Baseball Development AMA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a young 8th grader, summer birthday, average size for his age. So technically 13u by birthday but 14u by grade. He has always played by his birthdate on metro level teams. We know he needs to skip a year essentially by next fall at the latest and at that point be playing 15u with other 2025 grads. For this spring, is he better off sticking with a 13u metro level team that is competitive and will play other top 13u teams, or moving to a 14u second-division team in the same club that historically has not been very competitive based on reviewing records, box scores, etc on GC (lots of double digit losses)? He would get equal playing time on both teams. For next fall, he will make the rounds of tryouts at all the teams in our area for the 15u level so no particular club allegiance at this point. Thanks for your thoughts.

From what I have seen year older AAA teams are equivalent in talent to year younger Metro teams. If he’s 2025 I’d have him continue Metro 14u. Just remember that at the varsity level you may have as much as a 4 year age disparity.

More importantly choose a team that has the best development program and a coach your player connects with. As long as your son is challenged don’t let age of team be the determining factor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do kids from DC proper (Wilson HS, etc) get on track to play college ball? Seems like the further outlying areas have the more competitive leagues, so if a kids lives in the city, are they logistically screwed?

OP here:
Wilson has had a few kids go on to playing college ball, including a pitcher recently who left to play at DUKE. It’s not as important to play on a great high school team nowadays. What’s important is the work you put in off the field - that you play on a solid summer travel team - and that your player does attend showcases to get noticed.

If a child loves baseball and has some talent the most important thing is to establish good habits early and as they get older (high school age) that they have a consistent workout regimen and baseball skills development program in place. 1% better everyday is the goal.

Building on this, at what age do those showcase teams really matter? Junior year? Earlier?

I have a freshman who leads the team in hustle and has terrific baseball IQ, but whose hitting has him near the bottom of the order. On the flip side, he’s becoming a pretty good pitcher. Right now, he thinks he wants to play ball in college. Is there any chance?

I’d say Sophomore - Senior year. The earlier the better I’d say, but some players bloom late which is ok. It’s really whenever they are ready physically.

High baseball IQ is HUGE as is hustle. This is where a lot of kids who have talent fail to focus and they eventually stop playing.

If he likes to pitch and really isn’t much of a hitter, focus the time and energy on pitching. That’s totally ok. Train in this area (strength/conditioning) and use a pitching coach if finances allow for it. Pinkman Baseball Academy in Sterling would be worth a look for you.

Highly recommend Pinkman!

[Anonymous]

Baseball season is over! Any recommendations for a winter strength training program for a 14u pitcher? He is 6’2” and 130lbs...his coach calls him a pterodactyl. I’ve told him musculature is mostly a function of hormones and time, but I thought I’d offer to do a strength training program with him in the off season (I sure could use it, too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Baseball season is over! Any recommendations for a winter strength training program for a 14u pitcher? He is 6’2” and 130lbs...his coach calls him a pterodactyl. I’ve told him musculature is mostly a function of hormones and time, but I thought I’d offer to do a strength training program with him in the off season (I sure could use it, too).

With Covid it’s hard to recommend any indoor facilities. I think though you and he would have fun and benefit from doing resistance band work. There’s a ton of videos on YouTube, they’re fairly safe and easy to do on your own - they’re effective, low cost, and can be done in small indoor spaces.

[Anonymous]

My kid is in kindergarten now. He did tball in pre-k but wasn't any good. Should he do tball again in kindergarten spring, or the coach pitch?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in kindergarten now. He did tball in pre-k but wasn't any good. Should he do tball again in kindergarten spring, or the coach pitch?

You could choose - I don’t think there’s any wrong answer. At that age the hope is the kids start to enjoy the game and develop some hand-eye coordination. I think if there’s an option for coach pitch then go for it. Expectations should be set low for little kids just starting out.

[Anonymous]

*Bump* Happy to answer anymore questions

[Anonymous]

I have one..

