Also how many sports do you think you should encourage or allow your son to play?
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I would let them play whatever they want to play. They are only young once. My son plays football and basketball and it hasn't hurt his baseball at all. I do worry about him taking all those hits in football, but it makes him tough. We had a college coach and a New York Yankee's scout talk to the boys and parents this past September and a parent asked this same question. They both said they like multiple sport players.
Over the past several years he has played baseball and basketball. Used to play s****r and was a very good goalkeeper. Helped with catching I think. He took karate for 4 years and has had desires to play hockey and lacrosse but scheduling and $$ made it too difficult to fit in. I love to watch him play as many sports as possible but when you figure in scouting, the school show choir and just playing with friends I think he's doing great playing the two he has chosen to play.
My boy plays football and baseball. He played basketball and ran track too until this year. He explained that he can't stand basketball. Track meets are fun because the girls are at the meets but he didn't like it too much so this year he wont participate. He also spends a lot of time playing paintball. He's the QB of his team and I cringe every time he gets hit but he loves it. In the offseason (now) he works out and shoots his friends with 68 cal. balls of paint. 
My son plays football, basketball and baseball and I'm fine with that. There's a little overlap, especially in the winter (now) when baseball workouts start up but we've managed it pretty well so far.
He's pretty athletic and if it was up to him, he'd do as many sports as he possibly could. He'd like to run track and/or play lacrosse as well (I used to play and coach) and he considered wrestling instead of basketball. But that's just TOO much!!!
He's pretty athletic and if it was up to him, he'd do as many sports as he possibly could. He'd like to run track and/or play lacrosse as well (I used to play and coach) and he considered wrestling instead of basketball. But that's just TOO much!!!
Mike, Stan, Beez, I'm not sure about bkekcs, but I know your kids are all big and athletic. What about the borderline kid who is smallish and wants to play high school baseball? Do you think he has a better chance to make the hs team if he plays multiple sports or concentrates on baseball only? 
IB, since you're asking for opinions... I say let him play whatever he wants to play. If he's too small for football then he'll already know that or figure it out quickly when he gets whacked a couple times. If he's to slow or short for basketball he'll know that too. Baseball is more of a skill sport (at least to me) and he can learn those skills over time. He doesn't have to be real big. I assume he's got athletic ability to start with so maybe it would be best for him to play only baseball after he figures it out himself. Just my opinion.
quote:Originally posted by Innocent Bystander:
What about the borderline kid who is smallish and wants to play high school baseball?
I assume you're asking for a friend or something and not thinking IB Jr2 is "borderline" or "smallish".
My thoughts on multiple sports; 1) it will enhance their social skills by meeting and getting to know more kids 2) it will advance their athletic abilities by using different muscle groups 3) he'll have fun.
Our son has no interest in other sports. He has played s****r before (too much running), and though he is tall for his age (over 6 feet at 13)really doesn't like basketball. Football seems fun to him so maybe he will try out for JV next year. but if he can't play fall baseball, he has already said he won't.
He loves baseball - and wants to practice everyday. He came out of winter break ready to go last year. He wishes the team had a more rigorous winter training schedule! They get together some, but mainly it is he and his dad (and sometimes me - looking for balls) on the field. There are times when we wish he did branch out, at least to give himself a mental break. But he is very focused and is reading about the mental aspect of baseball right now.
Every kid is different - mine just happens to have tunnel vision about baseball. It is working out well overall. But I also know many kids who play other sports and are successful too. Seems like it's better to let them play and have that experience, so they will be able to make informed decisions about their futures, rather than wondering "what if".
just thought I would give a little different perspective.
He loves baseball - and wants to practice everyday. He came out of winter break ready to go last year. He wishes the team had a more rigorous winter training schedule! They get together some, but mainly it is he and his dad (and sometimes me - looking for balls) on the field. There are times when we wish he did branch out, at least to give himself a mental break. But he is very focused and is reading about the mental aspect of baseball right now.
