My son was almost 18 (17 and 3/4) when he went off to college, the cut off was Aug 31, so yes he was one of the oldest in his graduating class.
I think all through his life that was an advantage in class, not sure it was an advantage in sports as the cut offs when he played when young were Dec 31, so he was considered younger than most, yet he always found a spot in the line up. Played two years of tball.
We didn't have to face the situation as he got older so I cannot comment about repeating a grade for physical maturity, but probably wouldn't because that's not our style and I beleive it all comes out in the wash in the end.
Someone is always going to older, someone is always going to younger, if you let that get in your way, of what you can accomplish if you have the desire and the drive, you are in trouble.
TPM, did your son graduate as a junior?
quote:Originally posted by Vicarious Dad:
TPM, did your son graduate as a junior?
You wrote that he was not 18 when he went to college, yet the cutoff was Aug 31. What do you mean by "cutoff"?
I am sorry for that.
The cut off for kindergarten here was 5 by Aug 31 (I actually think it may have been sept back then as FL was gradually moving back entrance dates for K, since mine was an Oct baby, he missed that date cutoff, making him older for the following year he entered K (almsot 6).
However, for many years the cutoff for baseball was Dec 31, that made him younger, as he was playing with those born in Jan, Feb, etc.
I feel the cut off for school served him well, being one of the youngest on the team made no difference.
The cut off for kindergarten here was 5 by Aug 31 (I actually think it may have been sept back then as FL was gradually moving back entrance dates for K, since mine was an Oct baby, he missed that date cutoff, making him older for the following year he entered K (almsot 6).
However, for many years the cutoff for baseball was Dec 31, that made him younger, as he was playing with those born in Jan, Feb, etc.
I feel the cut off for school served him well, being one of the youngest on the team made no difference.
quote:Originally posted by TPM:
My son was almost 18 (17 and 3/4) when he went off to college, the cut off was Aug 31, so yes he was one of the oldest in his graduating class.
I think all through his life that was an advantage in class, not sure it was an advantage in sports as the cut offs when he played when young were Dec 31, so he was considered younger than most, yet he always found a spot in the line up. Played two years of tball.
We didn't have to face the situation as he got older so I cannot comment about repeating a grade for physical maturity, but probably wouldn't because that's not our style and I beleive it all comes out in the wash in the end.
Someone is always going to older, someone is always going to younger, if you let that get in your way, of what you can accomplish if you have the desire and the drive, you are in trouble.
Nobody is disagreeing that someone will always be older and someone will always be younger. What we are saying is that it is tough enough being the youngest and a late bloomer without parents holding kids back to make our kids even younger, by more than a year.
I understand your point, but I think that size and age doesn't hide the projectibility of a player's talent.
JMO.
JMO.
OK, but if he went to college at 17 3/4, seems like he jumped ahead, somewhere.
TPM, it may not completly "hide" the projectibility of a player's talent, but it does affect certain rankings for a given HS class. IMHO, when going into the MLB draft and you have a 17 year old that projects and a 19 year old that is more developed, most other things being even, the knod is going to the 19 year old.
I think that this forum sometimes forgets is that high school sports is not always about developing pro athletes. There are role players who are trying to create fond high school memories as a member of a team. Trying to circumvent the age bracket and playing down deprives a great memory in some other kid of the appropriate age's life. As long as the older kid gets what he wants, I guess that's all that matters.
I think that this is an odd topic since I believe very few folks hold kids back for purely athletic reasons. However, I can understand the predicament that some folks find themselves and their player in when their son is playing well skill wise, but still senses that need to get "bigger/stronger".
If my kid was 16 and a sophomore hitting line drive doubles and was 5'8 and 150 pounds and those around him were 6'+ and 175-190 it may occur to some that an additional year to develop could be helpful.
It is somewhat disingenous for folks that have kids that are 6'3+ as juniors or seniors in HS to lament parents with son's not so blessed an additional year to develop.
If my kid was 16 and a sophomore hitting line drive doubles and was 5'8 and 150 pounds and those around him were 6'+ and 175-190 it may occur to some that an additional year to develop could be helpful.
