Does anyone have any knowledge about the Texas Baseball Ranch in Montgomery, Texas? My son's pitching coach wants my son to go. He's only 9 so I find it a little intense. I just wanted to get some others input.

Ron knows his stuff. I've never been personally (was supposed to take my 13yo over xmas, but it didn't work out), but have talked with people who have taken their kids and with a D3 college pitching coach who are high on him.

It looks amazing....but he's only 10. He only pitches 55 mph on a good day....it sounds a little hard core for someone so young. What do you think?!? All the 'professionals' in his life are pushing for it. I'm just 'the mom' forced to make the decision on my own....

Does your kid want to go?

I don't know anything about the camp. Is it a week (3-5 days) over-night camp?

I'll speak to a social aspect...
I do know when I was 10, my parents let me go to a football camp at a University. LOVED IT. They had a number of College\NFL players and coaches.

Having to be responsible for getting myself ready and on the field in time (with what was expected), without mommy and daddy... learning to be responsible to make it to each practice (on time), and not spend the day pissing away playing foosball, helped kids determine whether they were committed to doing what it will take, and whether or not it is mommy and\or daddy's commitment. Having to feed myself at a cafeteria...

I'm considering sending two kids about that age, to a Camp at A&M this summer.

Part of growing up from a boy to a man includes "rights of passage." Consider that benefit even beyond whether you (or others) think this will be great for his career choice in baseball.

My biggest concerns are hazing and Sanduskies...

He's begging to go! It's a little different than a tamc camp though. There's no housing so you stay off campus. I'd send his dad down there to stay with him at a local hotel. He's no stranger to sleep away camps and sleep away sports camps (he's been to several)...my main area of concern was the wear and tear on his pitching arm with the intense pitching focus for 5 days. It appears to be for kids that are looking at college play time. My kid just plays select ball in Dallas.....

A friend's son used to play for the Patriots.

I know them well! My son plays for DBAT Mustangs....

Sandusky

I have heard that it is intense and that you really need to be prepared to work. Again, that was speaking to parents who have taken 12-13 year olds.

really not trying to be negative...but a 10 year old has no business going to a pitching camp. playing select ball is more than enough (if not too much) for someone that age right now. kids at that age need to be kids first and foremost. sure he "wants" to go, but when I was around 7 years old, I wanted to be a garbage man because I thought it was cool that those guys got to stand on the back of the truck while it was moving. let the kid enjoy being just that, if anything, let him build up his arm strength. he can do this by chunking rocks with friends, etc...not going to a specialized camp for 10 year old arms.

/end rant

Seems a bit intense for a 10 year old IMO. I'd wait until he's at least on the "big field". Do kids still make the transition to 60/90 when they're 13-14?

That's what I was thinking! It seemed a little much for a kid whose arm is just developing! He won't make a transition until 14 from 60/90.

Send him to the A&M baseball camp instead. I remember having a great time and learning a ton about fundamentals when I was 10-13. Plenty of time to learn to pitch after his body develops a bit more.

He's been to A&M camp with Childress for 4 years....we've kind of tapped our potential there.

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He's been to A&M camp with Childress for 4 years....we've kind of tapped our potential there

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Lucky kid!

NM

[This message has been edited by agent-maroon (edited 4/26/2013 4:51a).]

I worked out there throughout high school and cannot recommend it enough, that is, if the ballplayer meets some criteria.

He has a good skill set, all he wants to do is play baseball and has his future set on it, and is willing to work hard.

This is one of the best programs I have ever seen for pitchers of any age, and if you want to commit to it and are committed to baseball, it's well worth the investment.

It's definitely not too much throwing. It really focuses on the health and strength of your arm and strengthening necessary areas for pitching.

I wish I would've started with Ron when I was younger because he really knows what he's doing, and can get serious results.

I'm not associated with it in any way, just went there in high school, but would put all of my faith in what they are doing there.

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He's begging to go!

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Good.

Now let the excitement boil up for 2 or 3 years and then let him head down to the ranch. Its not going anywhere anytime soon, and your boy has a lot of years ahead of him.

Find a good pitching coach in DFW and work on mechanics.

[This message has been edited by TXAggie2011 (edited 4/28/2013 6:54p).]

10 is too young for a legitimate pitching camp.

My son is 14. He started pitching at 9. The best thing I did was getting him to someone who could teach him how to pitch correctly (Fast Center in Corinth ). Most arm problems happen because of a faulty delivery that puts extra stress on their arm.

as many have said...10 is WAY too young for a "pitching camp". At this age, just have him throw frequently with a purpose. Like hitting a target.