Every kid is different - mine just happens to have tunnel vision about baseball. It is working out well overall. But I also know many kids who play other sports and are successful too. Seems like it's better to let them play and have that experience, so they will be able to make informed decisions about their futures, rather than wondering "what if".
just thought I would give a little different perspective.
My son plays football (QB), basketball, middle school baseball, s****r, track, and travelling baseball. Several overlap but he is having fun. Wants to be the only freshman in years to start in high school in 3 sports, football, basketball, and baseball on varsity. I say let them play what they want. They can figure it out or life will figure it out for them. When the time comes, they will know what to specialize in. Someone mentioned wrestling. My son was ranked #1 in Ga before we moved and I helped coach youth and high school. That is one sport I won't let him pick back up because of high chance of danger to shoulder.
My oldest one has not played football for 3 years and now wants to pick it back up along with basketball and baseball. He has been specializing and doing the fall workouts for basketball and winter overlap workouts for baseball and has not seemed to affect playing time.
My oldest one has not played football for 3 years and now wants to pick it back up along with basketball and baseball. He has been specializing and doing the fall workouts for basketball and winter overlap workouts for baseball and has not seemed to affect playing time.
quote:Also how many sports do you think you should encourage or allow your son to play?
A very good question. Of course "encourage" and "allow" are worlds apart. I "encouraged" my son(s) to play sports. No sport in particular --- just sports. One son was never into sports other than hunting and shooting sports. My baseball son was always infatuated by any ball and "ball" was the first word he spoke. He started in T ball, flag football, church basketball and I allowed him to play whatever he wanted ---- except socker, skateboarding and motocross. I'm kinda old school and always looked at socker as a foreign sport. I’m not into mangled bodies, body piercing, and skin ink so that’s the reason for no boarding and motocross. He loved to play basketball as a pre-teenager, kick and punt the football, and of course baseball. The goal post still remains as part of our yard landscape and last week he was still punching them through at 50 yds and still booting 40 yard punts. This morning he was hitting a 3 iron from the front yard into the bean field. Now it's baseball and golf and some duck hunting. Yes duck hunting is a sport too. I admit I made a weak effort to discourage football when he was a junior in high school when it became apparent he would play college baseball but I lost that battle to the football coach. I say encourage and support your son to play sports. You may find yourself weighing the pros and cons of multiple sports but that should be a parent(s)/son decision.
Fungo
Thanks for the input everyone, and Beez I was talking about jr. He plays baseball and basketball, and wants to play football. I haven't signed him up the last 2 yrs in football because he keeps saying he'd like to play college baseball, of course you need to play hs baseball and play it pretty well if you'd like to play in college. I've seen so many kids who I thought were outstanding athletes play 3 hs sports pretty well who never got any offers in any sport from colleges, and I've also seen kids who may not have been as athletically gifted but worked hard at 1 sport and played into college and beyond. I know there are exceptions to the rule, kids that are so athletically gifted that they excell at any sport. But I don't think my son falls into that catagory and I need to give him some sound advice on how to reach his goal of playing at the hs and college levels. It seems to me that more and more kids specialize and you have to be pretty good to be a standout in even hs sports. Happy New Yrs Y'all!!
He plays baseball and basketball, and wants to play football. I haven't signed him up the last 2 yrs in football because he keeps saying he'd like to play college baseball, of course you need to play hs baseball and play it pretty well if you'd like to play in college. I've seen so many kids who I thought were outstanding athletes play 3 hs sports pretty well who never got any offers in any sport from colleges, and I've also seen kids who may not have been as athletically gifted but worked hard at 1 sport and played into college and beyond. I know there are exceptions to the rule, kids that are so athletically gifted that they excell at any sport. But I don't think my son falls into that catagory and I need to give him some sound advice on how to reach his goal of playing at the hs and college levels. It seems to me that more and more kids specialize and you have to be pretty good to be a standout in even hs sports. Happy New Yrs Y'all!!
just to add another angle. the pride in representing your town or school in a sporting event can never be replaced. if your good at a sport and want to play it go ahead.there is nothing worse than being 40 and wondering if you would have made a difference for your school team.
sometimes playing three sports lets you see how much you love one.
sometimes playing three sports lets you see how much you love one.
