7th and 8th Grade Ball Advice

I see this is your first post so --- Welcome to the HS Baseball web. This site is NOT dedicated to HS baseball it is dedicated to baseball and everything associated with baseball which could include politics and religion --- at times.

Your son should play baseball at the level where he

#1. Can play
#2. Is challenged
#3. Has fun
#4. Can improve

There are a vast array of names and labels associated with baseball teams and these labels can be misleading. Let me make two suggestions. Evaluate your son's baseball talent and evauluate the talent level of the different teams and pair the two up as best you can.

Good Luck,
Fungo

School ball > rec. In school ball you have coaches who don't know the background of any of the players, and just see them how they are. In rec I always made the all-star teams, but the coaches kids/ friends always played over me, and I was given the short stick. In school, none of the coaches kids play, so the better player will play. I made the team in 6th gr (my mid school was 6-8), while all the kids who played over me because of their dads got cut. That was the sweetest moment when the list was up, and my name was up, but none of theirs was. Also, since I was grade skipped I was playing v.s. kids 3-4 years older than me, so it was also a good learning experience.

Jaysdad,
Welcome to the HSBBW. By the way there is a forum for pre high school players. If you browse through you may find some posts that may help you with your middle school player.
Of course your son should try out for his middle school team. Why not?
I am a firm beleiver that at 13 and 14, young players should be having fun, that is what it's all about, once you take the fun away, they lose interest. Make sure in whatever he dies he is having fun.

As far as sports training, not sure what that might include? Be careful, young growing bodies should only have specific training, make sure that you have done your homework on what training a 13-14 baseball player needs.

Your son should play anywhere and as often as he enjoys playing the game other than giving his arm an off season rest for two or three months. To progress he should play at the highest level he can handle (and you can afford). This is also a time to be patient with his game. He'll grow and physically change a lot in the next two or three years.

Thanks to all of you!!

I do see the pre-high area now. Maybe that would be a better place for me to hang out now? I will certainly go take a look at what is in the threads.

Our experience with rec ball is that you never had the same coach over the 5 or 6 years he played. And yes, they almost always had a son playing and fairness wasn't always at the top of the list. The teaching skills varied considerby too! I kept a very close eye on my sons happiness level and played down most of his complaining. I did not want my son coming to me with all his problems so I did not go to the coaches and complain. I made up for it by spending more one on one time with him at the practive fields. My son was not always the best on the teams but had the eagerness and skill levels to at least been given more opportunities. He has not lost any desire to play though and interest level in the game is as good as it always has been.

He is in the 12-15 age bracket now and that is one of the reasons I am looking for advice and such on how and where to go from here. I think we are finished with rec ball unless we are forced back there. I am looking at the formal training as a way to keep going with the skills he already has. I will be working primarily with the hitting and fielding. He likes to catch and wants to pitch but I have no plans of pursuing that area at this juncture.

How do you spot a pitcher-to-be? My son has a very strong arm. However, I see him more as an outfielder throwing the long ball into to home plate than I do as a pitcher who is great at control. Does this make any sense? Why spend money and precious time (his and mine) developing a skill that is probably not there.

He has all the catching equipment and has spent time behind the plate. He loves playing that position because of the involvement in the game. I think this is a special position too and one more likely suited for him. I have started seeing camps set up for just catching. Used to be only pitching was singled out but maybe not any longer?

I think you have the idea now as to what I am up against. If my son is to have a "career" as a ball player, sooner or later you must switch over to school ball and now (spring 09) might be the time to try. He would be 13 and his first tryout at school ball. He is in 7th grade and would be competing with both 7th and 8th graders for a spot on the middle school team.

OK - I have rambled enough. I will shut up and let you all talk a while! Thanks again for all past and future poster to my comments! I will read them enthusiasticly and take all info I get from them.

My son and I LOVE baseball!! One promise I must deliver on next spring is a HDTV. LOL

Good Night.

quote:

Originally posted by jaysdad:

If my son is to have a "career" as a ball player, sooner or later you must switch over to school ball and now (spring 09) might be the time to try.

