I hear parents talk about BAD birthdays for baseball players. Does the birthday within a particular year hinder a player’s ability to compete with another, slightly older player within the same age bracket. Your thoughts.
Fungo
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All throughout LL age we move our kids up so they can face tougher competition (ie older kids) and then when they hit HS we complain because they are dissadvantaged by their age.
I have never understood this.
Yes, a year can make a difference in development of a young man. However, some of those kids who have the advantage based on age are also the late blommers.
I think we are sometimes diverted by our concerns.
I have never understood this.
Yes, a year can make a difference in development of a young man. However, some of those kids who have the advantage based on age are also the late blommers.
I think we are sometimes diverted by our concerns.
Man playing ball sure has changed since I was young. Year round training facilities, individual pitching and hitting coaches. Parents are now practicing natural family planning around the MLB draft. Can you honestly have a bad birthday. I guess my son will never enjoy the rush of an October World Series because he was born in May. My wife and I will apologize to him when he is old enough to understand.
It can make a difference for the fairly, but not incredibly talented player. Delmon Young had a young HS birthday and it didn't hurt him because he has incredible talent and work ethic.
My son will most likely be at a bit of a disadvantage during HS due to being younger than other kids in his grade. The biggest problem is getting playing time during the freshman, sophmore and junior seasons. This especially hurts pitchers because through the age of 16, HS pitchers typically increase their velocity 4 to 6 mph per year. That's a big disadvantage through the junior season. Once again those with incredible talent and work ethic are not as affected. Robert Stock is young for his grade and was a freshman closer for the varsity on a team in one of the best HS leagues in the country.
In the long run a kid who really wants to stick with it can sit out a year of school after HS or go to a JC and redshirt for a season if they believe that added maturity will give them a better shot at D1 baseball or whatever their goal is.
I'm particularly sensitive to this since I was 15 when I started my senior year in HS and it definitely affected my baseball "career". I never had the talent to play professionally but it wasn't fun to watch the scouts showing interest in a sophmore who I always played ahead of in age group competition because he was a sophmore and I was a senior. He was older than me and less projectable.
My son will most likely be at a bit of a disadvantage during HS due to being younger than other kids in his grade. The biggest problem is getting playing time during the freshman, sophmore and junior seasons. This especially hurts pitchers because through the age of 16, HS pitchers typically increase their velocity 4 to 6 mph per year. That's a big disadvantage through the junior season. Once again those with incredible talent and work ethic are not as affected. Robert Stock is young for his grade and was a freshman closer for the varsity on a team in one of the best HS leagues in the country.
In the long run a kid who really wants to stick with it can sit out a year of school after HS or go to a JC and redshirt for a season if they believe that added maturity will give them a better shot at D1 baseball or whatever their goal is.
I'm particularly sensitive to this since I was 15 when I started my senior year in HS and it definitely affected my baseball "career". I never had the talent to play professionally but it wasn't fun to watch the scouts showing interest in a sophmore who I always played ahead of in age group competition because he was a sophmore and I was a senior. He was older than me and less projectable.
One of my sons has a July 28th birthday (three days from the cutoff). When he was in coach pitch you could see some differences in height,weight, etc... but as he got older, it seemed to even out. We never made an issue of the difference. Even though some kids could be almost 2 years older than he was we never mentioned it to him or made a big deal of it.
As far as the LL type stuff goes there is a definite birthday advantage/disadvantage. When I look at the birth certificates for our all-star team the latest birthdays starting from August 1st are February birthdays and the kids with birthdays that late are little 2nd baseman types.
The birthday advantage gives the kids more playing time and confidence at an early age, but if a kid sticks it out then they have a more advantageous birthday come HS. That is one of the reasons you'll see a kid who never was an all-star in youth ball making the HS team over a perennial all-star.
You'll never see more than a 1 year age difference for a given age in LL. You can see age differences of 2 years or more for a given grade in school.
The birthday advantage gives the kids more playing time and confidence at an early age, but if a kid sticks it out then they have a more advantageous birthday come HS. That is one of the reasons you'll see a kid who never was an all-star in youth ball making the HS team over a perennial all-star.
You'll never see more than a 1 year age difference for a given age in LL. You can see age differences of 2 years or more for a given grade in school.
I have a late birthday which always made me "young" for my grade. Always thought my parents did me a big favor starting me in school a little early...got out of college a little early that way too.
Our son also has a late birthday (same as mine). Never did we think about athletics when he entered kindergarten. Can't imagine anyone who does...but I am sure there are some. In the end, it made no difference as far as I can tell...other than the fact that after 3 years of college he'll still only be 20. Sounds like a good thing to me. We'll see.
