Interesting subject...Many players do continue to be phenoms...but I also think that a number of players do peak early due to a number of factors.
- early physical development, the best and biggest 8th grader hasn't grown and the other kids who were just OK or only played Little League past him by.
- practice, practice, practice again leads to early success but again as other kids develop skills he doesn't shine.
- lose interest in sport due to parents driving them nuts
-Injury, arms are shot by high school due to overuse and abuse.
-the kids have been treated like stars since they were 10 and don't think they need to work at the game to continue success...or they can'y handle it when they have to compete for a starting position when their Dad isn't their coach any longer.