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15 replies

2012 or 2013

E Elroy10+ posts
RHP Son has decided to join a top tier (and expensive) travel club that has a year round program. He has an April 1994 birthday and is 16 but is only a sophomore (2013) as we delayed his education a year (which turned out wonderful from an academic, social & maturity aspect). He has always played age appropriate baseball as the USSSA, Super Series, etc...had a May 1 age cut off and has excelled at the highest levels of baseball. He played played 16U ball, with the 2012's the last two years and was a dominate pitcher (low-mid 80's) and good position player with pop. The new travel club wants to have him play 2013 for several reasons- he should be able to have more impact and maybe dominate at 2013 and that may help in recruiting and getting noticed, etc...RHP son wants to keep playing against his age and better competition witht he 2012's. He feels that it would be a negative to play 2013. RHP Mom agrees with RHP son. I kind of lean to the new travel team point of view. Additionally, although we are kind of set with the new travel organization, he would have no problem finding many other organizations that would welcome him with open arms to play on their 2012 team. Can some of you experienced parents/coaches please provide your opinions and any facts for us to consider. Thanks
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F 3FingeredGlove1,000+ posts
Regardless of his age he is a 2013, and for recruiting purposes, he should try to maximize his exposure as a 2013. From what I know, the best way to do that is to follow the normal recruiting rhythm, and play with the 2013 team.

The most talented players are offered scholarships in the fall of their junior year, and the most important summer for those players is the one between sophomore and junior year. That's next summer for your son. The college coaches who are looking for top talent will be watching the 2013 teams during the 2011 summer. A different set of coaches will be looking at the 2012 team, trying to identify mid-major D1 and lower players.

If there is any chance that your son may be recruited by higher level D1 schools, it is important that he play on the 2013 team. If he plays with the 2012 team, he probably won't be seen by the top schools.

If on the other hand he is D1 material but not in the group receiving the early offers then the summer between his junior and senior year may be most important, and it is less important who he plays with during the 2011 summer. I still think his best exposure will come with playing on the 2013 team.
Last edited by 3FingeredGlove
08Dad08Dad1,000+ posts
When players are in their early years, in general, I agree with the idea of playing up to the level where you are competitive.

However, I think that playing up should end when the player goes into their rising sophomore summer - e.g. between Freshman and Sophomore years. College coaches are primarily concerned with what year the player graduates - and are looking at the team in that context. Playing up may help your skills - but will probably hurt you from an exposure perspective.
B bobball10+ posts
We have had a similar situation. My son is a 2013 but turned 15 in July. We put him in school at 5 because we thought he was ready. Socially he was fine. Grades fine. Never thought baseball at the time.

He has always played up. He tried out for a 16-U team after freshman ball was done and although he did fine some of these players were turning 17 after May 1 and he was overmatched.

He was the star of the freshman team and played some with the JV. Because the varsity is in transition with only two seniors and they are needing a middle infielder he will get a shot. I am nervous.

Bobball
sgvbaseballsgvbaseball100+ posts
I would agree the TRhit and 08Dad. Play with your grade group and where you are competitive. I hear all the time how parents want their kids playing up. It depends on who they are playing with and against. I have has parents wanting to join our program they wanted their kid to play up. I tell them we place kids on each team by grade and move guys up when needed to help out.
They stressed their son had played up. They kid pitched against us while trying to play up. He got hit really hard and colleges there though he was not very good. He last only two innings. A freshman throwing to my Jr's was not a good idea. If would have threw against his grade level he would have looked better. There was no need rush it.
CT Clint Taylor100+ posts
Now is the time to think recruiting; therefore, I am in complete agreement with 3fingerglove. Play with those in your graduating class so as not to create confusion. The summer of your sophomore and junior years are the most important for recruiting purposes. The top programs are now looking for their 2012 recruits and some have even completed their evaluations, with a few exceptions. This fall they will be completing their evaluations and offers to selected JC players for 2012.
J johnj314100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Mark B:
If he has a April 94 birthday you have to play U-17 next year meaning the people you should be playing with are 2012's. Not sure how and why the new team can expect you to play 2013's as your son is too old to play U-16 or 2013.


Wrong- the higher levels of baseball are by graduation class. This is done for college recruiting. These aren't pre puberty kids where a year can make a huge diffference in physical muturity...
F 3FingeredGlove1,000+ posts
There seems to be a lot of confusion here.

Bear in mind that the OP mentions playing for a top travel team. The reality is that top travel teams at this age/grade level play in tournament divisions above their age level most of the time, or for example enter a WWBA tournament in which a player can be either born on/after May 1, 1994 or be a 2013 graduate.

So a team made up of 2013 players can usually play their intended schedule even if some of the players are "too old". They're not too old for the tournaments being entered.

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