Youngest player u Have Seen Dominate Varsity Ball?

Wow.  So the 11 y.o. is a 9th grader? 

If you didn't want us to know specifics why would you even mention it?

Very easy to find out who the player and program is by asking who from Orlando area is 11 and plays varsity. 

wow,   pretty young for that..i think my kid was in 5th or 6th grade at 11, he was 17 at graduation..

I think in our state (PA) your only allowed 4 years of play at the varsity level.. Hope  a similar rule doesn't affect this kid

Any sub-9th grader that I have ever heard of playing varsity in Virginia, played at a private school.  Hence, the competition, generally speaking, was not very good.  One exception was Jake Cave.  Ultimately, he transferred to play public school baseball his junior and senior years, I think it was.  Today, he is in the Yankees organization.

That is fantastic BUT I would have to see the size of the school classification he is playing in.  I see on here a lot about sons who are in the ninth grade and moved up to varsity, etc... My 2019 son goes to the biggest classification highschool in my state.  Wednesday we had 8 seniors sign with D1 schools to play baseball.  We had 80 try out for the ninth grade team.  So I can assure you that even a ninth grader throwing low 80s, with an incredible change up and curve ball, who hits like a mad man, has a vacuum cleaner glove at short stop...guess what?  No moving up to varsity because there are 17-18 year olds ahead of him that are even better.  

Doogie Howser jr? Seriously how is an 11 yr old in HS? Pretty sure a young 11 would be in 6th grade.

I made an inquiry. This for sure isn't someone known to college coaches and more than likely plays in a small private school in a small classification and the player skipped grades. Not the next Bruce Harper. Why someone would place an 11 year old into 9th grade is disturbing, but that's the power of paying for education.

Maybe the kid is a freak of nature, maybe he got lucky.  One performance does not make a career.

Regardless, I'd really have to question the level of competition...

I watched the #1 PG ranked player for 2017 play at 11 years old.  He was hitting solid 300 foot shots at that age, and had a great arm.  Completely dominating against competition his age.  However if he had tried to hang with the players from the - at the time - large classification state champion school across the street from the park, they would have had him for lunch.  By his freshman year he was a dominating high school player, but not at 11 years old.

Hmmmm. I thought Groundhog day was Tuesday?

You keep using the word dominate. I don't think it means what you think it means.

Seriously, though, I've seen a kid who had just finished 7th grade, I guess he was 13, pitch effectively against a Division 1 (largest classification) school in a summer league game. But not dominate. 

Sorry - late night, sick child.  The player is in 6th grade. Dominate.. used loosely. Certainly did well. And, yes, this is a private school thus I said the competition wasn't the highest. The player is about 4' 8" and 75 lbs.. a typical leadoff speed guy in 11u.. not the next Bryce Harper by any means. Maybe a chance for the next Joe Morgan down the road.  haha  As for eligibility, the Florida HSAA said the child has 5 years of eligibility starting in grade 9.. any years before grade 9 do not count. I'm not sure if the NCAA has a different rule.

11 years old? How old was he when he first played on the big field? 11 would make him young for Little League.

I have seen some 13 year olds stand out against 17-18 year olds.  I remember seeing one 12 year old pitcher that could have done well against 17-18 year olds.  But a 4'8/75 lb 11 year old?  Not only the youngest to do what he did, but also the smallest.

I would like to see him play.

For anyone interested, here’s California’s overall eligibility rule.

 

EIGHT (8) CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS REQUIREMENT- See also 201.A.(2)

1. Definition of a Semester of Attendance

The first time any student has been entered on the attendance roll for 15 school days in the 9th grade, and/or in any classes taken subsequent to the completion of the 8th grade, at any school whether the student has physically been in attendance at those classes for all 15 days or not, or has played in an interscholastic athletic contest, the CIF will count that as the student’s first semester of high school eligibility.

B.Eight (8) Consecutive Semester Rule

A student who first enters the 9th grade of any school following the student’s completion of the 8th grade in any school may be eligible for athletic competition during a maximum period of time that is not to exceed eight (8) consecutive semesters following the initial enrollment in the 9th grade of any school and/or in any classes taken subsequent to the completion of the 8th grade, whether or not the student is enrolled in school, whether or not the student is academically or otherwise eligible and whether or not the student avails themselves of the opportunity to participate in interscholastic sports during this time. Eligibility is only available during the student’s first eight (8) consecutive semesters of enrollment in high school (grades 9-12).