Best is to plan for the next step, which would be making the middle school team. Chances might be that your son will have a career in anything else but baseball, you can put that thought off until later. Then the next step is making the JV team in HS, then varsity, then perhaps college ball. Along the way, working hard to be good enough to play on a good travel team in HS.

At your sons age, in my opinion, a player should not be set to one position. He should be able to experience all positions, this is how they learn the game. At 13, mine was pitching, catching, IF and OF and hitting. He doesn't need lessons at this time.

My suggestion is to just relax, let your son have fun, let him find the position he is most comfortable with, or where his strengths lie. His position will someday depend on his arm strength, his speed, or his hitting and leadership skills. This will become evident as his body grows and matures. Definetly work on the hitting and fielding skills.

I am not sure that I would give up the rec ball as yet, he may not make his middle school team, then he would not be playing, which is what they need to do at 13.

You have three great schools in South Carolina that have great camps, USC, Coastal Carolina and Clemson, make sure that he gets to one of them (or all 3) at some time in the future. There are some folks here who have taken their kids to those camps year after year and were taught some great skills. Take advantage of what you have close by.

Jaysdad,

Welcome to the HS Baseball Web!

No problem about posting your question in the General forum. I have linked it to the Pre-High School forum so that members who visit there most often will also notice it and help you with your questions.

When you asked, "Should he try or wait til HS?", were you thinking that because he hasn't had top-level coaching, maybe he should get the private lessons you mentioned and wait a year to try out?

I'm not sure if that's what you were asking, but if so, I agree that he should try out for the more competitive level now, if he is interested. Even if he "fails" by not making the team, he will have "won" by learning something from the tryout. Next year he will be more comfortable with the tryout format, having gone through it once, and he can also get a better idea of what he should work on.

Best wishes, and let us know how things go!

Julie

quote:

At your sons age, in my opinion, a player should not be set to one position. He should be able to experience all positions, this is how they learn the game. At 13, mine was pitching, catching, IF and OF and hitting. He doesn't need lessons at this time.

While I do agree that he shouldn't be "locked in" at one position at this age, I think most kids start lessons prior to 13. I started getting lessons for my son at age 9. The two most common lessons are pitching and hitting.

My son tried out in 7th grade, but only a few 7th graders make the MS team, he did not. But the coaches did remember him, and he tried out in 8th grade and made the team! Started out not getting alot of playing time-made it as SS but not a "starter". His main position is actually CF. They put him in CF one day and he made some awesome catches out there and finally got there attention. He had a couple game winning hits in 8th grade and ended up having a good season even though he didn't play much the first 5-6 games, so it was tough to show the coaches he deserved to be there. He hung in there though, didn't complain and was very happy to get the playing time he did!
He's now 14 and a freshman and tried out for the HS "fall ball" team and was one of the only few freshman to make the team. A couple of those kids that made the team in 7th when he didn't, did not make this fall ball team! He just finished playing with JV and Varsity players and has a good chance to make the JV team this spring as a freshman!

So I guess my answer is yes, let him try out. Even if he doesn't make it, don't worry about it! The coaches will probably remember him when he tries out in 8th grade. Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by Fungo:
While I do agree that he shouldn't be "locked in" at one position at this age, I think most kids start lessons prior to 13. I started getting lessons for my son at age 9. The two most common lessons are pitching and hitting.

Fungo,
It was mentioned he is working on hitting and fielding, I thought that might be enough for right now, maybe some pitching lessons later if he shows an interest ability.

TPM, I THOUGHT you might be talking about "pitching only" lessons. Just to be safe I though I'd add my comment so your post wouldn't be construed as not getting ANY lessons at all at his age.

