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My son is completing 8th grade in the next couple of weeks.  His birthday is during the summer.  He will be 14. This makes him the youngest in his grade, but places him as one of the oldest on his 13U team.  We are debating whether to homeschool him for a year, before allowing him to begin high school as a freshman at 15 years old.  This would place him graduating from high school two months before his 19th birthday.  If my son wasn't a strong student, there would be no question.  However, he is top of his class, taking advanced placed high school credits already.  Like every boy who loves the game, his dream is to play MLB or enter Rice University and play ball in college.  We need advise ASAP!

Last edited by Dana
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Dana,

 

This is a great website for information, and I am sure you will benefit as most have.  Is your question related to sports, or in general?  If he is mature enough, I would certainly not think holding him out a year is a great idea, just for the sake of he might get bigger / stronger, etc.  My son is also a very young freshman, just barely turned 15 this month, his freshman year in HS, so likely only a few weeks different that your son will be in next year.  We actually homeschooled him from K thru 8th grade, so for us holding him back a year would have been easy.  Now that his first year as a freshman is over, I can honestly say in our case, we are glad we did not hold him back.  If we held him back, would he be that much better as a Freshman or even looking ahead, as an older 18 year old senior, ....maybe, but it wasn't worth it for us to find out.  My suggestion was always to to play summer ball with your grade level, not what the sanctioning bodies allow. 

 

Good luck you ya!

Last edited by Back foot slider

Welcome to the site.  This has been a topic of discussion here before and I think it is really an individual thing.  Hopefully you will get lots of great feedback.  I don't know you and your son well enough to suggest one way or the other but will offer a few things to consider...

Give more weight to the social and academic aspects than athletics.  Has he been with his classmates for a long time?  What impact would it have socially to hold him back?  Sounds like he is a very good student - would he be sufficiently challenged and not bored by being held back?  If he is breezing through school and has career direction, you may be delaying his entry into the workforce and ability to earn a good wage.

If he is otherwise on track to succeed socially and academically, you (and he) will be second-guessed by many and there will be an extra level of pressure for him to reach that athletic dream/goal.  Are there clear signs that this is something within reach?  Will this take away from his opportunity to just enjoy HS sports while he is in the moment?

 

..and now that I've put my thoughts to a post, it seems I am leaning heavily to one side   I know there are arguments on the other side as well.  Just food for thought.

 

 

 

I have kids with May and July birthdays. They are both excellent students. They both play(ed) college sports. Had they been in a position where another year would help athletically I would have had them do a post graduate year at a private school on the back end. There's no reason to hold back a good student for sports. Has a knowledgeable baseball person told you he has D1 potential? If not your projecting and hoping on the future.

Our son is 5'7" and about 130lb.  He plays catcher, third and relief pitcher besides any where they tell him to play.  Every day after school for over two years is nothing, but baseball which means, agility, pitching, batting, throwing, stretching, running.  All instructions are provided by professionals in the industry.  Our present coach, retired MLB, recommends holding him back because he did the same for his kid and he is playing in the minors now.  Another instructor who is or isn't a scout, held his kids back and is playing ball.  However, I feel there is no guarantee that my son will make it to the Big League, but I know based on his grades, he will make it to college.  Yes, he may make it on a baseball scholarship or an academic scholarship.  We just need other people providing advice instead of the ones closest to us.

I know it is a very popular idea to hold a young 8th grader back these days.  I know a number of people that are doing this.  Cabbage hit on some great points and I tend to agree with this view.  There are a couple aspects to this that I just can't reconcile.

 

First, good young ball players are encouraged to "play up" when they are 9-13 years old, the premise being that he'll get better by playing against older, better, stronger competition.  Fair enough.  So why then would it make sense to take a kid who would otherwise be in high school, and hold him back so he can "play down" against 8th graders?  I don't see how this helps a kid improve.  He's going to grow just the same, so why not play at a higher level in the meantime?

 

Second, my kids are also very good students, but I have enough difficulty getting my kids re-engaged in school in September.  I can't imagine how difficult it would be to take 15 months off and have them get back into the habit and rhythm of home work, studying, etc.  When I ask people how they are dealing with this, most haven't considered this issue.

 

I just don't think it makes sense to interrupt an honor student's education, and he may never get back on the same track.  I wouldn't take this risk.

Originally Posted by Dana:

 Our present coach, retired MLB, recommends holding him back because he did the same for his kid and he is playing in the minors now.  Another instructor who is or isn't a scout, held his kids back and is playing ball. 

