Anonymous
10/21/2020 15:32
Subject: Baseball Development AMA
Meant locating pitches. Darn Siri!
Anonymous
10/21/2020 15:31
Subject: Re:Baseball Development AMA
Anonymous wrote:15:06 again. I forgot to mention that I'm particularly seeing this in the Majors; I don't know if it's because the pitching is much improved at this level so his (lack of) speed is more noticeable than compared to AAA.
There’s no way around this other than to say size does equate to velocity or higher speeds. Until he has a growth spurt the only thing you can do is have him think critically about pitching and locating his pictures. Speed is not everything but it definitely is an advantage.
Anonymous
10/21/2020 15:21
Subject: Baseball Development AMA
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Just tell your kid to go play, do not put any expectations on them, tell them you enjoy watching them play, don't talk about the games in the car or after at home.
if they want to talk about it they will. this goes for all sports and school, do you want them telling you what you don't do right at work or what you can be doing better with more effort?
So this is good advice as far as telling them you love to watch them play and not discussing in the car postgame but this is dependent on what type of player you have. One of the biggest mistakes I see with kids that are serious about the sport is that they lack any thought regarding their play from that days game. Players that are serious should use every opportunity they have to better themselves. This means being reflective and perhaps keeping a notepad of things they felt they did well and things they can do better at.
This of course is dependent on the player. Casual Rec. player no - travel player that wants to continue with the game long term - absolutely.
that drive comes from them and needs to come from them and let them discover it.
We aren’t talking about drive we are talking about the process of development. Good habits start early and I advise parents to help their players be introspective about their play. We aren’t talking about judgment here we are talking about what’s best for the players development.
Anonymous
10/21/2020 15:07
Subject: Re:Baseball Development AMA
15:06 again. I forgot to mention that I'm particularly seeing this in the Majors; I don't know if it's because the pitching is much improved at this level so his (lack of) speed is more noticeable than compared to AAA.
Anonymous
10/21/2020 15:06
Subject: Re:Baseball Development AMA
I have a 10 year old in his first season in the Majors in a fairly competitive LL. Throughout his AAA time, he was a starting pitcher. It seems his velocity is definitely slower than others, though his accuracy is pretty good and he gets a good number of strike outs. It's almost like he throws so slowly that kids can't figure out how to hit it 
Is there anything he can do to increase his velocity while remaining accurate, or is that just something that will come with time? He does have low muscle tone. Thanks!
Is there anything he can do to increase his velocity while remaining accurate, or is that just something that will come with time? He does have low muscle tone. Thanks!
Anonymous
10/21/2020 15:03
Subject: Baseball Development AMA
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Just tell your kid to go play, do not put any expectations on them, tell them you enjoy watching them play, don't talk about the games in the car or after at home.
if they want to talk about it they will. this goes for all sports and school, do you want them telling you what you don't do right at work or what you can be doing better with more effort?
So this is good advice as far as telling them you love to watch them play and not discussing in the car postgame but this is dependent on what type of player you have. One of the biggest mistakes I see with kids that are serious about the sport is that they lack any thought regarding their play from that days game. Players that are serious should use every opportunity they have to better themselves. This means being reflective and perhaps keeping a notepad of things they felt they did well and things they can do better at.
This of course is dependent on the player. Casual Rec. player no - travel player that wants to continue with the game long term - absolutely.
that drive comes from them and needs to come from them and let them discover it.
Anonymous
10/21/2020 14:49
Subject: Baseball Development AMA
Anonymous wrote:Just tell your kid to go play, do not put any expectations on them, tell them you enjoy watching them play, don't talk about the games in the car or after at home.
if they want to talk about it they will. this goes for all sports and school, do you want them telling you what you don't do right at work or what you can be doing better with more effort?
So this is good advice as far as telling them you love to watch them play and not discussing in the car postgame but this is dependent on what type of player you have. One of the biggest mistakes I see with kids that are serious about the sport is that they lack any thought regarding their play from that days game. Players that are serious should use every opportunity they have to better themselves. This means being reflective and perhaps keeping a notepad of things they felt they did well and things they can do better at.
