2020 give or take a year...

CaCO3Girl posted:

jennifita2baseball posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

Regarding setting up our own PM conversation:

I have sent PM's to 2020Pops and JDB because their posts did not indicate if they wanted to be included in the PM or not.

As of right now here is my list of people to include.  If your name is not on this list and you WANT to be on the PM please respond to this post or PM me:

2020DAD

2019DAD

JOHNNYSAKO

SLIDER8

HSHULER

FRANKJP

PA2020LEFTY

GO44DAD

D-MAC

PROSPECT2020TX

BK-CATCHERDAD

TEXAS1836

PW

SCOTTY83

SMOKEMINSIDE

INITECH

PLAYWITHEFFORT

BANDERA

DEUCES WILD

BEBOBUNO05

JIMMYMAC

SAFEATHOME

2019SS

Please add me as well......2019 son.

Thanks!

ALL-the PM is live and up.  Sadly I could not include PW because the PM program wouldn't pick up his/her name, hopefully he/she can adjust his/her name to allow the PM.

Is there anyone else who wanted to be on the PM that didn't get the message?

Have had time to reply, but add me.  Thanks,

PWPW posted:

So here's a new topic. How many of your sons play catcher? If they do, what are their pop times? I'm a catcher coach that has a 2020 son that catches. He hasn't gone through puberty yet, he still has baby fat and a squeaky voice. (We are anticipating it's arrival like a kid at Christmas) He consistently throws a mid 2.4 and mixes in a high 2.3 or low 2.5 every now and then. His weak arm hurts him some but he works hard on his foot work and accuracy. His strengths are his blocking and receiving for sure. 

I like talking about catching and kids that play there. Just thought I would bring it up!

The quickest mine was clocked at last year (13u) on 60/90 was 2.24 and 2.27.  Those were documented times, but neither were game pop times, they were at events.  He has grown a lot and gotten stronger, but we haven't been anywhere that has clocked him this season.  My guess is that he is in the 2.1's and possibly 2.0's. 

Okay kids, with regard to the PM.  I've had some more people ask to join so I will be setting up another one tomorrow and the current one will hopefully not be active anymore.

If ANYONE else wants to join the PM please let me know!

I have a 2020 (a 6'1" 175lb 8th grader)  but I'm confused about what you are doing - a PM group?  I tried to go back through the posts on this thread and I couldn't figure it out.  Sorry.  

Try to add me to the group this time CACO3GIRL if you can! Thanks!

MKbaseballdad posted:

I have a 2020 (a 6'1" 175lb 8th grader)  but I'm confused about what you are doing - a PM group?  I tried to go back through the posts on this thread and I couldn't figure it out.  Sorry.  

We started a PM today to go over some things with each other that we wouldn't want on the board.  For example, someone might want to say My son plays for XXX organization, has anyone heard anything bad about that place?  This open board is searchable by anyone, even a non-member.  Maybe you don't want that information thrown out there, or maybe you have a question you were afraid to ask on the open forum, in a PM it's a more private setting.

Perfect example, the subject of  "is a 2021 a 12u kid or a 13u kid" came up today.  Since we are all in that boat now, or just were in that boat, it was easily handled by people who are there right now and living it.  There are MANY wonderful people on this board who have a long history with this sport and the inner workings but sometimes they get a bit grumpy if they hear the same question over and over again about pre-high school things or they feel the question won't really have any meaning in 3 years.  When I read stuff about 9u I kind of get the same way.  Having a PM with people all in the same age group eliminates the possible grumpiness factor and the fear of getting grumped at by someone who knows WAY more than you do about a topic.  On the flip side if something comes up that really shouldn't be behind closed doors having naive people talk to naive people we plan on opening up the question to the more knowledgeable people on the forum.

Make sense?  Would you like to join the PM?

PWPW posted:

Try to add me to the group this time CACO3GIRL if you can! Thanks!

I've already done a name check, your new name will work

Hi, great stuff! You could sense this coming in last year. Please add me

Okay the new PM is up and running.  If you didn't receive it, and wanted to be on it, please send me a message.  The next incarnation will be made around 5/1.  Enjoy!