20dad
That's a good way to look at 20dad.
Son played all the differant sport's thru Junior HS.
Then only baseball and he Wrestled one year in HS, And was good at it. But to much weight loss just before the baseball season. But he was very strong that year at the start of the baseball season.
But son chose not to play any other sport other then baseball his Junior and Senior year in HS.
I think he realized that his best sport was baseball.
His best chance at playing any sport after HS.
EH
quote:sometimes playing three sports lets you see how much you love one.
That's a good way to look at 20dad.
Son played all the differant sport's thru Junior HS.
Then only baseball and he Wrestled one year in HS, And was good at it. But to much weight loss just before the baseball season. But he was very strong that year at the start of the baseball season.
But son chose not to play any other sport other then baseball his Junior and Senior year in HS.
I think he realized that his best sport was baseball.
His best chance at playing any sport after HS.
EH
I too have multiple athlete children. Two boys and a girl.
I sit and I watch with one eye open as my predominate baseball player flies into the endzone to catch a pass or goes for a layup at the rim. Knowing his " favorite " sport is baseball I cringe with every tackle and every foul. I worry about injuries til I have no more hair to turn gray! My daughter spikes the volleyball with such vigorness that she lands incorrectly, only to have her ankle swell so large that it wont fit in her toe ballet shoes or basketball hightops.
My children work part time jobs to help pay for all of their mountains of equipment, not video game accessories,..but athletic equipment. That has been their choice, and its been one I can't argue with.
I sometimes think it would be sooo much easier to have children who simply knitted and read, but I have to be honest and admit I dont think it would be HALF as much fun!!! ha!
Our life is a three ring circus,...my car is always a mess,..we never have weekends or days off, and sometimes there seems like there's no room to breath,..but the life lessons, the friendships, the dedication to dicipline, the dedication to improve could never be retaught any better way, IMHO.
There is madness and there is joy! We know no other way and we thank God for the health & physical ability to try it all!
I sit and I watch with one eye open as my predominate baseball player flies into the endzone to catch a pass or goes for a layup at the rim. Knowing his " favorite " sport is baseball I cringe with every tackle and every foul. I worry about injuries til I have no more hair to turn gray! My daughter spikes the volleyball with such vigorness that she lands incorrectly, only to have her ankle swell so large that it wont fit in her toe ballet shoes or basketball hightops.
My children work part time jobs to help pay for all of their mountains of equipment, not video game accessories,..but athletic equipment. That has been their choice, and its been one I can't argue with.
I sometimes think it would be sooo much easier to have children who simply knitted and read, but I have to be honest and admit I dont think it would be HALF as much fun!!! ha!
Our life is a three ring circus,...my car is always a mess,..we never have weekends or days off, and sometimes there seems like there's no room to breath,..but the life lessons, the friendships, the dedication to dicipline, the dedication to improve could never be retaught any better way, IMHO.
There is madness and there is joy! We know no other way and we thank God for the health & physical ability to try it all!
quote:
Our life is a three ring circus,...my car is always a mess,..we never have weekends or days off, and sometimes there seems like there's no room to breath,.
Hey, just like me!!!!
Innocent Bystander: Welcome back! Missed you!
My hs senior had shoulder surgery in September and his surgeon told us that lately he has seen way too many young kids with major injuries.....And he suggested that one of the reasons for this is because many kids these days play only one sport. When they play only one sport, they use only certain muscle groups and don't use them all. And when they don't use all of their muscles and use only certain muscles, then they tend to overuse them and the muscles are not able to rest, and that's when injuries occur.
Prior to hearing that, I was a huge fan of one sport athletes. Now I am not. My daughters will play as many sports as they can....