It is somewhat disingenous for folks that have kids that are 6'3+ as juniors or seniors in HS to lament parents with son's not so blessed an additional year to develop.
quote:Originally posted by Brickhouse:
I think that this forum sometimes forgets is that high school sports is not always about developing pro athletes. There are role players who are trying to create fond high school memories as a member of a team. Trying to circumvent the age bracket and playing down deprives a great memory in some other kid of the appropriate age's life. As long as the older kid gets what he wants, I guess that's all that matters.
You make a great point. HS sports is not about developing pro atheletes, it's an extra curricular activity for everyone.
I understand what you are saying, I don't think that keeping a student back because of athletics is the correct thing to do, so we are on the same page.
Go back to read Coach May's post, last paragraph.
quote:Originally posted by AL MA 08:
TPM, it may not completly "hide" the projectibility of a player's talent, but it does affect certain rankings for a given HS class. IMHO, when going into the MLB draft and you have a 17 year old that projects and a 19 year old that is more developed, most other things being even, the knod is going to the 19 year old.
Is this what this is about, not being able to be drafted at 17? If I am a scout considering a 17 year old that projects and a 19 year old that is more mature physically, all things equal, I am going with the one with more upside, if signable, hoping he is mature enough to handle professional bb.
quote:Originally posted by Vicarious Dad:
No he never jumped, he was just shy of 6 when he was entering K when others turned 6 in the spring or summer, making him old for his class.
I skipped a grade in FL, and I'm graduating at 17. I was born in Oct. also.
quote:Originally posted by TPM:quote:Originally posted by Vicarious Dad:
No he never jumped, he was just shy of 6 when he was entering K when others turned 6 in the spring or summer, making him old for his class.
Sorry, I'm not getting it. To me, this would make him 18 in October of senior year in HS.... assuming it's 12th grade.
When my son (late spring birthday) played freshman basketball, after the one kid who was only eight months older, every other kid was a year or more older. All but two players had been held back starting school. One was twenty months older. Guess who was the shortest freshman player? I think he was 5'9". He started. He was cut by the varsity coach soph year for lack of commitment to the program since basketball was his third sport. He wasn't making any optional offseason workouts and didn't play in the summer league. It might have been different if he were 6'6". Then he could be a backup forward on the varsity this year (junior year).quote:Unless your kid graduated at the age of 17 and he had to sit behind three kids on the basketball team that were over a year older than him or your kid did not make the team because of it, it is difficult to relate to this situation.
Well if "projectibility" is not about he draft how else can it be used? This is not what this is all about, but IMO kids who are held back for sports are usually more mature physically and mentally. Some younger kids overcome this obstacle, some are not able to compete with kids 1 to 2 years older for various reasons.
The way high school sports are regulated, I see no change to this and younger kids will always face such obstacles. I did not understand this when my son started school. It only became appearent when he was in middle school and competed against 15 year olds when he was 13.
The way high school sports are regulated, I see no change to this and younger kids will always face such obstacles. I did not understand this when my son started school. It only became appearent when he was in middle school and competed against 15 year olds when he was 13.
Upside to me means being more projectible, unless the player at 19 is so phenominal he will hit MLB within a year.
You know so much more goes into the draft, lots of different factors, but I don't beleive anyone gets passed over that has true pro potential in HS unless he makes unreasonable demands and has a strong college commitment because one is 17 and the other one is 19. Or just wants to go to college first.
As far as this happening in HS, have never seen it myself, players being almost two years older in one grade unless they were left back, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I do know that some parents will send their players to prep school, making then 5th year HS players.
Brickhouse,
I do apologize, I have two born around the same time, missing the public school cutoff. These are things that happen as you get older, you get confused.
My son graduated HS in June at 18 and turned 19 fall of his freshman year. And because of the late summer cutoff, an October birthdate made him one of the older ones in his graduation class.
But I am still in agreement with Coach May. His post was awesome, he gives great advice, IMO.