Another long time lurker here-joined the site just for this thread.  Looking forward to this part of the journey and trying to learn all I can along the way.  As my name says, I have 2 2020's 8th graders at the moment-growing fast and starting on the big field...let the games begin!

I'm in! I have an 11yo 6th grader(2022) that just finished up middle school ball.  He will play 12u major this year.  He plays everywhere, but mostly MIF and C.  He is only 5' 90lbs but is fast and strong for his size. I also have a 2020 daughter that plays fast pitch.   

I have a 2021,  13 yr old 7th grader.   5"10  150.   He's always been tall and now he's seeing his friends catch up,  and he looks like he may stretch out soon himself.   Pitcher and 1b mostly,  with some 3b.    He is playing travel ball on a pretty good neighborhood team,  we have been together for awhile and only added a few new kids this yr,  no tryouts really,  but win our fare share.    We started playing in Late Feb (Houston)  and my son has been on a roll so far  3 no hitters and 2 1 hitters  all against top teams late on sunday elimination games.    he is struggling with walks a bit  24 walks  (more than all last yr I think)  but only given up a few hits and 40k's.      the pitching coach he works with only about once a month in season has changed his arm action some,  safer on elbow he says so its taking some time to get used to and i think his command will come with reps.  he's throwing low to mid 70s and his changeup and curve are nasty.  

gunner34 posted:

I have a 2021,  13 yr old 7th grader.   5"10  150.   He's always been tall and now he's seeing his friends catch up,  and he looks like he may stretch out soon himself.   Pitcher and 1b mostly,  with some 3b.    He is playing travel ball on a pretty good neighborhood team,  we have been together for awhile and only added a few new kids this yr,  no tryouts really,  but win our fare share.    We started playing in Late Feb (Houston)  and my son has been on a roll so far  3 no hitters and 2 1 hitters  all against top teams late on sunday elimination games.    he is struggling with walks a bit  24 walks  (more than all last yr I think)  but only given up a few hits and 40k's.      the pitching coach he works with only about once a month in season has changed his arm action some,  safer on elbow he says so its taking some time to get used to and i think his command will come with reps.  he's throwing low to mid 70s and his changeup and curve are nasty.  

Gunner34, I have a 13 year old 8th grader who is 5'11 and 150#'s, I feel your pain! 

im 6'3,  my brother is 6'6,  sister 6'0,  Dad 6'4.    Im sure my son will stretch out sooner or later,  my Brother grew almost a foot as a freshman  so im not too worried.    just funny watching all his friends start to catch up for now at least.  

This thread is great for us that have long been on this board, reading and learning from others that have been through the process.  My son is 12u this year and we are eagerly awaiting our trip to Cooperstown this summer. 

Earlier in this thread there was some discussion about BBCOR and the lack of pop.  I would be interested to hear how most of you transitioned your sons into BBCOR.  My son currently swings a -8 as a 6th grader and next year I plan on moving him to -5, and then BBCOR as a 8th grader. 

SoCal2022 posted:

This thread is great for us that have long been on this board, reading and learning from others that have been through the process.  My son is 12u this year and we are eagerly awaiting our trip to Cooperstown this summer. 

Earlier in this thread there was some discussion about BBCOR and the lack of pop.  I would be interested to hear how most of you transitioned your sons into BBCOR.  My son currently swings a -8 as a 6th grader and next year I plan on moving him to -5, and then BBCOR as a 8th grader. 

That is the right path.  Mine went from -9 to -5 to -3.  However, he could have gone from -9 to -3 with no issue.  The kids get a lot stronger in 7th-9th grade and they can handle the transition much easier than I ever expected. 

SoCal2022 posted:

This thread is great for us that have long been on this board, reading and learning from others that have been through the process.  My son is 12u this year and we are eagerly awaiting our trip to Cooperstown this summer. 

Earlier in this thread there was some discussion about BBCOR and the lack of pop.  I would be interested to hear how most of you transitioned your sons into BBCOR.  My son currently swings a -8 as a 6th grader and next year I plan on moving him to -5, and then BBCOR as a 8th grader. 

Cooperstown was a BLAST, I hope you already have your room, if you don't shoot me a PM I know some places to look.

