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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I doubt the dads have any regrets. They controlled for what they could to advantage their kids…

There will be hurdles along the way to make it to high school Varsity (if that is the goal, for example) in any organized team sport. Hurdles that are not related to a kid’s skills, desire, or work ethic. Generally

1) &lt;12 “the daddyball years”
2) 12-15 “the puberty race”
3) 16+ “accepting physical limitations”

In baseball, kids fall off at all of the above stages. The stage one daddyball stuff mostly doesn’t matter. Kids can still play on a team (rec at least) and get in game reps- the defensive position or where they bat in the order really does not matter . Stage 2 puberty time really shakes things up- some kids mature/grow quickly and their stock rises dramatically, others lag behind in maturity and start to struggle and fall behind. Stage 3 most kids are well into puberty and can get some idea of their physical makeup. Many don’t end up having the foot speed, arm strength, size or athleticism they had hoped for. It doesn’t mean they can’t still play and contribute- heck some of these might even still get college offers  - but their role will likely be different than they’d hoped. You can improve it, but you really can’t buy certain physical tools/attributes.

It isn’t surprising that dads try hard to advantage their kids in sports right out of the gate (they do a lot of good for other kids in the process along the way)- and without parent volunteers, there would be no youth sports. But the advantages end with youth sports. My advice is to let your kid have fun and play (never mention any real or perceived unfairness to him!), and work on some skills at home. Maybe some camps and lessons if he wants to, and it fits the budget. Being disfavored or ignored by youth dad coaches doesn’t mean a THING about a kid’s future in sports- truly.

-Just a mom who has watched several age groups of kids grow up and play sports- a lot of baseball/softball in particular. [/quote]

Stage 2 can be cruel to talented, late bloomers.  The kids move up to the 90ft field and start using BBCOR bats.  The hits will dry up for the small kids. The late bloomers have to out work the big boys in this stage and create value until they get their growth spurt.  This is the time to work on speed, bunt skills, and bat to ball skills.  Live in the cage so that you are the toughest out on the team and drive up opposing pitch counts.  This was my kid. He was passed over by many travel coaches in middle school for being only 100lbs in 8th, but is now the top hitter on his WCAC team.  Trust the process.  [/quote]

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