Heck, my 8th grade softball and volleyball player even made cheerleading!!!!
quote:Originally posted by Innocent Bystander:
He plays baseball and basketball, and wants to play football.
Let him play dad!
Iam all in for letting the kids play allsports but let met tell you what happen to me and my son on Saturday.
My son got hurt on a play playing football(middle linebacker)I didnt know how bad it was untill the coach call me down to the field, I looked inside my son's helmet and he was in tears and he told me that to players fell on the back of his knee while he was making a tackle. Now mind you I played football (running back) and my son is built like me (big bone) so dont think big kids are exempt from injurys anyways we rushed to the ER and we found out he slighty torn his ACL and came close to damaging his growth plate in his knee. Now this is a kid who has played baseball 9 years of his 12year old life and is a highschool prospect right now and playing football almost ended all his baseball dreams. The good part is that my boy has recovered from his injury and that night we had tickets to the Padres vs Pirates well the Doctor that helps us in the ER had friends on the Padres and arange for me and my son to sit field level, Its was great!! it gets better because that night Trevor Hoffman tied Lee Smith'sSaves record and Petco Park was a MADD HOUSE!!!!
So my day went from my son may never play baseball again to one of the best baseball nights every. Not everyone will be so lucky.
GreensoxKen
My son got hurt on a play playing football(middle linebacker)I didnt know how bad it was untill the coach call me down to the field, I looked inside my son's helmet and he was in tears and he told me that to players fell on the back of his knee while he was making a tackle. Now mind you I played football (running back) and my son is built like me (big bone) so dont think big kids are exempt from injurys anyways we rushed to the ER and we found out he slighty torn his ACL and came close to damaging his growth plate in his knee. Now this is a kid who has played baseball 9 years of his 12year old life and is a highschool prospect right now and playing football almost ended all his baseball dreams. The good part is that my boy has recovered from his injury and that night we had tickets to the Padres vs Pirates well the Doctor that helps us in the ER had friends on the Padres and arange for me and my son to sit field level, Its was great!! it gets better because that night Trevor Hoffman tied Lee Smith'sSaves record and Petco Park was a MADD HOUSE!!!!
So my day went from my son may never play baseball again to one of the best baseball nights every. Not everyone will be so lucky.
GreensoxKen
A few kids that played baseball with my older son missed out on their senior year of baseball because of football injuries, 2 were very good baseball players, both had hoped to play a sport in college, neither did. A friend of mine, early 20's says he wakes up hurting every morning from old football injuries. He played at the local hs, so I'm a little skeptical when it comes to hs football for a kid who REALLY wants to play baseball. I know a lot of kids do and seem to benefit from it, but for the ones who get hurt I wonder if it was really worth it. If he gets hurt playing baseball, that's a chance he has to take. But if he's playing football and somebody takes out his knee, that's a different story.
Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I'm afraid he's not good enough to play 3 sports and excell at baseball. I think he has a chance to be a very good baseball player if he's willing to outwork the next guy. But he's no Bo Jackson or Lebron!
Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I'm afraid he's not good enough to play 3 sports and excell at baseball. I think he has a chance to be a very good baseball player if he's willing to outwork the next guy. But he's no Bo Jackson or Lebron!
We've encouraged all of our kids to play as many sports as they are interested in. We recently pulled our daughter from gymnastics because we felt it was too specialized and too demanding for a young girl. We look forward to her experiencing many new things now as an 11-year old.
Our college baseball-playing son played just about everything he could. He thinks its pretty frustrating to now watch kids specialize (including baseball) at younger and younger ages.
I agree with that.
Play everything you want to and can as long as you can.
Our college baseball-playing son played just about everything he could. He thinks its pretty frustrating to now watch kids specialize (including baseball) at younger and younger ages.
I agree with that.
Play everything you want to and can as long as you can.
Isn't it a little funny how scouts and coaches encourage you to play multiple sports in high school but once you're in their care other sports are off limits?