My 5'11 8th grader did just fine with the BBCOR transition.  Some smaller kids have not been so lucky, but it really still comes down to the speed of your swing.  I have seen tiny kids hit really well, but if your tiny, with a semi-slow swing it's going to be even slower, which means you are not getting the ball out of the infield much. 

SoCal2022 posted:

This thread is great for us that have long been on this board, reading and learning from others that have been through the process.  My son is 12u this year and we are eagerly awaiting our trip to Cooperstown this summer. 

Earlier in this thread there was some discussion about BBCOR and the lack of pop.  I would be interested to hear how most of you transitioned your sons into BBCOR.  My son currently swings a -8 as a 6th grader and next year I plan on moving him to -5, and then BBCOR as a 8th grader. 

That's exactly the plan that I would recommend. 

In my opinion, bbcor, like wood, gives you instant feedback and is less forgiving. You must square it up for the ball to jump. 

My son's 14U team has some really big kids and they are making the adjustment just fine. In fact, two kids hit "taters" over the weekend on high school fields. Boths shots were 350+.

From my experience, the bat transition thing is entirely over-blown.  Kids will adapt...and like mentioned above, these are the years when they make huge gains in strength...assuming they put down the phones and devices long enough to work!!

CaCO3Girl posted:

SoCal2022 posted:

This thread is great for us that have long been on this board, reading and learning from others that have been through the process.  My son is 12u this year and we are eagerly awaiting our trip to Cooperstown this summer. 

Earlier in this thread there was some discussion about BBCOR and the lack of pop.  I would be interested to hear how most of you transitioned your sons into BBCOR.  My son currently swings a -8 as a 6th grader and next year I plan on moving him to -5, and then BBCOR as a 8th grader. 

Cooperstown was a BLAST, I hope you already have your room, if you don't shoot me a PM I know some places to look.

My 5'11 8th grader did just fine with the BBCOR transition.  Some smaller kids have not been so lucky, but it really still comes down to the speed of your swing.  I have seen tiny kids hit really well, but if your tiny, with a semi-slow swing it's going to be even slower, which means you are not getting the ball out of the infield much. 

Thanks, when we received our week the first thing we did was book our rooms. 

PWPW posted:

2020dad posted:

A good goal for 14u is 2.15 to 2.25.  Most if not all of this can be achieved with good footwork and quickness out of the crouch. Strong arm is the cherry on top. 

I've been coaching catchers at the middle school and high school level for 10 years and I've never seen a catcher throw a 2.15 as an 8th grader. I've seen some high 2.2s, but these were from players that looked 16 or 17. Early puberty kids for sure. If you put a clock on a varsity catcher that is getting recruited by D1 schools he will be around 2.1 with game his game pop time. I'm not saying it can't happen in a rare case, but IMHO this is not a good goal for an 8th grader. Unless you set lofty goals that won't be reached by 95% of the catchers you coach. Or maybe if youre not on a 60/90 field.

Well we definitely see catchers in this range or slightly above it. and yes 60/90. 

hshuler posted:

safeathome posted:

PW posted:

2020dad posted:

PW posted:

Maybe that's a high velocity for your area, but it's not uncommon for a middle school age kid that is 5'11" and 150lbs to cruise at 80 where I'm from. We've got 4 on our middle school team that stay between 77 and 82 and all are under 6' tall. I would be more concerned with throwing more than 1 pitch and being able to locate.

As far as the middle school drama goes, it is what you make it. There will be drama on most teams. 

PW I assure you as a guy for whom velocity is a passionate hobby there is nothing common about 13u's throwing 80. If you have four of them that is quite an anomaly.   Just peak at the PG tournament velocities and I think you will change your mind. In all the tournaments we played last year I gunned exactly one kid throwing 80. 

Maybe I just live in a very talented area. 2 of the kids on our team are 2021s and 2 are 2020s. All 4 have gone through puberty and look 16. Just curious, how many 2020s does PG list throwing 80? All the kids I've seen throwing this hard in 7th or 8th grade have gone through puberty early. 2 years ago we had 2 more that cruised at 80. They were 8th graders though.