Our son also has a late birthday (same as mine). Never did we think about athletics when he entered kindergarten. Can't imagine anyone who does...but I am sure there are some. In the end, it made no difference as far as I can tell...other than the fact that after 3 years of college he'll still only be 20. Sounds like a good thing to me. We'll see.
Son's birthdate of August 8th was advantagous in Little League. We also kept him home a year before starting him in Kindergarten...so he is now a year older than his HS teammates...and that has also been advantagous......so many educators in family...they all recommended that an August baby, "especially a boy", should not start school until 6 years of age. Think though...as they get older...a year or 2 age difference doesn't matter with baseball....the talent has to be there too....if we had to do it over....we would keep him home again...for that extra year...and nothing to do with baseball....he has just excelled academically, and the added maturity has helped him greatly with his teachers and peers....
My youngest, a 16-yr-old 06, also has a summer birthday, and we did not hold him back, so he has always been one of the youngest in his class. It has made it more difficult for him to complete successfully in baseball and basketball (mostly a lag in coordination and strength), but he has generally made the starting lineup because of his hard work and height. He has always done well academically, and overall we are glad he is in the grade he is in, mostly because he has a uniquely wonderful group of friends in his grade, many of them about one year older and excellent athletes, and it seems that he was meant to be in this exact spot in his life.
arizonared - I agree with you on the "maturity" thing. I would say around 8th/9th grade, our son seemed to us immature for his grade. He eventually grew out of it though (for the most part 
).
When our younger daughter was about to start kindergarten, we were then in tune with that concern as she was young too. We talked at length with the school principal and he thought that the issue would be far less for a girl...that girls mature much easier than the boys. Still too early for me to have an opinion on whether or not that was right.
).When our younger daughter was about to start kindergarten, we were then in tune with that concern as she was young too. We talked at length with the school principal and he thought that the issue would be far less for a girl...that girls mature much easier than the boys. Still too early for me to have an opinion on whether or not that was right.
Mine's birthday was last week. He's a 13yo 8th grader now. If I had it to do all over again I'd have waited a year to start him in school. He does well academically but is not as mature as one would like for his grade. Too late to worry about it now.
Most players have some part of them that is not optimal--some are slow, some are short, some are young, some are late bloomers. Everyone has something that gives him an advantage over others and something that puts him at a disadvantage. Successful players develop their strengths to give themselves even greater advantanges, while compensating for their weaknesses to minimize their disadvantages. Unsuccessful players (or their parents) whine about bad birthdays...
Beeper
Beeper
MLB did a study/survey that showed the vast majority of major league players were born in the months of August through November.
Maybe it all goes back to Little League where league age is August 1 through July 31. So if you're an August, September, October, November birthday you're the (relatively) oldest and often biggest kid in each particular group.
A kid born 8-1 is in the same group as a kid born (the next) 7-31, yet is truly a year older, so the late spring, june july birthdays have become viewed as "bad baseball/sports birthdays".
It all seems or should even out over time but, the MLB stats apparently show that Aug-Nov birthdays give you the best shot.....
Just for the heck of it, just looked up the BoSox and Marlin rosters. On the Sox, 10 of 25 are born august through november and on the Marlins 11 of 25 are born august through november so nearly half of both teams are born in those 4 months (the 'good' Little league birthdays).
Maybe it all goes back to Little League where league age is August 1 through July 31. So if you're an August, September, October, November birthday you're the (relatively) oldest and often biggest kid in each particular group.
A kid born 8-1 is in the same group as a kid born (the next) 7-31, yet is truly a year older, so the late spring, june july birthdays have become viewed as "bad baseball/sports birthdays".
It all seems or should even out over time but, the MLB stats apparently show that Aug-Nov birthdays give you the best shot.....
Just for the heck of it, just looked up the BoSox and Marlin rosters. On the Sox, 10 of 25 are born august through november and on the Marlins 11 of 25 are born august through november so nearly half of both teams are born in those 4 months (the 'good' Little league birthdays).
Heybatter, Thanks for the info. I will now only draft players who were born in the fall. 
How about even or odd birthdays?
I remember when Griffey Jr. was the first pick in the nation in 1987 and his birthday is Nov. 21st. The neat thing about it was that he was a 17 year old. Imagine how high he would have been drafted if he had another year of high school? They would have held a separate draft just for him.
How about even or odd birthdays?I remember when Griffey Jr. was the first pick in the nation in 1987 and his birthday is Nov. 21st. The neat thing about it was that he was a 17 year old. Imagine how high he would have been drafted if he had another year of high school?
They would have held a separate draft just for him.
Ooh, this MLB birthday thing is cool! I just checked the Twins' post-season roster, and the birthdays were fairly spread out among the months. But the month with the most birthdays was March - 4 of the 25 rostered players, all starters, two of them pitchers. I am going to interpret this to indicate that my older son, an 04 RHP with a March birthday, will definitely achieve his goal of pitching for the Minnesota Twins eventually!
