Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
So instead of having 3 months worth of 11yo kids with a league age of 12yo, you'll have 3 months worth of 13yo kids with a league age of 12yo. The kids closest to the age cutoff on the wrong side will have an even greater disadvantage as more of the oldest kids will have entered puberty. Given the typical birth month distribution among all-star teams 2/3 of the "12yo" in the LLWS will be 13yo.
Pretty stupid.
Pretty stupid.
CADad, It's a no-win for some players no matter what the cut-off date is. And, just to make it even more interesting, the international cutoff is December 31st for being eligible for the USA Youth and Junior teams. This cutoff actually favors the younger players with end of year birth dates. 
RHP05,
Agreed. This change would only make the situation a tiny bit worse. It certainly doesn't make it better and it does make a travesty of the LLWS because almost all the players end up being 13yo. So given that it doesn't make much difference one way or the other why do it? The one thing it will certainly do is cause a mess in 2006. My son's birthday is in late September so all it would do for him is result in a bit better competition which would be good. He'll be a freshman in 2006 so I don't think it'll affect him much at all.
How does the December 31st cutoff favor the end of year birth dates? Wouldn't it favor the January birth dates?
Agreed. This change would only make the situation a tiny bit worse. It certainly doesn't make it better and it does make a travesty of the LLWS because almost all the players end up being 13yo. So given that it doesn't make much difference one way or the other why do it? The one thing it will certainly do is cause a mess in 2006. My son's birthday is in late September so all it would do for him is result in a bit better competition which would be good. He'll be a freshman in 2006 so I don't think it'll affect him much at all.
How does the December 31st cutoff favor the end of year birth dates? Wouldn't it favor the January birth dates?
Sounds good to me. I have two boys with end of July birthdays and one with a June birthday. I've noticed if your not a superstar it sure does help to be the oldest in your age group. 
CADad - True, I guess its how you look at it and really not very important in the scheme of things. The example I can think of is a LL-16U age team. The team has both 15 & 16yr olds right? So, if that team entered the Jr Olympic 16U Trials, both ages are eligible ... but the younger players actually could qualify again the following year while the older players (16) on the same team would qualify only the one year. Just another thing to think about when trying out for international teams. Not sure who cares, but it was a random thought and I know how you like those numbers! 
The example I can think of is a LL-16U age team. The team has both 15 & 16yr olds right? So, if that team entered the Jr Olympic 16U Trials, both ages are eligible ... but the younger players actually could qualify again the following year while the older players (16) on the same team would qualify only the one year. Just another thing to think about when trying out for international teams. Not sure who cares, but it was a random thought and I know how you like those numbers!
Personally I think it is a silly idea.
I wonder how many people on the voting committees have kids with May - July Birthdays?
I wonder how many people on the voting committees have kids with May - July Birthdays?
map,
Aha! One of them. To be honest if my kid had a July birthday I'd probably think the change was the best thing since sliced bread.
Aha! One of them.
To be honest if my kid had a July birthday I'd probably think the change was the best thing since sliced bread.
This change has been 3 years in the making, and represents a compromise between the member organizations. The original intent was to bring the age date into line with the international cutoff, but at least one major youth baseball organization said no.
Last year when the proposed change was aborted, the various member organizations of USA Baseball (including PONY, LL, Babe Ruth, AAU, USSSA, Dixie, AABC, etc) decided that they would do the age change together or not at all. The compromise date was agreed to by all the member organizations last week.
Last year when the proposed change was aborted, the various member organizations of USA Baseball (including PONY, LL, Babe Ruth, AAU, USSSA, Dixie, AABC, etc) decided that they would do the age change together or not at all. The compromise date was agreed to by all the member organizations last week.
quote:
Originally posted by CADad:
map,
Aha! One of them.
Kevin's July 27th.
Frankly I think the small field size for the 11's & 12's is a bigger issue. If they are willing to look at changing ages I think they should be willing to increase the size of the diamond to 70ft base paths & lead offs for LL Majors.
quote:
Originally posted by KnuckleCurve:
Frankly I think the small field size for the 11's & 12's is a bigger issue. If they are willing to look at changing ages I think they should be willing to increase the size of the diamond to 70ft base paths & lead offs for LL Majors.
