Social Media Influencer said:

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he turned out a whole lot like Ken Caminiti, but not in the way we hoped.

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yikes. Hope everything is ok.

Bonnettecj1 said:

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Bo Darville said:

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Bonnettecj1 said:

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1. You have no idea how I parent or how my kids act.
2. When you hear, "Dad I want to play on X team", that is a goal set by the child. I don't force him to do anything.
3. I "let him be a kid". He's in love with the game of baseball and begs me daily to play catch with him. And I do, among other things.
4. I did not start this thread for parenting advice from *******s like yourself. If you think what I'm doing is wrong, that's your opinion. Raise your own children and let me raise mine.

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Let me guess, you also think sports "build character" and teach "life lessons"?

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Absolutely it does.

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Of course it does. Make sure to put plenty of those character building motivational sports posters on his wall too.

Claude! said:

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Bonnettecj1 said:

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I never asked for advice on how to raise my child. I asked what I should expect when it comes to select baseball.

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Little champion, you asked a question on the general board. You're lucky you got as many on-target responses as you did. Hell, even the kid raising responses were at least in the ballpark (a little baseball pun for you there). Most of the time it's monkeys banging away on typewriters in here.

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He's especially lucky since he never posted a pic of the kid's mom's cans, or even described them

Damn it m, I bout the Ford Expedition, my son doesn't stand a chance

Hey Zeus said:

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Here is the recipe. Get a Tahoe. Take family vacations in the same spot in Florida every year. Name your kid Colton. Go to Academy and buy a $400 bat. Sign up for some team named the Texas Rattlers or something similar. Spend all your money you should be saving for your kids college fund in travel ball. Have your kid burnout out when he is 16. Wait for kid to hate you.

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Hey now, if things go well he may get a walk on spot at a JUCO and brag to the other dads about his kid playing "college ball" and it was all worth it.

Good post and spot on with the assessment. I would imagine your last sentence is correct as well.

Still haven't confirmed if kid's mom has big cans......

My son played baseball for 2 years....I think? We stopped playing baseball soon after the Wednesday games would go until 9pm. I remember sitting in the stands thinking about how hungry I was and the wife being concerned about school work. That was the end of baseball. It was a shame because my sone was really good.

We ended up playing youth soccer. I coached and earned a "C" License at some point. The great thing about soccer were the short 1 hour Saturday games. I enjoyed coaching and my son hated to play for me initially because I used him as a whipping stone. I did not want to be that dad that favored his son and treated him as a super star. It was dicey for both of us. So when he was U12 I did not invite him back to my team. Said I coached to enjoy the moment and not to fight with him. So for one year he played for a buddy of mine......he learned that I wasn't so bad. His new coached coddled his fat over weight kid, only played his favorite kids with purpose. Never condemned his kid while ripping everyone else. The strategy he routinely used was to send the ball to his fat, immature son so he could score. The team was there to help Geoffrey look good. After the second season my hard headed son said he would like to come back to my team and that he understood why I was hard on him. Never had another issue after that.

I had parents at U-12 start talking me about the need for their son to have a college scholarship. These were the same parents who thought there son was a pure forward or defender and would get upset if I played them somewhere else. These kids where in their development stage so I would play them in every position so they could learn all aspects of playing soccer.

I was fortunate. My goal was to have my son play and contribute to his high school soccer team. Prior to age 16 I stopped coaching my again. This time it was because he was playing at a high level and I could not effectively coach at that level. So he played for the Select teams and eventually started to play as a Arkansas RUSH team goal keeper/defender. Every Friday night he would fly somewhere to play a weekend of soccer games in some distant state. Soccer at the highest level.

He played as a starter on his high school team for all 4 years. He ended playing collegiate soccer for two years till Academics took over. My son will graduate here in May with a Mechanical Engineering Degree and satisfying the Pre-Dental program. He is set to join the Navy in May in return for the Navy to pay for Dental School.