Jaysdad, Good questions. As a parent you have a huge challenge ahead of you. Just like me and most other parents we need to understand when to guide our sons and when to follow them. Like TPM's son my son has played just about every position on the field. Not only will your son's skills factor in as TPM says, the coach and the team also factors in as to what position he will play. You may WANT him to be an outfielder and that may very well be his best position but the coach may have other plans. Happens frequently. My son signed with his college as a catcher and caught as a freshman but the coach "asked" him to pitch his sophomore year ---then--- he was converted back to a catcher his junior year. During this span he also played first and third and DH'ed. Even after his pro career ended this year I'm still not sure what position he was best suited at ----- His next position will be an assistant HS coach next spring. We'll see how that one plays out.
Fungo

No problem Fungo, you and I speak the same language, thanks for the back up.

Also I want to clear up any misconception about my comment on the "career" in baseball. I was not sure what jaysdad was referring to. At this age it's just important on concentrating on being a kid, that includes doing just as well in the classroom as on the field and kind of work on one gaol at a time and work hard at trying to make teh junior high baseball team.

quote:

Originally posted by jaysdad:
He likes to catch and wants to pitch but I have no plans of pursuing that area at this juncture.

How do you spot a pitcher-to-be? My son has a very strong arm. However, I see him more as an outfielder throwing the long ball into to home plate than I do as a pitcher who is great at control. Does this make any sense? Why spend money and precious time (his and mine) developing a skill that is probably not there.

The physical requirements for a pitcher are pretty simple. He needs to have a strong arm. It's also helpful to have big hands, because that makes it easier to put spin on the ball, and get good movement.

Much more important is mental outlook and attitude. Kids that succeed at pitching like being at the center of action and want to be part of nearly every play. (Sounds similar to the description of a catcher, doesn't it?)

Pitchers also should be willing to develop a repeatable delivery. That's where control comes from. It's different than practicing hitting, in which there's instantaneous feedback, and a really well-struck ball is exhilarating. It takes a longer term point of view to practice pitching mechanics.

So actually, based on what you've written, I suspect that your son may have the capability to be a pitcher. I don't know any way to find out for sure except to try pitching. He's got part of the package now. He has yet to demonstrate that he wants the responsibility of being the most important player on the field, and that he enjoys that enough to put in the time practicing to get good control. But he needs to have the opportunity to pitch in order to find out.

I think you owe him that opportunity. Why? Because it may turn out to be his best chance to play baseball. It's been that way for my son.

You should start working on it now; 13 is not too young, and if he does have talent, it takes time to learn how to pitch effectively in actual games.

Let him do what he wants to do. If he wants to try out for the middle school team and play with the kids he goes to school with then let him do that. If he doesnt want to do that let him continue to play rec ball. I sure would not worry about what posistion he is going to play. Sooner or later that will all shake out. When he gets to hs the team will have certain needs. He will play where the team needs him the most. He will have plenty of time to develop. When he gets to hs he will have the make the decision how hard he wants to work at it. He will have to make the decision that all kids have to make. Just how important is this baseball stuff to me? Important enough to sacrifice some things others get to do? Important enough to give up some weekends in order to get that extra instruction or put in that extra work? The only person that can or should make those decisions is the player imo. Let him play and have some fun. He will come to you and let you know.

quote:

Originally posted by jaysdad:
Our experience with rec ball is that you never had the same coach over the 5 or 6 years he played. And yes, they almost always had a son playing and fairness wasn't always at the top of the list. The teaching skills varied considerbly too!

To this point it doesn't matter. Talent can't be held back.

quote:

Originally posted by jaysdad:
He is in the 12-15 age bracket now.

No. he's a thirteen year old. If you start comparing him to fifteen year olds both of you could end up disappointed. From 13U to 14U and 14U to 16U (son skipped 15U) summer ball and 18U fall ball, I watched the speed of the game and the challenges change rapidly. Take it one year at a time.

quote:

Originally posted by jaysdad:
I am looking at the formal training as a way to keep going with the skills he already has. I will be working primarily with the hitting and fielding.

He's not going to lose the skills he has. What is important is building on them. As the game gets faster he must improve.

quote:

Originally posted by jaysdad:
He likes to catch and wants to pitch but I have no plans of pursuing that area at this juncture.

Let's not forget whose game this is. It's your son's game. It's not your game. You don't make these kinds of decisions. It's your son's decision. Your job it to support the decisions.

quote:

Originally posted by jaysdad:
How do you spot a pitcher-to-be?

