Ha! on the batting gloves. Same as Coach May in our house... four or five pairs per son per season. They were always torn or missing one or stiff from sweat. College ball comes along, they can get them for FREE and they don't wear them anymore! Huh?
This thread brings back lots of good memories of our early days with #1... enjoy jaysdad! You'll be looking back on all of it before you know it!
Thanks for the great advice and funnies too!
At 12, I have a little experience buying things for him that turned out wasting my money. LOL
I will have to study the bat issue some more. I hate ebay so will not go that route but hopefully can pick up some bats elsewhere cheap.
As far as letting him be his own person, he is a Yankees Fan, and for his birthday I bought him this book titled "Yankees SUCK". It is a book about some of the things they have done over the years that make you want to hate them. So Maybe I am a little invasive LOL. Actually, I took him to a game this year at Yankee stadium before they tore it down and I can tell you for me to go to NY...that shows support! LOL
He has the advantage though because being a Pirates fan now is really tough!
Thanks again.
At 12, I have a little experience buying things for him that turned out wasting my money. LOL
I will have to study the bat issue some more. I hate ebay so will not go that route but hopefully can pick up some bats elsewhere cheap.
As far as letting him be his own person, he is a Yankees Fan, and for his birthday I bought him this book titled "Yankees SUCK". It is a book about some of the things they have done over the years that make you want to hate them. So Maybe I am a little invasive LOL. Actually, I took him to a game this year at Yankee stadium before they tore it down and I can tell you for me to go to NY...that shows support! LOL
He has the advantage though because being a Pirates fan now is really tough!
Thanks again.
Hi Jaysdad,
Another thing you might consider is talking to the parents of boys who were on last year's team to try to find out what the talent level is. Where I live, some middle schools had lots of kids who played travel ball, while others hardly had any (because most of the local travel ball slots were taken by kids in private school). With a few hitting lessons, your son will probably stand out if the try-outs are mostly rec players, but if they've all been playing select since the age of 9, it might be a challenge.
LHPMom2012
Another thing you might consider is talking to the parents of boys who were on last year's team to try to find out what the talent level is. Where I live, some middle schools had lots of kids who played travel ball, while others hardly had any (because most of the local travel ball slots were taken by kids in private school). With a few hitting lessons, your son will probably stand out if the try-outs are mostly rec players, but if they've all been playing select since the age of 9, it might be a challenge.
LHPMom2012
quote:I will have to study the bat issue some more. I hate ebay so will not go that route but hopefully can pick up some bats elsewhere cheap.
Play It Again Sports
This is a good place to trade used stuff. They have a store finder on the site, so maybe there is one in your neck of the woods.
My son is 13 and in 8th grade. I was going to share my 2 cents but then I saw your son was a Yankee fan and said forget it!! 
Ok..just kidding!! Pirates are my favorite NL team for some reason..so I feel some of your pain!
My son played rec ball from tee ball at 5 through 12 in Cal Ripken. His middle school is big (1,500+) so it is usually a handful of 7th graders and all 8th graders. He tried out as a 6th grader (12yrs old)..and was the last kid cut...he actually took a 6th grader that year. The experience showed him what he needed to work on for the next season. We played fall step-up ball that fall (fall ball on the big diamond) and found he was actually a better player on the big diamond then the smaller diamond..lol. We had signed him up to play 13U travel ball for a local AAU team. That gave him winter workouts (up here in NH the season doesn't start till mid April if lucky) and that made a big difference. When tryouts came in March of this year (he had just turned 13..7th grader) he made the team with ease as the coach already knew what he could do from tryouts the previous year and from the improvements he made over the year. I know a bunch of his peers that got cut on the last day as 7th graders last year and they will all mostly make the team as an 8th grader due to the work they put in as 7th graders trying out!!
So have him tryout so he gets known by the coach and knows what to expect next year if he doesn't make it. The hitting lessons and work will be a huge help for him going into tryouts. Just make sure he can field a grounder, make an accurate throw and catch a dang pop up..lol.
