age 14). If you can find a little league that has intermediate (ages 11-13) there is no way your child can keep up if they have never played any sport that involves hand eye coordination. And it will be worse in juniors division.

This is different than someone who is league age 11 or 12 starting. You missed this spring season. The intermediate level kids pitch way to fast and no one will be happy to see your son strike out over and over again. By that age many kids will have been playing for 6 to 8 years since they were 5 or 6 years old.

No- we realize her son may be league age 13. And he can still play. In our area, anyone who is a good player (as you describe) plays club ball at ages 13+. Definitely not rec. We do know a lot of kids playing rec this year at age 13- some rec players who weren’t skilled enough to play club ball (a few play at the AA level and are playing rec to get extra reps), lots of kids who took a break for years and are trying to get back into baseball, and yes- some newer players. His hitting will take time to catch up- yes- but I’ll bet he is putting the ball in play by the middle of the rec season. The pitching in rec is not that great. He will walk a fair amount as well.