You'll see a kid who enjoys being on the mound. At thirteen you don't know what kind of arm he will have. You can only judge his arm relative to his age. At fifteen my son hit 14mph faster (82) than when he was in 13U (68). He was also nine inches taller.

quote:

Originally posted by jaysdad:
I see him more as an outfielder throwing the long ball into to home plate than I do as a pitcher who is great at control.

What does your son see. It's his game.

quote:

Originally posted by jaysdad:
I think you have the idea now as to what I am up against.

With all the "I's" rather than "my son wants" in your post I'm getting a better feel for what your son is up against.

quote:

Originally posted by jaysdad:
If my son is to have a "career" as a ball player, sooner or later you must switch over to school ball and now (spring 09) might be the time to try. He would be 13 and his first tryout at school ball. He is in 7th grade and would be competing with both 7th and 8th graders for a spot on the middle school team.

Your son won't have a career in baseball until he's being paid to play. Right now he's a kid who enjoys playing ball. That's all my oldest playing college ball is doing. That's all my youngest in high school is doing.

Your son should play the game because he enjoys it. He should attempt to improve every year because he wants to keep playing. He should keep playing until the game tells him (cut) he can't play anymore.

And you need to see it more as his game, not our game. You're a support mechanism. You've had your chance to play. Now it's his turn. Good luck.

My son threw near 90 as a junior in hs but detested pitching---he was a fine centerfielder and hitter and that was what he enjoyed


Let him be what he wants to be---take the "I's" out of the equation and let him be him

OK - I (oops) I mean point taken!

Thanks for all the good advice.

Here is the plan:

1- kick back and just relax. go watch a football game or something!
2- Take my son to some formal training this winter to only work on his hitting. (I already paid for 4 lessons so instead of asking for my money back I will let him work on the hitting)
3- Wait for tryouts in Feb 09 and let him tryout for his school team if he is still interested.
4- If he makes it, the coach is running the show.
4- If he doesn't make it he will play rec ball again if he so desires.
5- Check back with you all and let you know how things go in February.

I did not mean anything by "career" that is why I put it in brackets. Nor all the I's.

Later

Thanks again!

jaysdad its great to have you on this site. I am jealous of you because mine are all grown up and I wish I could go back through it all over again. I have to settle for coaching other peoples kids. There is nothing wrong with saying career. Not imo. I always believed in having a plan. My youngest from an early age showed he was a pretty talented player. But he also showed a tremendous drive and love for the game. I told him he needed a plan to succeed. It was all about getting better and doing what it took to get better. I never got caught up in where he was at and always told him its not where you are but where you are working to be.

No one will remember who was the best middle school player. In fact no one that matters will care. Its not how strong his arm is now but how strong his arm will be. IMO its important at putting the focus on having fun playing the game. And working hard to get better all the time. I judged each year on not what my sons batting average was or how many hr's he hit. But was his arm stronger than last year? Was he a better hitter than last year? Was he a better defender than last year? Was he more athletic? Was he a better player? I always believed that if you were constantly getting better you would be ok when it really mattered the most.

Good luck this coming season. Keep us informed how it goes.

jaysdad,

"I did not mean anything by "career" that is why I put it in brackets. Nor all the I's."

In this one mom's opinion, you didn't say anything wrong. You asked good questions and sound like a normal parent of a 7th grader. I'm glad you're here, asking questions!

The responses that commented on those things ("career" and "I's") hopefully were just thinking of how some parents do get a little ahead of themselves in projecting their 12- or 13-yr-old's success, and they were (I hope) just trying to offer a realistic perspective. I think perhaps kids need all of that - their own dreams, their parents' encouragement, and an occasional dose of reality.

There is one statement that caught my eye as seeming way off base though, and I want to apologize for it:

RJM said: "With all the "I's" rather than "my son wants" in your post I'm getting a better feel for what your son is up against."

What an unkind statement, and it doesn't seem to fit your situation at all. So jaysdad, I'm sorry that one of our members chose to make a judgment like that toward a new member! That's not an approach we encourage here, and I don't think you deserve that.