Better to play on a mediocre club team where you are one of the top players, or better to play for a top club team where you will be in the bottom half of the team (and may or may not have to fight for playing time)? This is for 13U, both rosters would be 12-13

12U son is on a mediocre team this year (he is their best pitcher, bats at the top of the order, never sits, plays C/SS/CF when not pitching). He likes the kids on the team, and loves his coaches (all young guys in their 20s who played college ball). He is starting to get frustrated with losing so much, and feels some pressure as a key player. As his parents, we would like to see him pitch/catch a bit less, though he has not been used inappropriately thus far. We don’t really feel he has improved all that much this year. The coaching seems very solid but they just don’t have the talent level to compete at a high level (very weak at the bottom of the roster, not enough pitching)

There is another club team nearby (where he knows many of the players already from LL) and he (and we) have kicked around the idea of moving to that team next year. He would definitely make the team but would highly likely play a lesser role...how much lesser we aren’t sure! (Never can be) But he’d be in bottom half of the team for sure. Coaching seems very solid (former pros). Some kids from his LL who were “good” hitters before, have improved SIGNIFICANTLY this year- absolutely smashing the ball when they weren’t before. This team performs really well in tournaments while DS’s current team does not.

Both teams are similar cost and DS is friends with several kids on each team already.

Any thoughts on weighing playing time vs level of competition at the 13u level? We would be going from the known situation (likely to gets lots of playing time and ABs) to the unknown (he may indeed still get a lot of quality playing time- just bat a bit lower in the order and play more OF- but what if he doesn’t? I have seen some very and situations where the 12-13th kid are treated like the red headed stepchildren...Then he’d be stuck for a year). We aren’t ones to switch teams over playing time issues so we’d stick it out with the new team either way through a full season.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have one..

Better to play on a mediocre club team where you are one of the top players, or better to play for a top club team where you will be in the bottom half of the team (and may or may not have to fight for playing time)? This is for 13U, both rosters would be 12-13

12U son is on a mediocre team this year (he is their best pitcher, bats at the top of the order, never sits, plays C/SS/CF when not pitching). He likes the kids on the team, and loves his coaches (all young guys in their 20s who played college ball). He is starting to get frustrated with losing so much, and feels some pressure as a key player. As his parents, we would like to see him pitch/catch a bit less, though he has not been used inappropriately thus far. We don’t really feel he has improved all that much this year. The coaching seems very solid but they just don’t have the talent level to compete at a high level (very weak at the bottom of the roster, not enough pitching)

There is another club team nearby (where he knows many of the players already from LL) and he (and we) have kicked around the idea of moving to that team next year. He would definitely make the team but would highly likely play a lesser role...how much lesser we aren’t sure! (Never can be) But he’d be in bottom half of the team for sure. Coaching seems very solid (former pros). Some kids from his LL who were “good” hitters before, have improved SIGNIFICANTLY this year- absolutely smashing the ball when they weren’t before. This team performs really well in tournaments while DS’s current team does not.

Both teams are similar cost and DS is friends with several kids on each team already.

Any thoughts on weighing playing time vs level of competition at the 13u level? We would be going from the known situation (likely to gets lots of playing time and ABs) to the unknown (he may indeed still get a lot of quality playing time- just bat a bit lower in the order and play more OF- but what if he doesn’t? I have seen some very and situations where the 12-13th kid are treated like the red headed stepchildren...Then he’d be stuck for a year). We aren’t ones to switch teams over playing time issues so we’d stick it out with the new team either way through a full season.

Thanks!

Not the OP, just another parent (but curious to hear OP's response!). I would switch to the better team. Your son will get better playing with better players, and he may end up surpassing them. I do think it is unlikely that the good hitters who have improved significantly this year are hitting better because of the team. I would bet that: (a) they are getting bigger (especially at this age) or (2) good hitting coach or (3) both. Good luck. If your son is a good pitcher, he will always have that opportunity. Every team needs pitching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have one..

Better to play on a mediocre club team where you are one of the top players, or better to play for a top club team where you will be in the bottom half of the team (and may or may not have to fight for playing time)? This is for 13U, both rosters would be 12-13

12U son is on a mediocre team this year (he is their best pitcher, bats at the top of the order, never sits, plays C/SS/CF when not pitching). He likes the kids on the team, and loves his coaches (all young guys in their 20s who played college ball). He is starting to get frustrated with losing so much, and feels some pressure as a key player. As his parents, we would like to see him pitch/catch a bit less, though he has not been used inappropriately thus far. We don’t really feel he has improved all that much this year. The coaching seems very solid but they just don’t have the talent level to compete at a high level (very weak at the bottom of the roster, not enough pitching)

There is another club team nearby (where he knows many of the players already from LL) and he (and we) have kicked around the idea of moving to that team next year. He would definitely make the team but would highly likely play a lesser role...how much lesser we aren’t sure! (Never can be) But he’d be in bottom half of the team for sure. Coaching seems very solid (former pros). Some kids from his LL who were “good” hitters before, have improved SIGNIFICANTLY this year- absolutely smashing the ball when they weren’t before. This team performs really well in tournaments while DS’s current team does not.