One thing we always told our children, never place blame because you think you lost opportunities for what others can do. Yes, in this case, that might mean because you are smaller or less physically mature that you may have to work harder at some other things to get attention, so do it, and don't let it be an obstacle. I also beleive that most coaches recognize talent over just being bigger, unless of course the talent isn't there to begin with and is used as an excuse as to why one doesn't make the team, get a scholarship or drafted.
JMO.
You know so much more goes into the draft, lots of different factors, but I don't beleive anyone gets passed over that has true pro potential in HS unless he makes unreasonable demands and has a strong college commitment because one is 17 and the other one is 19. Or just wants to go to college first.
As far as this happening in HS, have never seen it myself, players being almost two years older in one grade unless they were left back, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I do know that some parents will send their players to prep school, making then 5th year HS players.
Brickhouse,
I do apologize, I have two born around the same time, missing the public school cutoff. These are things that happen as you get older, you get confused.
My son graduated HS in June at 18 and turned 19 fall of his freshman year. And because of the late summer cutoff, an October birthdate made him one of the older ones in his graduation class.
But I am still in agreement with Coach May. His post was awesome, he gives great advice, IMO.
One thing we always told our children, never place blame because you think you lost opportunities for what others can do. Yes, in this case, that might mean because you are smaller or less physically mature that you may have to work harder at some other things to get attention, so do it, and don't let it be an obstacle. I also beleive that most coaches recognize talent over just being bigger, unless of course the talent isn't there to begin with and is used as an excuse as to why one doesn't make the team, get a scholarship or drafted.
JMO.
If your son is younger than his competition even in his same grade and it gives his competition an advantage over him the question is what is he going to do about it?
I can tell you one thing thats not going to work. Complaining that the guy he is competing against is one year older.
Before anyone says "This thread is about wether or not older kids have an advantage over younger kids." That has already be established so if were not going to talk about what a kid needs to do to overcome that this thread is really a dead issue.
I can tell you one thing thats not going to work. Complaining that the guy he is competing against is one year older.
Before anyone says "This thread is about wether or not older kids have an advantage over younger kids." That has already be established so if were not going to talk about what a kid needs to do to overcome that this thread is really a dead issue.
I agree with TPM and Coach may. Basically stop worrying about the age difference and concentrate on what needs to be done to compete.
Even if every kid started school in accordance with the school districts dates their would still be a year difference in age betweem some players. Nothing can be done about that. The fact that kids physically and emotionally mature at different rates is a fact of life that effect many kids in many ways.
Other than some prep schools who like kids to repeat 9th grade, most of the players I've known who repeat 8th grade are the ones who need the extra year to grow and mature, not the beast looking for more of an advantage. In general the kids who start K or 1st grade late is due to emotional immaturity with no regard to athletics IMO. Who really knows at 5 yo how big or what type of athlete a kid will be at 15-17.
If a player has talent a coach will notice. If it means a year on freshman or JV teams to physically mature then so be it. Players don't make teams for a variety of reasons. Age probably not the main reason. Accommodations cannot be made by high schools for every situation. It is not very feasible to have a team for every grade. Although 3 teams (freshman, JV, V) for 4 grades is not far off.
Even if every kid started school in accordance with the school districts dates their would still be a year difference in age betweem some players. Nothing can be done about that. The fact that kids physically and emotionally mature at different rates is a fact of life that effect many kids in many ways.
Other than some prep schools who like kids to repeat 9th grade, most of the players I've known who repeat 8th grade are the ones who need the extra year to grow and mature, not the beast looking for more of an advantage. In general the kids who start K or 1st grade late is due to emotional immaturity with no regard to athletics IMO. Who really knows at 5 yo how big or what type of athlete a kid will be at 15-17.
If a player has talent a coach will notice. If it means a year on freshman or JV teams to physically mature then so be it. Players don't make teams for a variety of reasons. Age probably not the main reason. Accommodations cannot be made by high schools for every situation. It is not very feasible to have a team for every grade. Although 3 teams (freshman, JV, V) for 4 grades is not far off.
