Non-competitive beginner level sports for teens - does this exist?

[Anonymous]

Arlington Senior Babe Ruth has non-competitive baseball for this age. I would suggest taking him to a batting cage, having him hit off the tee, and playing catch with him before the league starts. Although I feel like every year my kid played, there was one kid on the team who never played before so it's doable. I believe I've seen emails that registration is open now.

[Anonymous]

For rowing, go to Capitol Rowing Club. They start HS kids at the novice level and it's not at all awkward or unusual. My own kid did this. However, he is athletic and very coordinated and strong. He played on rec soccer and baseball teams since he was about 5. But a few of his friends who have zero athletic background did well enough too. They seem to only "cut" kids if they are flakey and don't have a good attitude and don't show up. The coaches are wonderful and have a positive and encouraging demeanor.

https://capitalrowing.org/

[Anonymous]

For basketball, it's too late to be on a team where you're able to learn the basic skills at that age. You need to have those skills already. Same for baseball, but even more so. Even if you play right field, you're the only person playing that position and you have to be able to catch and through. When it's your turn to bat, you have to be able to bat. You can't be learning how to judge a ball in the middle of a game. Practice is about teamwork, not skill building by high school. I agree with the poster who suggested a private "tutor" if they really want to learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes he can start baseball! My son is a high level travel player at a small private high school where everyone makes the team. There are kid starting baseball for the first time as 9th or 10th graders. They are learning and don’t get to play in games unless it’s a blowout, but they are on the team and learning. It’s not too late!

Agree rec league and lessons now are a good idea. The other important thing is knowing the game - the rules, plays, etc. He wants to know where to throw the ball when he fields it, in what situations he might try to steal and when not to, etc. Watching baseball on TV can help (maybe videos of little league World Series?) and there may be books, too. I’m sure there are YouTube channels.

Finally, a kid like mine (17, wants to coach when he grows up) would love to “coach” your kid - teach the basics, instill confidence, etc. Maybe you know a baseball crazy older teen who would work with your son for a modest fee? Most baseball lessons taught by pros are not exact of modest cost…

+1

If he likes baseball OP, look into the program at your intended HS. At our mid sized suburban public, there is a freshman team (along with JV and varsity). It depends a little bit on numbers but nearly anyone can make the freshman and then JV teams (although they will not necessarily play in games). They still get practice every day, winter workouts and if numbers allow (usually do) are welcome on the school affiliated fall ball/summer teams (and may actually see some playing time on those). Most of the top players do other non school affiliated travel teams at those times. I don’t think they do many cuts at any level- most kids cut themselves over the years due to lack of playing time..move to other sports and activities. There is a nearby private HS with a strong baseball program than siphons off a lot of the good players from our school zone (which obviously helps immensely in terms of making the public HS teams).

Schools really vary in this way, so can be worth looking into. At ours, you’d have a few years (generally fresh-soph at minimum) to continue working and trying to catch up, and various programs and workouts available nearly year round. I know you are talking rec etc for now but depending on your intended HS there could be some future opportunities if he gets started now.

The Arlington/Falls Church high schools do not have freshman teams and the the JV/V teams are very competitive to make (less so at FCC) but I can't imagine someone new to the sport making it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For rowing, go to Capitol Rowing Club. They start HS kids at the novice level and it's not at all awkward or unusual. My own kid did this. However, he is athletic and very coordinated and strong. He played on rec soccer and baseball teams since he was about 5. But a few of his friends who have zero athletic background did well enough too. They seem to only "cut" kids if they are flakey and don't have a good attitude and don't show up. The coaches are wonderful and have a positive and encouraging demeanor.

https://capitalrowing.org/

*Capital Rowing Club.

But it will be awkward if the kid doesn't want to compete.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13 is late to start rock climbing unless he is athletic and has a lot of strength already.

Nonsense. I started in my 30s! My climbing partner was in his 50s and had only been climbing for 10 years at that point. It’s a very welcoming sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:13 is late to start rock climbing unless he is athletic and has a lot of strength already.

Nonsense. I started in my 30s! My climbing partner was in his 50s and had only been climbing for 10 years at that point. It’s a very welcoming sport.

Sorry I should have clarified. Rock climbing is a great sport and you can certainly start at any age. But Movement has teams for kids and most of the beginner teams have mainly younger kids and if a 13 year old didn't previously do a sport that built strength, he or she may progress more slowly and be with younger kids. My 13 year old found that a bit demoralizing. But YMMV

[Anonymous]

Wow, this is an amazing amount of information on beginner teen sports options! Thank you all.

-OP

[Anonymous]

Hi! I found your post while trying to create a flyer for a new program I am launching in Arlington Virginia and it does EXACTLY this! We offer a different sport each season and instead of weekend games teams participate in a community service project. I won't write a whole essay on why I developed this program, but one of the reasons is because too many kids drop out of sports when they need it the most (adolescents). Sports has become more performance based which is fine, but it's also creating more stress on kids and natually takes away from developing important life skills. If you want to check out my program it's called Y2S Sports ( www.y2ssports.com )

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank for these ideas. Will run them past him.

Anyone know of non-competitive options for baseball?

The Babe Ruth league is a rec baseball league. I have no idea how competitive it is but there are no cuts.

[Anonymous]

Pickleball is a new club at my kids fcps high school this year. 300 kids tried out.

Maybe look into pickleball classes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi! I found your post while trying to create a flyer for a new program I am launching in Arlington Virginia and it does EXACTLY this! We offer a different sport each season and instead of weekend games teams participate in a community service project. I won't write a whole essay on why I developed this program, but one of the reasons is because too many kids drop out of sports when they need it the most (adolescents). Sports has become more performance based which is fine, but it's also creating more stress on kids and natually takes away from developing important life skills. If you want to check out my program it's called Y2S Sports ( www.y2ssports.com )

Normally I don't like ads here, but this sounds great! Good luck to you!

Is there anything like this in DC or Takoma?

[Anonymous]

What about swimming? You could try York swim club and swim twice a week and there are meets once a month. There are some kids that are super fast (but they swim in the early morning) but the PM practices are for all swimmers. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I second ultimate frisbee.

If you are in Arlington, look into YULA https://yula-ulti.org/

APS middle and high schools also have teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13 is late to start rock climbing unless he is athletic and has a lot of strength already.

Not true. Lots of people start as adults. Try the teen classes at Movement Crystal City or Sport Rock.