Though I agree with you, I do not think we will see that change due to economic factors.... every youth field in american would have to be retooled.... plus you could not share that field with lower levels (and have a correct pitcher mound)
Then perhaps some serious lobbying should take place to get the bat mfrs to reduce the pop off these weapons - uh... "bats", I mean.
Must the game continue to be made "easier", just to appease more egos?
Must the game continue to be made "easier", just to appease more egos?
Cong...Good point, although the fields my son played on already shared them with softball so many didn't have any mound. But maybe other areas would have a bigger problem.
As select teams, tourney teams, etc continue on the rise I think that LL will face more issues with the small field. I think LL is a good organization but is just not keeping up enough with the changes within the game.
I am sure changes in the field size are not going to happen anytime in the near future. Too bad since I think US baseball would benefit if it did.
As select teams, tourney teams, etc continue on the rise I think that LL will face more issues with the small field. I think LL is a good organization but is just not keeping up enough with the changes within the game.
I am sure changes in the field size are not going to happen anytime in the near future. Too bad since I think US baseball would benefit if it did.
Had to print out my roster for this weekend's 13u tournament and I noticed that two of my players have bdays between 4/30 and 7/30. They get to be 13yo two years in a row. Bet they wish the change was taking place this year so they could be the studs in 12u.
This is going to totally change Select baseball. The best teams are going to be the ones that are able to load up with these "older" players. The best teams for the past few years might not be so lucky, if they can't find any good players in the new birthday range. I am going to start looking NOW for some of these older players for next year. I could use a stud pitcher!
Does it make my son too young to play high school while most of his peers almost a year older than him?
My son is 12 year olds and 7th grade student. His birthday is on September 3. He is getting all A's in his classes. If that is the case (the change), should I hold him back one year in school or have he playing one age up?
The good thing is he is a lefty.
Thanks for your response.
Southlakedad
My son is 12 year olds and 7th grade student. His birthday is on September 3. He is getting all A's in his classes. If that is the case (the change), should I hold him back one year in school or have he playing one age up?
The good thing is he is a lefty.
Thanks for your response.
Southlakedad
Southlakedad,
I kid my son, who is about 11 mo. older than yours and in the 8th grade about making him repeat 8th grade at a private school. He doesn't think it is very funny. Too late now.
Although it can be a bit of a disadvantage for the average player there are also a lot of good players who are the same age relative to their grade. bbscout's son who is a top prospect I believe was a 12yo 7th grader and for that matter Delmon Young the #1 pick in the 2003 draft was a 12yo 7th grader.
I kid my son, who is about 11 mo. older than yours and in the 8th grade about making him repeat 8th grade at a private school. He doesn't think it is very funny. Too late now.
Although it can be a bit of a disadvantage for the average player there are also a lot of good players who are the same age relative to their grade. bbscout's son who is a top prospect I believe was a 12yo 7th grader and for that matter Delmon Young the #1 pick in the 2003 draft was a 12yo 7th grader.
CADad
I did just that with my Aug. born. After first grade in public school, I enrolled him in a private school in first grade again. After the second year of first grade, I re-enrolled him in public school as a 2nd grader.
It went off without a hitch and I get to have him an extra year at home.
R.
I did just that with my Aug. born. After first grade in public school, I enrolled him in a private school in first grade again. After the second year of first grade, I re-enrolled him in public school as a 2nd grader.
It went off without a hitch and I get to have him an extra year at home.
R.
Callaway,
I wish we had done that back then. My son was very immature as a 1st grader and it would have been a benefit academically. He's still a little bit immature in some ways but he's an honor student, etc. so it would be very difficult to justify holding him back now. He'll just have to work harder than the other kids at baseball to make up the difference there.
I wish we had done that back then. My son was very immature as a 1st grader and it would have been a benefit academically. He's still a little bit immature in some ways but he's an honor student, etc. so it would be very difficult to justify holding him back now. He'll just have to work harder than the other kids at baseball to make up the difference there.
IMHO holding your son back and jumping through all the hoops for baseball is a sad situation. If you really think it will make a difference, I believe you will be in for a major disappointment. In most cases, a player will not improve past 16u and 60-70% will never play in HS after 14-16U due to the level of competitiveness, not the age.
IMO you cannot predict a young man's interest level or future competitive level @ age 7-8. If he is meant to be a ball player at a high level, it will be up to him, not you, and the extra year will not matter. If you begin to look at this at such an early age you will end up pushing your son out of the game...there have been thousands of kids that just quit because of the pressure from parents...let the kids be kids and everything will take care of itself.
