The curse of the "Big Kid"

My sons drive to improve is one of the things I'm most proud of. We can come home from a three game day and he will be out back throwing at his bounce back/asking if I'll come play catch.He is an above average hitter. He bats third and probably only struck 10 or so times last year.Saying that he was going to have to be a masher to play later on was more because he isn't very fast.I know it is dreaming thinking that many years in the future. Unfortunately we have 10 inches of snow on the ground and it's still snowing. His coach is a good hitting instructor and my son has good eye hand coordination.I do need to find a pitching instructor though.I have kinda shied away from him pitching .It just seems to me that alot of kids/parents trick themselves into over pitching. He has pitched some but, he doesn't have a repeatable delivery.Hopefully waiting on the pitching was the right choice.Kinda off topic but, how do you guys feel about kids playing 3+games a day? Does that stop when they get to highschool?To me it really changes the game into a marathon. 

 

When my son was that age the best player sounded very much like your son.   He never got past high school.  In fact  I am not sure that he played much in HS because the smaller kids grew up and were better. He too was very much over exposed. IMO

 

Your sons love for the game is pretty standard for 13 year olds.  He loves it because he is successful.  Again enjoy the moments because they change.  Its very hard to look into the crystal ball at this point and time to know what will happen in HS and beyond.

 

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3 games everyday or just on weekends?

Actually we limited playing time and he played other sports at that age.  Rec basketball, bowling, golf.  Never more than one team at a time and certainly his pitching was limited and he played every position and as skinny as he was he could hit. 

His arm got him past high school and still playing.  I believe limiting his baseball time was a good thing.

Chances are the 4'11" kid became the better player in high school.. As a preteen it had to be all about an fundamentals just to succeed. If the 5'7" kid got by on size as a preteen chances are his fundamentals aren't solid and he struggled on the big field.

 

My kid was the 5' 12yo LLer who hit fence scraping homers. They made for quality line drives as a 5'2" 13u player. I believe that he didn't grow until the end of his 14u season forced him to be fundamentally sound to succeed. It made the game a lot easier as he grew past six feet in high school.

A story of two players.  I coached Bum, Jr. and an early bloomer at age 12.  Early bloomer had speed, power, and a gun for an arm (threw about 70 then), standing 5'6 against Bum, Jr.'s 4'9".  I used Bum, Jr. mainly in left field as his arm was only okay and his bat.. let's just say he was a singles hitter.

 

Every travel team in the area wanted (and used) early bloomer.  No one wanted Bum, Jr.  At the end-of-season get-together, I asked early bloomer's father if he could put in a good word for Bum, Jr. in finding him a travel team.  "Yeah, sure," he said, but insincerely, and never did.

 

Fast forward to h.s.  Early bloomer was 5'10 and Bum, Jr. 5'9".  Early bloomer threw 82 from the right side and Bum, Jr. 89 from the left side.  Bum, Jr.'s second varsity at-bat was against.. guess who.. early bloomer.  First pitch Bum, Jr. smashed to right-center for his first h.s. homerun.

 

Early bloomer went to a J.C. and was cut.  Bum, Jr. was drafted and played D1.

 

There are so many stories like this.

Hey Bum love that story!  My son is 5'9 also, and I love to read about Bum jr's success, especially the way that he beat all odds to move on to the professional ranks! 

Bum if I'm reading you right you believe most of the small kids as LL are better than the big LL later in HS and beyond?  if your logic where true why would the players in the MLB continue to get bigger? I understand the big 12 who doesn't grow but how about the 5-9 12u who is 6'4 17u?  i also get your short son overcame obstacles to make it big but that makes him an exception not the rule.  I coached a group of 11/12 year olds several years ago and three of the 5 biggest kids on the team just got drafted last year out of HS, 1 is a high rated Senior this year and yes 1 never got much better and didn't play much in HS.  I think everyone notices the big kid who didn't get better and the small kid who did, but I would say the best 12U on average are still the best at 17U.  

No, I am NOT saying that.  Did you read my post on page ONE?  I pointed out that some kids are early bloomers and end up a certain height and some are late bloomers that end up at the same height and the only difference between the two is which kid worked the hardest.