So be aware and accept the path that your son may get burned out on baseball. Let him enjoy the game. Do not discuss losses immediately on the drive home. Have him set the goal of playing high school baseball and support him in that goal. I would highly recommend a ongoing private trainer. I used the women's goal keeper coach from 9th grade to 2 year in college to continually train , develop and evaluate his skills it allowed me the freedom to avoid soccer politics. (This was probably the smartest thing I did).

The success in High School and playing for AR just helped the college opportunity to materialize.

Enjoy the time with your kids, avoid the crazy hyper competitive parents, and keep accessing whether you kid is happy. Happiness is the ultimate key and don't get your feeling hurt if your son says he doesn't want to play anymore.

There is a lot to consider with this decision.

I have two older boys (29 & 26) and one younger (11). Since I was a fair (not great) athlete in high school, I thought the older boys would be as well - meaning they might be able to play in high school, but that's it. They turned out to be a lot better than I expected with both winning athlete of the year at their middle school (with about 500 kids at each grade level) in both 7th and 8th grade. We did select basketball 13U with the older son when he was recruited by a good friend to join his team. While the level of play was much better than middle school, we hated how it totally took over our weekends with travel & tournaments. Also, playing time was politically assigned. We didn't have any personal conflict, but the parents with kids who played the same position as the coach's two sons did. We chose not to play again.

Fast forward through high school - both sons lettered for 3 or 4 years in 2 sports each. By graduation, one was done and the other went on to play D1 football at an FCS school. The caliber of play at that school was surprisingly good (he has 8 teammates who have played in the NFL and a good friend who has made the MLB). He noted that, with the exception of football, every athlete he met at the school played select, elite, or whatever it's called for their sport, in addition to playing for their high school.

Now with the 11 year old, we are facing the decision of whether or not to play select baseball (his favorite sport). He's played Little League and is a solid player. Looking at the competition, I would project him to be able to play high school ball, but it's only likely if we move to select, which is where all the best players are playing. I don't like this emphasis on early training, but it's reality. When my oldest played QB, he went to one 3-day camp at 13 and got a head start on that position. Now there's a very good year-round QB school here where kids as young as 6 and 7 are starting to learn the position, and continue all the way through high school and beyond. In my option, he would not be able to complete now without doing the same.

The trick is figuring out how to balance all this stuff. Good luck!

Bonnettecj1 said:

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My 9 year old made a select team for this fall. We are a startup, but his sights are set on a bigger, more well known team.

What, as a parent who's never done select ball, should I expect from select baseball? Is it fun for the kids but hell on the parents, or a good time for all involved?

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Congrats on having a kid with goals beyond pressing buttons with his thumbs!

My advice is to light his butt up if he doesn't hustle, but cheer him up if his skills don't bring him success...and look for a coach that does the same at that age.

If he isn't starting - it's on him to work at getting where he wants to be, and it's on him to communicate that to the coach. If it's because the coach is playing favorites work behind the scenes to find another opportunity.

If you can afford it...and he continues to show ability and desire to play the game...get him on a team with paid coaches. Paid coaches don't put up with parent BS and they have nothing to prove. For the most part they just enjoy teaching the game. That makes for a much looser peaceful atmosphere. Some paid coaches, however, are lazy and find excuses to practice as little as possible. Whoever it is - I learned to watch a game and watch a practice before committing to a team if possible.

If your son pitches - tell the coach up front you expect him to strictly follow the ASMI pitch count guidelines...otherwise you go elsewhere.

He'll want a new $400 bat each season....tell him "It's not the arrow it's the Indian"

We usually skipped Fall ball but still saw an orthopedic specialist for shoulder x2, elbow and back injuries over the years. Once he proves himself and gets established on a good team I'd consider doing another sport in the Fall. Overuse injuries are a real concern when bones are growing fast.

I won't bore you with brags...have the experience and the skins to speak here.

Good luck and God bless!

Just wanted to recommend Dr. Bramhall and his group in Bryan if any of your children have arm, shoulder, or knee problems. They are worth the drive if you live anywhere in Texas.

Is the overall dynamic the same with basketball?

