Do you see the changes?

I am a freshmen pitcher, and I have started pushing myself harder than I ever have before. I will say though that alot of that came from football and not as much from baseball. That is part of the reason why I suggest playing multiple sports.

I think there is a change in our younger players that are not yet to HS. I have seen more than 1 discussion on what routines the kids are doing to better themselves in baseball. Mine is definitely one of them. I'm not saying its good or bad, right or wrong, but I think the younger boys (11+) are starting to do more than just play catch (or have a catch if you will) with friends or dad. I will use mine as an example but I know there are many more. Since he finished his fall league he took a small break and then begin hitting workouts, a running routine, very light weights, core work, and then some long toss. He is now starting to throw bullpen again to get ready for the season. He just turned 12. Mom and Dad are not pushing him to do this. He just wants to be the best he can. We've seen great results too. With that said, I think that the boys at younger ages are readying themselves for HS even well before their freshman year. When I was younger and involved in sports, we practiced and played games and occasional neighborhood pick up games. No training, no worry, just home before the streetlights. Even in HS, pretty much the same but I did see a pitching coach once a week. Never what I see in some of the higher level players. Boys at younger ages are making goals for HS and beyond and are willing to work hard to attain them. Don't know if it is from pressure from parents, coaches or themselves. In our case it is self motivated but I have seen others where the parents may just be living through their sons. Anyway, just some observations from a parent around a lot of young men.

I see a continued commitment to hard work, but a definitely relaxed attitude. Son is a senior, now, and is assuming the leadership role on the team, as most of the other seniors (10 on the team) are on the soft-spoken side. His college commitment has taken the provierbial monkey off his back, and he has actually started working HARDER this past week.

In our area, which has alway's been ahead of the curve and loaded with top talent, players have stepped it up to another level.

Personal trainers, specific to the sport of baseball are thriving. the players work ethic has gone up another notch.

Sadly this has also eliminated a large group of fine athletes from the football and bball mix..to a lesser degree s****r and track, etc.

Young men are beginning to reverse the trend of choosing other sports over baseball and now, more and more choose baseball over other sports.

As these young men see others having success at high levels in the sport of baseball the worm has turned...if only a little bit from AAU bball and football summers to year long training for the national pastime.

It's not a fad or a steam roller but it's definetely a trend which is on the rise...at least in Chicagoland.