How can you tell?

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Do you find that some that play certain positions are more athletic than others?

Oh, THAT question can only cause problems here!

I think it is easier to pick out the more "athletic" one's on the team when they are younger because practically EVERYONE is on teams when younger...being "athletic" isn't necessarily a requirement . It gets harder as they get older because only the "athletic" one's stick around and progress (for the most part). Once you reach college....they are ALL athletic (IMO). Other things come into play at that level aside from physical attributes....like "intelligence on the field", dedication, work ethic, etc.

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Once you reach college....they are ALL athletic.

I agree luvbb. On the whole, I believe catchers are the most athletic however

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On the whole, I believe catchers are the most athletic however

Of course, I agree CD!

I will never dis-agree on a compliment to catchers. I think the defining athleticism (sp) is a combo of athletic ability plus agressiveness. For example, I have seen pitchers who if you bunt you are out - just that simple.

As one of those crazy guys who started a travel team when the kids were still south of age 9, and now looking back at how we did, I can tell you that we knew we had some studs, some solid athletes who might or might not develop, and (forgive me) some kids who were basically filling out the team.

That team disbanded after 6 years, but now 8 years later:

Two of our studs are highly ranked by both PG and BA. They are heading to D-1 programs and will likely get a shot in pro ball after that.

At least three of the solid athletes did develop and are expected to play college ball with a chance to play at the D-1 level.

Some of the solid athletes decided they preferred other sports, e.g., football.

Most of the others have filtered out of baseball over the years.

Mostly we looked at athleticism, but there are other characteristics to look for as well. Some guys, for example, just have the ball pop out of their hand in a way that others can never achieve. This is evident early on -- not that they're throwing 90 at age 9 or anything, but you can see clearly that they are way ahead of the other boys their age. Kids who have leg speed tend to keep that speed advantage as they grow up. Some show from the get go that they are competitors and they are willing to practice long hours because they love the game, they love to win and they want to be the best they can be. And some just seem to "get it" with respect to having a sense for the game and situations. (Sometimes I think that is actually a genetic trait, not something you learn.)

What positions do they play? Well, when they're young, the best athletes will all pitch for you and a lot of them will play SS. The bigger kid who hits the ball a mile will often gravitate to 1B initially. But over time, they have to filter out to other positions. In particular, by age 11-12 many of your fastest guys should be transitioning to OF. One of your SS types will become your 3B, etc.

The fun ones are the stocky kids who spend their teen years whipping themselves into shape. Ever seen a 10 year old "pudge" type catcher turn into a CF? Those guys surprise you, so you absolutely cannot lock yourself in on some kids at a young age and write others off.

But as I look back, it is amazing how you really could tell at a young age who the special ones were.

In fact, our 7 & 8 -year-old instructional division in our local Little League held an all star game in 1997. The league coaches got together and selected the teams. It was designed to be for the 8's, but two 7's were included, and in fact they batted in the middle of their teams' orders in that all star game. Guess which two they were?

Good thread. The best analysis I ever heard was this simple:

Look for the guy that looks like he should be playing in a higher league.

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The thing that has always amazed me, is the "transitions" that occur in baseball. The sport from a personnel standpoint is tremendously fluid. How many times have we all seen a 12 yr old who could grow a mustachio on his hindside, dominate over the kids that were baby faced even graduating HS? And then "mysteriously" disappear from the scene?

I have always emphasized to AcademyKids that baseball is a game of skill, and as long as you can keep your skill level up, you can find yourself standing, even when the "early to develop" drop out. I think at times you find that those big hulky kids who play so well early on, don't often take the extra time that the "kids who have to work harder just to keep up" take, in really practicing and learning the craft. Now don't shoot me down for overgeneralizing... but the old story about the young Michael Jordan who didn't make his frosh hs basketball team.... but stuck with it....

Both AcademyKids lived in the shadow of bigger stronger kids in U12, U14, travel ball and HS, but stuck with it, have grown into their "man-bodies" since going off to "stricter days", and are now well on the way to the top of their respective games. No more little boys... but there were countless times when they could just have easily given the game up to bigger brutes....