I'm a gem x'er that grew up loving the game of baseball, and grinned like crazy to get better. With all that said, I almost hope that my son never wants to play baseball past the 7-9 age range. I got a late start at being a parent, and I've watched two separate generations of kids go through, ahem..., "select" baseball, and it's just not for me as a parent. I'd rather spend my weekends with the kids doing family activities like fishing, or playing golf together, or just about anything but all day baseball every weekend.

To each their own.

Corrections:

Gen x'er
Grinded

I want select football for myn11 year old.

Is there a method in place for an embryo to get reps on turning two, or going to the opposite field?

Buford T. Justice said:

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Is there a method in place for an embryo to get reps on turning two, or going to the opposite field?

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If they can't I support late tem abortion's.

Not many FBS teams put 8 guys in the NFL. I assume your son's FCS team went far in the playoffs.

Little League baseball has it's positives and it's a great introduction to the game, team sports, etc. I think it's a great starting point for T-ball and maybe a year or so of coach pitch. Outside of that, there are really no positives for any kid that is decent and serious about baseball.

There are LL kids out there just to try out a new game, there are parents that don't want their kids playing video games all day, so they make them play LL, etc. It's kind of like mixing AP, regular classes, and special ed -- but at a certain point -- the AP kids have almost all left for select baseball. From the competition level aspect, to the practice restrictions, it's not fair to keep a more advanced kid in LL. What are they really learning when 80% of the team has to be taught the basics at a 9u+ level? What are they gaining by facing pitchers that can't throw strikes? What are they gaining by having routine outs pass for hits? What are they gaining position wise with little dribble balls hit to the pitcher? Also, it's not fair for the more casual player to face a more advanced player. Oh, and USSSA has much better rules starting at 9U -- leads, running on 3rd strike dropped ball, etc.

Finding the right team is probably the most important aspect. As said in this thread, you either have professional (paid) coaches or you usually have parents coaching. Of course, the pro coaches usually run academies and big orgs, but outside of costing you more, it's not really a guarantee of anything. Our team was mostly poached from the local Little League and we added a few players from elsewhere. Most of the better kids, have pretty athletic parents. We have minor league dads, college baseball (both mom's and dad's. No mom's coach, but we have two high level softball moms) players and just an all-around pretty good mix of talent when it comes to coaching the game.

You are going to be around this team a lot. We practice twice during the week and we usually play at least 3 to 6 games on Saturday and Sunday. When it's not an official practice, you can pretty much find other kids meeting up to practice every day on the team GroupMe. You are also spending time at the bars, sporting events, parties, etc. with these families. You are talking to and are with these people all of the time. This isn't parents pushing these kids, either. My son comes home after practice and wants to practice more in the yard. I love baseball, but his desire burns me out on the practice aspect at times.

Outside of being around these people all the time, you need to find a team that fits your level of travel. If you're in a major city, you can find multiple tournaments every weekend. With that said, some teams just love to travel all over to play. Our team usually keeps it close by and we schedule breaks for major football games, Holidays and the like.

As far as the tourneys -- it's high level baseball for the most part. The parents are knowledgeable and you don't really see much BS from the parents. Expect to hear a lot of music from the team boomboxes. Expect to pay daily to get into the tournaments watch your kid play. Expect to see good baseball. Expect it to be a lot of fun.

I will add to it as I proof read and/or think of more things.

Edit - Download the Game Changer app. Someone from your team or the other team will be updating the game stats.

Buy the Marucci Cat 8 or always the newest Marucci Cat alloy series bat. Don't waste your money on any other bats.

Question for those of you that have had interactions with MLB scouts. Do they still have the opinion that they can teach people with speed to hit, catch and throw, or are they looking at people that can hit, catch and throw, and see if they can make them fast?

I dont know about all of these comments. My son plays select baseball. He loves it. Its him and all of his buddies. They win more than they lose, but none of them talk at all about college ball. They just want to be as good as their brothers and the older boys wearing the same uniform.

Maybe its cause he is 8.