 

4seamer posted:

Sorry - late night, sick child.  The player is in 6th grade. Dominate.. used loosely. Certainly did well. And, yes, this is a private school thus I said the competition wasn't the highest. The player is about 4' 8" and 75 lbs.. a typical leadoff speed guy in 11u.. not the next Bryce Harper by any means. Maybe a chance for the next Joe Morgan down the road.  haha  As for eligibility, the Florida HSAA said the child has 5 years of eligibility starting in grade 9.. any years before grade 9 do not count. I'm not sure if the NCAA has a different rule.

 4seamer,

 Just out of curiosity I looked up the FHSAA rule to see how it compared to ours. I doubt it’s a big deal, but if you were told they have 5 years of eligibility, it sure looks like you were told wrong. The following comes out of the 2015-2016 FHSAA Constitution & Bylaws.

 9.5 LIMIT OF ELIGIBILITY

9.5.1 High School Student Has Four Years of Eligibility.

A student is limited to four consecutive school years of eligibility beginning with school year he/she begins ninth grade for the first time. This does not imply that the student has four years of participation. After four consecutive school years, the student is permanently ineligible.

9.5.1.1 Student Whose Limit of Eligibility Expires During Sports Season.

A student whose four-year limit of eligibility expires during the season of a sport in which the student is participating may complete the season if the student continues to meet all other eligibility requirements. The student, however, will not be permitted to participate in any other sport that begins after his/her limit of eligibility has expired.

9.5.1.2 Participation Prior to High School Does Not Affect Limit of Eligibility.

A student’s four-year limit of high school eligibility is not affected by the student’s Participation in interscholastic athletics before beginning the ninth grade for the first time.

9.5.2 A 6th, 7th or 8th Grade Student Has 1-Year Limit of Eligibility in Each Grade.

A 6th, 7th or 8th grade student may participate only one year in each grade level. A 6th, 7th or 8th grade student who repeats a grade will not be eligible during the grade being repeated.

 

 

That's good stuff coach. Thank you for sharing. I probably heard 4 but thought 5.. my bad, I'm sure. He better not move to CA, huh?

Delmon Young was age 13 when the scouts and myself  selected Delmon to play in the Area Code games. Many complaints from the parents in the 818 Area Code, however selection was never based on seniority but talent.

He played in 5 Area Code events and three Goodwill Series International events.

Bob

<www.goodwillseries.org>

My son's Freshman year in High School got a chance to play Varsity. Unfortunate circumstance for a rising senior that became ineligible. That team had 9 Seniors on it with 7 starting. My son was the only Freshman on the team. He started out batting 7th in the order.. First game he goes 4-4.  Steadily moved up the order throughout the year.  Fast forward to the state Championship game best of 3 we lost the final game playing in 3A in North Carolina ended the year 28-5, our school is now 4A. He was batting clean-up at more than half the year. Ended up with a .484 batting average, 35 RBI, 14 doubles and broke the school record for hits in a season with 53 surpassing Big Leaguer Alex White.  This year he is a Senior.  Up until this past Summer he had not participated in a lot of PG events over the years due to various reasons but with dad shades put aside he is one of the best in game hitters and approach players I have seen.

When I was in college Demetri Young,  as a 7th grader,  would come take BP with the team.  At first it was kind of like wow the kid can hit a little.  It eventually turned into our top Senior pitcher throwing game sims at him.  Demetri could really rake, even at that age.  He moved to California the next year and I lost track of him until he made the majors.  His brother Delmon was in elementary school and would watch from the fence and laugh.  Good memory, I had forgotten all about.

5'8" rising 8th grader (13 yrs old) LHP playing for local high school's summer team in wooden bat 19U league. Threw 3 middle relief innings in each of 4 games pitched, total of 3 earned runs, 10Ks, 6BBs. 78mph FB max with a tail wind, mostly soft stuff to disrupt the batters' timing. Frustrated high school and rising college freshmen at the plate. Heady experience for the kid, somewhat embarassing to the college-bound players.

4seamer posted:

That's good stuff coach. Thank you for sharing. I probably heard 4 but thought 5.. my bad, I'm sure. He better not move to CA, huh?

No Problem. It was just that 5 years sounded strange, and I was thinking it might have something to do with MS players playing on one of the HS teams. I think your guess about hearing one thing but remembering another is pretty much right on. That demonstrates why I don’t trust coaches who trust their memories when it comes to player performance rather than looking at stats. It’s not that they purposely get things wrong, but memories and perceptions are fickle.

Stats4Gnats posted:

4seamer posted:

That's good stuff coach. Thank you for sharing. I probably heard 4 but thought 5.. my bad, I'm sure. He better not move to CA, huh?

 

"That demonstrates why I don’t trust coaches who trust their memories when it comes to player performance rather than looking at stats. It’s not that they purposely get things wrong, but memories and perceptions are fickle.

Congratulations Stats.  You've just reached 5,000 posts where you have managed to state this same point - Point #2 of your 5-point agenda.

