I am from upstate NY. Christian Laettner’s dad had him repeat the 7th or 8th grade. It worked out for him. But now we live in Southern California, and I would say a majority of boys that show up for freshman baseball tryouts at private and catholic schools have been held back. That is just the reality. My 2021 goes to a public school, and he is big for his age, so it is not an issue for him. However, we have friends that are good ball players that have not made their freshman teams at catholic schools. The other boys are a year older and much bigger.
As for travel ball, my 2021 was the youngest and smallest on his team. I think it makes him a better player. I think he is the only player on his 2021 team that is young enough to play 14u this summer (May birthday).
He will be 17 when he is a senior, others will be 18 or 19, I don’t think that will be a problem. The only awkwardness comes when I refer to him as a true freshman.