Me and Bubba did a survey of all adult baseball players in TN, KY, MS and AL. We asked them to describe their activity during the months of March, April, May, June, July, August, Sept and October. They all said. . . Play ball!! We asked what they did during November, December, January, and February and they all grinned and said. . . “Man that’s the off season we just kinda lay around the house”. You do the math! Add nine months to November, December, January, and February and you get August, September, October, and November. This phenomenon has nothing to do with the age or maturity level of the little leaguer but is a direct result of the genetic influence created by the distinct breeding cycle of the adult male baseball player.
Fungo
Fungo
Never thought about it but now that you mention it, because of his Oct birthday he had to repeat t-ball at 5 and 6! 
I hate this topic. My 3rd boy, who has been the biggest hitter and fastest pitcher of all my kids, has a July 31 birthday. He is a full year younger than a lot of the kids he plays against.
He is finished his 12 yo league and allstar seasons as an 11 year old. Never gets to play 11-12 league as a 12, only an 11 year old. He will be 12 for the entirety of his first year in Babe Ruth, playing against 13,14 and 15 year olds.
Worst part is that he was an elective Caesarian section
If scheduled 1 day later....
Oh well, that was before we knew anything about youth ball.
He is finished his 12 yo league and allstar seasons as an 11 year old. Never gets to play 11-12 league as a 12, only an 11 year old. He will be 12 for the entirety of his first year in Babe Ruth, playing against 13,14 and 15 year olds.
Worst part is that he was an elective Caesarian section
If scheduled 1 day later....Oh well, that was before we knew anything about youth ball.
Just Me,
Don't be too hard on yourself. You may have actually helped his baseball (I'll explain later). . . plus . . Your elected caesarian section has changed his astrological birthchart which if you believe any of that (which I don't) may have changed his whole future, possibly for the better. Back to having a July birthday, which is supposed to bad and how that birthday could actually be a GOOD thing. My son has a July birthday and was always the youngest player. This was always obvious in youth baseball because we celebrated the player’s birthdays at the field and he was jokingly referred to as the baby. Being a natural competitor, he never liked to be last. I firmly believe that being the youngest actually challenged him to do more . . . to practice more. . . . to swing harder . . . to throw harder (we won’t talk about running). This challenge was compounded by the fact that he played on “older” teams much of his youth baseball. The first year he played 18u select baseball, he played most of that year as a 15 year old. I would jokingly taunt him with words like: “I’m not sure you can hang with these older boys” just to watch his determination emerge.
Most baseball people support the belief that baseball is primarily a mental game. If that be the case then the additional mental challenge of being young MIGHT outweigh the added benefit of being a little older. Food for thought.
Oh, and to those people that plan parenthood based on youth sports cut-off dates: May you be blessed with a pretty little baby girl that develops into a talented flutist.
Fungo
Don't be too hard on yourself. You may have actually helped his baseball (I'll explain later). . . plus . . Your elected caesarian section has changed his astrological birthchart which if you believe any of that (which I don't) may have changed his whole future, possibly for the better.
Back to having a July birthday, which is supposed to bad and how that birthday could actually be a GOOD thing. My son has a July birthday and was always the youngest player. This was always obvious in youth baseball because we celebrated the player’s birthdays at the field and he was jokingly referred to as the baby. Being a natural competitor, he never liked to be last. I firmly believe that being the youngest actually challenged him to do more . . . to practice more. . . . to swing harder . . . to throw harder (we won’t talk about running). This challenge was compounded by the fact that he played on “older” teams much of his youth baseball. The first year he played 18u select baseball, he played most of that year as a 15 year old. I would jokingly taunt him with words like: “I’m not sure you can hang with these older boys” just to watch his determination emerge.Most baseball people support the belief that baseball is primarily a mental game. If that be the case then the additional mental challenge of being young MIGHT outweigh the added benefit of being a little older. Food for thought.
Oh, and to those people that plan parenthood based on youth sports cut-off dates: May you be blessed with a pretty little baby girl that develops into a talented flutist.
Fungo
Fungo,
I like your theory on the breeding habits of baseball dads best.
I guess your last post reiterates my own theory. My son was always a young one (May though, so not the youngest) as well as the smallest, so he got a double wallop. Now, since he still isn't very big I don't believe waiting a year to get bigger would have helped him in that arae. It never stopped him from playing well.
Have you ever noticed that no one ever complains about the age advantage of a player when he's the smallest player on the team. No one ever complains about the age advantage of a player if he does not have a good fast ball. No one ever complains about the age advantage of a player who is slower than molassis.
