How much does height determine your chances of playing college ball? I'm currently 14 and I'm 5'6. I have been told by numerous people that I will play college play. But if you are only a certain height how much of that is a factor?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
If you can play, it can be overcome. Sure, taller guys are easier to spot but the better players will play. I know a 5-6 kid who was a junior last year and is now a senior. His dad asked me if I thought he could play D1. His dad said, "What about his size?" I said he has the skills to play D1 IMO. In a week or so, he is going to sign a national letter of intent to play for a D1 MAC school here in Ohio.
Of course everyone must know about Eckstein by now. A walk-on at Florida who became an All-American and is now a multi-millionare ss with the Cardinals. Don't let size be an excuse. At 14, I highly doubt you are done growing
Focus on your baseball skills and let God handle the rest.
Of course everyone must know about Eckstein by now. A walk-on at Florida who became an All-American and is now a multi-millionare ss with the Cardinals. Don't let size be an excuse. At 14, I highly doubt you are done growing
Focus on your baseball skills and let God handle the rest.
jakenh13
We have a 5ft 6 inch lead off hitter who is a whirling dervish on the bases--he makes things happen and he has a number of schools talking to him presently and I am sure more will be on him after Jupiter--the kid plays 3B. SS, 2B. OF-- we took him on intending to use him as a utility player but his hustle and ability make things happen has forced him into the starting lineup
Don't let size bother you--if you can play the game there will be a spot for you somewhere.
We have a 5ft 6 inch lead off hitter who is a whirling dervish on the bases--he makes things happen and he has a number of schools talking to him presently and I am sure more will be on him after Jupiter--the kid plays 3B. SS, 2B. OF-- we took him on intending to use him as a utility player but his hustle and ability make things happen has forced him into the starting lineup
Don't let size bother you--if you can play the game there will be a spot for you somewhere.
Thanks TR and Cleveland.
Jake
Jake
jake
Stay in touch as you progress so that we might be able to assist you
Stay in touch as you progress so that we might be able to assist you
Alright TR Thanks
Jake
Jake
From the other side of the table...
my son turned 14 in July. He is 5 feet and
100 lbs. All (well most) of the information on
this site has been extremely helpful as he keeps his eyes focused on improving, working
hard and letting the things he can't control not
occupy too much of his energy. Although he confesses it is a bit difficult when his friends are 5'8" and taller and find it easy to pick on him.
my son turned 14 in July. He is 5 feet and
100 lbs. All (well most) of the information on
this site has been extremely helpful as he keeps his eyes focused on improving, working
hard and letting the things he can't control not
occupy too much of his energy. Although he confesses it is a bit difficult when his friends are 5'8" and taller and find it easy to pick on him.
Relax! My son is a senior in H.S. He is 18 yrs old and 5'8" he has received several offers and his size has never been an issue. I told him when he was younger that because of his size he had to be stronger than everyone else, he took this to heart and plays like a he 6'2".
Since there is nothing you can do about your height, I'd suggest you not worry about it at all. Concentrate on the things you can influence to make yourself a better player.
Of course, it might also be wise to concentrate on positions where size isn't as important. Example, if you end up at say, 5'9" coming out of high school, you'll be better off playing catcher, second base, or possibly shortstop, more than trying to pitch, play a corner outfield or first base. You also have plenty of time to grow, so don't worry about it.
Of course, it might also be wise to concentrate on positions where size isn't as important. Example, if you end up at say, 5'9" coming out of high school, you'll be better off playing catcher, second base, or possibly shortstop, more than trying to pitch, play a corner outfield or first base. You also have plenty of time to grow, so don't worry about it.
If your 5'6 and play first base then you have a problem. But if your 5'6 and can play period then dont worry. Of course everyone that is not tall wishes they were taller. But the bottom line is there is nothing you can do about how tall you are. So why worry about it? Take care of the things you can controll and everything else will take care of itself. Good Luck
Too many worry about things they cannot control--just go out, play your game and work hard and you will be fine--the 5-6 player I described above has good solid grades and has a load of schools, Division III thru Division I,in touch with him.
Lets put it this way he is leading off in a lineup laoded with Division I prospects and a number of pro prospects as well
Don't let anyone tell you no !!!! If you have the talent the only one who can stop yourself is you.
Lets put it this way he is leading off in a lineup laoded with Division I prospects and a number of pro prospects as well
Don't let anyone tell you no !!!! If you have the talent the only one who can stop yourself is you.
i wouldnt worry too much about size yet.
as of my 13th birthday, i was 5'2.
my 14th birthday (aug. 04), i was about 5'6.
Apr 05 i went to the dr. and i was measured at 5'8
June 05 i was 5'10
and now i'm 6'0
i never thought I'd get to 6'0 even full grown, but my growth chart shows i'm to be around 6'2 - and that had me at 6'0 right around my 16th birthday, almost a year away.