Julie

Don't forget come springtime take your son to watch some college games! You'dve got some great schools to watch up close and personal.

He'll learn alot by observing, and you will too!

Good luck!

MS ball is a lot of fun! I hope he makes his team!!

A few quick things you may want to think about. In REC he might be using a light bat. Our son's conference had to use a -3 (though there was a gentleman's agreement on -5 as well) so you will want to get the right bat and have him swinging it for a while before tryouts.

I would also suggest looking for a "travel" team. I don't know what is available in your area, but look for the best competition where your son can actively play.

Good Luck!

No need for apologies but Thanks anyway. I asked for opinion and will listen and use what I get.

One thing about these message boards is that unless you really know the person on the other end typing, it is all just a bunch of words! Honestly, I know nothing about any of you, nor you me, so it seems impossible to me to fully communicate the emotions and meanings of what is being said.

If you ask for advice and opinions you should be ready to take it. AND I have noticed that if a person is an expert in a area (like baseball) or anything a little attitude can come along too!

That is fine and dandy with me. I appreciate people taking the time to offer me advice. I am a humble type and if my feelings ever do get hurt, I can get over it.

We watch the Charlotte Knights, Hickory Crawdads, and Kannaoplis Intimidators all play. Minor league teams. We like to watch the Winthrop Eagles too. Clemson and USC are on are list but have not made it there yet.

I have never been accused of being a great communicator so I may write things that are nothing to do with what I really am try to say. So, there you have it. Keep the advice coming. I will let you all know in time how the boy does!

quote:

Originally posted by MN-Mom:
RJM said: "With all the "I's" rather than "my son wants" in your post I'm getting a better feel for what your son is up against."

What an unkind statement, and it doesn't seem to fit your situation at all. So jaysdad, I'm sorry that one of our members chose to make a judgment like that toward a new member! That's not an approach we encourage here, and I don't think you deserve that.

Julie

I apologize if it came off wrong. From years of experience as a travel coach and a parent in the stands at school games I've seen too many parents too involved in their son's and daughter's sports experience. The warning sign is usually the repetitiveness of the word "I" or "we" instead of "he/she," "his/her". It's the player's experience. The parent's time has come and gone. Now, the parent's responsibility is to support the player, not lead him/her by the nose.

They are not in it alone. It you take an active role in your childs life and they love baseball you will be there right with them all the way. I wish more parents of my players were as concerned and willing to help them as many of the posters here are. Its a tough thing for a parent when you want to do the right thing for your kid but your not sure what to do. You ask people hoping that they will be able to understand and give you some advice that in some way may help you out. I am alot better coach now that I have had kids come and go in the whole process. I have a much better understanding of where parents are coming from. Yes you run across all types. But all of the parents love their children and want what is best for them. I will take a parent that cares any day over a parent that offers no assistance and does not care. Good luck to your son. Keep asking questions. You lose nothing by asking questions.

RJM - thanks for the advice and opinion. No apoligy needed.

You know that is good advice because even though I do not see myself as being too involved at this time - there is nothing saying it can't happen in the future. I joined this site for me to learn how to behave and conduct business in the future in regards my boy playing ball.He does not know about this site. He can go play his PS2 or with his sis while dad learns how to be the right kind of dad in support of his son.

One thing I have never looked into was the travel teams. I always thought that even though the experience was great maybe it was too much. I would hear that from time to time that kids would be tired and out of baseball after playing so much travel ball. What was your experience with coaching travel ball? Did the kids burn out? Are the travel teams the biggest contributor to the HS teams?

What kind of bat should he be looking for in preperation for school ball? I think he uses a 29" and 20 oz now that he likes. Is it all about the feel? I guess the best approach is to go to a sporting good store and try them all out. Are wooden bats totally banned in all HS and college sports?

Keep the advice and chat coming.

The one thing he is asking for now is a new pair of batting gloves!

Gloves are gloves, right?

Give it to me straight, now. LOL

quote:

Originally posted by jaysdad:
RJM - thanks for the advice and opinion. No apoligy needed.