As an aside my son actually plays Babe Ruth as well. The AAU team encourages it and works their schedule around it (no Babe ruth games on Saturdays...so we play our AAU games on Saturday). I can tell you he did feel a little burnt out last year and did not participate in Babe ruth All-Stars..he needed the couple of weeks off. Now that he has gone through a season though he is chomping to play all-Stars as a 14U..lol.
Oh ya..it is only november and he keeps telling me how much he islooking forward to playing school ball in the spring...said it was the best experience to play for your school..so have him tryout if he wants..he might just love it!
Ok..just kidding!! Pirates are my favorite NL team for some reason..so I feel some of your pain!
My son played rec ball from tee ball at 5 through 12 in Cal Ripken. His middle school is big (1,500+) so it is usually a handful of 7th graders and all 8th graders. He tried out as a 6th grader (12yrs old)..and was the last kid cut...he actually took a 6th grader that year. The experience showed him what he needed to work on for the next season. We played fall step-up ball that fall (fall ball on the big diamond) and found he was actually a better player on the big diamond then the smaller diamond..lol. We had signed him up to play 13U travel ball for a local AAU team. That gave him winter workouts (up here in NH the season doesn't start till mid April if lucky) and that made a big difference. When tryouts came in March of this year (he had just turned 13..7th grader) he made the team with ease as the coach already knew what he could do from tryouts the previous year and from the improvements he made over the year. I know a bunch of his peers that got cut on the last day as 7th graders last year and they will all mostly make the team as an 8th grader due to the work they put in as 7th graders trying out!!
So have him tryout so he gets known by the coach and knows what to expect next year if he doesn't make it. The hitting lessons and work will be a huge help for him going into tryouts. Just make sure he can field a grounder, make an accurate throw and catch a dang pop up..lol.
As an aside my son actually plays Babe Ruth as well. The AAU team encourages it and works their schedule around it (no Babe ruth games on Saturdays...so we play our AAU games on Saturday). I can tell you he did feel a little burnt out last year and did not participate in Babe ruth All-Stars..he needed the couple of weeks off. Now that he has gone through a season though he is chomping to play all-Stars as a 14U..lol.
Oh ya..it is only november and he keeps telling me how much he islooking forward to playing school ball in the spring...said it was the best experience to play for your school..so have him tryout if he wants..he might just love it!
redsox8191
Thanks! Did you see the Pirates signed two pitchers from India?
Yes, I will let the boy try in the spring for sure and just see how things go for him.
They play their season February - April so I guess he will start hearing something about tryouts in early February.
Thanks again.
Thanks! Did you see the Pirates signed two pitchers from India?
Yes, I will let the boy try in the spring for sure and just see how things go for him.
They play their season February - April so I guess he will start hearing something about tryouts in early February.
Thanks again.
quote:Originally posted by RJM: 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.
RJM, with all due respect there are a lot of parents at the youth age that get caught up. I know I did. I loved my kid and wanted him to be able to compete. I for one was VERY involved in my son's sports experience and nearly every day took him to practices, threw with him, was at all the games cheering him on, traveling to showcases. Since when is it wrong to get involved with our kids' sports experiences?
Are we supposed to turn him completely over to the travel coach? The motivation of most travel coaches at a young age are to coach their own kid, closely matching our own motivation.
Lessons are learned about the nature of the game and our approach to it as we mature in our understanding of baseball. Maybe when my kid was playing youth travel baseball I would chatter too much but I've learned as he's got older that's not the thing to do. Kids learn, and so do their parents!
BTW, Jaysdad.. Welcome to HSBBW! You keep using the "I's" in your posts because is YOU that are important to your son.
2Bmom - thanks for the tip on Play it Again Sports!
We found one in our area (about a 45 minute drive) and visited today. We found a 30/24 bat which is a step up from the 29/20 he likes to use. We'll see how that goes.