Holding him back due to maturity level is probably smart academically, but not baseball wise. This trend has been prevalent for years, but the majority of the time it doesn't work.
IMO you cannot predict a young man's interest level or future competitive level @ age 7-8. If he is meant to be a ball player at a high level, it will be up to him, not you, and the extra year will not matter. If you begin to look at this at such an early age you will end up pushing your son out of the game...there have been thousands of kids that just quit because of the pressure from parents...let the kids be kids and everything will take care of itself.
Holding him back due to maturity level is probably smart academically, but not baseball wise. This trend has been prevalent for years, but the majority of the time it doesn't work.
Starzz
I appreciate your point of view. However, I did not hold him back because of baseball. How could I possibly know that he would even have an interest in baseball in first grade?
I held him back based solely on MY experience playing football as a senior in high school as a 16 year old. I was offered a DII scholarship in football and a DII scholarship in wrestling. The next year I grew 3" and gained 60 lbs. as a 17 yo freshman in college.
IMO, I would have had better football offers. As it turned out I decided to play JUCO Ice Hockey instead.
My decision to hold my son back had nothing to do with baseball per se, it was based upon my personal experience as a very young senior and I didn't want him to have to go through what I did.
R.
I appreciate your point of view. However, I did not hold him back because of baseball. How could I possibly know that he would even have an interest in baseball in first grade?
I held him back based solely on MY experience playing football as a senior in high school as a 16 year old. I was offered a DII scholarship in football and a DII scholarship in wrestling. The next year I grew 3" and gained 60 lbs. as a 17 yo freshman in college.
IMO, I would have had better football offers. As it turned out I decided to play JUCO Ice Hockey instead.
My decision to hold my son back had nothing to do with baseball per se, it was based upon my personal experience as a very young senior and I didn't want him to have to go through what I did.
R.
Any word on what USSSA will do and when? I've heard they may not put it into affect until 2007 IF they do it. I think the site says they'll announce the decision 4/23 or there abouts but just wondering if anybody has heard.
Age Cutoff Change for 2006
USSSA Baseball will announce on April 25, 2005 their decison in regards to any age cutoff change to be made in 2006.
USSSA Baseball did not vote to change the date to April 30 and is not committed to this date.
The National Baseball Committee will make any decision to change the cutoff date based upon what is in the best interest
of USSSA teams and the USSSA program. Any changes made by other organizations will not be a factor in the decision.
USSSA Age Cutoff Announcement
USSSA Baseball will announce on April 25, 2005 their decison in regards to any age cutoff change to be made in 2006.
USSSA Baseball did not vote to change the date to April 30 and is not committed to this date.
The National Baseball Committee will make any decision to change the cutoff date based upon what is in the best interest
of USSSA teams and the USSSA program. Any changes made by other organizations will not be a factor in the decision.
USSSA Age Cutoff Announcement
USSSA just announced that they are going to switch to the April cutoff date for the 2006 season beginning August 1st, 2005. They are also considering changing pitching distances as a result.
quote:The USSSA Baseball National Committee has met and discussed the numerous communications with coaches, parents, league directors and tournament directors regarding the proposed age cutoff change by USA Baseball.
After serious consideration USSSA Baseball will change from a August 1 cutoff date to a May 1 cutoff date to take effect for the 2006 season. The 2006 season will start on August 1, 2005. This means whatever age a player is on April 30, 2006, will be their age for the 2006 season. USSSA allows all players to play "up" in a higher age bracket.
USSSA is also in the process of looking at pitching distances in regards to the age change. A change in pitching distance is likely for the 2006 season.
It is the belief of USSSA Baseball that these changes will enhance the opportunities for all players to play the game of baseball in a fun and exciting atmoshpere.
USSSA encourages all national organizations to follow our lead.
quote:Originally posted by CADad:They are also considering changing pitching distances as a result.
I got the e-mail as well. Any clue what the change is distance might be?
No clue.
I was at a tourney this weekend and somebody mentioned that CABA will keep the 7/31 cut off and not go with the USSSA age change. Has anybody else heard this?
Any clue on pitching distance changes yet for USSSA? This may affect where my son plays for the new season.