I don't know if they keep lists for kids that young.  You can find numbers from their old larger events, though a lot of teams are not represented there.  By example, in 2015 

http://www.perfectgame.org/eve...ault.aspx?event=2523

Only 53 of 205 14u (2018-2019) pitchers, from better teams around touched 80.  My guess is that of those that hit 80 most cruised much lower.  Rare pitchers are above, up to 86.

One 13U pitcher that I know of touched 90 on three different occasions last summer. There was one other kid that I am aware of who touched 86. After that, another dozen or so 13U's at the larger tournaments would hit 80 - 83.  This is only what I saw last summer but there are obviously more across the country. 

My son's organization currently has 13 kids out of the 29 14U players (two teams) who touched 80 last summer at 13U or in the fall as 14U players. There are probably four or five who could cruise at 80+ and hit 85 by the end of summer...and one of those doesn't pitch anymore.  That's not normal as most teams have one or two kids who are 80+ and some don't have any. What I will say is that if you throw hard and can't pitch, that stuff travels a long way of the bat head. :-)

Who has documented these velocities?

2020TTB posted:

I have a 2020 son from TN (6', 155 - RHP 72-75 mph, 1B)  and a 2015 LHP (6'2", 160 lbs. 79-82 mph) that chose to give it up instead of play DII or DIII so I have been through this once somewhat with him and looking forward to the journey with 2020 now.  Have been reading posts for years but this one peaked my interest enough to join.  Also, I must say this site has been a great source of information for the past couple of years. Great idea 2020Dad. I'm in!!

Welcome!

PG has documented some of them. I posted a link a few pages back. 13u kid hit 90 and another hit 86 at the PG WS 

hshuler posted:

2020dad posted:

hshuler posted:

safeathome posted:

PW posted:

2020dad posted:

PW posted:

Maybe that's a high velocity for your area, but it's not uncommon for a middle school age kid that is 5'11" and 150lbs to cruise at 80 where I'm from. We've got 4 on our middle school team that stay between 77 and 82 and all are under 6' tall. I would be more concerned with throwing more than 1 pitch and being able to locate.

As far as the middle school drama goes, it is what you make it. There will be drama on most teams. 

PW I assure you as a guy for whom velocity is a passionate hobby there is nothing common about 13u's throwing 80. If you have four of them that is quite an anomaly.   Just peak at the PG tournament velocities and I think you will change your mind. In all the tournaments we played last year I gunned exactly one kid throwing 80. 

Maybe I just live in a very talented area. 2 of the kids on our team are 2021s and 2 are 2020s. All 4 have gone through puberty and look 16. Just curious, how many 2020s does PG list throwing 80? All the kids I've seen throwing this hard in 7th or 8th grade have gone through puberty early. 2 years ago we had 2 more that cruised at 80. They were 8th graders though.

I don't know if they keep lists for kids that young.  You can find numbers from their old larger events, though a lot of teams are not represented there.  By example, in 2015 

http://www.perfectgame.org/eve...ault.aspx?event=2523

Only 53 of 205 14u (2018-2019) pitchers, from better teams around touched 80.  My guess is that of those that hit 80 most cruised much lower.  Rare pitchers are above, up to 86.

One 13U pitcher that I know of touched 90 on three different occasions last summer. There was one other kid that I am aware of who touched 86. After that, another dozen or so 13U's at the larger tournaments would hit 80 - 83.  This is only what I saw last summer but there are obviously more across the country. 

My son's organization currently has 13 kids out of the 29 14U players (two teams) who touched 80 last summer at 13U or in the fall as 14U players. There are probably four or five who could cruise at 80+ and hit 85 by the end of summer...and one of those doesn't pitch anymore.  That's not normal as most teams have one or two kids who are 80+ and some don't have any. What I will say is that if you throw hard and can't pitch, that stuff travels a long way of the bat head. :-)

Who has documented these velocities?

I have coached against both of these kids and was at the tournament last year and saw the one kid hit 89 and the other hit 86...with my own eyes.  They are both 8th graders and are both legit!

But to answer your question, all velocities were captured at Perfect Game / LakePoint. 

Two I get.  I was speaking more about the 13 of 29. That sounds like a national team of some sort. 

