Need the real scoop on Vienna Little League-Majors

[Anonymous]

My son loves baseball and loves playing on a team. He was Triple A and is good. Good as in “ok” but he’s definitely not great. To give you an idea, he got passed over for Triple A when was age eligible and he was a season “behind” when going up in leagues. So, the spring, he wants to play majors. In fact, he can only play majors because of his age. First, I’m in no way connected to the little league scene so it’s not like he has a team, a coach or moms I know who can get him on a team. Second, like I said, he’s good but not great. We can spend time getting him lessons over the winter and improve his hitting and fielding. But, I’ve heard that unless your kid is a superstar or unless you are “in” with the team (I guess it’s cliquey?) or unless you’ve been with a team for a
long time, then your kid will be more than likely be benched the entire season. I’d like to tell my son that if he works hard and practices over the months and really improves, he will get to play. But, if that is not the reality, then I’m hesitant to sign him up. Any insight would be much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

What grade / age is your son? Is this his last year eligible for LL?

[Anonymous]

Yes-this is his last year

[Anonymous]

Not familiar with that particular league but on most LL majors teams a weak player may well get minimum playing time (which is one AB and two defensive innings I believe)

The fastest route to more playing time is to be a hitter. I’d get him batting lessons. If he can hit he will get more playing time. A good instructor can get almost any kid hitting the ball if they are willing to listen and put in the work.

Not saying the way this is how things should be, but it is the reality in most leagues by this age.

[Anonymous]

Switch to Babe Ruth / Cal Ripken. A house league should be more inclusive even at the higher levels. One area LL actually pushes kids out of the house league. Sad since kids don’t play pick up / sandlot games anymore.

[Anonymous]

Yes, he will probably get the min playing time unless he's a great hitter. The good news is that Vienna Babe Ruth is awesome and those teams bat through the order. He can play in BR the fall after he ages out of LL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, he will probably get the min playing time unless he's a great hitter. The good news is that Vienna Babe Ruth is awesome and those teams bat through the order. He can play in BR the fall after he ages out of LL.

Babe Ruth’s Cal Ripken League goes up to age 12; Babe Ruth “proper” is for over 12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, he will probably get the min playing time unless he's a great hitter. The good news is that Vienna Babe Ruth is awesome and those teams bat through the order. He can play in BR the fall after he ages out of LL.

Babe Ruth’s Cal Ripken League goes up to age 12; Babe Ruth “proper” is for over 12.

I should also mention that I think Vienna is within the boundaries of Arlington Babe Ruth (Cal Ripken). It may be a distance for you, but they have a very good program. We are outside their district, but are involved in another local Babe Ruth (Cal Ripken) league.

[Anonymous]

Concentrate only on his hitting. Even if he is great at fielding, LL is all about "daddy ball". The manger and coaches kids will be pitchers and other infielders. Then kids who played majors last year. Your kid could vastly improve his fielding and still never get to play if he is mediocre at hitting.
He will be required to get one at bat each game. If the coaches see he can hit, he will be in the starting line-up and has a chance then to play more. My kid is not a big kid so there is no way he was going to get noticed. We had him take batting lessons all fall and winter. He started smoking the ball and getting doubles and triples when he batted. We kept up the batting lessons all spring. He started off getting one at bat the first two games then two at bats, to finally making the starting line up, then working his way up to 5th batter. The coaches kids batted in the top three and then a huge kid batted fourth.

The other thing the batting coach told my son at the beginning of the season was not to walk unless the balls being pitched weren't hittable at all. He said that if he just walked the coaches weren't going to notice his hitting ability. He thought it was better to make contact to show the coaches he could drive the ball. So the second game, he fouled two far down into the outfield but just foul. He struck out swinging but it helped the coaches see he could hit.

[Anonymous]

Cant speak to Vienna LL, but at Central Springfield Little League, everyone bats and no one sits twice until everyone has sat once. Apply for a waiver. There is no way in hell that house ball should be that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Concentrate only on his hitting. Even if he is great at fielding, LL is all about "daddy ball". The manger and coaches kids will be pitchers and other infielders. Then kids who played majors last year. Your kid could vastly improve his fielding and still never get to play if he is mediocre at hitting.
He will be required to get one at bat each game. If the coaches see he can hit, he will be in the starting line-up and has a chance then to play more. My kid is not a big kid so there is no way he was going to get noticed. We had him take batting lessons all fall and winter. He started smoking the ball and getting doubles and triples when he batted. We kept up the batting lessons all spring. He started off getting one at bat the first two games then two at bats, to finally making the starting line up, then working his way up to 5th batter. The coaches kids batted in the top three and then a huge kid batted fourth.

The other thing the batting coach told my son at the beginning of the season was not to walk unless the balls being pitched weren't hittable at all. He said that if he just walked the coaches weren't going to notice his hitting ability. He thought it was better to make contact to show the coaches he could drive the ball. So the second game, he fouled two far down into the outfield but just foul. He struck out swinging but it helped the coaches see he could hit.

+1 to what this person said. All of it. Excellent advice, all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cant speak to Vienna LL, but at Central Springfield Little League, everyone bats and no one sits twice until everyone has sat once. Apply for a waiver. There is no way in hell that house ball should be that way.

Agree. House ball should not be like this. I would not want to spend $$$ for my kid to only get one at bat per game.

The poster with input re: hitting provided good advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cant speak to Vienna LL, but at Central Springfield Little League, everyone bats and no one sits twice until everyone has sat once. Apply for a waiver. There is no way in hell that house ball should be that way.

Really? In our league that is how it is in AA (8-9 year olds). But by Majors- no more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Concentrate only on his hitting. Even if he is great at fielding, LL is all about "daddy ball". The manger and coaches kids will be pitchers and other infielders. Then kids who played majors last year. Your kid could vastly improve his fielding and still never get to play if he is mediocre at hitting.
He will be required to get one at bat each game. If the coaches see he can hit, he will be in the starting line-up and has a chance then to play more. My kid is not a big kid so there is no way he was going to get noticed. We had him take batting lessons all fall and winter. He started smoking the ball and getting doubles and triples when he batted. We kept up the batting lessons all spring. He started off getting one at bat the first two games then two at bats, to finally making the starting line up, then working his way up to 5th batter. The coaches kids batted in the top three and then a huge kid batted fourth.

The other thing the batting coach told my son at the beginning of the season was not to walk unless the balls being pitched weren't hittable at all. He said that if he just walked the coaches weren't going to notice his hitting ability. He thought it was better to make contact to show the coaches he could drive the ball. So the second game, he fouled two far down into the outfield but just foul. He struck out swinging but it helped the coaches see he could hit.

Yep. Hitters don’t sit.

LL coaches at this level tend to create their lineups like this, from what I have seen (1) pitcher (2) catcher (3) shortstop (4-9) who can hit. Then arrange them in a batter order that makes sense.

Basically- you’d better be able to pitch, catch, or be a very good hitter (and if you can do these things, you are immune to “daddy ball” issues whether real or perceived) .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cant speak to Vienna LL, but at Central Springfield Little League, everyone bats and no one sits twice until everyone has sat once. Apply for a waiver. There is no way in hell that house ball should be that way.

Really? In our league that is how it is in AA (8-9 year olds). But by Majors- no more.

Yes, it is house league. CSLL encourages 12-year-olds to continue with their love of the game. No need to treat 12-year-olds like $h!t. The point is to play baseball with friends, regardless of their ability.