Both teams are similar cost and DS is friends with several kids on each team already.

Any thoughts on weighing playing time vs level of competition at the 13u level? We would be going from the known situation (likely to gets lots of playing time and ABs) to the unknown (he may indeed still get a lot of quality playing time- just bat a bit lower in the order and play more OF- but what if he doesn’t? I have seen some very and situations where the 12-13th kid are treated like the red headed stepchildren...Then he’d be stuck for a year). We aren’t ones to switch teams over playing time issues so we’d stick it out with the new team either way through a full season.

Thanks!

OP here....
So my priority would be to put my child in a more competitive environment. Not so much from a win/loss standpoint, but from a training perspective. The child should be challenged and coached by someone that could really get the best out of them. Don’t worry too much about playing time. If your son is deserving - he’ll play. It does sound like a switch would be a positive for him, but I would first contact a few of the parents on the other team just to get their perspective on the team and if they are happy.
Lots of options and at the end of the day if he’s the best on his old team, that door will always be open for him.

[Anonymous]

17 year old senior, loves to play, plays on two rec teams. Tried out as a sophomore for high school team, didn't make it. Has grown a lot since then, 6 ft now, and improved. Plans to try out again this spring, but unlikely to make team, competing with all the boys who have been on jv. Outfielder and a good hitter. Would like to play in college, maybe D3. Realizes may not be possible. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

I have a dumb question. After several seasons of rec baseball, my 9 year old tried out for a travel team a few weeks ago and we thought he did great. We haven’t heard anything since. This is the first time we’ve done a tryout like that, so don’t really know what to expect. Does that mean he didn’t make it? Do they only tell you if you made it as opposed to letting you know either way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:17 year old senior, loves to play, plays on two rec teams. Tried out as a sophomore for high school team, didn't make it. Has grown a lot since then, 6 ft now, and improved. Plans to try out again this spring, but unlikely to make team, competing with all the boys who have been on jv. Outfielder and a good hitter. Would like to play in college, maybe D3. Realizes may not be possible. Any suggestions?

So realistically it’s going to be an uphill battle to play D3 if he’s not making a high school roster. Guys that have played 3 years on varsity are fortunate if they get to play D3.
Not to say that being a really late developer won’t make a difference, but he’s going to have to play some high school ball if playing in college is his goal. Train every day and see where that takes him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a dumb question. After several seasons of rec baseball, my 9 year old tried out for a travel team a few weeks ago and we thought he did great. We haven’t heard anything since. This is the first time we’ve done a tryout like that, so don’t really know what to expect. Does that mean he didn’t make it? Do they only tell you if you made it as opposed to letting you know either way?

Yes if you haven’t heard anything he probably wasn’t chosen. However, coaches usually outline how they’ll notify parents. Either by email or posting it on the team website. It sounds a bit strange that they didn’t tell parents what the plan was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:17 year old senior, loves to play, plays on two rec teams. Tried out as a sophomore for high school team, didn't make it. Has grown a lot since then, 6 ft now, and improved. Plans to try out again this spring, but unlikely to make team, competing with all the boys who have been on jv. Outfielder and a good hitter. Would like to play in college, maybe D3. Realizes may not be possible. Any suggestions?

So realistically it’s going to be an uphill battle to play D3 if he’s not making a high school roster. Guys that have played 3 years on varsity are fortunate if they get to play D3.
Not to say that being a really late developer won’t make a difference, but he’s going to have to play some high school ball if playing in college is his goal. Train every day and see where that takes him.

Thanks, he is training, but I guess even if he really got a chance to show off his hitting the coach probably wouldn’t take him as a senior. But he wants to try. Really appreciate your advice. Thank you!