I have nothing to gain by complaining about the age difference anymore. My kid is in college now. He has aleady missed out on some great memories. My point is to make other parents aware of this disadvantage so that they can make adjustments. I know what my son is going to do if he has a kid with an August birthday.
I believe that it is no coincidence that my son is playing college baseball as opposed to the other sports, because baseball goes by age for the youth and summer teams. Even though in high school he was always the youngest for all sports, and as we discussed, by more than a year in many cases. He was able to be one of the oldest on his little league and summer teams because the age cut off is May 1. This is where his development was taking place. This is where he was always the ace of his staff and his confidence grew to prepare himself for high school.
So, the moral of my family's story is if you want your July or August birthday son to have the best chance of having an enjoyable sports career in his middle school and early high school years, encourage him to play baseball. Unlike the other sports, the youth sports for baseball go strictly by age not grade.
I believe that it is no coincidence that my son is playing college baseball as opposed to the other sports, because baseball goes by age for the youth and summer teams. Even though in high school he was always the youngest for all sports, and as we discussed, by more than a year in many cases. He was able to be one of the oldest on his little league and summer teams because the age cut off is May 1. This is where his development was taking place. This is where he was always the ace of his staff and his confidence grew to prepare himself for high school.
So, the moral of my family's story is if you want your July or August birthday son to have the best chance of having an enjoyable sports career in his middle school and early high school years, encourage him to play baseball. Unlike the other sports, the youth sports for baseball go strictly by age not grade.
Every kid is different and every experience is different. My son gained confidence by playing up against older players. When he was 15 he played on a 18u select team during the summer. He played up from the time he was 9 years old. He got better by being challenged by older more mature players. He gained confidence by competing and "hanging" with older players. He developed not by dominating kids his age but by competing with and against players that were just as talented and in some cases more talented than he was and older.
So every kid is different and every kids situation is different.
So every kid is different and every kids situation is different.
quote:So, the moral of my family's story is if you want your July or August birthday son to have the best chance of having an enjoyable sports career in his middle school and early high school years, encourage him to play baseball. Unlike the other sports, the youth sports for baseball go strictly by age not grade.
Good point. Before reading that, I thought you might suggest holding them back for sports. There are many reasons for holding back that parents do not need to defend themselves for.
One other point... I think parents ought to expose their kids to many things like music, art, and sports. Whether or not those things become a passion for the child is up to the child however. Trying to determine at a young age (or rig things)what is going to be enjoyable for a child at a later age is not productive imho. Worrying about these things is even less productive imho. Expose kids to many things and plant the seeds, but ultimately let the chips fall where they may.
For those that may be able to produce a desired sports outcome, you may be in fact robbing your kids of the ultimate experience and reward - the ability to figure out how to set a goal and achieve it for themselves. This is why I think the younger players sometimes have the long term advantage as they need to develop the competitive drive to overcome their short term physical limitations.
Brickhouse, I would guess that your son is playing college baseball because that is the sport he had the most talent in, not because he played age appropriate as an adolescent.
quote:Originally posted by fillsfan:
Brickhouse, I would guess that your son is playing college baseball because that is the sport he had the most talent in, not because he played age appropriate as an adolescent.
I have to agree, or I am not really understanding the point Brickhouse is trying to make.
I also have to agree with CD.
Sports, any sport is not easy to excel in. Perhaps one of the reasons that the bigger kids you see at 13,14, 15 don't really make it because things came easy to them, along the way they lost the drive and competitiveness to work harder and when everyone caught up, they weren't as good anymore.
My player was one of those hard throwers who was taller and lankier than most, with the natural ability you hear about, but not particularly filled out to his potential (until recently), who did well beginning at an early age. But I don't think he got where he did because he was younger or older, but because of the goals he set out for himself at an early age. Those goals just didn't mean working hard on the field, but in the classroom as well, because in the end, that is what will determine who wants to recruit you, you don't have to have A's, you don't have to throw 90 or bat 300, but show a willingness for someone who is going to offer you a scholarship or a spot on their roster that you can be the best and willing to work hard at it according to YOUR ability, not someone elses.
