Playing up

My recommendation, play w/ top caliber 14u team that will play most if not all games on 60/90. 15-16U teams do not start playing until the end of May due to school ball. 14U teams will start play in March.

I agree with JD. Play the most competitive ball you can. Get on a team that will play in 16U tournaments on the big field.

quote:

Originally posted by Roll-it-up:
I agree with JD. Play the most competitive ball you can.

I agree, play at the highest level he can be competetive.

But please remember to 1) Get an independent assessment of how good your kid really is and 2) if you bring him out there to play at a higher level, make sure you AND he take what he's given out on the field. If he plays 16U ball, then he gets nailed like a 16U player, he gets the score run up if the bad guys feel like it, he gets his steal signs picked off, and he gets cussed at and criticized at the 16U level. Don't go crying to the coach or screaming across the infield if you don't like how he's treated.

Nothing worse than an elite 14U team playing up, and then having something to say when they're getting slaughtered.

Sorry. I know you didn't ask for that. Just had to get it off my chest.

wraggArm,

You bring up a good point though, if you're going to play at HS level teams, act like one. If the parents aren't already removed from visiting the dugouts to take snacks and pep talk their son, now is the time to do so. Parents need to step back to enjoy the game more and watch their son grow up.

(step off box)

If your son goes to 15u or 16u practice/game or two, and an impartial person can't pick him out (i.e., he fits in with the other players), he will fine and should continue to play at the higher level.

quote:

Originally posted by tychco:
If your son goes to 15u or 16u practice/game or two, and an impartial person can't pick him out (i.e., he fits in with the other players), he will fine and should continue to play at the higher level.

Geez... I hate agreeing with Tycho (kills me) but I have to on this one... Impartial observer being the key word here...

Play on a good 14u team that plays 60/90. You'll get far more baseball in because the 15/16u teams don't do anything until school ball is done...which is mid May. A good 14u team will get a lot of ball in for your son from February to May.

I agree with most. Play 14U top caliber 60/90 with plans to go to the Elite 32 in Disney. It is your last chance to go if you haven't been already. We enjoyed the experience last year. A chance to play the best in the country.

If he is 76 - 78 I recommend he play with his age level. Let him be a kid before it gets really serious.