2020dad posted:

Two I get.  I was speaking more about the 13 of 29. That sounds like a national team of some sort. 

My son's team - 14 from GA & one from NC.

The other team - 9 from GA, 4 from TN & one from NC. 

New topic? Question for the group that's been bothering me for a while, and trying to decide if I should let it go. My son (8th grade, 13U) is really a one sport kid. He played a very little bit of middle school basketball but hated it and only really played because his mom and I pushed him to, which we've stopped. School doesn't have football and he can't stand soccer.  He does play a fairly good amount of playground basketball with his friends but that's about it for 'other than baseball'. As we're starting to get ready to get ready for recruiting, I'm wondering if its something that will hurt him later. We want him to be broader and would love it if he played a second sport and wasn't so focused just on baseball, but he's not interested. His coaches too have encouraged him to play something else, to no avail. Anyone else have this issue or thoughts on how much this will impact his recruiting opportunities (should we get that far)? Thanks for any thoughts you have.

I was sort of in the same boat as well....until we got into track.  Great change up from baseball, and helps to keep them focused, in shape, and out of trouble.  Might this be an option for you??

Going one sport won't hurt him at this point.  If you're serious about being recruited, it's gonna be all about the baseball anyway.  Sure, it'd be nice if he were interested and there was no overlap of seasons.  But if he's not interested I'd just let him go for it in baseball.  College coaches aren't gonna care how good he was or how much he played his second sport.  Of the thirty or so recruiting questionnaires my oldest son has filled out, only one has asked if he played another sport.

smokeminside posted:

Going one sport won't hurt him at this point.  If you're serious about being recruited, it's gonna be all about the baseball anyway.  Sure, it'd be nice if he were interested and there was no overlap of seasons.  But if he's not interested I'd just let him go for it in baseball.  College coaches aren't gonna care how good he was or how much he played his second sport.  Of the thirty or so recruiting questionnaires my oldest son has filled out, only one has asked if he played another sport.

Ah that's really good to know.  One less thing to lose sleep over. Though, I do like Two2020's thought about track. He's got very typical catcher's legs (e.g. he's not very fast) but good endurance so maybe some long distance running.  Have to see what he thinks about that once H.S. starts. Thanks.

BK-CatcherDad posted:

New topic? Question for the group that's been bothering me for a while, and trying to decide if I should let it go. My son (8th grade, 13U) is really a one sport kid. He played a very little bit of middle school basketball but hated it and only really played because his mom and I pushed him to, which we've stopped. School doesn't have football and he can't stand soccer.  He does play a fairly good amount of playground basketball with his friends but that's about it for 'other than baseball'. As we're starting to get ready to get ready for recruiting, I'm wondering if its something that will hurt him later. We want him to be broader and would love it if he played a second sport and wasn't so focused just on baseball, but he's not interested. His coaches too have encouraged him to play something else, to no avail. Anyone else have this issue or thoughts on how much this will impact his recruiting opportunities (should we get that far)? Thanks for any thoughts you have.

BK, what else does he like to do outside of sports?  To what extent and how realistic are his baseball goals (you mention recruiting)?  Why, specifically, do you think his other coaches encouraged him to play another sport?

Each situation is unique.  It is OK if one only loves one sport and that is what they really want to play.  Just be careful - often this thought is at least partially in place due to outside influences.  At the HS level, we see the full spectrum.  There are baseball - only guys who are driven and take care of some of the multi-sport advantages by doing a lot of strength/conditioning and speed/agility work.  They are already plenty competitive.  There are baseball-only guys who really would have benefited a great deal by playing basketball...agility, endurance, footwork, teamwork, etc.  Some would have really benefited from the regimented strength & conditioning of football, along with competing in a more physical environment.  But they have to want to play.  We also have had plenty who play as many sports as they can and could have excelled more in baseball if they spent a bit more time with it.  

There are other ways to supplement the advantages of other sports if the individual doesn't like them.  For example, if your son is REALLY into baseball and has realistic aspirations, he is getting close to the age where he will need to get serious about strength/conditioning and speed/agility and he may flourish in a training room with his baseball aspirations driving him.  He may also find satisfaction in other activities that aren't necessarily school sports - wakeboarding, surfing, trail running, rec in-line hockey, mountain biking, swimming, etc.