You know that is good advice because even though I do not see myself as being too involved at this time - there is nothing saying it can't happen in the future. I joined this site for me to learn how to behave and conduct business in the future in regards my boy playing ball.He does not know about this site. He can go play his PS2 or with his sis while dad learns how to be the right kind of dad in support of his son.

One thing I have never looked into was the travel teams. I always thought that even though the experience was great maybe it was too much. I would hear that from time to time that kids would be tired and out of baseball after playing so much travel ball. What was your experience with coaching travel ball? Did the kids burn out? Are the travel teams the biggest contributor to the HS teams?

What kind of bat should he be looking for in preperation for school ball? I think he uses a 29" and 20 oz now that he likes. Is it all about the feel? I guess the best approach is to go to a sporting good store and try them all out. Are wooden bats totally banned in all HS and college sports?

Keep the advice and chat coming.

Re: Travel

Playing travel depends on the quality of rec ball in your area. In our area, post LL, rec ball is awful. My son played middle school ball in the spring and travel in the summer and fall.

There's the cost of travel to be considered. Some teams play as local as possible and keep the costs down. My son's 13U and 14U teams were $500 plus the gas to tournaments 45 miles away. His 16U team was $500 and another $1,500+ in travel expenses. They "traveled" for some of the tournaments. During the middle school years I don't believe it's necessary to travel any further than you have to for competition.

What did my son get from travel ball? I believe it impacted his making the JV team as a freshman and being a projected varsity starter (by the coach, not me) as a soph. He saw a lot of quality pitching on Sunday's (elimination day) in travel ball.

I believe burnout happens when kids play 80-100 games a year starting at ages 8-10. Even as a high school soph, when my son got to the 90th game between high school, summer travel and fall travel, he commented at this last tournament, "I play to win. But it won't kill me if we get eliminated early this (last of the season) weekend. I'm fried on baseball." In addition to fall ball he played varsity s****r. Plus there's this thing called school and homework. He slept a lot this weekend.

Bats: Some states require middle school kids to play by high school rules. This would require a -3 bat. If it's not a requirement he should get used to the -3 anyway. If he's small and hasn't grown yet, a -5 could be a good interim bat for a year.

Wood bats: They great for BP. Unless the ball is hit on the sweet spot it won't go anywhere. Wood bat tournaments are great too. If he plays travel next year, ask if they play some wood bat tournaments. I don't know if any states ban wood bats in high school. But, don't place the kid at a disadvantage. You can hit the ball further with metal (anyone: let's not have the debate here on what BS the BESR rating is). Plus with metal a player can still drive the ball part way down the shaft.

jaysdad

i think you said your son was in 7th grade? he/you have at least 6 more years of school baseball. he may play beyond that, but at least 6 more.

stop and think what the two of you were doing 6 years ago?

enjoy the journey,it will go by faster than you think.

In regard to travel ball. Your son should play at the highest level where he still has fun and can compete. My son is a 15 yr old freshman and has been playing travel since he was 11. He loves it. No signs of burnout, no indication that he doesn't want to do it any more. He's probably played between 80-100 games a year.

On the other hand, we had one kid that comes to mind that got to where he hated playing baseball. He was probably #11 or 12 on the team and didn't get a whole lot of play time. He decided to not return to the team, not planning on playing baseball again.

Next season, he went back and played rec ball and LOVED it. He is now trying out for the freshman team at HS.

Like I said, he should play at the highest level that he is comptitive in and still has fun.

In terms of MS ball, I say if he wants to do it, let him. He should still be having fun. At the 13,14,15 year old levels, most coaches outside of school will allow you to work around school ball. School usually starts earlier than outside ball and may be close to over by the time the other teams get rolling.

Good luck.

quote:

What kind of bat should he be looking for in preperation for school ball? I think he uses a 29" and 20 oz now that he likes. Is it all about the feel? I guess the best approach is to go to a sporting good store and try them all out. Are wooden bats totally banned in all HS and college sports?