After all, chicks dig the long ball. (Pilots too)

cadDAD


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Chocolate affects a dog's heart and nervous system; a few ounces will kill a small sized dog.


$$

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How about a correction.....


ARE the transitions... sorry.


cadDAD

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I guess after reading what I wrote, I should point out that my message was more along the lines of: no matter how much bigger the kids are around you at 12... don't be discouraged. Because change is almost a promise. Work, work, work on your skill levels. All the hand eye stuff, all the shuffle step inf stuff, hitting off a tee, soft toss... Bodies change.

I do remember how many college coaches actually mentioned how they often look at the parents and siblings to see what the gene pool looks like... even to the point that one of my sons, at 18, 6'/195, didn't shave yet. Several swore that this equated to growth plates still being open. He's now 6'3"/221, 9% body fat...

Oh and one more thing (and I want this engraved on my tombstone)....


LEARN TO HIT !!!


They will always find a place on the field for you.

cadDAD

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Leonardo DaVinci could write with one hand and draw with the other at the same time.


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What's athletic?

A player who does 200 squats a game with cat like reflexes?

A player with 6.3 speed ?

A player who throws 100 times a game as hard as he can into a breadbox ?

A player who can bat a ball to any field with strong hands and a good eye ?

A player who when the ball leaves his bat the stewardess starts serving drinks ?

A player with a little of each?

The answer..................The player who gets the job done. Luvbb said it best!

Bottom line, they are all athletic. I was in FL once and my pasty white WI family was mezmerized by an orange tree. My daughter asked which one is the best? My son replied they're all good, you might say that one, I might say this one....a moment of silence.....But we all know it's not the wrinkled one on the ground.........another moment of silence.............then he has the gall to say Dad, do you know that one?

Academy Dad, your posts have given me hope! My 17-year-old is a good 30 pounds lighter than most D1 early-signees, but we've met at least one coach who does not seem to be bothered in the least by that fact. He predicted son won't fill out til sophomore year in college. We'd love for it to happen earlier, but we've learned that it is very difficult to hurry mother nature!

A natural athlete can be defined as the one who looks like they are putting forth a "coasting" effort but still looks better than the rest.

I will take another pounding for this, but who cares?

How many times have you heard, "he makes it look so easy"????????????

Most of the college kids were shortstops, so they were also the best athletes.

Now, you hear things like SPARQ tests, and whatever else is being used as a measuring stick for athletics.

Scout fascination for 60 times still makes me wonder. ,as an example.

Give me a 6.8 with a plus-plus bat versus a 6.5 kid who can't hit a lick...........somebody want to tell the scouts??

mesomorphic
having a husky muscular body build



Funny, that’s always how I envisioned athletes. I found the term as one of the definitions of athletic on M-W.com. They define athlete: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina. That sort of reinforces my stereotype. A hulk or stud.

I never thought of my son as athletic, although I will concede that he is a very good athlete. He has the height and body tone needed for a pitcher, but he is not a brute.

I think what set him apart from other players at an early age was his focus as much as his ability to play the game. Some kids have a lot more heart or passion when they play. I believe this is evident and it is also a distinguishing characteristic. You just know it when you see it.

Shortstop, Centerfileder most of the time are your most "athletic" players

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I will take another pounding for this, but who cares?

OS8- We both might as well have the snot beat out of both of us . I agree with you.

I'll take 9 of the best ballplayers over the 9 best athletes any day. I firmly believe that you're splitting hairs when defining athletes at a high level. Being a great athlete includes intangibles outside of physical skills. When talking physical attributes I would rather say "what a great specimen". IMHO

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"what a great specimen".

I would not discribe my specimen as great.

It just sit's in the cup.
EH

I knew that was coming

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Time out!!!!

15 Yards

3 Minutes for high sticking!!!

Reload...

Food for thought:

http://www.gillathletics.com/articles/GillAthleticism.pdf