I am a big proponent of balance.  I think you are doing the right thing encouraging but not forcing other interests and activities.  What ever you do, though, don't allow him to "hate" the academic aspect .

BTW, I think the premise of this "2020ish" thread is great and it seems to have a lot of traction.  I would advise, however, that there are certain topics such as this one where the group or poster is likely to benefit much more with feedback from those who have recently gone through the experience and have seen the outcome as opposed to just talking among those who are right in the middle of it and trying to figure it out.  The thread title will deter some who are outside of this age group from taking a look.

cabbagedad posted:

BK-CatcherDad posted:

New topic? Question for the group that's been bothering me for a while, and trying to decide if I should let it go. My son (8th grade, 13U) is really a one sport kid. He played a very little bit of middle school basketball but hated it and only really played because his mom and I pushed him to, which we've stopped. School doesn't have football and he can't stand soccer.  He does play a fairly good amount of playground basketball with his friends but that's about it for 'other than baseball'. As we're starting to get ready to get ready for recruiting, I'm wondering if its something that will hurt him later. We want him to be broader and would love it if he played a second sport and wasn't so focused just on baseball, but he's not interested. His coaches too have encouraged him to play something else, to no avail. Anyone else have this issue or thoughts on how much this will impact his recruiting opportunities (should we get that far)? Thanks for any thoughts you have.

BK, what else does he like to do outside of sports?  To what extent and how realistic are his baseball goals (you mention recruiting)?  Why, specifically, do you think his other coaches encouraged him to play another sport?

Each situation is unique.  It is OK if one only loves one sport and that is what they really want to play.  Just be careful - often this thought is at least partially in place due to outside influences.  At the HS level, we see the full spectrum.  There are baseball - only guys who are driven and take care of some of the multi-sport advantages by doing a lot of strength/conditioning and speed/agility work.  They are already plenty competitive.  There are baseball-only guys who really would have benefited a great deal by playing basketball...agility, endurance, footwork, teamwork, etc.  Some would have really benefited from the regimented strength & conditioning of football, along with competing in a more physical environment.  But they have to want to play.  We also have had plenty who play as many sports as they can and could have excelled more in baseball if they spent a bit more time with it.  

There are other ways to supplement the advantages of other sports if the individual doesn't like them.  For example, if your son is REALLY into baseball and has realistic aspirations, he is getting close to the age where he will need to get serious about strength/conditioning and speed/agility and he may flourish in a training room with his baseball aspirations driving him.  He may also find satisfaction in other activities that aren't necessarily school sports - wakeboarding, surfing, trail running, rec in-line hockey, mountain biking, swimming, etc.

I am a big proponent of balance.  I think you are doing the right thing encouraging but not forcing other interests and activities.  What ever you do, though, don't allow him to "hate" the academic aspect .

BTW, I think the premise of this "2020ish" thread is great and it seems to have a lot of traction.  I would advise, however, that there are certain topics such as this one where the group or poster is likely to benefit much more with feedback from those who have recently gone through the experience and have seen the outcome as opposed to just talking among those who are right in the middle of it and trying to figure it out.  The thread title will deter some who are outside of this age group from taking a look.

Cabbagedad, great insight (as usual), with regard to your concern about the thread, it's valid.  I will say that certain things come up in here, and on the PM, that should be on the general board for the wider audience viewpoint. 

BK-Catchersdad, there are some great older threads on two sport vs one sport.  Use the advanced search function up top to find some older threads.  Also, track and baseball happen at my son's high school at the same time.  However, cross country is a fall sport.  Also, I have to say my kid went from being 4'9 and 130 #'s to a 5'11 and 150# kid.  It was 14 inches in twelve freaking months and poof I had a new kid!  He didn't know how to run, or swing a bat, heck he couldn't even slide worth a darn.  It was like watching a newly born horse learn how to walk!  Actually some pretty funny moments there, but if your kid hasn't gone through his huge growth spurt you may want to reserve judgement on his speed.  My son's 60 time 2 years ago was almost 10 seconds, he's a little under 7.5 right now and getting better by the day!