As you are very aware, we coaches here fully appreciate your constant reminder of our ineptitude.

4seamer posted:

Sorry - late night, sick child.  The player is in 6th grade. Dominate.. used loosely. Certainly did well. And, yes, this is a private school thus I said the competition wasn't the highest. The player is about 4' 8" and 75 lbs.. a typical leadoff speed guy in 11u.. not the next Bryce Harper by any means. Maybe a chance for the next Joe Morgan down the road.  haha  As for eligibility, the Florida HSAA said the child has 5 years of eligibility starting in grade 9.. any years before grade 9 do not count. I'm not sure if the NCAA has a different rule.

 

I find this to be a bit ridiculous.  First, you made us think that he was in 9th grade, you never stated it was a small private school, more than likely the school a perocial situation as most in FL do cover grades K-12 and most of their athletics are pretty blah.  Second, you gave wrong info about eligibility. And you said the kid dominated which I don't think he did and I don't think  that you actually know what that means.

AND, this was a pre season tournament. I dont know if there are exceptions because of that. The regular HS season has not begun here.

Its not unusual for programs, college and pro ball (for some of the smaller market  teams) to have  hard throwing pitchers as starter, then through in a guy way slower.

There was a guy in the Texas League when son was there, trying to think of his name, who came in relief and threw 80mph and made guys look silly.  I am sure that you all have also heard of the smaller D1 programs throwing their crafty lefty against the power D1 program and winning. 

Once again, I asked about this player and FWIW, he certainly isnt on anyone's radar at this time but as mentioned, the info was sketch and still in IMO.

Yes, Dimitri was in our 2nd Area Code games at age 15. He joined our American team for the tour to Korea and 1989 Goodwill Series with the National team of Korea. This team members included 6 future MLB players.

Bob

Sounds a bit like a hoax.  At 4'8" and 75 lbs...  the best small 11yo I had ever seen was from texas.  He is known by one of our other posters here.  At 11 he was just bumping up against 70.  Upper 60's at 11 is just crazy fast.  70+ is basically otherworldly.   This kid I saw was actually on the smaller side.  Don't remember what that would have been at 11.  So lets just say this kid is crazy fast at say 68mph.  If there us a varsity team out there who can't hit a 4'8" kid throwing 68mph then I certainly don't want to see them play.  If this kid were throwing say 70 he would be known.  The kid I saw the entire tournament was buzzing about him.  People were walking away from their own game to watch him for a few seconds.  We played against him but he did not pitch that game.  Pretty good hitter too.  You don't forget those kids.  So why does nobody seem to know this kid?

cabbagedad posted:

Stats4Gnats posted:

4seamer posted:

That's good stuff coach. Thank you for sharing. I probably heard 4 but thought 5.. my bad, I'm sure. He better not move to CA, huh?

 

"That demonstrates why I don’t trust coaches who trust their memories when it comes to player performance rather than looking at stats. It’s not that they purposely get things wrong, but memories and perceptions are fickle.

Congratulations Stats.  You've just reached 5,000 posts where you have managed to state this point - Point #2 of your 5-point agenda.

As you are fully aware, we coaches here fully appreciate your constant reminder of our ineptitude.

And he never corrected the, "thanks coach".

Is his gramps the former MLBer Sidd Finch?

2020dad posted:

Sounds a bit like a hoax. .. So why does nobody seem to know this kid?

Really?? I came all the way here to post a hoax? Puh-lease.

A couple of their family vids from the game:

http://goo.gl/jPmkUl
http://goo.gl/jxqQIL

The kid's no phenom (although he did make a couple of phenominal plays at second, but I didn't mention that earlier). Just ballsy. Had a good game. Simple as that.

Thanks for posting the videos.  That explains a lot.  TPM nailed it.  Kinda cute.  Small better-than-average 11 y.o. stepping in vs a very low level private school HS team.  Certainly didn't qualify in any manner as "dominating" but cute and I'm sure a lot of the parents got a big kick out of him having some success against the older boys. 

To answer the OP's question, it almost never happens because most HS feds don't allow a player that young to play at the HS level and most HS teams are not nearly as "competitively challenged" as the one in the video so a player like this would not belong on the field quite yet at the HS V level.

Still, I'm sure the parents were proud and it was a memorable day for them.

We're not talking about a phenom.  We're talking about a low competitive environment where any decent 11 y.o. club playing ball player with a little bit of polish could step in and have a bit of success on occasion.

That boy looks pretty darn good to me.  Especially considering his size and age.  When he grows bigger and stronger he might end up being extra good.  That bigger field is a big difference maker, even for some 13 year olds.