It was used but looks new. Does anyone have any ideas about putting a new grip on bats. This one is just beginning to dryrot. It looks like this bat had a very long shelf life or was in someones closet for a long time.
We found one in our area (about a 45 minute drive) and visited today. We found a 30/24 bat which is a step up from the 29/20 he likes to use. We'll see how that goes.
It was used but looks new. Does anyone have any ideas about putting a new grip on bats. This one is just beginning to dryrot. It looks like this bat had a very long shelf life or was in someones closet for a long time.
Jaysdad,
You can buy new bat grip tape, it comes in a small roll enough for one grip, we have used an Easton brand.
Or you can just use athletic tape.
Depending on the condition of the grip that is on there now, you can put the athletic tape over the old grip, or just take the old grip off and then put on the athletic tape.
You can buy new bat grip tape, it comes in a small roll enough for one grip, we have used an Easton brand.
Or you can just use athletic tape.
Depending on the condition of the grip that is on there now, you can put the athletic tape over the old grip, or just take the old grip off and then put on the athletic tape.
quote:Originally posted by Bum:
Maybe when my kid was playing youth travel baseball I would chatter too much but I've learned as he's got older that's not the thing to do. Kids learn, and so do their parents!
Bum, this made me smile. Thanks!
It's amazing how I/we learn along the way that keeping quiet during games each season almost becomes an art form. I remember when youngun was a freshman playing JV that I met a Senior's dad that sat all too himself. It made me very curious why. Over then next 2 years until younggun made Varsity I learned REAL quick why he did. Thus, my seat in right field on the hill with my cigar his last 2 years in HS was my spot.
I commend you jaysdad for being concerned and involved with your son's love for baseball. As you already know, you have received tons and tons of great advice on here from seasoned veterans.
I think it is natural for Dads (and moms) to want their sons (and daughters) to excel and succeed. Encourage and challenge him to try out at upper levels if he himself believes he can do it. His talent level against the other players will dictate to him (and you) where he is and what he needs to work on. Making/not making teams is a great learning lesson for you as Dad to teach him great life lesson's, i.e. perserverance, hard work, never-give-up attitude, goals, etc. along the way. Failures (for lack of a better word) fuel the fire for desire as I'm sure you would agree.
If your son doesn't make the MS team (and I highly recommend he tryout), he and you can sit down afterwards and say it wasn't because he didn't work hard and try. There is great satisfaction even in that.
Good luck and I/we look forward to hearing how it goes for your son.
OK a few weeks have passed. Tryouts are nearing.
In fact in about 2 weeks. My son is still excited.
I am learning that even at this very beginning stage that competition might be stiff. There are 40-45 kids signed up for tryouts. I assume they will have a couple or more kids back from last year so that leaves just a few slots open for the bulk of the kids. I am assuming also that the team will have 17-18 players. Most kids will be cut. Maybe a third make it?
The format is tryouts for 1 week. There are 3 days set up. One for pitchers and catchers, one for infielders, and one for the outfielders. The first cut will be at the end of the third day and I can only assume a final cut by the end of the week. Does he go to all three or just the ones he is interested in? Does it make a difference?
Since this is his first go at it, how do I deal with letdown? I have checked the local rec and they stop ball at 12 so my promise to him of playing rec ball could be in jepardy too. I may have to look into something like travel ball. He has played since he was 4 or 5. I hate to sound negative. He is a little spoiled and by that I mean he has not had much of not getting to play ball. I hope he understands what not making the team means or does not mean.
OH well, enough rambling I suppose. I will let you know how it goes.
In fact in about 2 weeks. My son is still excited.
I am learning that even at this very beginning stage that competition might be stiff. There are 40-45 kids signed up for tryouts. I assume they will have a couple or more kids back from last year so that leaves just a few slots open for the bulk of the kids. I am assuming also that the team will have 17-18 players. Most kids will be cut. Maybe a third make it?