JMO.
No, TPM you don't understand.
quote:Originally posted by CADad:
No, TPM you don't understand.
CADad - perhaps you can elaborate. I read some of your earlier posts where you argued that being younger is a disadvantage in some cases and I don't think anyone disputes that. The question ought to be what do we do about it? Even if strict age rules are followed, some kids will end up being one year older if they are born on the outer limits (plus or minus) of the rule.
Will that (being younger) prevent a kid from being recruited in your opinion? Are we just arguuing about marginal or fringe players here? Or are you suggesting talented players are having their careers cut short because of age?
I definetly agree that being younger can be a disadvantage, we all can agree on that, it's what are you going to do about it that is perhpas what we disagree upon.
Interesting discussion.
I've seen 14yos who looked like 18yos and vise versa. Sometimes, the 14 year old who looks and plays like an 18yo, gets outplayed by the time they really are 18. They are often worn out, injured, and just tired of playing. Not always the case, but just saying.... You just never know who will be the cream of the crop.
I've seen 14yos who looked like 18yos and vise versa. Sometimes, the 14 year old who looks and plays like an 18yo, gets outplayed by the time they really are 18. They are often worn out, injured, and just tired of playing. Not always the case, but just saying.... You just never know who will be the cream of the crop.
quote:Originally posted by fillsfan:
Brickhouse, I would guess that your son is playing college baseball because that is the sport he had the most talent in, not because he played age appropriate as an adolescent.
At the age of 12, prior to all of the age and growth differential started, he was a good athlete at all three sports. Is he much better at baseball now? Of course. He was not given the opportunity to develop at the other sports because he was a little kid when he enterd high school. If he was given that opportunity, who knows what would have happened. Maybe he would have preferred being a D3 quarterback as opposed to a D1 pitcher.
CM, I certainly don't know for a fact, but I am willing to guess that your son at 15 was much more physically mature than my son. I doubt that you would have him pitch against 18 year olds if he had a high pitched voice. My son is now getting a similar opportunity in college. He is 18 years old on a staff of 16 pitchers, 10 of which are 21 or older. This is not a big deal now as he is physically mature and capable of competing on the same level. In fact, he is definitely stronger than many of the 21 year olds. It doesn't mean that he is better, but now it is men competing against other men.
Brickhouse,
I am not sure what it is you are lamenting but when you say "He has aleady missed out on some great memories" it seems like there are some.
As I posted before, ours was 4'10" and 96lbs entering high school. He played baseball but did not play up his sophomore year, when bigger and stronger classmates did. He stuck it out in football and had a ton of fun his senior year when he finally was the starting QB and played every down of every game.
However, he did not play DI. When he was a HS senior, it was his dream. He never said it, but his disappointment was pretty obvious when nothing materialized.
So, he played DIII baseball, was offered the opportunity to transfer before his senior year to a number of DI schools, and chose to stay with his DIII teammates and the DIII coach who believed in him and recruited him and helped him prove a lot of things along the way.
He never got to be the biggest or the strongest.
When he was drafted and played Milb, he really saw big and strong. What did he do? He got to the clubhouse early, stayed late and according to his coaches and a media member who got pretty close with him, outworked just about everybody.
I can tell you he did not get that work ethic after the MLB draft. It came when he was the smallest player on the football field and baseball diamond. It came when he was the smallest swimmer on the blocks doing 200 fly as a 12 year old.
He has no regrets. Not one.
One very valuable lesson he taught his parents: you only pay attention to what you can control. For the things within your control, you outwork everyone or at least try that route.
To this day, he follows one slogan: "Success occurs when 1000 hours of preparation meets one moment of opportunity."
No matter what your size or age, preparation and talent can be great equalizers.
With that said, no two paths, especially in sports, are equal, even though the end result might be relatively equivalent. In my view, it is a bit like making lemonade when life gives us lemons.
We can choose to pay attention and focus on the lemons or we can celebrate the athlete, the student, the musician, or all of those who made the lemonade.