There is a well known MLB scouting director here in SoCal who did the same thing for his son.The kid graduated from 8th grade in 2010 and was home schooled the next year.He is now a 2015 early commit to a PAC 11 school.This strategy worked well for the boy(he is a very good RHP)

 

I know lots of people hold their kid(s) back for all sorts of reasons.Personally,I never gave it any thought for my son.He will start college in the fall as a 17 year old.

 

 

 

 

 

Dana,

 

I really hope you take this the right way, and if not I hope you will not get too offended.

 

The retired MLB player who is now a coach, likely has a son with an inherent genetic, and definitely inside track to play pro ball since his father did, and his boy likely would have made it whether he was held back or not.

 

Secondly, former players, even at the highest level don't necessarily make the best instructors, or advisors, just because they played professionally.  My experience often times is quite opposite.  I played in college, although not as a pitcher, however I am a pitching coach with players in top D1 programs, as well as that were drafted.  I have to shake my head at some things that I hear former MLB or college pitchers, telling pitchers to do.

 

Next question I would have is what size are his parents (you guys)?   Although, there are players in college that are not giants, the trend certainly has shifted towards physically gifted athletes.  I know a 5'7 kid can have a huge growth spurt, however if mom and dad are 5'10 and below, the genes may say otherwise.

 

As I said earlier, folks told us to hold Jr backs due to him being young for his grade.  We had folks telling us how dominant he would be later on if he was held back a year.  BTW - Jr. also is ALL about baseball, he lives this stuff, and trains for it all year long.  He just finished his first year as a "young" freshman.  He is a lefty, 6'1, weights 175, started every game on varsity, hit 4 HR, was our #2 pitcher, with 70K's, and ERA of 2.46.  His team went undefeated in district, and they just lost in the TX HS playoffs last week.  Just went to end of year sports banquet, and he learned he earned 1st team All District, and Newcomer of the year.  We'll be in Jupiter, and East Cobb this summer with his summer club team.

 

Yeah, he did well.  Will he play in college, unless injured, you bet.  Will he play pro, maybe, but he'll have to add another 5MPH, and stay healthy.  Would he have any better chance if we held him out, likely not one bit.

 

I tend to agree with RJM, and cabbagedad, the upside is just too small.

 

I see you live in TX,....so do I.  Baseball is a very small world, so likely we know much of the same TX baseball world.  If you want to send me a PM (there is a dialog button at the top of the page), I'd be happy to trade cell phone numbers, and chat on the phone.

Last edited by Back foot slider

First off welcome to the site. You will find a treasure trove of advice here in the recent posts and the golden threads. From what you described you have an academic high achiever who lives eats and breathes baseball; and we can all assume from the question asked he is also very talented baseball wise so congratulations. There are others on this site who can relate.

We know of families that have held their son's back as you are contemplating, some worked out, others not so much.In my opinion your situation is different as I am not aware of a family that held back a student that was as accomplished academically as you describe and that would tip the scales for me. If you hold him back I would submit you may have sent him a message that baseball is more important than academics  and that would give me pause.  The coaches advising are placing everything in the baseball basket and at 14 way too young for me to agree. Best of luck. 

Originally Posted by Dana:

Our son is 5'7" and about 130lb.  He plays catcher, third and relief pitcher besides any where they tell him to play.  Every day after school for over two years is nothing, but baseball which means, agility, pitching, batting, throwing, stretching, running.  All instructions are provided by professionals in the industry.  Our present coach, retired MLB, recommends holding him back because he did the same for his kid and he is playing in the minors now.  Another instructor who is or isn't a scout, held his kids back and is playing ball.  However, I feel there is no guarantee that my son will make it to the Big League, but I know based on his grades, he will make it to college.  Yes, he may make it on a baseball scholarship or an academic scholarship.  We just need other people providing advice instead of the ones closest to us.

It is wise for you to get other opinions.  The coach/retired MLB guy and the "is/isn't" scout are true baseball people.  As BackFootSlider suggested, their viewpoint is going to have a heavy slant.  I coach HS baseball - I am often guilty as well.  Tonight at practice (eve of last regular season game), I was making my rounds and found myself congratulating one of our seniors on his decision not to pursue college baseball due to his set academic path.  It killed me.  This kid may be the best player to ever come out of our program, certainly capable of reaching a high level of college ball.  It took me way longer than it should have for me to come to grips with what was truly the best direction for him.  It is not uncommon at all for baseball people to push kids like this in a different direction, namely, to do anything possible to play more baseball.

