What are the signs that your son has a chance to play past HS?

I've had two sons play college baseball, and this is the best advice I ever received in that regard, meaning determining if they can play at a higher level:

Look for a kid that looks like he belongs in a higher league. If a player looks like he belongs in a higher level, or with older kids, and that continues through high school, there's a good likelihood he can keep playing. Superior talent/abilities will stand out, but different kids mature at different ages so it may not be the case that a kid has been dominant all of his "career", but look for someone that looks like he would do fine at a higher level. Unscientific but about as well as I can state it.

Unsolicited opinions are often just asking for trouble, but when you are offering unsolicited praise, you are usually safe.

Tell the mom you think her son shows a lot of promise and ask her if he or she have ever thought about playing beyond high school. Then you can suggest that if they are interested, you could introduce her to the coach of a high level travel team who could take it from there in terms of telling them the path from here to there and what would be involved.

Ultimately the boy has to decide how bad he wants it. Many a talented player has fallen by the wayside because he took the easy way out (all the readily available excuses) instead of accepting what would be required and finding ways to make it happen.

The travel team that we had at that age sponsored tournaments to raise funds and required players to work the gate and/or concession stand to earn their keep on the roster. So you don't always have to spend a fortune to travel. Sometimes you just have to want it bad enough to do your time in the grunt work.

And if you don't, you don't.

He has played on some local AA teams but I have mentioned to the mom about playing no some showcase type teams.

The boy lives and breaths baseball and I just want to help him out as best I can. Thanks for the help guys.

OA5II - I think you are evidence of knowing that the kid has what it takes - because you are NOT his parent, and you are showing interest. I find that when the kid is really talented when other people (coaches/fans/parents/players) notice him. Now, of course, it is up to him to take it to the next level - sounds like he is lucky to have you!

Here's a starting point...

Does he have good grades?

How big are his mother and father?

Does anyone else with baseball knowledge share your opinion (scout, college coach, select team coach, high school coach, opposing coach)?

Has he been invited to play on a select team? Is it the top one around?

Is he fast? (look on this website for what that means)

Does he throw harder than the other kids?

Does he work hard when no one's watching him or directing him to do it?


Although Hokieone gives good advice - I think some kids can look much better than they really are at the age of 15 because they are playing in so-so leagues against so-so teams, and/or are bigger than the other kids. But in the baseball world the pyramid gets narrower at the top as you play against quality opponents.

Mom is about 5'9 and there has never been a dad, so I don't know. He is currently right at 6' and about maybe 150-160. Real thin.

straight A student b/c mama wouldn't let him play other wise and takes the pre-ap/ ap type classes supposedly.

don't know what others think.

I think he could play for a top team, but don't know compared to others his age.

I don't think he throws harder than anyone else, but he plays CF, leadsoff and can just flat out run. I would say his arm is by far his weakest point. I don't think prior to HS he was coached up very well. He is only freshman in HS.

"What are the signs that your son has a chance to play past high school". I always thought my son had the ability to play past HS. I KNEW he had a chance when he was surrounded by scouts and recruiters after a fine performance against a top school in the area. They were there to watch top players on the other team, but became very interested in my son by the end of the game.

Slightly different response, but I KNEW my youngest was going to be pretty good when around age 7 or so, he came up from the basement after playing an imaginary baseball game (using pillows for bases, no ball in sight,over the couch is a dinger, etc.) dripping with sweat and really looking disgusted. I asked why so glum and he says "I gave up a walkoff homer in the bottom of the ninth". I figured if he was that competitive in imaginary games, he'd do all right.

I had to laugh at hokieone's post. I have to agree in that you can see it in a kid and their drive to play the game. When my son was that young (as hokieone's second post) we would get home from a 2 or 3 hours practice and the very first thing out of his mouth was "hey Dad let's play catch."

One time I had a parent comment about how well my son threw the ball. They wanted to know when he started throwing. I replied that I took the glove to the hospital with me when he was born but we didn't start playing catch until he was about a month old!

Kids must have the drive to play at the next level because it takes so much time and effort to play and go to school. So no matter what kind of talent they may have, they must want it bad enough. I believe that is the first element for the neighbors kid. How bad does he want to play?

I think there are two things to look for:

1) The player looks like a man among boys when playing with players in the same age group at the high school level (when phase of puberty is no longer an issue). Not always by size but by ability - does he dominate your attention?

2) When the player shows the desire - is he the first one there and the last one to leave? Is he getting extra work outside of practice? This one is less fool proof but does show up at an earlier age. Some kids never got enough cage time or took enough grounders.

Sounds like the real deal with grades and athletics combined. Freshmen is little early to be buying a ticket but the perfect time to build the dream. If a position player his work effort is paramount without burning him out. Many kids in highschool play because it's fun and have no desire to move on. If the talents there he'll need to prove he can hit high level varsity pitching. In my opinion no easy feat and the primary carrying carrying tool of all position players. Good luck.

How about complaining about a four hour high school practice. Does that mean they don't have the drive?

6.50 sixty
90 mph arm
consistent solid contact
consistent power
gold glove skills in field

PUHdad, not sure it means they don't have the drive but it does appear their mind was on something else or they got bored.

Go to the closest juco college game. Watch 3 or 4 innings. Would the kid look way too out of place on that field? It is pretty easy to tell.