In fact no one ever complains about the age advantage unless a player has OTHER advantages - be it size, speed, arm etc. Something to think about. It isn't the birthday alone.
I like your theory on the breeding habits of baseball dads best.
I guess your last post reiterates my own theory. My son was always a young one (May though, so not the youngest) as well as the smallest, so he got a double wallop. Now, since he still isn't very big I don't believe waiting a year to get bigger would have helped him in that arae. It never stopped him from playing well.
Have you ever noticed that no one ever complains about the age advantage of a player when he's the smallest player on the team. No one ever complains about the age advantage of a player if he does not have a good fast ball. No one ever complains about the age advantage of a player who is slower than molassis.
In fact no one ever complains about the age advantage unless a player has OTHER advantages - be it size, speed, arm etc. Something to think about. It isn't the birthday alone.
This is a topic our family has always had to deal with, concerning our son who has a September birthday. He was always...and still is in college....the youngest player on the team for his grade level. He was a 17 when he left for college. The ONLY disadvantage (aside from the occassional parent who felt they needed to "explain" to us why we did our son a disservice by NOT holding him back) he actually turned into an "advantage" . He always worked harder on his baseball skills to prove to everyone that he belonged on the field with the older guys. Turned out to be a great situation for him. Plus, he has always had the considerable advantage of being one of the biggest kids on the team, even tho he was the youngest. The ONLY time I questioned our decision to start him in kindergarten as the youngest in the class....was when he graduated from high school and I thought "If I had held him back, I would still have another year to spend with him at home before he leaves for college." The only time HE regretted the decision was when everyone else was driving and he still wasn't old enough for his license. Neither issue was baseball related.
Aparent,
No, but I do have issues with the kid in the same grade who is a year older, whose fastball is 3 or 4 mph faster than my kid's, who is also 5 or 6 inches taller and whose voice has changed. In other words a kid who did almost as well as my son in age group competition the year before as my son did this year. Sure my son will probably pass that kid up by their senior year in HS but in the meantime the older kid will get more playing time.
There's nothing that can be done about it except work harder, but all the work in the world won't make a kid mature any quicker.
No, but I do have issues with the kid in the same grade who is a year older, whose fastball is 3 or 4 mph faster than my kid's, who is also 5 or 6 inches taller and whose voice has changed. In other words a kid who did almost as well as my son in age group competition the year before as my son did this year. Sure my son will probably pass that kid up by their senior year in HS but in the meantime the older kid will get more playing time.
There's nothing that can be done about it except work harder, but all the work in the world won't make a kid mature any quicker.
No matter what the cut off date be it age or grade you will always have the same problem--
That is just the way it is-- dates cannot be moved every time a parent has a problem
That is just the way it is-- dates cannot be moved every time a parent has a problem
Febuary 29. You'd still have t-ball eligibility at 20.
LOL
If you are a good player, it does not matter when your birthday is. If you can't play, it does not matter either.
bbscout,
Depends on what you call good. If you call Delmon Young or even any player with the talent to be drafted or even offered a college scholarship then I'd agree. The younger player will have a slight disadvantage but their talent will shine through and in the long run it won't matter.
If you call an average starter on a HS team good then I'd disagree. At that level the one year age difference can make the difference between starting and sitting.
I realize that most of the posters on this board whose kids are in HS have well above average players. Most likely the majority of those who have stuck with the board after their kids graduated from HS have kids who are even more talented.
My son is young so I don't know where he'll fit in. If I had to guess, even with the age disadvantage which he shares with others he'll be an average HS player in our area due to hard work as much as anything else. If he reaches that level it would make him a top HS player in many parts of the country.
Depends on what you call good. If you call Delmon Young or even any player with the talent to be drafted or even offered a college scholarship then I'd agree. The younger player will have a slight disadvantage but their talent will shine through and in the long run it won't matter.
If you call an average starter on a HS team good then I'd disagree. At that level the one year age difference can make the difference between starting and sitting.
I realize that most of the posters on this board whose kids are in HS have well above average players. Most likely the majority of those who have stuck with the board after their kids graduated from HS have kids who are even more talented.
My son is young so I don't know where he'll fit in. If I had to guess, even with the age disadvantage which he shares with others he'll be an average HS player in our area due to hard work as much as anything else. If he reaches that level it would make him a top HS player in many parts of the country.
CADad, The good ones are good in little league, pony league, babe ruth league, high school and travel ball. The good ones end up playing in college.If you have skill, it shows up. Good ones play on the varsity when they are Sophs. They are all league as a Junior.
Delmon is a great player.
Delmon is a great player.
