Too small for varsity

william - don't let someone place limitations on you. If you can play better than the other guy(s) at your position then you will play. Ivan Rodriguez is about your size and he is pretty good (huge understatement).

http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/rodriguezi.htm

Also, one of the greatest catchers of all time was Yogi Berra. Owner of more World Series rings than any other player. Also was 3-time league MVP.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/berrayo01.shtml

You could come close to looking eyeball to eyeball with David Eckstein. Joe Morgan was 5'7" and is in the HOF. Freddy Patek, a fine player in the early-mid 1970's was all of about 5'4".

what grade are you in?

I am in the tenth grade.I did'nt play in the ninth because I was in the dominican republic.PS -thanks for the responses

Your big enough to catch. I don't see a big future for you at 1st base. Sorry, just trying to be honest. I don't think anyone can bring up examples of any 5'8" 1st basemen. But there's always a first time.

quote:

I am in the tenth grade.I did'nt play in the ninth because I was in the dominican republic.PS -thanks for the responses

Did you play baseball in the DR.

Your only a sophmore with a few year's of growth left.
Keep playing hard, you will win out in the end.
EH

While I'm not one to challenge PG on anything, the only thing I would say is maybe you should look around at your family members and think about how likely it is that you may continue to grow in height. Some families tend to stop growing in height around age 16. Others continue growing into their college years.

I think the story is that David Robinson, the basketball star, was recruited to the Naval Academy at 6' 7" and left at 7'1". A teammate of my son's, a top player in his own right, went from being a 5'8" freshman to being a 6'4" junior. It can happen!

If you think 5'8" is going to be where you top out, then 2B, SS or C may be where you need to focus your efforts. There's not much of a market for 5'8" first basemen.

If you think you could grow, though, then you don't necessarily have to give up 1B just yet.

william

Don't let anyone tell you that you cannot play because of your size---never ever accept that

This fall our lead off hitter was a 5-6 outfielder

In recent years we had Angel Salome with us and he is a 5-7 catcher who now is rising in the Milwaukee Brewers minor league system


If you have talent you will play

Sometimes size is just an excuse, even from the coach.

If you get an opportunity, MAKE THE MOST OF IT, and get it done.

Mine went from a 5'6" HS Freshman to a 6'1" JR in college.

william, my favorite college team has a catcher who is listed at 5'9" and 150 #. This is a major div. 1 school, so in order to make the team this kid had to be a standout in high school. Work to be the toughest, smartest, smoothest, and quickest catcher on the team and you'll make it.

BTW, my son is a catcher, and is one of the smallest kids on our team (14U). Last year a former high school coach was watching our game and told my son he's the best catcher he's ever seen. It doesn't take physical size to play the position, you just gotta know what you're doing and be dedicated enough to work at it.

Actually, JT, at 5'8" our David Eckstein would be looking up to young William. Eck is listed a 5'7" and 165.....which he admits is a bit enhanced.

But he's also an MI.

For hs, talent is much more important than size. It may take a bit more than usual to get the coach to see what you can do, but their universe of players is more limited. Be ready to strut your stuff at tryouts, and volunteer for bullpens with the varsity pitchers before those tryouts to get them to recognize your skills and mention those skills to Coach.

People see better than they think, William, so look for opportunities to show what you can do; if you can work out somewhere where coach will be, grab a friend and work some drills. You don't 'look' like a catcher, so you'll have to show you're one.

Conversely, the DR is known for middle infielders. Prejudice will be in your favor as an MI, where it may be against you because of your size at catch. Something to consider.

Should you want to play in college, size will be more of a factor. (Another reason to at least consider a position change earlier rather than later.) My son is 6'1", 185lbs and gets a lot of "too skinny to catch" feedback....until they see him play.

William, at 5'8", you're probably playing the single position on the diamond where height matters least. The list of MLB catchers who are approximately your height includes some awfully good ones. Here are a few of the catchers who are in your height range: Brad Ausmus, Mike Lieberthal, Paul LoDuca, Ivan Rodriguez, Ramon Hernandez, Yorvit Torrealba, and there are more I can't think of at the moment. Those guys are all 5'8"-5'10". There are a pile of college catchers who are in this size range.

Catching is the one position more than any other where it doesn't matter how tall you are, even less than middle infield.

Totally agree with the others - don't let size stop you from developing. There have been lots of undersized MLB players.

Heck, how tall was Eddie Gaedel?

