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Age 13
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Puberty & Its Variations
Though I am certainly aware of the difficulty this step poses… especially considering the wide range of physical development of this age player, I was reminded within the first minutes how delicate this stage can be.
70% of Ballplayers Are Gone by Age 13
That’s the stats as I know it. Ultimately, the only study I have ever seen on the subject bears out to these figures…and the #1 reason given was that it was ultimately NO FUN ANYMORE…or at least compared to all the other choices that kids of these ages have for alternatives... so they leave ofr activities that are more fun!
Should I Stay or Should I Go
Which brings me back to my group of 13 yr olds.
Most are a bit over-whelmed though the physically larger and perhaps more highly trained making the easier transition … Sounds like the potential for less fun right here.
An adults encouragement & understanding or a coach who gets that this needs to be about fun and looks to “catch” any discouraged players) whose low productivity may be causing his best days to seem behind him.
Note: Much of this dynamic changes within a season or two as all or most hit puberty and the evening-out happens.
Here’s a hint about the game played at a high level!
You Can Control Only What You Can Control... So learn to watch the game and what it takes to become quicker. Look for its clues… while you are waiting to grow!
As a buddy of mine said… If You Are Batting 6th… you should already have had 5 at bats against this guy… interesting, don’t you think?
So, you can control some things…and you need to learn what they are.
The Cool Thing Is… the field never gets bigger.
You get bigger...it does not.
Be patient and grow... control what you can control is my watchword to this group!
- The Huge Outfield Gaps Make For Great Offensive Potential
- Great Catches Happen In The New, Bigger Outfield!
- Double Plays Actually Happen… regularly too!
- Weak Ground Balls That Used To Be Base Hits...
are now routine outs…vacuumed up by quicker fielders with larger fields to work.
In Summary:
For Coaches Of This Age Group… consider my experience and be especially encouraging to players of this difficult age. What a shame if just one player leaves the sport when they might be only one season away from success.
Your encouragement and understanding could help make the difference!
For Players Of This Age Group...Be patient with yourself... some players, (my own son for instance) have a very discouraging season at this age. He was small and grew late, but was encouraged to keep learning and making himself quicker. He did and played another 9 yrs, getting into the college of his dreams along the way! So stay in there and control what you can control!
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