The format is tryouts for 1 week. There are 3 days set up. One for pitchers and catchers, one for infielders, and one for the outfielders. The first cut will be at the end of the third day and I can only assume a final cut by the end of the week. Does he go to all three or just the ones he is interested in? Does it make a difference?
Since this is his first go at it, how do I deal with letdown? I have checked the local rec and they stop ball at 12 so my promise to him of playing rec ball could be in jepardy too. I may have to look into something like travel ball. He has played since he was 4 or 5. I hate to sound negative. He is a little spoiled and by that I mean he has not had much of not getting to play ball. I hope he understands what not making the team means or does not mean.
OH well, enough rambling I suppose. I will let you know how it goes.
jaysdad,
With about three kids trying out for every one available roster spot, it's probably natural to wonder "what should I say or do if he doesn't make the team?" But I would recommend that you just encourage your son and let him know that the competition sounds tough but you think he has a great chance of making the team. (IMO, there's nothing wrong with saying "great chance" even if you think it's 50/50. Confidence is good! So is hustle!)
Don't worry about discussing alternatives with him before tryouts. If he doesn't make it ... sure, he will be disappointed, but you can deal with it then. My sons are a little older (20 and almost 23), and I remember when they were your son's age, wishing I could somehow keep them from "tripping and falling" on obstacles/disappointments. But of course some disappointments are inevitable, and they really do build character and all that good stuff. The important thing is for us as parents to help our kids learn how to pick themselves up and try again.
Re: your question about going to 1 or all 3 days of position-specific tryouts: If your son is truly interested in all positions and the coaches haven't given an indication, it sure seems like it could help his chances to attend more than one of those days.
Good luck to your son, and let us know how it goes!
Julie
With about three kids trying out for every one available roster spot, it's probably natural to wonder "what should I say or do if he doesn't make the team?" But I would recommend that you just encourage your son and let him know that the competition sounds tough but you think he has a great chance of making the team. (IMO, there's nothing wrong with saying "great chance" even if you think it's 50/50. Confidence is good! So is hustle!)
Don't worry about discussing alternatives with him before tryouts. If he doesn't make it ... sure, he will be disappointed, but you can deal with it then. My sons are a little older (20 and almost 23), and I remember when they were your son's age, wishing I could somehow keep them from "tripping and falling" on obstacles/disappointments. But of course some disappointments are inevitable, and they really do build character and all that good stuff. The important thing is for us as parents to help our kids learn how to pick themselves up and try again.
Re: your question about going to 1 or all 3 days of position-specific tryouts: If your son is truly interested in all positions and the coaches haven't given an indication, it sure seems like it could help his chances to attend more than one of those days.
Good luck to your son, and let us know how it goes!
Julie
I would let your son go to as many tryouts as possible. Nothing is set at this level in terms of what position he will wind up playing. More than likely, he will wind up where the team needs him regardless of where he has played in the past.
My son is trying out for the HS team for the first time. I let him know he should tell the coach that he pitches and his primary position is SS, but he has also played 2nd, 3rd, and OF and can play where ever the coach needs him.
There were a couple of guys on the HS team last year who had been infielders all their baseball "careers" who got to play varsity as OFs because that is where the team was lacking.
Good luck Jaysdad.
My son is trying out for the HS team for the first time. I let him know he should tell the coach that he pitches and his primary position is SS, but he has also played 2nd, 3rd, and OF and can play where ever the coach needs him.
There were a couple of guys on the HS team last year who had been infielders all their baseball "careers" who got to play varsity as OFs because that is where the team was lacking.
Good luck Jaysdad.
Have your son read "making the team" from this website. While it's written for high school, it will make a middle school player stand out.
quote:Does he go to all three or just the ones he is interested in? Does it make a difference?
I'd strongly suggest he go to as many as allowed. Let the coaches decide "what" he is, most likely they will anyway if he is playing for them. I'd also suggest he enter these tryouts with the attitude of doing what it takes to play somewhere. Chances are there are about 3 or 4 out of the 45 talented enough to be obvious, all the rest will need the right attitude. School coaches are much less likely to deal with problem attitudes than private (Rec, Travel, etc...) coaches of teams. Best of luck to your son.