Well we had a great one make the varsity in our league as a freshman. Very possibly the best player for his age in the country. I mentioned him to a friend with a son on our HS team last night and we both agreed that he would dominate the league in a year or two. My friend went on to say that however the kid, a pitcher, got schooled this past season. Now that may be just the impression from one team as I understand the kid had a pretty decent year for a freshman. In many leagues I believe this kid was so good that he would have dominated even as a 14yo freshman with his mid to high 80s fastball that has been clocked at over 90 mph. However, our HS league is one of the best in the country. I believe that a team from our league has made it to the CIF finals in three of the last 4 years winning twice. We don't have the best team in the country but the league has amazing depth and more than one team beat nationally ranked teams this past season. Players who would be all league elsewhere are just good players in our HS league. Not too surprisingly my friend also noted that this kid would dominate when he developed an off speed pitch and learned to spot his pitches, something that a certain scout we're familiar with has also hinted at. OK, that type of talent will shine through and in the case of this young for his grade player it has.
Now lets take this to our HS league. The all league player from your example as a junior won't be all league until he is a senior even though he'll be a darn good player as a junior. For example, the team the freshman from above was on, that didn't make the playoffs, had 3 seniors sign with D1 schools. None of them were all-league as juniors. The all-league junior from your example would probably still make varsity as a sophmore but not get a ton of playing time. I'd call that a very good player, not just a good player. Let's take that player and start him a year earlier. He won't make varsity as a sophmore. He'll make varsity as a junior and probably get a little more playing time than if he was a sophmore depending on the coach. He'll be a very good player as a senior but he won't be all league. He doesn't even come close to meeting your criteria for being a good player! But this is the same player who by your criteria is a good player if he starts school a year later and isn't in such a tough league.
Even being a good player in LL or PONY league is tougher in our area. Local teams have gone to the LL WS twice in the last nine years and to various levels of the PONY WS even more often. We almost certainly had the strongest LL district in the country this past season. The third place team in our district was as good or better than most of the teams in the LL WS.
Now lets take this to our HS league. The all league player from your example as a junior won't be all league until he is a senior even though he'll be a darn good player as a junior. For example, the team the freshman from above was on, that didn't make the playoffs, had 3 seniors sign with D1 schools. None of them were all-league as juniors. The all-league junior from your example would probably still make varsity as a sophmore but not get a ton of playing time. I'd call that a very good player, not just a good player. Let's take that player and start him a year earlier. He won't make varsity as a sophmore. He'll make varsity as a junior and probably get a little more playing time than if he was a sophmore depending on the coach. He'll be a very good player as a senior but he won't be all league. He doesn't even come close to meeting your criteria for being a good player! But this is the same player who by your criteria is a good player if he starts school a year later and isn't in such a tough league.
Even being a good player in LL or PONY league is tougher in our area. Local teams have gone to the LL WS twice in the last nine years and to various levels of the PONY WS even more often. We almost certainly had the strongest LL district in the country this past season. The third place team in our district was as good or better than most of the teams in the LL WS.
The 14 year old that plays on varsity as a freshmen has to contribute the same as a senior or he has to be better than any other available upperclassman.
They have to earn the spot. Once earned, no one asks how old any more.
They ain't gonna tell the 6-4, 240 lb. senior pitcher throwing 93, to back off the first time your 14 year old freshman comes to the plate. In fact, the pitcher will probably rear back and really let it go.
If he boots three or four in a row, they ain't gonna go, "It's OK, he's just a freshman."
Usually, "that kid is JUST a freshman......?", gets said, after an outstanding defensive play or a nice RBI hit.
CADad, the player bbscout is talking about is all league, even in your HS district, stood out as a soph or maybe even a freshmen.
They have to actually perform better, because if they don't, the parents and kids lose respect for the coach, the program, and the kid.
You don't want your kid playing on the varsity if he can't be at least an equal contributor to the team or make things happen.
Like all the other Dads, I wanted my son to play varsity as a freshmen. He did and stood out.
But at the end of his SOPHOMORE year, I finally realized just how much pressure had been put on him by the coach, the program, and myself.
The kids that bbscout is describing are VERY, VERY special and rare.
My son is probably not one of them........................
They have to earn the spot. Once earned, no one asks how old any more.
They ain't gonna tell the 6-4, 240 lb. senior pitcher throwing 93, to back off the first time your 14 year old freshman comes to the plate. In fact, the pitcher will probably rear back and really let it go.
If he boots three or four in a row, they ain't gonna go, "It's OK, he's just a freshman."
Usually, "that kid is JUST a freshman......?", gets said, after an outstanding defensive play or a nice RBI hit.
CADad, the player bbscout is talking about is all league, even in your HS district, stood out as a soph or maybe even a freshmen.
They have to actually perform better, because if they don't, the parents and kids lose respect for the coach, the program, and the kid.
You don't want your kid playing on the varsity if he can't be at least an equal contributor to the team or make things happen.