Sons moving to public school entering as a freshman next year.  He likes basketball also, and had some success in private middle school.  So I emailed the HS basketball coach asking if it overlaps with baseball, is their summer camps, open gym etc. Got separate emails back from head baseball and basketball coach (each cc'ing the other) that they encourage the kids to go out for multiple sports and will work with each other if a kid makes multiple teams.  At sub-varsity, no overlaps.  And they do share some varsity athletes.  So this particular HS has coaches that work together.  This is Texas 6A.

Go44dad posted:

Sons moving to public school entering as a freshman next year.  He likes basketball also, and had some success in private middle school.  So I emailed the HS basketball coach asking if it overlaps with baseball, is their summer camps, open gym etc. Got separate emails back from head baseball and basketball coach (each cc'ing the other) that they encourage the kids to go out for multiple sports and will work with each other if a kid makes multiple teams.  At sub-varsity, no overlaps.  And they do share some varsity athletes.  So this particular HS has coaches that work together.  This is Texas 6A.

My son's high school coaches (football & baseball) also work together. Ours is 7A Georgia.

I guess in the interests of full disclosure, all three of my sons are multiple sports guys, but they WANT to be.  Soccer and baseball.  Soccer has helped all three with their footwork and quickness, and oldest boy got to play on the state championship soccer team this year.  So lots of benefits.  Also, some serious concerns.  For Varsity at our school soccer and baseball are extremely competitive teams to make AND have a full month overlap.  Coaches don't really talk to each other, so sons have to do all the legwork explaining schedules, juggling practices if they can, and hoping they perform well when they have their chances during baseball tryouts.  Not an ideal situation, but my oldest wouldn't trade the state championship just for convenience.

Completely support the plan of lots of conditioning and weight lifting as soon as they're the right age as a way to diversify their activity and support their baseball hopes.

jmo

BK-CatcherDad posted:

New topic? Question for the group that's been bothering me for a while, and trying to decide if I should let it go. My son (8th grade, 13U) is really a one sport kid. He played a very little bit of middle school basketball but hated it and only really played because his mom and I pushed him to, which we've stopped. School doesn't have football and he can't stand soccer.  He does play a fairly good amount of playground basketball with his friends but that's about it for 'other than baseball'. As we're starting to get ready to get ready for recruiting, I'm wondering if its something that will hurt him later. We want him to be broader and would love it if he played a second sport and wasn't so focused just on baseball, but he's not interested. His coaches too have encouraged him to play something else, to no avail. Anyone else have this issue or thoughts on how much this will impact his recruiting opportunities (should we get that far)? Thanks for any thoughts you have.

Don't sweat it.  They only thing that will matter is how hard he throws and how far he hits. 

CaCO3Girl posted:

Okay the new PM is up and running.  If you didn't receive it, and wanted to be on it, please send me a message.  The next incarnation will be made around 5/1.  Enjoy!

CaCO3Girl,

Please add me to your next incarnation of the PM.  Thank you.

I have a 13u, 7th grader (2021).  Still has a high voice and baby face.  5'6" and 95 pounds on a good day. Plays all positions but has been the main catcher on his travel team.  They have started also using him as a pitcher this year so I'm a little stressed over the catching/pitching in same game, day, weekend.  I think I liked it better when he would walk everyone he pitched to - it kept the pitching to a minimum.

How have others in approached the coach about arm care?  What guidelines have you put in place for your catcher/pitchers?

Most of what I've read has said try not to have them do both in a game or even in a day.  If they do have them do both have them pitch first, catch later.  Most of our tournaments are 2 games on Sat and then 2 or 3 games on Sunday.  Our coach will respect our opinion and follow our requests, but it would be helpful to have others advice/opinions before we approach him.

Thanks,

Cavu 

Another parent coming out of lurkerdom for this thread. My 2020 is a C/1B, currently 5'7" (though growing every day - fun times), 170 lb (solid, not flub). Live in Omaha.

I feel like we're late to the game. We're not particularly sporty people so this is a huge learning curve for us. Son started with Y ball just for fun, then graduated to a good rec program for 8U when he wanted to take things more seriously. Joined a AA travel team for 10U, moving onto a AAA on for 11U for the same reasons. Could possibly have moved on to a majors team for this year but he really likes his coach.