Check with his hitting instructor or coach regarding bat restrictions, our schools in NY require a -3 drop. You indicated your son is using a -9 (ounces v length in inches) This will be a large adjustment for him. Most wood bats approximate the -3 (and much higher priced) aluminum / composite models your son will likely want. Wood is helpful for practice and most leagues allow their use. Get him swinging a -3 right away, for sure at his hitting lessons. Good luck and enjoy.

quote:

Gloves are gloves, right?

HA!
At that age, 2B's homepage was baseballexp.com. You can pay as much as you want, get any shape size, and color combination. And I used to love to buy him anything he wanted. What fun! Thank goodness he's finally realized the most expensive stuff is not necessarily the best or the right fit for him.

I agree with the folks recommending considering a -3 bat. Around here, the MS team plays on a regulation field with HS bats. 2B still uses a 32-29, and those aren't always easy to find except online. I think you can even find a 31-28 online. Your son definitely needs to start swinging a -3.

Boywhat a great thread. My son is an 8th grader. We do not have middle school ball but this tread is full of really good advise that applies nontheless

lodi14- Our son is 15 plays on a 16U team now. I will share with you a 'rule of thumb' or a 'pearl of wisdom' that my son's first baseball coach told us. "When in doubt, tryout!" His theory was- how do you know if you are at the next level if you don't try it. If you make it you know you are at that level, if you don't make it you know what you need to work on to get to that level. Win Win! This coach had his advice bite him in the can, some of our boys who thought they were at the next level from him, tried out, made the team at the next level and he lost 50% of his team.

We would have tried out in a heartbeat if we would have had a Middle School Team. No luck, lefty played rec to select to travel.

Now equipment, 2bmom is right 1) expensive equipment does not make a player great 2)drop 3 (-3) bat as soon as he can swing it well. 3)Batting gloves I recomend holding off until you know what team he is on because we have had coaches insist the boys gloves all match or match the uniform. I think that was because his son could not keep track of his, with 12 other pairs on the bench his son always had a spare to borrow, lol.

quote:

Batting gloves I recomend holding off until you know what team he is on because we have had coaches insist the boys gloves all match or match the uniform.

Black gloves match any uniform.

Oh the batting gloves! I spent a lot of money on them over the years. Now my son is in college and he gets Nike whenever they want them. So what do I see when I go see the fall world series? Wearing NO batting gloves. I ask him whats up? He says. I dont use them anymore. Thanks son.

Not to make things more expensive - but I would actually buy him two bats - both old ones off of ebay. One would be a -5 (something like a 32 in 27 oz) and the other a - 3 (32 29).

Hit for a month with the -5 and get stronger and used to the additional weight - then, starting in mid December, sell off the -5 and switch up to the -3.

He has a long way to adjust and jumping straight to the -3 may give him some bad habits.

Note - I am not saying buy good bats. Don't pay more than about $20 each - these are disposable bats to use in the batting cage as he move up from his existing -9. They will probably be dead (e.g. not have any pop left - but for batting cages they will be more than good enough. After all, using an expensive bat in the batting cage is a quick way to burn $300.

Then when it is close to time for tryouts, buy him his "game bat". Not to be used in the cages (he still has his "beater bat" for that ) - but for hitting little white pearls long distances

My son had always used wood bats in the cages.

Mine also used wood in the cages once he was swinging a -3 - but in the transition up from a -9, going straight to what is most likely a -2 wood bat may lead to swing problems - not to mention broken bats when he doesn't get around in time.

Once he is used to a -3, I am a huge fan of wood in the cages - and for all batting practice... but then again, I would advocate wood bats for all HS games - and that is certainly a topic for another thread.

At eleven and twelve I bought my son the cheap, $15, black, -3 Griffey bats. I think he broke three each year. Needless to say he didn't go in the cage at 70 mph given he was 4'10" and 5' those two years. He needed the -10 in LL and 12U to turn on 70+ mph from 46 feet.

In 13U travel fall ball after LL/12U he didn't have any trouble with a 32/29. Having the pitcher 60 feet away for the first time for added decision making time didn't hurt either.