As a parent of a DIII kid, I could lament yours got a DI opportunity. That does me no good, you no good and certainly accomplishes nothing, in my view.
So, I say congratulations to your son for earning that opportunity and I hope he has a great career from this point forward. I also hope you can enjoy every minute from this point forward.
They go way too fast.
Just my view, but the fun of the future for you and your son, doesn't need to be diminished, in any way, by the path that got him there.
I am not sure what it is you are lamenting but when you say "He has aleady missed out on some great memories" it seems like there are some.
As I posted before, ours was 4'10" and 96lbs entering high school. He played baseball but did not play up his sophomore year, when bigger and stronger classmates did. He stuck it out in football and had a ton of fun his senior year when he finally was the starting QB and played every down of every game.
However, he did not play DI. When he was a HS senior, it was his dream. He never said it, but his disappointment was pretty obvious when nothing materialized.
So, he played DIII baseball, was offered the opportunity to transfer before his senior year to a number of DI schools, and chose to stay with his DIII teammates and the DIII coach who believed in him and recruited him and helped him prove a lot of things along the way.
He never got to be the biggest or the strongest.
When he was drafted and played Milb, he really saw big and strong. What did he do? He got to the clubhouse early, stayed late and according to his coaches and a media member who got pretty close with him, outworked just about everybody.
I can tell you he did not get that work ethic after the MLB draft. It came when he was the smallest player on the football field and baseball diamond. It came when he was the smallest swimmer on the blocks doing 200 fly as a 12 year old.
He has no regrets. Not one.
One very valuable lesson he taught his parents: you only pay attention to what you can control. For the things within your control, you outwork everyone or at least try that route.
To this day, he follows one slogan: "Success occurs when 1000 hours of preparation meets one moment of opportunity."
No matter what your size or age, preparation and talent can be great equalizers.
With that said, no two paths, especially in sports, are equal, even though the end result might be relatively equivalent. In my view, it is a bit like making lemonade when life gives us lemons.
We can choose to pay attention and focus on the lemons or we can celebrate the athlete, the student, the musician, or all of those who made the lemonade.
As a parent of a DIII kid, I could lament yours got a DI opportunity. That does me no good, you no good and certainly accomplishes nothing, in my view.
So, I say congratulations to your son for earning that opportunity and I hope he has a great career from this point forward. I also hope you can enjoy every minute from this point forward.
They go way too fast.
Just my view, but the fun of the future for you and your son, doesn't need to be diminished, in any way, by the path that got him there.
infielddad - that was an awesome post. I don't know if you intended it that way but it was quite emotional.
I think you answered many of the questions I have been asking in this thread. I don't believe the question ought to be whether or not life or athletics are fair/unfair as we can all find examples one way or the other. The real questions ought to be what are we going to do about those things that we can actually control. Perhaps also being thankful for whatever blessings that each one of us has been given rather than lamenting the one's we have not.
I think you answered many of the questions I have been asking in this thread. I don't believe the question ought to be whether or not life or athletics are fair/unfair as we can all find examples one way or the other. The real questions ought to be what are we going to do about those things that we can actually control. Perhaps also being thankful for whatever blessings that each one of us has been given rather than lamenting the one's we have not.
CD,
So what is marginal and what is fringe? Is it the kid who is between D3 and D2? Is it the kid who is between D2 and D1? Is it the kid who sits on the bench in HS despite having more talent than an older kid and gets cut before finding out what his potential was? I watched the older kids play ahead of more talented kids at our school and then be out of baseball right after HS.
I've heard college coaches say that late bloomers are at a disadvantage so yes it certainly can keep kids from being recruited and signed.
What can be done? I'd recommend that almost any player who is an August through November birthday stay back a year before grade school. I'd also recommend that kids who are late bloomers and for whom baseball is a big part of their life look at staying back a year as of 8th grade if they are younger than most of their grade. It is an individual decision that each family needs to make.
For the rest of the kids who are at a disadvantage and don't have a way to stay back with kids their own age I'd recommend that they understand that they do have a disadvantage and that they'll have to outwork the ones who have the advantage.