Like all the other Dads, I wanted my son to play varsity as a freshmen. He did and stood out.
But at the end of his SOPHOMORE year, I finally realized just how much pressure had been put on him by the coach, the program, and myself.
The kids that bbscout is describing are VERY, VERY special and rare.
My son is probably not one of them........................
FO,
Agree 100%. I call "very, very special and rare" more than just good. Probably just a matter of perspective. Even most of the standout kids from our league are not going to be early round draft picks. I don't remember there being more than a few kids drafted at all out of our league this last season.
I doubt very much my son would make varsity as a freshman even if he weren't young for his grade. He's maxing out in the high 60s and only rarely at the same age that the freshman from my other post was probably starting to hit 80 and above. I think most of us realize who I'm talking about. As it is a far reaching goal for my son would be to make varsity as a sophmore and a realistic goal would be to make varsity as a junior.
It will be interesting enough to see how my son reacts on Sunday if the ace from the US LLWS champs pitches against them from 54'. He "only" throws in the low to mid 70s. I'm pretty sure one of the pitchers from that team is pitching for them but I'm not sure the ace is.
Agree 100%. I call "very, very special and rare" more than just good. Probably just a matter of perspective. Even most of the standout kids from our league are not going to be early round draft picks. I don't remember there being more than a few kids drafted at all out of our league this last season.
I doubt very much my son would make varsity as a freshman even if he weren't young for his grade. He's maxing out in the high 60s and only rarely at the same age that the freshman from my other post was probably starting to hit 80 and above. I think most of us realize who I'm talking about. As it is a far reaching goal for my son would be to make varsity as a sophmore and a realistic goal would be to make varsity as a junior.
It will be interesting enough to see how my son reacts on Sunday if the ace from the US LLWS champs pitches against them from 54'. He "only" throws in the low to mid 70s. I'm pretty sure one of the pitchers from that team is pitching for them but I'm not sure the ace is.
CADAD
Do you have issues with a kid whose fastball is 3-4 miles faster, whose 5-6 inches taller, or whose voice is lower if he's only three months older than your son?
After all, not all the kids are "a year older". It is usually just a handful of kids who are a almost a year older, the rest may be 9 months, or 6 months or 3 months older, or only weeks older.
Plus, not all kids mature at the same age. Some of those with "good" birthdays don't get any advantage as they are late bloomers. That further reduces the number.
Heck, my kids is a senior in college and most of the kids he plays with are STILL 5-6 inches taller than him.
If you check out the stats when you go to some of these showcases you will see some awesome players who are the babies of the class.
If you have concerns about playing time be sure he is in a good summer, fall, or spring program to make up the difference.
You mention that your son will probably pass that kid up by his senior year in hs - why? Does he have skills or other advantages that this older player does not have? Advantages that will not only offset the age gap, but out pace it once he matures?
If so, then apparently you have nothing to worry about. This kids "advantage" now is not as strong as your sons "advantage" later.
As mentioned previously every kid has something that gives him an advantage and every kid has something that puts him at a dissadvantage. Focus on your own strenth, it saves a lot of grief.
Do you have issues with a kid whose fastball is 3-4 miles faster, whose 5-6 inches taller, or whose voice is lower if he's only three months older than your son?
After all, not all the kids are "a year older". It is usually just a handful of kids who are a almost a year older, the rest may be 9 months, or 6 months or 3 months older, or only weeks older.
Plus, not all kids mature at the same age. Some of those with "good" birthdays don't get any advantage as they are late bloomers. That further reduces the number.
Heck, my kids is a senior in college and most of the kids he plays with are STILL 5-6 inches taller than him.
If you check out the stats when you go to some of these showcases you will see some awesome players who are the babies of the class.
If you have concerns about playing time be sure he is in a good summer, fall, or spring program to make up the difference.
You mention that your son will probably pass that kid up by his senior year in hs - why? Does he have skills or other advantages that this older player does not have? Advantages that will not only offset the age gap, but out pace it once he matures?
If so, then apparently you have nothing to worry about. This kids "advantage" now is not as strong as your sons "advantage" later.
As mentioned previously every kid has something that gives him an advantage and every kid has something that puts him at a dissadvantage. Focus on your own strenth, it saves a lot of grief.
FO,
Great post!
I have to share this story. For two years after my son pitched 5,6 innings sometimes they put in a pitcher who was all of about 5'6" 130 soaking wet. He threw in the 70's. The other team had about one or two innings to adjust before the game was over. The first year he was 14. After 86-89 fastballs sometimes topping in the 90's it was a shock.
The player will be the FIRST 4 letter varsity player to have played in years.
Great post!