College ball wasn't even on our radar until recently. Coach's dad ( who coached for a D2 program) will sometimes hang out at the games/practices and recently pulled us aside to say that 2020 has what it takes to move on. So now we're freaking out a bit and trying to learn as much as possible about the process.

To complicate matters are, we homeschool in a state where kids can only play on the high school team if they take 4 classes at the high school. Son is already taking college classes under dual enrollment and had just decided that, if push came to shove, he was willing to sacrifice baseball to get the education he wants. This isn't a lack of dedication to baseball, but an acceptance of the importance of school. Because of this news, we're now trying to figure out if we want to jump through the hoops to play for the local high school team, concentrate on a travel team, or do some third option we don't even know exists. Money is an issue, so we'll have to be judicious in whatever route we take. 

Clearly academics aren't a concern. He took the ACT as a 7th grader and scored a 25 (30 on the reading). We're expecting 33+ by the time he is a junior. We had already begun scouting colleges for his desired fields and are now going back to factor baseball into the equation. I've scoured the NCAA site to make sure I understand their rules as well.

His catching fundamentals are solid. He's a wall. Random people in the stands will comment on how well he blocks. He's a leader on and off the field and all of his coaches have just loved him. He's a smart kid who works his tail off and gives all that he can. Even though he's a solidly built kid, he's probably 2nd or 3rd fastest on his team. His throw to 2nd is accurate, but could use some more power. It's not a cannon quite yet.

I've learned so much on this forum just in the past week. I have no idea where he is on any of the catching stats, but now I know which ones are important and I'm starting to understand what coaches will look for. Looking forward to learning more.

msrift posted:

Another parent coming out of lurkerdom for this thread. My 2020 is a C/1B, currently 5'7" (though growing every day - fun times), 170 lb (solid, not flub). Live in Omaha.

I feel like we're late to the game. We're not particularly sporty people so this is a huge learning curve for us. Son started with Y ball just for fun, then graduated to a good rec program for 8U when he wanted to take things more seriously. Joined a AA travel team for 10U, moving onto a AAA on for 11U for the same reasons. Could possibly have moved on to a majors team for this year but he really likes his coach.

College ball wasn't even on our radar until recently. Coach's dad ( who coached for a D2 program) will sometimes hang out at the games/practices and recently pulled us aside to say that 2020 has what it takes to move on. So now we're freaking out a bit and trying to learn as much as possible about the process.

To complicate matters are, we homeschool in a state where kids can only play on the high school team if they take 4 classes at the high school. Son is already taking college classes under dual enrollment and had just decided that, if push came to shove, he was willing to sacrifice baseball to get the education he wants. This isn't a lack of dedication to baseball, but an acceptance of the importance of school. Because of this news, we're now trying to figure out if we want to jump through the hoops to play for the local high school team, concentrate on a travel team, or do some third option we don't even know exists. Money is an issue, so we'll have to be judicious in whatever route we take. 

Clearly academics aren't a concern. He took the ACT as a 7th grader and scored a 25 (30 on the reading). We're expecting 33+ by the time he is a junior. We had already begun scouting colleges for his desired fields and are now going back to factor baseball into the equation. I've scoured the NCAA site to make sure I understand their rules as well.

His catching fundamentals are solid. He's a wall. Random people in the stands will comment on how well he blocks. He's a leader on and off the field and all of his coaches have just loved him. He's a smart kid who works his tail off and gives all that he can. Even though he's a solidly built kid, he's probably 2nd or 3rd fastest on his team. His throw to 2nd is accurate, but could use some more power. It's not a cannon quite yet.

I've learned so much on this forum just in the past week. I have no idea where he is on any of the catching stats, but now I know which ones are important and I'm starting to understand what coaches will look for. Looking forward to learning more.

Unless he is throwing high 80's I would worry too much about college right now. Your first goal is to figure out high school.  If he won't attend high school, try to find a home school team.  It will keep him going during the high school season.  Then figure out which high school age travel/exposure teams he'll tryout for.  His future college opportunities will come from his summer team. Good luck.