 

In my tale of two kids, one just happened to end up a RHP that threw 82 and Bum, Jr. a LHP who threw 89 in h.s.  This is just a tale of what can happen and really has nothing to do with eventual height.

 

BTW, Bum Jr, is not "small".  He's 5'9" and 185 lbs with little body fat.  He legs were twice the size of some of the other pitchers that were drafted off his h.s. travel team.  He's not terribly short either.  You'd be surprised how many big league pitchers are shorter than him.  Tim Lincecum for one.

I don't even remember the names of the best 12u players from Bum, Jr.'s hometown, save one who did go pro.  He was 5'6 as a 12u player and is now 5'10".

You made me think back, thrownBB's.  Actually there were two other big kids who were great 12u players that I now remember.  Both ended up 6'3".  One was drafted as a power hitter and ended up hitting only one home run in his MILB career and was done.  The other had the last name "Brett" who never made it out of Rookie ball as he hit a buck-something.  Of the six players drafted off Bum, Jr's h.s. travel team, four are still playing.  Three of the four are under six feet.

This is a good example of cultivating a player not matter his size to not getting complacent.   I think the danger of kids who develop earlier than others is getting complacent into thinking they will always be top dog and therefore not fostering a sense of urgency each year to get better. 

 

My son has always been the bigger and better kid in league play but I've tried to damper the enthusiasm somewhat by always pointing out not only his the good performances but the areas he needs improvement.   I'm glad we didn't start travel ball until he hit 12 and was lucky for him to have a travel coach that constantly pushed the kids to do better. Also the advantage of travel ball can be for a kid to see that there are many other kids that are just as good if not better.  

 

If you look at the Heisman winners, how many fizzled out in the pro's because they stopped pushing themselves?  

 

 

I only disappointed my son once discussing physical attributes. He was a little full of himself when he made the top ten year olds list for the region in Hoop Scoop. He told me he was going to play basketball for North Carolina. I let him down by telling him he was going to grow up to be a 6'2" white kid. Turns out he can jump.

My kid is about the same age.  I have no issue about him not pitching a lot.  He is pretty good, but needs consistently,  When he is on, he is unhittable.  A lot of ground outs.  When he is off -- look out.  I like the inconsistency at this age, because it keeps coaches from going to him too often.  Most coaches at this age are complete a-holes.  They think nothing of pitching a kid 70-100 pitches a day, day in, day out.  I have seen it way too many times (maybe because his last coach was one of those).      

 

As for 3 games a day, it depends.  We have done it when we went deep into tournaments.  If you have enough pitching and catching, then it is ok.  The problem arises when you don't have enough.  The pitchers and catchers get worn out.  Early in the season last year, due to rain we played 4 games in an 18 hour timeframe (two late, then two the next morning).  My kid caught most of the innings (in addition to "warming up 5-6 pitchers before each game).  I watched and shook my head.  He could hardly walk when it was over.  Afterwards, the coach made a derogatory comment about our catchers' stamina (remember what I said about coaches at this level).  If you have the right coach and the right team, it can be done.  Unfortunately, that combination is few and far between.       

I think it's safe to say size is an advantage. Probably more so when younger than by HS age. To Huey's Dad; why not find a late spring/summer travel team more physically appropriate for your son? If he's physically closer to 15U freshman ball than 13U play up to the competition rather than dominate. Make it a challenge rather than domination, seems to me a lot of the issues with some of the big kids is sometimes it comes too easy. The physical thing will still be an advantage later on but not nearly as much.

Billy ... The kid is just transitioning to the 60/90 field. Until he proves his ability on the big field playing up isn't a good idea.

When Bum, Jr. was 13.. a month shy of his 14th birthday.. he tried out for a 14u travel team.  The coach had scheduled an "exhibition" game against h.s. seniors!  I couldn't believe.. and still can't believe I allowed it to happen.. but Bum, Jr. pitched four innings against a very good Las Vegas high school team.

 

And allowed two runs.

 

When the team walked off the field, they were shaking their heads asking us who that 5'1" player was and how old was he.  Thirteen, they were told.

