Sorry, Batty. When you ask a bunch of strangers on the internet for advice some of that advice will surely be crap. That said, I read a lot of "I" in your OP. This in particular: "I'm shutting him down for a month or so..." -- sounds like a heavily invested dad micromanaging his kid's baseball career at an age when the kid should be taking responsibility for his own choices and training. But that's just MHO so please feel free to disregard, and best of luck to both you and your son.
Fair enough JCG. Probably some truth to it in terms of my investment. He's a very responsible kid and he works hard on his academics and baseball. I try to support him, naturally. For me this is a tough issue and one for which I am seeking the general (since this cannot be specific) advice of the HSBW.