I have to share this story. For two years after my son pitched 5,6 innings sometimes they put in a pitcher who was all of about 5'6" 130 soaking wet. He threw in the 70's. The other team had about one or two innings to adjust before the game was over. The first year he was 14. After 86-89 fastballs sometimes topping in the 90's it was a shock.
The player will be the FIRST 4 letter varsity player to have played in years.
Aparent,
My son probably has a stronger arm and will probably end up only 3 or 4 inches shorter as a senior so once things have evened out maturity wise my son will probably throw harder, but I doubt that will happen before his senior year. Even if all this speculation turns out there's no way to know who will be a better pitcher by then.
Some with "good" birthdays are also early bloomers and get even more of an advantage. It goes both ways.
Bottom line, a "bad" birthday is a disadvantage. If a kid has great talent, who cares, they'll still get noticed and they'll play on varsity from their freshman year.
If a kid has good talent then they'll be at a slight disadvantage but nothing major.
If a kid has average talent then they could be at a fairly significant disadvantage.
If a kid has below average talent they aren't going to play anyways so who cares? (This one will get people on the other end of the spectrum mad at me.)
Most kids by definition have average talent.
My son probably has a stronger arm and will probably end up only 3 or 4 inches shorter as a senior so once things have evened out maturity wise my son will probably throw harder, but I doubt that will happen before his senior year. Even if all this speculation turns out there's no way to know who will be a better pitcher by then.
Some with "good" birthdays are also early bloomers and get even more of an advantage. It goes both ways.
Bottom line, a "bad" birthday is a disadvantage. If a kid has great talent, who cares, they'll still get noticed and they'll play on varsity from their freshman year.
If a kid has good talent then they'll be at a slight disadvantage but nothing major.
If a kid has average talent then they could be at a fairly significant disadvantage.
If a kid has below average talent they aren't going to play anyways so who cares? (This one will get people on the other end of the spectrum mad at me.)
Most kids by definition have average talent.
I realize from earlier in this thread that we all have a different view of average.
I would agree that for the "average" hs player a "bad" birthday could have a big impact.
As for the "average **" hs player (average of those who are good enough to go on to play at the next level **) - it has a much smaller effect.
After all, not all of those "good" birthday kids have the talent to take them beyond.
I would agree that for the "average" hs player a "bad" birthday could have a big impact.
As for the "average **" hs player (average of those who are good enough to go on to play at the next level **) - it has a much smaller effect.
After all, not all of those "good" birthday kids have the talent to take them beyond.
Aparent,
Agreed. I agree with bbscout also and have probably just been arguing the definition of average.
Agreed. I agree with bbscout also and have probably just been arguing the definition of average.
I guess I'm lost on the "issue" with birthday's. When to start your child in school is the parent's choice. The school district provides guidelines, but there are no laws. Some parents start their child when they are still 4 yrs old, some at 5, some even start at 6. All decisions are personal with the parent making the final choice. So 10 years later to complain about advantages or disadvantages in baseball is puzzling. Are you unhappy now because you made a decision that was different than another parent of your son's classmates? Is this decision now someone else's fault? 
As many have said, age is just one factor. Shall we now cry UNFAIR because someone's genetic background allows their son to mature faster than yours? Guess we should warn our son's to look at genetic growth patterns in future spouses and be mindful of Bubba's baseball breeding cycle.
As many have said, age is just one factor. Shall we now cry UNFAIR because someone's genetic background allows their son to mature faster than yours? Guess we should warn our son's to look at genetic growth patterns in future spouses and be mindful of Bubba's baseball breeding cycle.
CADad, I saw the player that your friend said was schooled this summer. He was the only Freshman at the Area COde tryout and was not schooled at all. In fact, he did very very well and had no problem getting the older hitters out.
As far as high school leagues, yours is about the same as many others in this state. At the Area Code Games there was one kid from Notre Dame HS and that was it from Granada Hills to Santa Barbara. The small town town of Clovis Ca. had 5 kids at the AC games.
As far as high school leagues, yours is about the same as many others in this state. At the Area Code Games there was one kid from Notre Dame HS and that was it from Granada Hills to Santa Barbara. The small town town of Clovis Ca. had 5 kids at the AC games.
I think the point of this "good and bad" birthday stuff and the study done by MLB really only goes to the notion that those with the "good" birthdays (Aug to Nov) are the bigger and more mature kids in their given "Little League" age group and with that relative physical maturity tend to have more early success and continue on, whereas those with the "bad" birthdays may, as someone described above, actually be 11 their entire LL 12 year old season and so on; and perhaps not have the success early on and perhaps not continue playing.