 

BTW, I'm still not saying there is a definitive answer and I think posters here are giving you great things to consider, including how he projects size wise. 

Last edited by cabbagedad

I've always looked at it this way - a baseball career can be over in an instant, but a strong academic foundation lasts forever.

 

Will holding your son back a year benefit him academically?  If not, then it seems silly to hold him back on the off chance that he may some day possibly,could maybe, might just, if the cards fall right, the stars align, and the gods smile down - play college or professional ball.

 

Ask yourself if those advising to hold him back are people you would go to for academic advise? Remember - those who you are paying for instruction are not the ones you want to go to for an honest evaluation.

 

 

 

 

 

You will get some good ideas here from both sides on the debate. You won't get a decision here. Most situations on the board involving academics and athletics result in strong debate. The range can be from "should my son go to an Ivy or a major conference school to play baseball" to "baseball is the only reason my son would go to college." You will even see strong debate within those parameters as opposed to between them. It's because every poster's son isn't in the same place academically and athletically. You're going to have to decide where your son fits in and make your own decision.

 

Last edited by RJM

Mine was 13 when he entered HS and turned 14 in October of his Freshman year - didn't turn 17 until October of his senior year and will still be 17 when he goes to college this fall.

 

Thought about it and asked him about holding back a year, but he didn't want to. Socially, academically, and athletically, he always did well. But, if I had it to do over again, well.... probably would have held him back at Kindergarten, 5th grade, or 8th grade. But, at Kindergarten and 5th grade he was a bigger kid than most. At 8th, it was too late from a social standpoint. Who wants to stay back when all of your friends are going to high school

I was 13 when I entered HS.  I turned 14 the last week of September.  I did fine.  However, your son will be trying out and battling for playing time with boys who are 15 years old.  You have to decide.  Academically, I did as well if not better than the other students. 

 

Per size, I'm 5''9" and my wife is 5'5".  My daughter is 6 foot tall.  So, who knows how tall your son will be and when/if he will have a big growth spurt. 

Originally Posted by Back foot slider:

Coach - I hope you took it as a joke,  I tell my friends the milk man may have came around my house....Jr., is already 3" taller than me!

You bet I took it as a joke.  My daughter is the spitting image of my wife only a lot taller and very strong.  (Code Word for big). The only thing she gets from me is her love of the game.  Otherwise, temperament etc. we are nothing a like. 

 

Per the op, my daughter has an very late April birthday.  So, she turned 18 with one month of the season left.  While softball is different, it had her competing for scholarships at an earlier age as well.  Softball scholarships are most often settled with verbals by sophomore year.  Still, we would not have changed anything.  Academically, she was able to do exceedingly well. 

Originally Posted by CoachB25:
Originally Posted by Back foot slider:

Milk man?

I don't know.  She is a lot taller than I am.  She puts on her college softball profile that she is 5'11" because she says girls don't like to be 6 foot tall. 

When my daughter hit 5'10" she started praying she would stop growing. It worked. She complained with heels she was already eye ball to eyeball with 6'1" guys. Given boys often grow to be 6-8 inches taller than their mother, when she has a boy I'm going to keep putting a baseball in the baby's left hand. 

I'm late to this post but I can tell you I lived the late birthday student. Kids birthday isn't until Oct 1 and graduated at 17. He had played up two years from the time that he went into high school just to make him play faster and stronger. He was 5'6" when he graduated but that season he finished with a .478 BA, 5 HR's and helped his team go to the state championship with a guy that went first round in 2012. He got no looks. Academically he graduated with a 3.7. "HE" made the decision to attend a JUCO, mainly to keep himself draft eligible. Went to a D! JUCO and saw great competition. Finished the season with a .376 BA, 2 HR, and 28 for 32 in stolen bases. Had a huge growth spurt to 5'9", LOL. One questionnaire. Not drafted. This past season he had another huge growth spurt, one whole inch but he pumped up to 190 lbs. He hit .417 in the same conference with 7 HR and was 28 for 28 in stolen bases. Student-Athlete of the year at his school graduating with a 4.0, Player of the year in his conference, Gold Glove recipient as well and also All-American. Filled out about 17 questionnaires, had 7 pre draft workouts and was not drafted because he was not interested in the offers they were putting on the table. In his mind he figured he would give it another year. He figured why not try to improve slot position. I said all that not to brag but to say this. If you hold him back or let him advance, whatever is for him in the future he will attain it. BTW, scouts were a little disappointed that my son didn't start his career now professionally but one was completely honest with him and told him that because of his birthday he will still be considered young in their eyes. Good luck to your son on his journey. My best advice to you is to just sit back, enjoy the ride and soak up the memories. It will become a business soon enough.