I know how it is though. I played a 13-14 y/o allstar team where about 6-8 of the 13 players were 6'0, and 3 others were about 5'8 or bigger.
I ended up playing better then all those big guys.
so, until you're right about to graduate, i wouldn't worry about it. just prove yourself on the field.
as of my 13th birthday, i was 5'2.
my 14th birthday (aug. 04), i was about 5'6.
Apr 05 i went to the dr. and i was measured at 5'8
June 05 i was 5'10
and now i'm 6'0
i never thought I'd get to 6'0 even full grown, but my growth chart shows i'm to be around 6'2 - and that had me at 6'0 right around my 16th birthday, almost a year away.
I know how it is though. I played a 13-14 y/o allstar team where about 6-8 of the 13 players were 6'0, and 3 others were about 5'8 or bigger.
I ended up playing better then all those big guys.
so, until you're right about to graduate, i wouldn't worry about it. just prove yourself on the field.
Kid
Listen up, don't worry about your size if you can hit, run, and throw it wont matter how tall you are. I was at a Ranger game this year and they were playin the Braves in inter league, I'm sitting right by the on deck circle when Giles steps out of the dugout. I looked at my buddy and said look at that little s**t! My friend said wait till you see this dude swing the stick, he steps in the box and just laces one off the wall and is standing at 2nd just like that. All game this guy made play after play, I was amazed. What I saw in Giles was a very fierce competitor. He didn't care that he stood 5'6 or 5'7 to me he was the biggest player out there. Play like him kid and you never know where you will be.
Listen up, don't worry about your size if you can hit, run, and throw it wont matter how tall you are. I was at a Ranger game this year and they were playin the Braves in inter league, I'm sitting right by the on deck circle when Giles steps out of the dugout. I looked at my buddy and said look at that little s**t! My friend said wait till you see this dude swing the stick, he steps in the box and just laces one off the wall and is standing at 2nd just like that. All game this guy made play after play, I was amazed. What I saw in Giles was a very fierce competitor. He didn't care that he stood 5'6 or 5'7 to me he was the biggest player out there. Play like him kid and you never know where you will be.
Hey, you shouldn't worry. When I was 13, I was 4'10 1/2. Now, I'm 17, standing at 5'11 and still going. I was always mocked because my two older brothers are 6'2 1/2 and 6'3.
You just practice your game, and you'll play- thats a guarantee. Remember, Phil Rizzuto was 5'6.
You just practice your game, and you'll play- thats a guarantee. Remember, Phil Rizzuto was 5'6.
Two words...
David Eckstein (Cardinals SS).
David Eckstein (Cardinals SS).
Some guys are about as tall as they'll be at 14. Others aren't.
My son was about 5-7 and weighed under 100 pounds when he was 14 and in the 8th grade.
By the next fall (freshman year)he was 6-0.
He's 19 now and 6-4, 195.
As others have said. Keep working on your skills. Baseball has plenty of success stories for kids of all sizes. One of my son's teammates from his 18U summer team is about 5-6. He started as a freshman for a D1 team that had made the NCAA super-regional the previous year.
My son was about 5-7 and weighed under 100 pounds when he was 14 and in the 8th grade.
By the next fall (freshman year)he was 6-0.
He's 19 now and 6-4, 195.
As others have said. Keep working on your skills. Baseball has plenty of success stories for kids of all sizes. One of my son's teammates from his 18U summer team is about 5-6. He started as a freshman for a D1 team that had made the NCAA super-regional the previous year.
Just like to say hi. I am new to this site but have found it very informative. On the subject of height my son is 13 years old 6' and 195 pounds. While his size is a plus during baseball the rest of his time hew feels uncomfortable about his size as he is a lot bigger than the rest of his classmates and was wondering if any body else was having that problem. Thanks in advance.
Jakenh13
Size can be a huge barrier for you - but only if you let it. When you focus on your shortcomings they have a tendancy to spiral completely out of proportion.
Do youself a huge favor and set size aside as an issue which you have no control over - therefore should not waste any time worrying about.
When taller kids get opportunities denied to you - and that WILL happen - don't let it eat at you. Tell yourself it isn't fair (because it's not) but it is reality (like it or not). You have to reach the point where you care more about playing baseball than you do about the fairness of it all. .
It is not how tall you are, it's how you respond to those situations which determine just how far you can go.
Size can be a huge barrier for you - but only if you let it. When you focus on your shortcomings they have a tendancy to spiral completely out of proportion.
Do youself a huge favor and set size aside as an issue which you have no control over - therefore should not waste any time worrying about.
When taller kids get opportunities denied to you - and that WILL happen - don't let it eat at you. Tell yourself it isn't fair (because it's not) but it is reality (like it or not). You have to reach the point where you care more about playing baseball than you do about the fairness of it all. .
It is not how tall you are, it's how you respond to those situations which determine just how far you can go.