Select Baseball for My son?

Question

Is select baseball a good way to go with my son? He definitely has above average talent and aspires to play professionally or on scholarship at a major university. Is it good for his development? Is a local little league affiliate about the same or what? He's 12 now but he is showing signs of being really good.

Answer 1

Growing up many of my friend went into Topeka to play their summer baseball... Sure they got more games and all of that, but I noticed by the time High School roled around, many of them were burnt out on the game... Blame it on all the travel, all the extra games, whatever it might be. I would let you son pick where he would want to play with... Select teams are a huge commitment... I played on our local little league team and never went to Topeka. I probably played 15-20 games per summer... while other kids played 50-70 games... I went on to play college baseball, and I still have the love for the game today, in fact I am a High School coach now.

I would let your son pick, but dont be worried about his development if he wants to play on the local team... As a child I loved the game so much I would find ways to play baseball by myself as an only child... He will either find friends to play with, or play by himself, or with dad, but he will never get burnt out... keep that in mind... Baseball is a thinkin' mans game... no matter who he is playing against the thinkin' part is still in the game...

Best of luck...

Answer 2

I have a fifteen year old who will play J.V. this year. I think he came really close to losing interest, not by playing too much, but by being overwhelmed by the baggage that comes with it. If your son really has talent he will be successful. You can really get caught up in all of this. We went to Cooperstown and it was a big fund raising ordeal besides all the travel for two years prior to the trip. It is a financial commitment, your son misses birthday parties, can't go swimming on game days and practices are constant. Some parents enroll their kids in baseball camps and hire private coaches. We never did and our son is equal to or better than the kids who have done this for years. If you go this route maintain a low profile. Parents form cliques, argue about playing time ... and, you get the idea. Watch out for "Daddy Ball", coaches who coach so their son can be the star. On the other hand there were good times and you will get enjoyment from it. If it stays within a travel range that is local and your son wants to do it , give it a try. Do not get caught up in the fallacy that if you do not, everyone else who does will be better than your son. We had kids on the team who no longer play as well.
Good luck.

Answer 3

I have played and coached a select team. I am currently a college baseball player. My brother plays on a 13 y.o. select team. Advantages are there are more games and competion is a little better. The disadvantages are that it is getting to the point that politics are playing a role on select teams. Naturally, it is more expensive, therefore, the parents that are willing to help the team the most financially are going to buy their kid playing time. Not fair, but true. Also, with the reputation select leagues have, all parents want their kid to be a part of it, regardless of talent...again, the parent will buy their kid a spot on the team. This ends up dragging the level of competition down.
The best thing for you to do is watch a few different teams, get to know coaches, parents, and pay attention to how the team is ran, and then make a decision on which team you want your kid to play for.

Answer 4

It very likely depends on how good the high school team is. Do you want him to just make the team and then spend a couple years catching up on what he has missed or do you want him to make the team and make an impact when he gets there. I have a 12 year old playing competitive ball at this time and feel that he is being given all the basic fundamentals to build on to help him advance in the game. Although it is not 100% necessary for him to play competitive at a young age, I feel it is more essential in baseball than either football or basketball. I have been very fortunate to have my son with the same coach for the past 5 years and trust wholeheartedly what he is teaching my son. He has a proven track record with 28 years of youth coaching experience.

Answer 5

The Select teams are so much better than little league teams,Coaching, players ,even the spectators,if your son has the talent I say YES let him play.You have to realize that letting him play select team baseball will virtually tie your whole summer up with tournaments every weekend,even on the holiday weekends.Plus be ready to play or practice almost everyday.

Answer 6

If he loves the game then it's important to support him in any way you can. At age 12 he would be in his last year of little league. The next step would be Babe Ruth. Of course he will go from little league dimensions to major league dimensions at age 13. That's a real jump up but the older he gets the bigger he will grow so he will be able to handle the change.

Would with him as much as you can. Teach him good habits and when he's ready for high school meet with his coach. Learn what you can about the program so you'll be able to continue his progression as a ball player. If he's good enough and doesn't burn himself out college scouts will hear about him and will be sent out to see him play. Good luck.

Answer 7

Recently players with exceptional talent have played travel Baseball. The only thing is that it makes the kids think they are superior and it is expensive. Let the kid play little league.

Answer 8

If he can really get a scholarship I would say go for it.But if he does not want baseball dont force him to do it.

Answer 9

If he want's to play, let him play.

But don't force him to play a sport he doesn't want t play.

My parents made me play football and i hated it.

But now i'm a JV Picher for my school.

Answer 10

Let him play. I think it's an awesome idea.