The correct point would is being a 12U stud doesn't guarantee future success. A lot changes on the 60/90 field. Many early bloomers outmuscle the smaller fields and don't learn the game properly. They struggle on the big field.quote:Originally posted by Doughnutman:
It is good to hear success stories. My son is a 5'10", 160+ lb. stud shortstop who turns thirteen this fall. I have read on this site over and over how the 12 year old studs have no chance to play HS ball. It makes me a little nervous. But in his defense, his Grandpa was 6'5" and his 8 uncles are 6'2" to 6'6". Lets hope he keeps growing and improving. Height seems to be the key to success.
Most importantly is where a kid is physically by high school, not 12U. I just checked my son's LL all-star picture. He was eighth of twelve in height. After growing five inches in the last five months he's now (age fourteen) the fourth tallest from that group. He's a late bloomer like his sister was (she's 5'10").
When you see a 5'8" 12U stud with a 5'8" father, the journey is usually close to over. If you looked at the parents of my son's all-star team, even though my son was one of the shortest (5'0"), mom (5'8") and I (6'1") were among the tallest.
I believe being shorter has been a benefit to my son. He's had to be very fundamentally sound to succeed. He was still the best player in his LL and one of the best on his 12U travel team. He hit the ball over the fence (fence scrapers ... I used to tease him the balls came back with yellow on them). He just didn't hit the "Did you see that!" bombs some other kids hit. Now he's growing. The game should get much easier for him if he maintains his same work ethic.
Strength and speed is more important than size. However size tends to contribute to strength and speed in many cases.