I have been following this post with great interest. My oldest son tried out for the middle school team last year (as a 7th grader) he did not make the team. This was the first time in his life that he did not make "the team". He was very discouraged and for the next few days he went through the various emotions that are associated with such a let down. After a few days had past he came to me and said "dad I would like to have your help". He continued "I want to get better and do whatever it takes to make the team next year". As a parent we always want the best for our children and we want them to succeed so I agreed to help him. After several hours of work with some local hitting and pitching coaches and him working on his own at home. He just completed the middle school tryouts for this season and he made the team. What a difference a year makes. I have been able to use this situation with all three of my boys, I tell them no matter what you are doing in life you must work hard and put forth the effort if you want to succeed. I know there are several more tryouts in our family's future and I hope I can continue to have the correct attitude with each one of them. This site has been a tremendous help for me and my son. Thank you to everyone for all of the great information.
I apologize for taking so long to add another entry to the thread. I wasn't exactly sure what to say or if I should just walk away and not say anything at all.
There was 60+ kids tryout for a 13 man roster. Can you experts or seasoned people out there forgive me for thinking my son was "good" enough to make the team? I am humbled and probably content in the fact that my son probably will not be good enough to play ball. I was amazed and how much best of the best meant at the very beginning of school ball. If half the kids should not have been there, that still is about a two-third's of the kids that do not make it. I have heard other parents say how extremely hard it is to make this team. The school actually serves two communities that could probably support two high schools but that is a few years away.
Baseball is over for most kids by 12 or thirteen. I have found a little league junior league that he is going to play in this summer. Practice has started and games will start in a couple weeks. But even there it is the most dedicated of parents and the kids who really want to play. My son just wants to play. He was upset about the tryouts and I believe in his own mind he may think it is a long shot but he likes the game. He watches it on TV constantly and knows the game but knowing the game and being a athlete aint the same.
The hardest part about the tryouts was the running. He simply could not do all the running. It brought him to his knees and tears. Which leaves me wondering just how much do I get involved? He is a very emotional kid and difficult to deal with at times. It is a very difficult balancing act to know when to encourage, push, or just sit back and let things happen.
Oh well, I have rambled enough. We are going to let him play ball as long as he can somewhere until he says he just doesn't want to anymore. I will try and get back on here and give everyone a update at the end of the season. Thanks again for all the good advice and kinds words.
There was 60+ kids tryout for a 13 man roster. Can you experts or seasoned people out there forgive me for thinking my son was "good" enough to make the team? I am humbled and probably content in the fact that my son probably will not be good enough to play ball. I was amazed and how much best of the best meant at the very beginning of school ball. If half the kids should not have been there, that still is about a two-third's of the kids that do not make it. I have heard other parents say how extremely hard it is to make this team. The school actually serves two communities that could probably support two high schools but that is a few years away.
Baseball is over for most kids by 12 or thirteen. I have found a little league junior league that he is going to play in this summer. Practice has started and games will start in a couple weeks. But even there it is the most dedicated of parents and the kids who really want to play. My son just wants to play. He was upset about the tryouts and I believe in his own mind he may think it is a long shot but he likes the game. He watches it on TV constantly and knows the game but knowing the game and being a athlete aint the same.
The hardest part about the tryouts was the running. He simply could not do all the running. It brought him to his knees and tears. Which leaves me wondering just how much do I get involved? He is a very emotional kid and difficult to deal with at times. It is a very difficult balancing act to know when to encourage, push, or just sit back and let things happen.
Oh well, I have rambled enough. We are going to let him play ball as long as he can somewhere until he says he just doesn't want to anymore. I will try and get back on here and give everyone a update at the end of the season. Thanks again for all the good advice and kinds words.
jaysdad, I am sorry to hear about the try-out. That is really hard stuff. Very dissappointing.