If I heard a coach say that a kid was too short for varsity I would immediately say to myself "This guy is a clown". A coach that is in fact a coach and not a clown could careless how tall you are. Can you play? Can you help the team win? Are you the best option to be on the field? Now I would hesitate to put you at first base. Because I like a taller kid there for obvious reasons. But if you were the best option there you would play. As far as catcher who cares how tall you are? Can you get the job done? If the answer is yes then thats all that matters. One of the best players in the nation in the 08 class plays on my sons summer and fall team. He is 5'6 150lbs. He is a second baseman and he is a player! Anyone who tells you you are too short to be on varsity and thats the reason you are not on the team is a clown. If you are too slow, cant hit, cant field, cant throw etc that is a legitimate reason. But too short? Clownville!

THANKS FOR THE RESPONSES Most of my male family members in my dad side of family are six feet.My dad is 5'11.So I might have a chance of growing a couple of inches.But in my mom side of the family everyone is pretty much short.But listening to all of your advices it has come to me that hieght does not matter but talent does. So THANK YOU ALL

William, like the many posters here have said, have hope.

Ok, you're 5'8". And you believe you may grown a few more inches in highschool, right? So that's 5'10". Did you know that most boys grow about 1" AFTER high school? So that's 5'11". And hey, you don't play baseball in your socks so .. what's that? .. 6'0 buddy!

quote:

In recent years we had Angel Salome with us and he is a 5-7 catcher who now is rising in the Milwaukee Brewers minor league system

My son competed with Angel at the 2003 PG showcase in Cape Cod....it was clear then that he was something special...regardless of how tall he was.....

quote:

But there's always a first time.

You betcha!!!

Three words: GO FOR IT !!!
GIVE 110% ALWAYS !!!
YOU CAN DO IT!!!
DONT GIVE UP!!!
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!
NEVER SAY NEVER!!!


Believe in your dreams and make em happen!!!
We're rootin for ya!!!!

Im 5``9,174 at catcher.

If you notice,most catchers arent 6`5,240.They are small and built.

unless you are playing basketball, can't see where your height should matter.

Someday we all really need to get totally honest about height issues in baseball on this website. Until then, we are setting too many young men up for disappointment. And, by the way, that is our fault and not theirs since they come to us to ask for advice and therefore deserve an honest answer. Thanks PG for being the closest so far to recognizing that obligation.

william v.:

If you are still out there, 5'8" is not too small for a good defensive catcher. It is your defensive skills you must work on to make varsity. A good defensive catcher is the most difficult player to find at the high school level of all postion players. That is why size does not matter as much as it does at first base.

At 5'8" and 165 lbs as a sophomore you can always add weight [strength] but not neccesarily height [maybe you will get taller, maybe you won't]. As you have no control over how tall you will be, work on that which you can control. Build yourself up by lifting weights and exercising good nutrtion. You will find a lot of help regarding these areas in the "Strength and Conditioning" Forum on this website. Pay particular attention to anything Jon Doyle says.

No matter what anyone says, there is a bias in baseball [and most oher sports] in favor of taller people. Those of us who are short [under six feet for baseball] must work extra hard to overcome that bias. It has always been that way, it probably always will be.

Good luck.

TW344

TW344,

Heads up, there may be incomming. But your point is seconded from my end. The only problem I have is you cannot kill a dream until that dream has been played out. It's one of those life situations that you know that stats are against you, but you are going to wait for them to take you down. Yes, there are some that beat the odds, but, that's why there are odds.

I'm on board with you also TW344.

Good points rz.

RZ,...I like the way you put your point!

quote:

Heads up, there may be incomming. But your point is seconded from my end. The only problem I have is you cannot kill a dream until that dream has been played out. It's one of those life situations that you know that stats are against you, but you are going to wait for them to take you down. Yes, there are some that beat the odds, but, that's why there are odds.

I give you an A+

And just for the record: I'm a believer when it comes to beating the odds and playing out dreams!

Maybe the following doesn't really answer the height issue... Then again maybe it does!

I've reposted this because the first post was accidently turned into a comedy skit. I think it could have some value to others. Maybe it's a little corny, maybe it's stuff everyone already knows, but it has proven to be a successful plan for more than a few young players.

Do You Believe In Magic?

Being in the holiday spirit, thought I would post this little tidbit from past coaching years. It kind of pertains to a few other threads. For the doubters... I can honestly say, I've seen this formula work well for many young people.

ABRACADABRA

Aim High
Build a strong fundamental foundation
Respect the game always
Act on your desire
Care much more than everyone else
Arm yourself with knowledge
Dream always, they can come true, but not by accident
Achieve consistent improvement
Believe you can do what's necessary
Realize that it won't be easy
Adjust to the pit falls

It's not really magic at all! It's not just about baseball either!

Those who follow "ABRACADABRA" will not allow others to keep them from being successful. If one dream ends, another takes it's place.

In all seriousness PG...that is a fine list and easy enough to remember...thanks for reposting it.