8th grader pitching varsity

I've played vs a 7th grader on JV. This happens at private schools that are K-12. I skipped a grade, so I started playing high school ball at age 13 in 9th gr., but I was 14 by the time spring rolled around. It is very impressive to be playing varsity if it doesn't get to his head.

I don't think it will,he seems grounded.I know his dad a little from being around the park.His dad umped my son's firts live pitch game and was giving him pointers on pitching.He said once my son gained confidence in his arm,he would be doing real well.


I don't really know the kid other than who he is.

I was told that he was so nervous in his first start that he actually fell down on his first pitch of his first game.

I find it interesting that an 8th grader is allowed to play varsity.. I don't think you could do it here in Illinois. For one thing, you'd run out of eligibility.

We had a 5th grader start on the girls fastpitch freshman team at shortstop.She pitched as a 6th grader and is now playing JV full time and varsity part time as a 7th grader.


I am assuming they can play as long as their age allows them too.(before they get too old)

quote:

I am wondering just how unusuall is it for an 8th grader to be starting on varsity as a pitcher.

I think in most states, private or public schools, there is a restriction on a maximum of 4 consecutive years of varsity competition. For an 8th grader on varsity, that means he'll finish his eligibility after his junior year and won't be able to play as a senior. JV doesn't count, which is why you will see 8th graders on JV teams more frequently.

Kentucky does not have very many restrictions in terms of prehigh school players. Only real restriction is that 8th grade and below players cannot compete against JR and SR in contact sports like football and wrestling. Other than that everything is good to go.

When I was a head coach in Kentucky I had an 8th grader start a couple of games but I picked who it would be against. He had / has (only a Sophomore) a lot of potential and we played a tough schedule so I didn't want to throw him out there against some of the better teams. My philosophy has always been if I'm going to use a younger player then it's going to be in a situation where he can succeed. In this case he got 3 starts and went 3 - 0 and you could tell he was very nervous the first time out. After that though he settled into a groove and was much more comfortable. I think it was good for him to be brought along that way.

quote:

you could tell he was very nervous the first time out

I bet he was. I bet he thought he was playing with/against a bunch of grown men! Sounds like he has a great future in front of him in the hands of a coach with your approach.

quote:

Originally posted by coach2709:
Kentucky does not have very many restrictions in terms of prehigh school players. Only real restriction is that 8th grade and below players cannot compete against JR and SR in contact sports like football and wrestling. Other than that everything is good to go.

When I was a head coach in Kentucky I had an 8th grader start a couple of games but I picked who it would be against. He had / has (only a Sophomore) a lot of potential and we played a tough schedule so I didn't want to throw him out there against some of the better teams. My philosophy has always been if I'm going to use a younger player then it's going to be in a situation where he can succeed. In this case he got 3 starts and went 3 - 0 and you could tell he was very nervous the first time out. After that though he settled into a groove and was much more comfortable. I think it was good for him to be brought along that way.

I believe this is the case here as well.The other team had an ace pitcher which had a really bad day when he faced him but I don't think their hitting was that strong,atleast it wasn't in the 2 games I saw them play.

quote:

I find it interesting that an 8th grader is allowed to play varsity.. I don't think you could do it here in Illinois. For one thing, you'd run out of eligibility.

In some states if the district or high school enrollment is below a certain number, middle schoolers can play without losing eligibility on the back end. In out state these would be 1A programs. I believe the middle school grades have to be part of the high school campus.

In NY they call it Selection Classification, 7th & 8th graders can pass a physical test and a puberty test (don't ask ) and then be granted additional year(s) of Varsity eligability.