I'm not reading all the comments. Sorry.

My 8 year old played select baseball this past spring. The coaching was excellent. It is a major time commitment especially on the weekends, which can completely dissolve due to tournaments. The parents weren't bad. No one talked baseball above what we were playing - no high school or college talk. My son wasn't the best. He wasn't the worst. Good bat. Average in the field. Plus plus speed.

All that said, we aren't playing this fall and won't play that level again. And likely won't play baseball again.

Because my son doesn't love it. I don't even think he liked it towards the end. That was the key.

So if your child loves the sport and is willing to put in the hours away from the team to improve, by all means go for it. He should enjoy the experience. But you cannot force him to love it, a lesson I have learned and took to heart this year.

Buford T. Justice said:

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Question for those of you that have had interactions with MLB scouts. Do they still have the opinion that they can teach people with speed to hit, catch and throw, or are they looking at people that can hit, catch and throw, and see if they can make them fast?

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In order of importance.
1. God given ability to throw a ball hard and far
2. Hit for power
3. God given ability to run fast

They can teach everyone how to hit for contact and how to field. The above three things are unteachable and are gifts from God.

Hey Zeus said:

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Here is the recipe. Get a Tahoe. Take family vacations in the same spot in Florida every year. Name your kid Colton. Go to Academy and buy a $400 bat. Sign up for some team named the Texas Rattlers or something similar. Spend all your money you should be saving for your kids college fund in travel ball. Have your kid burnout out when he is 16. Wait for kid to hate you.

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I still have a hard time believing that there needs to be a 'select' league for coach pitch. My wife is asked daily by other parents about having my Kindergarten boy joining a select league.

My only advice to the OP is that he let Junior bat with the giant stick that he seems to have up his a**. Should be a guaranteed homer every time.

PearlJammin said:

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The high school coaches expect you to continue playing select/club ball all through summer and the rest of the school year. They ask players this question during annual player interviews.

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The UIL has very clear policies about club sports participation being required/expected by HS coaches. Basically, its a great way to get kicked out of the playoffs and lose your job. Fortunately for many coaches, most players & parents have no idea what the rules are nor how poor their HS baseball coach's integrity is.

My boy is the same age playing in the same tournaments. I think you make a good point about your son dropping out. We had three kids not come back this season not because they were not any good but because they wanted to do something else.

My son walks around the house pretending to hit a baseball. His favorite channel is MLB. All he wants to do is play.

50-60 games a year aint for every kid, but it is for a lot of kids. My son would play more if we would let him. If that ever changes that is fine too. Hell I don't care what he does as long as he stays active.

Houston hosts a T-Ball "National Championship' tournament every year or two. I know those 4 & 5 year olds are eager to "grind" to get that hardware.

Yea I am going to go ahead and disagree with all of that. But thanks for the free advice.

It's a shame that things have become so specialized at such young ages, all in the name of a business that realized there was a buck to be made and much of which plays on fear of being left behind skill-wise.

DannyDuberstein said:

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It's a shame that things have become so specialized at such young ages, all in the name of a business that realized there was a buck to be made and much of which plays on fear of being left behind skill-wise.

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I do agree with this to a certain extent, but I dont think thats the entire story. I have only been in select for two years, but for us it is a bunch of kids who are all friends playing ball with each other and a bunch of parents who are friends hanging out on the weekends. The kids have a blast. The parents have a blast.

Is it too much for some kids. Sure. Is it too much for some parents. Of course. But is it all just this crazy unhealthy hyper competitive money grab? Absolutely not. Its a lot of fun for most of the kids and for most of the parents.

I am sure there is a level where it gets out of hand. And I am sure there are some parents that push their kids way too hard. But that's a minority, at least in the younger ages. My opinion may change as they get older.

Didn't say it was all unhealthy. But some of it is. I also think it is ridiculous for an 8-9 year old to be locked in on one sport already. I just think it's unwise to force decisions that require abandoning other sports and activities when kids aren't even 10-11 years old yet, and the business model is designed to do just that.