I will you the same advice I gave a boy in our areaa few years back. When I was serving in our local youth league a boy that was on my sons team told me he was quitting baseball. I asked him why. He told me he loved the game he just wasn't that good.
I told him he was 12 years old and that it might be a little to early to hang it up. That he should find a place to be able to play the game he loves on the level he can play it at.
And, that maybe given a couple of years of growth and sticking with it he would get a little bigger a little stronger and a little more consistent. I told him if he peaked out at 12 then he peaked out to early.
Well, 3 years later I ordered a 15U Little League All Star jacket for that kid. He was fairly subdued when I gave it to him but you could see how much it meant to him. I cried like a baby.
He never made his hs team. He is still involved in baseball in Seniors, an active participant in the community, a great kid and a big baseball fan.
What more could you ask for?
I will you the same advice I gave a boy in our areaa few years back. When I was serving in our local youth league a boy that was on my sons team told me he was quitting baseball. I asked him why. He told me he loved the game he just wasn't that good.
I told him he was 12 years old and that it might be a little to early to hang it up. That he should find a place to be able to play the game he loves on the level he can play it at.
And, that maybe given a couple of years of growth and sticking with it he would get a little bigger a little stronger and a little more consistent. I told him if he peaked out at 12 then he peaked out to early.
Well, 3 years later I ordered a 15U Little League All Star jacket for that kid. He was fairly subdued when I gave it to him but you could see how much it meant to him. I cried like a baby.
He never made his hs team. He is still involved in baseball in Seniors, an active participant in the community, a great kid and a big baseball fan.
What more could you ask for?
jaysdad,
I was thinking something similar to what playfair posted. You mentioned:
"The hardest part about the tryouts was the running. He simply could not do all the running."
That sounds to me like your son may be "behind the curve" in terms of physical development OR conditioning. Maybe he will never make the HS team. But maybe, with a reasonable exercise regimen and normal physical maturation in strength, speed, etc., he will. If he loves baseball, keep finding a place for him to play if you can, and also suggest some opportunities for him to get in better shape.
Julie
I was thinking something similar to what playfair posted. You mentioned:
"The hardest part about the tryouts was the running. He simply could not do all the running."
That sounds to me like your son may be "behind the curve" in terms of physical development OR conditioning. Maybe he will never make the HS team. But maybe, with a reasonable exercise regimen and normal physical maturation in strength, speed, etc., he will. If he loves baseball, keep finding a place for him to play if you can, and also suggest some opportunities for him to get in better shape.
Julie
The best part about kids this age is what a difference a year can make.
Our JR high was very similar, about 1400 kids, at 7th grade tryouts there were 75 kids. At 8th grade tryouts, maybe half that. The team had many of the same players (7th grade team vs. 8th grade team the following year), but at least 4 spots changed.
On the 9th grade team, they took 9 who were curt from both the 7th & 8th grade teams.
If he works hard and improves, there is a chance but it requires a commitment, so professional hitting instruction, etc. If it isn't for him, then simply have fun playing as long as he can.
I've heard a very strong rumor through some of the JR high coaches that there will be no JR high sports next year due in our school district to budget cuts. My daughter will be an 8th grader, so she won't be playing volleyball or softball for the junior high next year if this is true or funding can't be identified. Sad...
Our JR high was very similar, about 1400 kids, at 7th grade tryouts there were 75 kids. At 8th grade tryouts, maybe half that. The team had many of the same players (7th grade team vs. 8th grade team the following year), but at least 4 spots changed.
On the 9th grade team, they took 9 who were curt from both the 7th & 8th grade teams.
If he works hard and improves, there is a chance but it requires a commitment, so professional hitting instruction, etc. If it isn't for him, then simply have fun playing as long as he can.
I've heard a very strong rumor through some of the JR high coaches that there will be no JR high sports next year due in our school district to budget cuts. My daughter will be an 8th grader, so she won't be playing volleyball or softball for the junior high next year if this is true or funding can't be identified. Sad...