I am with backfootslider on this one. Your son is 5'7" and 130lbs. Lets be real, he is not going to play ball in the MLB, or even Rice for that matter.  Unless someone who is COMPLETELY unbiased gives you a reason to hold him back then I would continue to push him academically.

 

I have a niece who graduated HS at 16, she will graduate college at 19, she is working for Goldman Sachs this summer as an intern and will likely have a very lucrative offer from them when she graduates in 2 years. She was an excellent tennis player but was not going to get a D1 scholly or even consider the pro circuit. It would have been a huge disservice to her for her parents to even consider holding her back for athletics.  

 

There is 10X as much $ for academics than for athletics. If he wants to play ball or be on a college team get an outstanding academic offer from a D3 program and play on their team. He can have the best of both worlds IMO if planned right. 

 

I see you are in Texas, If there is an outside chance he is draftable in 7 years he could play for a school like Trinity, who has players routinely drafted and has excellent academics. Otherwise pick an excellent academic school that best fits his profile.  

Last edited by BOF
Originally Posted by BOF:

There is 10X as much $ for academics than for athletics. If he wants to play ball or be on a college team get an outstanding academic offer from a D3 program and play on their team. He can have the best of both worlds IMO if planned right.  

It's actually 22 times as much money for academics. Which is even better.

Originally Posted by RJM:
Originally Posted by BOF:

There is 10X as much $ for academics than for athletics. If he wants to play ball or be on a college team get an outstanding academic offer from a D3 program and play on their team. He can have the best of both worlds IMO if planned right.  

It's actually 22 times as much money for academics. Which is even better.

Plus it is guaranteed for all four years whether you play ball or not!

Originally Posted by BOF:

I am with backfootslider on this one. Your son is 5'7" and 130lbs. Lets be real, he is not going to play ball in the MLB, or even Rice for that matter.  Unless someone who is COMPLETELY unbiased gives you a reason to hold him back then I would continue to push him academically.

 

 


My 5'6" 130lb 13 year old became a 5'10" 160lb 17 year old.  In that case BOF is right unless you have Pedroia.

 

On the other hand his travel ball teammate went from 5'1" 120lb puss ball lefty to 6'5" 195lb with 90MPH and is a starter in the SEC for a top 10 team.

 

Ask your Dr. which of these is your son's destiny.  And even with that...school first until MLB comes knocking with a huge bonus. 

in my mind you have to look at the kid as a whole.  You say he is the top in his class so that part is checked off, is he emotionally mature (to me this may be the biggest question) and then is he a late bloomer size wise and could be socially awkward or even bullied.  If it's just sports because you think the one year will get him drafted or a D1 scholarship the odds are so small.  The good news is I know people who have done both and usually they are happy.  The parent knows the kid better than everyone.  

Dana, congrats on having a bright kid!  Our son is similar to your son in stature and just finished freshman year.  As long as your son is doing great in school, I say keep him with his class and friends.  Coaches notice a hard working ball player and sometimes being a little smaller makes them work harder, especially if he has those types of goals for his future.  

 

Dad and I joke that we should have put him in Young 5s and sprinkled some growth hormone into his sippy cup as a baby . But, seriously, I believe he's right where he needs to be.  You can PM me if you want more details of the ups and downs he faced.  Texas ball is a whole heck of a lot tougher than here, but I'm guessing their experiences are similar.

I was glancing through posts and saw this thread.  Let me just say that I believe you are silly for even thinking this. 

 

I rarely comment on anything.  When I do it is typically not negative.  I will say this in the nicest way possible.

 

Your son is an incoming freshman.  He hasn't even hit his big growth spurts yet.  So many kids peak early and just stop improving athletically.  Some kids mentally break down and never recover (im referring to lost confidence at the plate).   How on earth can you be thinking draft..pro..or even D1 at this point???

 

The questions you should be asking are things like:  What goals should we have to get him recruited?   What summer team should he be playing for?  What showcase events should he attend?  Not, should we hold him back..That is just so ridiculous.  How do you know he wont get hurt at some point?  better yet, how would you feel if you held him back and suddenly during his senior year he tears his rotator cuff?  If he's as good as you believe, he will shine.  A year wont make that much difference.

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