2 seasons/yr, if you didn't know. Fall and Spring ball.

If you're just being a wise guy then yes, he started at age 1. ;)

Just bought my son the new Demarini CF5. WOW that bat has some pop. He was knocking the fence with it first practice. BIG LL and baseball fan. Last year our team made it to the second round in our regional tournament in NYS. Should have a better team this year to compete for NYS championship.

Two things: First, if it was Miami and he was probably Dominican which means he is closer to 18 then 11.

Second, my Dad and brother are both professional scouts, so can I get the kids name? ;)

True. Very True.  

2 years ago we had a kid who was 12 (legitimately). Who looked big enough to drive himself to the games.  He made contact with the ball on my best pitcher, he hit it to 3rd base.  


..........Of the other field. 

It would have been a homerun in any park in the A.L.  I've never in my life seen a kid under the age of 18 hit a ball as hard and far as that little bastard.

 

We play out of East Cobb in the Atlanta area, which has put about 200 kids in the pros and over 1,000 kids on college scholarships (the list is posted on their website - it includes some very big names). We are used to really good competition every weekend. However, there are a few elite teams in Miami (Team Miami, Team MVP, Mosteel Baseball) which have absolutely astounded me. Team Miami carries 20+ kids on their roster. The kid I referenced hit a legitimate 72 mph on a stalker gun, and he turned 11 this past Christmas (or so his "birth certificate" says). What's more insane is the same team has three others that can all hit 68 mph (most are from Cuban families).

Show up at the 11-and under USSSA Elite 32 tournament if your dad wants to see some prospects. I guarantee there will be at least 10 kids that will hit 70 mph.

You didn't state that they had 2 seasons/year, so how would we know?

Sounds about right.



I'm sure they have eyes and ears there. My dad was the director or scouting for 6 years for a major west coast club, he is now doing advanced scouting for the Tigers. My brother is with a popular east coast team and lives in the southeast so I bet he is familiar with the tournament, though they are a good 7 years before they can really talk to them.

OK, then I'll just have to brag. My 10-year-old niece was one of only a couple girls in the Houston little-league system, and she was among the youngest in the league. Pitched entire games and was pitcher for Houston all-star team. But I have to agree with her: Baseball is boring. She switched to soccer and I'm turning her into quite the Ultimate Frisbee player.

When I was younger, my folks focused too much on academics and even though I was a good athlete, they never encouraged me to join any teams/leagues, other than summer camp.

Once I played competitively in grad school and beyond, I realized what I was missing. Organized sports is just as important as academics, I think.

+1

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I don't know if it's AS important, but I get your drift.  kids should be involved in something.  Whether it's 4H or Football, do something outside.  

Does anybody else remember your mom telling you "Don't come back inside until it's dark".  

That was an every day occurence at my house.  I literally was not allowed in the house after my homework was done, and forget about it in the summer, out by 10am in by 9pm.  Stop in for lunch and dinner.

I am amazed at some of these posts.

NOT ALL KIDS MATURE, PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY, AT THE SAME RATE!!!

Kids not pushing themselves did you really post that?

I've seen all to many kids that were Joe Stud at younger years stop playing because they were burnt out. Like the benjh1028 post my kids played at what would be the football equal to that program. Of all the coaches and managers my kids played for few were what I would call good. I got involved coaching my sons in football because most of these prima donnas knew nothing about the game. My oldest son came up to me and asked why I didn't manage or coach baseball. I told him that I didn't feel comfortable because I never played competitively. He told me that other than 2 managers he learned more about the game from what I taught him than all the other managers.

I dunno. I did organized debate, but it wasn't the same ...

Julie I agree kids should be allowed to find what they like. To experience all that is open to them.

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Especially if you have a daughter.  I am 46 years old and I still play in local softball leagues.  One of my favortite leagues is the coed league, but we have trouble getting enough girls.  I made sure my daughter played every year from t-ball up through last year.  She is now in middle school and doing track so that is fine.  But she can play and not embarrass herself in a pickup game.

Softball is a game you can play well into your 50's and 60's so make sure the kids have a good foundation.  Taking them out and playing catch is one of the best ways to give them confidence.

Good post/topic!

I find this with any sport I play (baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball). I can find girls that are willing to play, but can't find girls that are capable of playing at a semi-competetive level.

I have played ball with girls that can't throw, catch or even hold a bat properly, but I have also played with girls that can out hit a lot of guys (although they are few and far between).

Getting your kids involved in as many sports as they can while they are young will benefit them in the future. Get them involved in baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, golf, football etc... This will allow the kid to see what the sport is like and pick the sport that they want to play.

The biggest thing for parents to remember is that it is their kid that is playing and not them and they shouldn't be forcing the child into playing the sport if they don't want to play. There are numerous sports available and its just a matter of finding the right one for each child hense allowing them to play as many as possible.



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