Guess I always worry about some strong kid hitting a screaming liner back through the middle. Even if the competition isn't very good, I'm sure they have much more strength than our little 11 year old.

In Virginia, according to VHSL rules, an 11 year old wouldn't even be allowed on the field for Varsity nor JV.  Preseason game or not. 

Even 8th graders can't play on Varsity.  If no MS team, then 8th graders can play JV.

Le's see how this kid does against a well coached talented varsity.  I'm sure they'll light him up sooner or later.

Well if there is ever a controversy about eligibility we got the vids. For some reason I can't get them to play. 

Who posts videos of other kids playing  ball on a website?

TPM posted:

Who posts videos of other kids playing  ball on a website?

haha - good question. A scout with Prep Baseball Report and a reporter with Brighthouse Sports Network wanted to see them. I just helped the family. I guess the kid's in the running for Player of the Week.

Threw another inning last night.. walked first batter, he stole second, and the kid got mad and picked him off second, then got the next two batters to ground out weakly. Went 0-3 at the plate but two of the AB's were softer line drives that landed in OF gloves.

I know this isn't your son but I am assuming maybe he plays with your son and you did mention your player was home schooled.....hmmmm.  Is this player as well?

However, did you ask if you could post a video of the kid?

TPM posted:

I know this isn't your son but I am assuming maybe he plays with your son and you did mention your player was home schooled.....hmmmm.  Is this player as well?

However, did you ask if you could post a video of the kid?

not my son.. my youngin' is 12 and I have no desire to let him play varsity baseball regardless of the level of play. Yes, permission granted for use of vids.

cabbagedad posted:

Congratulations Stats.  You've just reached 5,000 posts where you have managed to state this same point - Point #2 of your 5-point agenda.

As you are very aware, we coaches here fully appreciate your constant reminder of our ineptitude.

That’s where you and so many others make your biggest mistake. I don’t believe coaches are inept at all! I believe they’re human, and humans have been proven over and over to not have the best memories, and allow biases to cloud their perceptions.

If you want to continue to believe by some miracle when a person becomes a coach they suddenly acquire the ability to remember with precision every single thing that every player did, and keep it in context with the situation and all the other players, go ahead and keep kidding yourself.

If an early or preteen is playing varsity chances are it's a private school. If he's dominating the game chances are the opponent is Little Sisters of Mercy.

A team in our area was a USA Today Top 25 team. But some of the teams in their private school conference were the Little Sisters. They put up big football scores against these teams. Their JV team would be in the game by the third inning.

Some of the players for the Little Sisters couldn't dream of making varsity on a below average public high school team on their best day.

Until I know the circumstances of a pre high school age kid dominating a high school game I can't get excited.

Reading this post has been a little strange to me. First thing that came to mind was why would any adult put an 11 yr old on a 60 ft mound in the first place. As the post went on I became intrigued to see that maybe this kid was some kind of phenom. Then I saw the videos, confirm my thought of why would any adult put this kid on a 60 ft mound bc he had a hard time getting the ball there. He did how ever put a nice swing on a ball.

I think this kid has some talent but I don't see a domination of Varsity ball.   I do see it as a way for this kid to get injured, playing against young men. 

PA2016Backstopdad posted:

Reading this post has been a little strange to me. First thing that came to mind was why would any adult put an 11 yr old on a 60 ft mound in the first place. As the post went on I became intrigued to see that maybe this kid was some kind of phenom. Then I saw the videos, confirm my thought of why would any adult put this kid on a 60 ft mound bc he had a hard time getting the ball there. He did how ever put a nice swing on a ball.

When my rugrat was 11 and wanted to throw, we always used the 60/90 field, and he couldn’t throw much more than 60. The reason I did was to help him with accuracy more than anything, but I knew when he played his last game as a 12YO in the regular LLI season, a week later he’d be playing on the LLJr team, and they used the 60/90.

He didn’t have to throw any harder, but he did have to be one heck of a lot more accurate. The main reason being, I’m handicapped and had to do all my catching in a chair or on a bucket, and didn’t chase anything! The 1^st summer he played on the regular Jr team, no pitcher went over 70. The next spring when the The next spring when they gunned all the pitchers, of the 8 new pitchers, only 2 didn’t.

I refused to have him do like so many other kids when they 1^st try to pitch on the 60/90 field and have such a difficult time trying to get the ball to and over the plate. It didn’t cost anyone anything, and judging from his career after that, it didn’t hurt him one bit either. Now would I have let him pitch in a game at that distance at that age? I seriously doubt it because there wasn’t any reason I could see nor did I see anything to prove.

lionbaseball posted:

I think this kid has some talent but I don't see a domination of Varsity ball.   I do see it as a way for this kid to get injured, playing against young men. 

I have to admit that I agree with you!