I've personally been on both sides of the issue. I graduated from HS at 16yo and started college at 16 so I was certainly at a disadvantage. I joined the military after a year of college and when I came back to school I had a maturity advantage over the players I was competing with. However, I don't recommend joining the service in order to gain a maturity advantage for sports.
So what is marginal and what is fringe? Is it the kid who is between D3 and D2? Is it the kid who is between D2 and D1? Is it the kid who sits on the bench in HS despite having more talent than an older kid and gets cut before finding out what his potential was? I watched the older kids play ahead of more talented kids at our school and then be out of baseball right after HS.
I've heard college coaches say that late bloomers are at a disadvantage so yes it certainly can keep kids from being recruited and signed.
What can be done? I'd recommend that almost any player who is an August through November birthday stay back a year before grade school. I'd also recommend that kids who are late bloomers and for whom baseball is a big part of their life look at staying back a year as of 8th grade if they are younger than most of their grade. It is an individual decision that each family needs to make.
For the rest of the kids who are at a disadvantage and don't have a way to stay back with kids their own age I'd recommend that they understand that they do have a disadvantage and that they'll have to outwork the ones who have the advantage.
I've personally been on both sides of the issue. I graduated from HS at 16yo and started college at 16 so I was certainly at a disadvantage. I joined the military after a year of college and when I came back to school I had a maturity advantage over the players I was competing with. However, I don't recommend joining the service in order to gain a maturity advantage for sports.
Good post infielddad.
Are we truly going to strive to regulate our kids lives at the pre grade school level?
Do you honestly know as a parent that at a pre grade school age your child has great athletiuc ability ahead of him/her?
No wonder we have a country full of drug taking so called depressed kids !!!!!
We keep doing this c r a p and we will not have any kids able to cope with the real world when the time comes.
Do you honestly know as a parent that at a pre grade school age your child has great athletiuc ability ahead of him/her?
No wonder we have a country full of drug taking so called depressed kids !!!!!
We keep doing this c r a p and we will not have any kids able to cope with the real world when the time comes.
No, TR we'll find ways for them to get big in college. Maybe gain 40lbs of muscle in one summer. Much better approach don't you think?
I can tell you this CAdad my guy went away at 17 years of age at 5-9/150 and came out after a solid career at 5-11/195 and 5% body fat---and that was with just proper nutrition, work outs and physical maturity
Maybe you can put on 40lbs of muscle in one summer but then you guys may do different things on your coast
Maybe you can put on 40lbs of muscle in one summer but then you guys may do different things on your coast
CADad - I agree the age thing might set you back in playing on the high school team. The subject of this thread was will it set you back in recruiting. Players can showcase their abilities all summer long in age-appropriate leagues and tournaments. They can also attend showcases. Ironically, many post here how they have their kids playing "up" a year or more in order to gain experience.
I don't believe high school is the place where most recruiting is done so I am not as sure how big of a disadvantage it is. I agree that it helps a kid's confidence when he plays on the high school team and sees his name in the local papers. Not sure that being under age should prohibit a kid from playing in college however. For late bloomers with desire, there are JUCO opportunities that can allow them to catch up, for example. Maybe I am arguing that desire is a more important factor than age. Obviously, a kid has to have some talent no matter what their age.
I don't believe high school is the place where most recruiting is done so I am not as sure how big of a disadvantage it is. I agree that it helps a kid's confidence when he plays on the high school team and sees his name in the local papers. Not sure that being under age should prohibit a kid from playing in college however. For late bloomers with desire, there are JUCO opportunities that can allow them to catch up, for example. Maybe I am arguing that desire is a more important factor than age. Obviously, a kid has to have some talent no matter what their age.
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
Do you honestly know as a parent that at a pre grade school age your child has great athletiuc ability ahead of him/her?
I'm sure some people think they do, but more kids are delayed to give them an edge in the classroom. I don't think that's right, either.
'My seven year old is smarter than your five year old.' Well, I certainly hope so.