7th grader receiving letters from Top College programs

[DonnieS]

I'm starting to notice a lot of good players are going from 12u to 16u/18u...When do you guys think it is the right time to move girls up on age

I Always figured around 14 because if they make varsity in high school they will be playing with girls that are playing with 16u/18u gold teams


Like I said earlier this kid went from 12u to 18u...

Thats my feeling too, Strong, at 13-14, actually when the kid is 8th grade is when I think they should move up to 18. Let me back that up by saying , we are in Texas , and here in most areas, high school ball is a 'big deal'. We all know it doesnt mean squat to getting recruited, but its a community thing , and the girls get to play with kids they grew up with, instead of kids from all over the state, like they do on their travel teams.

Now Spazsdad's family is in california where men are men and girls are GIRLS, and they have serious competition at most age groups, so he disagrees with me on this. The main reason we moved up our team when we did was we would go to tournaments, registering at 14u, and then get there and find the 14u didnt make, so 'Would you guys mind playing 18u?' So finally we just said screw it, and just registered as 18u though our oldest kid had just turn 16.

Regarding high school, my feeling is that as a freshman, the kids are going to face 18 y/o kids - so lets not make it a surprise. Get out there and face them during the summer so there are no surprises come spring time. We have a group of 14 y/o kids in our area, freshman, who have played 14u here in texas and the parents were telling me how they won this and won that in 14u. My comment back to them, was no doubt you did, because the good kids were gone, they were playing 18. And those 14 y/o freshman are getting spanked. Because of not facing serious competition most of the time, you see them waiting on grounders instead of charging the ball, running bases thinking the ball isnt going to be waiting for them , and doing what I call a double clutch - throw on tight infield plays (the way the boys do in baseball, a much slower game than ours), and seeing the base runner already rounding the base.

My bet is that if we lived in the so cal area, where there is life and death competition on all age groups, it would be a different story, but we dont.

[soreshins]

It is my belief that 8th graders should play 14U. Allow your player to have one more year of fun before the rat race starts. Gold teams are not like 12U and 14U teams. Gold teams are not about winning they are about exposure. Each player/family has their own agenda which differs from your agenda and often the team's agenda.

No exposure is better than bad exposure. Once you are on the merry-go-round you are being evaluated. A poor first impression as an 8th grader can be difficult to over come. Moreover, the difference in travel costs between 14U and gold are significant. Save the money until you have something to show.

Wait until your player is ready, get on the best gold team you can and practice/play hard for four, not five, seasons.

[DonnieS]

Allow your player to have one more year of fun before the rat race starts. Gold teams are not like 12U and 14U teams. .

Very good point. When we first moved up - we played 18G when we could, but 18u everywhere.

[rbi]

Different area's of the country have different skill levels at 18G, so in one area of the country 18G might be equal to another's "high" 14u, its not a slap in the face its just reality, so to say when is the right time to move up, it all depends on area of the country.

My biggest suggestion at age 13/14 and you are above avg in your area IS, find the best coaching money can buy regardless of age group, and not get caught up in "we play gold". They will hopefully fine tune you at a crucial developmental time, as well as get you in front of tough competition, bottom line!