New season dilemma

11 is too young for the bigger field by any measure. There is simply no good reason to do it.

BBfam,

I coach an 11U team who is playing up vs. 12U's all season. I cannot fathom any of our kids benefitting from playing at 54' mound (much less 60' 6") next year. It is a big jump for a kid playing up.

jemaz offers good advice but I know there are exceptions to his good advice. It totally depends on your son! I know because I did EXACTLTY what you are suggesting. I moved my son from recreational ball when he was 11 to a 13 year old travel team. In his case it was one of the best thing I ever did. But again that is a different player. You never know how a player is going to respond to a challenge until that challenge looks him in the eye. I wonder if you might be able to “ease” your son into the situation. Maybe a game or two with the older boys... That could be a good option to give him (and you) a better feel for the situation.
Fungo

Why not let him try it for a few games? One thing for sure he will have to learn how to pitch to get guys out. My youngest played up since he was 10. He always wanted to play up to get challenged. When he was 13 he played in a summer high school league against Rising Fresh and Sophs. He loved it. Did he dominate like he was used to doing at his age group. No. But it didnt hurt him. If your son trys it and its just too much for him what have you lost? And if he trys it and likes it great. JMO

I agree that it all depends on the boy and his physical capabilities but for me in general I do not see it as a positive-- I see more negatives in that if he fails he has to recover from that failure and go back and face the kids he left