My son wants to run track instead of baseball??

Question

My 14 year old son wants to run track instead of baseball this year. He is in the 8th grade and has played baseball since he was 5. Last year he was on the school team and has always been a pitcher for whatever team he has played for. The reason for his decision is that the baseball team is taking 18 kids, which means not alot of play time, and from what I have seen so far our school takes to many players and always has a losing season because they have to play everyone. He is going to still play baseball for a summer league just not for school. My question is do you think this will hurt his chances of making the team in high school and what type of shoes do you buy for track. Also he wants to learn to become a better runner and have more aligity on his feet do to the fact he is the QB for football, that is the other reason for him wanting to run track instead.

Answer 1

Your son is definitely health minded. In my opinion, let him make his own choice about what sport to participate more in. You have to want to do something to give it your all. This is what I learned when I was in high school, years ago. Track is a more conditioning sport. The word track doesn't specifically mean running all the time. It covers a variety of competitive sports, such as javelin throwing, discus hurling, the shot put, high jump, long jump, pole vault, etc.
Sport stores carry a variety of shoes and sneakers for different needs. It is important to have a proper fit so he can get the most out of the sport.
While he is doing all of this, nutrition is very important for endurance and strength.

Answer 2

If he's a pitcher he is limited in the number of innings he can pitch (I think all schools have this rule, so the kids won't damage there arms). So if he's good his playing time probably wouldn't get cut that much if at all. I also think not playing will hurt his chances in H.S. because he may get rusty, and because H.S. coaches usually watch J.R.High games to look at next years frosh-man. As far as shoes go, just ask the salesman, let your son get them, or use the Internet and do some research.PS I think baseball is better in at helping w/ balance, agility and is alone when it comes to throwing and arm strength. It seems like he's just giving you lame excuses because he wants to run track. I would just tell him to do whatever he wants, as he's old enough to make his own decision, and if that's what makes him happy than so be it.

Answer 3

To play baseball you need 17 other guys. To run, you need a pair of shoes and the desire. You can run in a snow storm (I've done it), you can run when it's zero out. You can run at 6 AM during the summer heat. You can put on a baseball hat and run in the rain. You can run in Manhattan. You can run on a lonely country road. You can still be running when everyone else on the high school baseball team has a beer belly at the 10th reunion.
If he is going to be in one major sport, better baseball than football. As Tommy Lasorda once said to a kid deciding between baseball and football, "Whaddya want in 20 years, a career or a limp?"

Answer 4

Sadly it is rare that the middle and high school level coaches are smart enough to delineate talent from participation. If you drive the SUV during summer ball it usually means your kid will play. It's one of the reasons you see so many foreign born players taking jobs from Americans: They're better because they actually still compete as we had to when we were young (Pre politically correct everyone must play rules).

What all parents should start to understand is that kids need to decide some of these answers without you living your dreams through them. Your kid (or any other) is not Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr or Derek Jeter. Encourage his athletics as much as you do his education. If they are equally doled out, your kid will have a chance at succeeding at both or at least one of them. Too often children want to please their parents and knowing that you are a huge fan of any sport will influence his/her desire to succeed at that sport. When they fail or underachieve, it can be devastating. Not because they failed on the field but because they think they've lost the admiration of their parents. If your son is that good, he will find his own way back to baseball. Track will benefit all other sports.

Answer 5

My question is, shouldn't middle school and high school sports be about the fun and enjoyment? If that's what he wants then support him! Sounds like he just isn't sure about baseball anymore and maybe he's a bit tired of it. If he tries track (lots of girls in shorts, by the way) he will know for sure about how he really feels about baseball. The thing about track is, everyone gets to participate and over all it is a sport that he can enjoy way after school. It also will help to condition him for any other sport he likes to participate in.

Answer 6

i think u should let your son run track. I was just like him. When i was in the 8th grade i did not want to play softball anymore. And i went and played soccer for my 8th grade year. When i got in high school i tried out for the softball team and i am in the 10th grade and i am still on the softball team. Just tell your son to practice during the summer on baseball and he should make it. Good luck

Answer 7

I am a baseball nut but I believe you should let him go in his own direction,all organized sports have benifits and as you say he will play in a summer league anyway.I've been around baseball all my life,I'm currently a college and high school baseball umpire.If hes as good as your saying the coach will be bending his ear to play next year.

Answer 8

thats too bad he wont get play time, if thats the case let him do track, and summer baseball. If he is a good player it shouldnt affect him making the highschool team. As for the sneakers he should wear for track, it depends on what he will be running, short or long distance? hurdles? go to a sports store and tell them what races he will be running and they will help you find the correct sneaker for him.

Answer 9

By all means let him go out for track. No sense pushing him to play baseball if his heart's not in it, for whatever reason. Let him enjoy whatever sport he's interested in. He's broadening his experience and it can only be for the good.

Answer 10

High school teams won't care what he did in middle school, as long as he still plays well. As for the shoes, have some of his potential team mates what they run in and go from there.