Input needed from parents of youth athletes

[TD_washingtonredskins]

I agree with some of the opinions in here...I would discuss the pros and cons (including the IMPACT of each decision) and then decide together.

For example:

"You might not see your friends nearly as much. However, you will have a better chance of playing baseball in high school and maybe college."

Kids can seem to look only at the immediate impact, but if you let him know how each decision would impact the next few years then maybe you can help him make a decision. Just out of curiosity, if he actually asked you what you would do, what would be your answer?

[Warhead36]

I'm not a parent but I'd say take a shot at letting him play for the elite team. Otherwise you'll always think to yourself: "what if?"

[Kilmer17]

I agree with some of the opinions in here...I would discuss the pros and cons (including the IMPACT of each decision) and then decide together.

For example:

"You might not see your friends nearly as much. However, you will have a better chance of playing baseball in high school and maybe college."

Kids can seem to look only at the immediate impact, but if you let him know how each decision would impact the next few years then maybe you can help him make a decision. Just out of curiosity, if he actually asked you what you would do, what would be your answer?

If he asked me what? If he could play on another team?

[S.T.real,lights,out]

Might be just me but i would let your kid decide. Its about having fun and loving the game. I played on some very good travel teams and also played on crappy teams with my friends. Always had a great time playing with them and those are the times i remember now. Its up to you, ask your son if he wants to meet new people and play with a different group of kids....but let him decide on what he wants to do.

Last thing you want to do is force him to do something...just my thoughts.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

If he asked me what? If he could play on another team?

No, not if he COULD, but what you thought he SHOULD do.

[Predicto]

As long as it doesn't affect his academics, I would let him do whatever he wants to do (as long as it isn't too disruptive to your family life).

I guess that is kind of what everyone is saying.

[Kilmer17]

No, not if he COULD, but what you thought he SHOULD do.

I think he should do it. But Im asking here and in my circle of friends here because Im not convinced it would be the best move for him. Not that it would be bad, I just see the benefits of either side.

---------- Post added October-10th-2012 at 01:02 PM ----------

As long as it doesn't affect his academics, I would let him do whatever he wants to do (as long as it isn't too disruptive to your family life).

I guess that is kind of what everyone is saying.

It would be no different than now.

Im trying to choose if it's better to stay with his friends, or move to a more competetive environment.

Either way, the time involved is about the same.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

I see. I just thought you might want to be ready to answer the question if he poses it to you. You know, be ready to tell him what you'd do and why.

[AsburySkinsFan]

We are facing the same exact thing at my house. My 10 year old loves baseball and started on his first travel tourney team last year, this Spring we need to make the choice whether he is going to focus entirely on baseball, if so I have no problem paying the $400 for him to be on the team considering that we already pay hat with new equipment and registration fees for the other three sports he plays. Up until this last year we have kept him in local rec leagues but he is showing real promise in baseball and soccer as a keeper. He has visions of a life in the pros, I have visions of a scholarship to a university where he can get an education.

[Predicto]

It would be no different than now.

Im trying to choose if it's better to stay with his friends, or move to a more competetive environment.

Either way, the time involved is about the same.

Well, unless you think there is a chance he is the next Buster Posey, it is unlikely to make any difference in the long run. It's up to him whether he would more enjoy the higher level of competition, or would more enjoy being the big fish in a small pond with his best friends. Either way, he is going to end up playing ball in high school and then moving on without baseball.

[AsburySkinsFan]

Well, unless you think there is a chance he is the next Buster Posey, it is unlikely to make any difference in the long run. It's up to him whether he would more enjoy the higher level of competition, or would more enjoy being the big fish in a small pond with his best friends. Either way, he is going to end up playing ball in high school and then moving on without baseball.

You'd be surprised, a lot of the focus in baseball has shifted from high school teams to tourney teams.

[pointyfootball]

I coach travel soccer in WAGS & NCSL and my son also plays AAU basketball, so have some experience in this situation. IMHO, I think you want your kid to play at a level as high as possible where the following conditions are met:* they are enjoying playing the SPORT.* it is not cost prohibitive.-they are being well coached/trained.-it doesn't make them a one-dimensional kid.* the values of the coaching staff & team match your family's.* the player learns the team concept (many upper level teams are made up of "mercenaries" who jump from team to team).This is a tough decision. After having witnessed kids moving around for the past 10 years, my feeling is unless your kid is in the top .5% for his age group, he is better off playing at a good competitive level where he has friends and loves the game. I had a kid leave my Div 3 team where he played 90% of the game and had many friends on the team, to move to a Div 1 team where he gets only 20-25% of the game and is the "new outsider". If you think he's college potential, look at moving him when he's 13-15 y/o, especially if he's getting good coaching/playing time now.Good luck,PF
edit: no idea why I can't do paragraphs...sorry for crappy reading.

[Predicto]

You'd be surprised, a lot of the focus in baseball has shifted from high school teams to tourney teams.

Oh, I know that. One of my best friends has a kid who made the all-Northern California U-15 squad last year, which makes him one of the top 250 prospects in the nation in his age group. His tourney team goes all over the country, and he may actually have a good chance of being drafted. The colleges are already angling for him.

But it doesn't sound like Kilmer is talking about that situation.

---------- Post added October-10th-2012 at 10:39 AM ----------

After having witnessed kids moving around for the past 10 years, my feeling is unless your kid is in the top .5% for his age group, he is better off playing at a good competitive level where he has friends and loves the game.

That was my take as well, assuming that is what the kid wants. On the other hand, some kids just want to go for it at the highest possible level, and if that is the case, then why not?

[pointyfootball]

He has visions of a life in the pros, I have visions of a scholarship to a university where he can get an education.

They both pay a lot of money! IF one can get it.I have a good friend who was a head coach of a Div III men's soccer team. His son ended up playing for him (no scholarship). My friend & his wife tallied up their cost they spent on him playing travel soccer, camps, etc and they estimated it to be in excess of $50k.

[Corcaigh]

You'd be surprised, a lot of the focus in baseball has shifted from high school teams to tourney teams.

That's true in many sports outside of football and track/XC.

Recruiting coaches can get a much better evaluation of kids playing at a higher level in a major national or regional tournament, compared to dominating the opposition in their school district. And they can see a hundred prospects over a long weekend.