There are many effects, direct and indirect to these types of things throughout childhood. A kid with the early birthday, might be able to drive a car (huge social event) for the entirety of their 10th grade year and the kid with the june/july birthday isn't driving until the next summer-going into 11th grade. These types of things matter growing up and effect the success, recognition etc. that you have and therefore the paths you choose. Again, the point of the issue and the MLB study was directed to the notion that certain birthdays may place you at the top or back of the relative heap in a given school or little league year and that circumstance may effect/direct whether and with what you continue on with. The conclusion of the MLB report was that there appeared to be a correlation that those with the "good" birthdays had early success and continued on and onto the majors, where the "good" birthdays are somewhat prevelant and, no BBSCOUT, odd or even days didn't matter
There are many effects, direct and indirect to these types of things throughout childhood. A kid with the early birthday, might be able to drive a car (huge social event) for the entirety of their 10th grade year and the kid with the june/july birthday isn't driving until the next summer-going into 11th grade. These types of things matter growing up and effect the success, recognition etc. that you have and therefore the paths you choose. Again, the point of the issue and the MLB study was directed to the notion that certain birthdays may place you at the top or back of the relative heap in a given school or little league year and that circumstance may effect/direct whether and with what you continue on with. The conclusion of the MLB report was that there appeared to be a correlation that those with the "good" birthdays had early success and continued on and onto the majors, where the "good" birthdays are somewhat prevelant and, no BBSCOUT, odd or even days didn't matter
bbscout,
I've got to believe that the HS in the Greater Los Angeles area a bit stronger than the rest of the state in general and that the leagues in this state are stronger than all but a few states in the rest of the country. Florida, Texas and a few other states tend to be quite strong. If you look at the record of the Marmonte league in tournaments and non-league games last season I think you'll find that they were just plain dominant. A league that sends a team to the CIF finals 3 out of the last 4 years and wins the section each of the last two years is a very strong league.
Our HS started strong in the league and then lost their best pitcher/player to an ankle injury. After he came back they finished strong and were co-champions. As far as comparing them to Nor Cal teams our team and another team that didn't finish that well in the league played a tournament in Nor Cal. Our team lost to St. Francis 6-3 and I believe came in 4th in the tournament without their best player. The other team I believe finished 3rd. I'm going from memory on that one so I could be wrong. As far as other teams with national recognition I believe our team split with Crespi and lost a game to another nationally ranked team.
Our league has not had a ton of players drafted, although historically Westlake has tended to have a few kids make it to the pros, but we do get a lot of kids playing D1. Ryan McCarthy and Blake Sharpe are names that pop off the top of my head that you are likely to be familiar with.
The area code games were after the HS season and I'm sure Robert matured a bit as a pitcher as the season progressed. We know he is constantly working on improving. Even so, that may put our league in perspective if he did better in the area code games than in the league. Like I said, I'm just going on the impressions of one Dad from one team and he may have done much better against the league as a whole. I'm still looking forward to seeing him pitch in person.
I used to get the same type of comments when I said the local youth teams in our area were stronger than elsewhere. Now that one of the LL teams from our district won the US championship pretty convincingly I don't get as many comments. Of course Robert's team won the Bronco WS a couple years back and they're from our area (feed into the Marmonte league) also.
I've got to believe that the HS in the Greater Los Angeles area a bit stronger than the rest of the state in general and that the leagues in this state are stronger than all but a few states in the rest of the country. Florida, Texas and a few other states tend to be quite strong. If you look at the record of the Marmonte league in tournaments and non-league games last season I think you'll find that they were just plain dominant. A league that sends a team to the CIF finals 3 out of the last 4 years and wins the section each of the last two years is a very strong league.
Our HS started strong in the league and then lost their best pitcher/player to an ankle injury. After he came back they finished strong and were co-champions. As far as comparing them to Nor Cal teams our team and another team that didn't finish that well in the league played a tournament in Nor Cal. Our team lost to St. Francis 6-3 and I believe came in 4th in the tournament without their best player. The other team I believe finished 3rd. I'm going from memory on that one so I could be wrong. As far as other teams with national recognition I believe our team split with Crespi and lost a game to another nationally ranked team.
Our league has not had a ton of players drafted, although historically Westlake has tended to have a few kids make it to the pros, but we do get a lot of kids playing D1. Ryan McCarthy and Blake Sharpe are names that pop off the top of my head that you are likely to be familiar with.
The area code games were after the HS season and I'm sure Robert matured a bit as a pitcher as the season progressed. We know he is constantly working on improving. Even so, that may put our league in perspective if he did better in the area code games than in the league. Like I said, I'm just going on the impressions of one Dad from one team and he may have done much better against the league as a whole. I'm still looking forward to seeing him pitch in person.
I used to get the same type of comments when I said the local youth teams in our area were stronger than elsewhere. Now that one of the LL teams from our district won the US championship pretty convincingly I don't get as many comments. Of course Robert's team won the Bronco WS a couple years back and they're from our area (feed into the Marmonte league) also.