At what age is it too late?

[N2DFIRE]

With more and more kids starting to play competitive and focusing on only one sport at such an early age. I wonder if kids are more likely to experience burn out. Do you think a 13 or 14 year old, who never specialized in softball and only played rec. ball. If they decided to focus on softball at such an age. Ever succeed in playing competitive travel ball and play with a Div I college. I believe at age 16 they would be as good as any girl who played travel ball since age 8. I see a lot of 8 to 9 year old, who are expected to play like a college player. I wonder if this is counter productive. If a kid has the talent and determination, they will succeed. Regardless what age they start.

[DonnieS]

With more and more kids starting to play competitive and focusing on only one sport at such an early age. I wonder if kids are more likely to experience burn out. Do you think a 13 or 14 year old, who never specialized in softball and only played rec. ball. If they decided to focus on softball at such an age. Ever succeed in playing competitive travel ball and play with a Div I college. I believe at age 16 they would be as good as any girl who played travel ball since age 8. I see a lot of 8 to 9 year old, who are expected to play like a college player. I wonder if this is counter productive. If a kid has the talent and determination, they will succeed. Regardless what age they start.

???????????

[jofus]

If they aren't playing anything but rec until age 16, then I'm guessing their chances of playing Div 1 are pretty low.

Well, the chances are pretty low for anyone, regardless of when they start, but a lot lower if they don't get serious until 16.

[N2DFIRE]

If they aren't playing anything but rec until age 16, then I'm guessing their chances of playing Div 1 are pretty low.

Well, the chances are pretty low for anyone, regardless of when they start, but a lot lower if they don't get serious until 16.

I would agree, that a 16 year old rec ball player wouldn't have a chance. I was wondering if a 13 year old, who got serious, could be a competitive travel ball player. By the time they reached 16.

I was just posting some mindless thoughts, its late!!!!!

My post must be hard to follow with my bad sentence structure!!!!!!

[Tucson]

Anything is possible in America.

I may find out. A dad called me about his 14 YO, today. She wants to play softball in the Fall. She has never played before.

He says that she is very athletic. So, we shall see.

Every once in a while, I hear announcers say that someone didn't play until they were a sophomore. I can't think of an example, but was it Lisa Fernandez?

Of course, there is always the girls that make the team because they have 2.7 second speed down the line.

[D00bie]

If she can swing the bat as good as your top 16's and catch a pop fly, she probably has a shot somewhere.

[MoeFoes]

Being athletic really has no age. At anytime, at any age, any where, some young girl can step up and take the spot of some 6 year travel ball vet. Ever heard of the "Fee Nomm"

[NORCALGOLD]

The age factor and when they started travelball depends on their athletic ability and coach ability if they think there might be a Div1 scholarship in their future.
A kid first needs a very high level of athletic ability no matter when they start.Even if you play travelball for 8 or 9 years if she only has average athletic ability she won't be recruited.
You can't make a mule a thoroughbred no matter how many years you work at it.

[GIMNEPIWO]

Ever heard of the "Fee Nomm"

... or the Hot Mom ? of course ... I don't think that factor works as well at D1 ...

[N2DFIRE]

The age factor and when they started travelball depends on their athletic ability and coach ability if they think there might be a Div1 scholarship in their future.
A kid first needs a very high level of athletic ability no matter when they start.Even if you play travelball for 8 or 9 years if she only has average athletic ability she won't be recruited.
You can't make a mule a thoroughbred no matter how many years you work at it.

I like the above statement, "You can't make a mule a thoroughbred no matter how many years you work at it."

How many kids are burnt out by the time they are 16 and never make the Div I level. Even though they have the talent.
Because the mentality now days, is that you must practice 2hours everyday from the age of 8.