This of course is dependent on the player. Casual Rec. player no - travel player that wants to continue with the game long term - absolutely.
Anonymous
10/21/2020 14:41
Subject: Baseball Development AMA
Just tell your kid to go play, do not put any expectations on them, tell them you enjoy watching them play, don't talk about the games in the car or after at home.
if they want to talk about it they will. this goes for all sports and school, do you want them telling you what you don't do right at work or what you can be doing better with more effort?
if they want to talk about it they will. this goes for all sports and school, do you want them telling you what you don't do right at work or what you can be doing better with more effort?
Anonymous
10/21/2020 14:36
Subject: Re:Baseball Development AMA
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My son who is in 11u travel lacks aggressiveness, any suggestions for improvements such as a class to work on the mental components. We are in moco.
Aggressiveness in sports often comes with maturity. Unfortunately some kids are born with it “naturally” - think disruptive toddler, and sports is a good outlet for them because they just act instinctively. Often times a child’s play mirrors their personality. It’s not a bad thing.
I would recommend something like Hecostix (look it up) or just in general make daily activities things fun and competitive like “I’ll race you to the door”
or my fave “how quickly can you get upstairs and in your bed - I’ll time you!”
Also I would add that I’m NOT above bribery.
A lot of kids - even my own - are just careful kids by nature - they’re afraid of making mistakes which comes across as lacking aggressiveness. I would often add something like a “freedom chart” to accumulate screen time or something they want. In our house it’s something like you have $10 to spend on amazon or similar.
But the chart would allow you to accumulate points for playing “free” or loose”. Maybe a point for each time your player dove in a game, slid into a base, or swung at the first strike. Don’t focus on the result just the act of trying which is often the biggest hurdle.
Anonymous
10/21/2020 14:36
Subject: Baseball Development AMA
Who's on first?
Anonymous
10/21/2020 14:23
Subject: Baseball Development AMA
Anonymous wrote:Any advice for 12Us who are skilled, but currently smaller in stature? Eventually they will hit their growth spurt and things will even out, but until then we want to make sure they don’t lose playing opportunities to the “big kids.”
Right there with you and I currently have personal experience in this area and age group. 12’s are tough because size is all over the map. Half have hit puberty and the other half are probably 2 years away. It’s a very tough age group but for those behind I would focus on their baseball IQ. Understanding the game, having situational awareness, and an all out hustle mentality will always get you playing time and respect from coaches and teammates.
Anonymous
10/21/2020 14:18
Subject: Re:Baseball Development AMA
Anonymous wrote:My son who is in 11u travel lacks aggressiveness, any suggestions for improvements such as a class to work on the mental components. We are in moco.
Aggressiveness in sports often comes with maturity. Unfortunately some kids are born with it “naturally” - think disruptive toddler, and sports is a good outlet for them because they just act instinctively. Often times a child’s play mirrors their personality. It’s not a bad thing.
I would recommend something like Hecostix (look it up) or just in general make daily activities things fun and competitive like “I’ll race you to the door”
or my fave “how quickly can you get upstairs and in your bed - I’ll time you!”
Anonymous
10/21/2020 13:45
Subject: Baseball Development AMA
Any advice for 12Us who are skilled, but currently smaller in stature? Eventually they will hit their growth spurt and things will even out, but until then we want to make sure they don’t lose playing opportunities to the “big kids.”
Anonymous
10/21/2020 12:58
Subject: Re:Baseball Development AMA
My son who is in 11u travel lacks aggressiveness, any suggestions for improvements such as a class to work on the mental components. We are in moco.
Anonymous
10/21/2020 11:45
Subject: Baseball Development AMA
There’s a lot of threads from parents seeking out baseball related advice. I’ve been around the game my entire life, have coached numerous age groups from the littlest to the biggest. I’m currently a director of baseball development and pride myself on providing parents with realistic and age appropriate advice for their kids. I’m happy to answer any Baseball Development related questions in this thread.