I think its great to play two sports at once but when you get to high school, choose one per season. DONT play two sports at a time like football and fall baseball cause thats when you get hurt. i pulled my hamstring playing both fall baseball and football and i just started to get back to 100 percent.
quote:Originally posted by Innocent Bystander:
Isn't it a little funny how.... coaches encourage you to play multiple sports in high school but once you're in their care other sports are off limits?
Sounds like you've been talking to somebody at the HS with purple doors?
Football QB, Basketball PG, Baseball LP,CF, Track 400M . He has exceled at all of them, "without sounding conceded".. Football is his favorite though.
Baseball and Wiffle ball 
He can play whichever he chooses but he kind of has a one track mind.
He can play whichever he chooses but he kind of has a one track mind.
quote:Originally posted by greensoxken:
Iam all in for letting the kids play allsports but let met tell you what happen to me and my son on Saturday.
My son got hurt on a play playing football(middle linebacker)I didnt know how bad it was untill the coach call me down to the field, I looked inside my son's helmet and he was in tears and he told me that to players fell on the back of his knee while he was making a tackle. Now mind you I played football (running back) and my son is built like me (big bone) so dont think big kids are exempt from injurys anyways we rushed to the ER and we found out he slighty torn his ACL and came close to damaging his growth plate in his knee. Now this is a kid who has played baseball 9 years of his 12year old life and is a highschool prospect right now and playing football almost ended all his baseball dreams. The good part is that my boy has recovered from his injury and that night we had tickets to the Padres vs Pirates well the Doctor that helps us in the ER had friends on the Padres and arange for me and my son to sit field level, Its was great!! it gets better because that night Trevor Hoffman tied Lee Smith'sSaves record and Petco Park was a MADD HOUSE!!!!
So my day went from my son may never play baseball again to one of the best baseball nights every. Not everyone will be so lucky.
GreensoxKen
It can happen in anything though. My brother (14) has broken his ankle playing volleyball in gym in 6th grade and just last week broke his thumb playing basketball.
The broken ankle ocurred while going after a ball and he stepped on someone's foot..rolled his ankle and chipped it. The basketball one was even more of a dumb accident. Someone on his team threw up a half court shot and it was way off. A teammate yelled "heads up!" as it was coming straight for my brother. He put up his hands to cover his head and the ball hit him perfectly on the top of the thumb and broke it
He's played football without ever getting injured...you just never know.
My son will turn 11YO next week. Up until this year, he only played Rep Baseball.
In the fall, he made a Rep Basketball team and took up Squash (he's started playing tournaments). If I could make one recommendation to parents from a fitness standpoint - Squash has been absolutely amazing! It took close to 20 pounds off him in 2 months (playing about five days a week). I think that the eye hand coordination and the nature of the running will also be good for baseball this summer.
Lately, he has been talking about playing Rep Football - my wife and I are both concerned about the possibility of injuries. Ashlar wants to run the ball and right now he would probably do okay - he's 5'2" and 140 pounds. Anyone have any comments that would alleviate our fears about injuries?
In the fall, he made a Rep Basketball team and took up Squash (he's started playing tournaments). If I could make one recommendation to parents from a fitness standpoint - Squash has been absolutely amazing! It took close to 20 pounds off him in 2 months (playing about five days a week). I think that the eye hand coordination and the nature of the running will also be good for baseball this summer.
Lately, he has been talking about playing Rep Football - my wife and I are both concerned about the possibility of injuries. Ashlar wants to run the ball and right now he would probably do okay - he's 5'2" and 140 pounds. Anyone have any comments that would alleviate our fears about injuries?
I play baseball and basketball. I am considering track and golf next year.
Son never had a chance to continue with other sports. After freshman year (when he played basketball and baseball), the baseball coach took him aside and said if he continued to play basketball, it would hurt his chances in baseball. Period. Son refused to have either of us intervene. Does he have regrets: sure.
It still bothers me to this day.
It still bothers me to this day.