 

It was that day I realized there is something going on here.

 

So you think size is an advantage, Billy, that's okay.  I say size CAN be an advantage but talent trumps all.

I would respectively disagree. If the kids got the body & strength don't think the transition is as difficult as many believe. My son first played on 60/90's in fall of 13U. Prior had played both 50/70 & 54/80. All tournaments in fall were 60/90 & kids were a little intimidated at the idea. My kid was about 5'2 give or take and probably around 110 lbs; not a big kid by any means. He and his teammates loved the big field & transition was not nearly as difficult as believed. Although he played his share of 54/80's after that fall; he always wanted to play on the big field. I believe the need for transition is greatly exaggerated.

13u players can play 60/90 if they have the arm strength.  Bum, Jr. did so at 13. 

No disagreement whatsoever. If given the choice between size & talent I'd take talent any day. Guess what I was trying to say with talent being equal size can be an advantage. My own son will never be a big guy; he's 5'10 140 lbs at 15 years old with several months before he turns 16. I'm hoping he'll defy genetic odds and turn out to be 6'2 or 6'3 but my guess is he'll end up less than 6' based on what he has to work with. Men in our family have a tendency to peak height wise at 16. 

If the talent is there both are "in".  IMHO. 

Billy ... If I understand you correctly you're saying just because of the kid's physical size his first attempt at playing 60/90 baseball should be with fifteen year olds who will be in their third year of playing 60/90 ball. I believe that's insane. Every kid should play in their age group their first year on the 60/90 to discover if they have the talent to perform on that size field. Then once they prove they have the ability they should play up to the level they can compete on a regular basis. 

 

My son was successful playing in a 16u travel game when he was thirteen. But one game didn't prove he was ready for it on a regular basis. Plus I wouldn't want my thirteen year old son exposed to fifteen year old conversations on a regular basis.

 

Bum ... My son was also 5'2" at the time. Before the game I told my son he was just like the other players except they had driver's licenses, five o'clock shadows and about a foot on him in height. He laughed.

Puberty levels the playing field. My almost 15 YO son started playing travel baseball at 11u when the best teams almost invariabely had (one or more of) the BIG, early bloomers who could HR opposite field popups and threw hard.In general, they did not have to work as hard on their tehnique to be successful and sought after. But some did.

 

Fast-forward 2-3 years and the big diamond is a different game where many of the small, skilled players catch that growth spurt and the size differential is less extreme as is its importance.

 

RJM, I am suggesting he play up. Not only because his size but also if he is dominating at 13U Majors AND he is 5'11 200 lbs it doesn't appear his age group provides appropriate competition and skill level. I agree with Bum; if he has the arm strength transition to the bigger field should not be a problem. My own "played up" an entire season; he is average size and a good player but I wouldn't call him dominant. I still think the transition to a bigger field is exaggerated. May be tougher for a 5' 100 lb kid with a weak arm than a 13 year old who will still be bigger than most 15U's he plays against.    

 

Billy ... The kid played 50/70 last year. He's thirteen this year. I believe a kid needs to prove he can play 60/90 ball before he plays up with players experienced on a full size field.

 

My son played 13u as a 12u eligible. He has a May birthday. I felt he should be playing grade appropriate by 7th grade even though he was 5'2". I didn't see playing grade appropriate as playing up. But he was playing 60/90 for the first time with other first time 13s.

RJM, when I originally suggested he play 15U I stated late spring/summer. My assumption is the 60/90 ball he will play in early spring will be school ball. OP stated he play's 13U Majors & is dominating, based on places he's played I'm assuming travel ball. I'm not suggesting he skip school ball; if like most places won't be any travel until school balls over anyway. He should have an entire season of school ball on the big fields under his belt by the time travel begins. If he's dominating; heck yeah...play up. Not sure how it is in other areas of the country but around here most 13U tournaments & most 14U local tournaments are played on 54/80's. If he can handle it more reason to play up. I should have explained myself better but I'm talking about travel ball and assuming kid is going to be playing first year of school ball first. But yes, if he dominates in 13U Majors travel I would strongly consider playing 15U.