Select Baseball

[diamond dawg]

  All I hear is that select ball is going to ruin my kid are burn him out on baseball but let me ask, if thats all your son cares about would you do it year round? Would you play league ball where he learns absolutely nothing r let him play select ball where there is  more difficult and experience teaching teams?

[reddog24]

I have heard the same thing. My case doesn't sound as extreme as yours but after my son's first season of select Baseball that is all he wants to do. I do think that there are those that do get burned out but if they really love the game they will always want to play. I think the best example of that is the 16 yr. old phenom (Bryce Harper) that is on the cover of sports illustrated. There is a pretty cool article about him you should read if you haven't already. Bottom line is you know what is right for your son so if baseball is what he likes then let him play as much as he can as long as he is having fun. I think its hard to get burned out when your having fun. ;D Oh and if you are wondering why I'm posting so early in the morning I've got 2 words..SHIFT WORK

[spoonbill]

   All I hear is that select ball is going to ruin my kid are burn him out on baseball but let me ask, if thats all your son cares about would you do it year round? Would you play league ball where he learns absolutely nothing r let him play select ball where there is  more difficult and experience teaching teams?

a lot of kids nowadays play both select and league ball. it all depends on the kid. the parent must be able to tell if the kid truly wants to play baseball year round or is being nudged in that direction. remember most kids want to make their parents happy and may say they want to do something to satisfy them. if the kid truly eats and sleeps bball, there is no reason to keep them from it. p.s. i'm glad i don't live in your area if league baseball there teaches him "absolutely nothing". that's just sad.

[Lazeek]

Dawg's son(s) play at TC and they have learned a ton out there I can assure you!!!! ;)

[spoonbill]

Dawg's son(s) play at TC and they have learned a ton out there I can assure you!!!! ;)

i kinda figured that. most leagues i've been around have quality coaches. i think playing both is the way to go if your kid is gung ho. this allows kids who want to excel to get more instruction plus doesn't kill the leagues that we grew up (as parents) playing in. the coaches in most leagues are usually in it because they love the game and enjoy teaching the kids and being around them. plus, the pay is great. ;D

[PhatMack19]

   All I hear is that select ball is going to ruin my kid are burn him out on baseball but let me ask, if thats all your son cares about would you do it year round? Would you play league ball where he learns absolutely nothing r let him play select ball where there is  more difficult and experience teaching teams?

A lot depends on the age of the kids and how much your select team is practicing and playing.  IMO 7 yr olds should not be practicing 4 days a week and playing tourneys every weekend all year long.  They will get burned out before high school.  A few practices and tourneys here and there will only benefit them as long as it does not become a job.  Also if your kids a pitcher, be careful of your coaches use of him.  12 year old arms are not made to throw 200+ innings a year.  I've seen many coaches waste good arms by trying to win a meaningless game in tournaments.  Its up to the parents to make sure the kids are enjoying themselves, and get them with a good coach who truly cares about helping the kids first, and not only his W-L record.

[diamond dawg]

I guess I didn't mean it like that as far as not learning nothing cause they have. They do have some great coaches here. Just was trying to get others opinions bout the subject.

[Fan1603]

My oldest played both this year. Luckily we only had 1 Tournament conflict, but half way through the season he was over league ball. Not to sound tacky, but the other kids lack of ability was very frustrating to him. Nothing against League ball, or the other kids, or coaches. We will never do both again. Your kids have the ability, just stick with Select ball!

[AJ25]

   All I hear is that select ball is going to ruin my kid are burn him out on baseball but let me ask, if thats all your son cares about would you do it year round? Would you play league ball where he learns absolutely nothing r let him play select ball where there is  more difficult and experience teaching teams?

One thing you have to realize is that not every kid is cut out for select ball. Not every kid has the talent, but I'm not being mean when I'm saying that. But everyone knows the talent there is better.

From a current baseball player at the college level, I live and breath baseball. If your kid does, let him do it. However, don't start him before age 8 or 9. 7 and under is far too soon. Also for pitchers, going back to what PhatMack said.. They shouldn't even be throwing 100 innings until around age 12-13. Their future is more important than select ball at age 10. And as for playing both, if the kid is good enough.. keep him in select, and only select. The talent differs too much between leagues and he can be slowed during the week games by little league talent. NO offense. But, make sure it's what your kid wants to do. And don't let money stop you, I made it through select ball on fundraisers and sponsers every year. If you want to do it bad eonough, you can make it happen. Or I should say if parents believe their kid wants it, the parents can find a way.

[gablfan]

some organizations ned to not be so d@#n expensive! Makes it hard for us who have kids with some talent to let them play. And now i here they are going up n fees next season! Hope my sons coaches start their own. But i'll be suprised. :-(

[diamond dawg]

  Thanks for the comments Fan1603!  For all the other opinions,comments,or intelligent suggestions- I appreciate it! I was just wandering how everybody else looked at the situation and to post something else to talk about!

[AJ25]

some organizations ned to not be so d@#n expensive! Makes it hard for us who have kids with some talent to let them play. And now i here they are going up n fees next season! Hope my sons coaches start their own. But i'll be suprised. :-(

Like I said, fundraisers and sponsors got me through. If the coach doesn't suggest it, get with other parents.. they'd be up for it. Who doesn't want to pay less?

And yours and/or most local businesses tend to sponsor teams, for simple things such as t-shirts and team pics in return. It's a tax write off, and most local businesses love to get involved in the community~!

[gablfan]

your right... But in our organization a certain person is making money off every kid from the 8yr olds up to the older kids. And most age groups have 2 teams. He hasnt done 1 thing with our kids. Why am i payn his salary. I wont be next season

[AJ25]

your right... But in our organization a certain person is making money off every kid from the 8yr olds up to the older kids. And most age groups have 2 teams. He hasnt done 1 thing with our kids. Why am i payn his salary. I wont be next season

To the person that created the team, it is a business for them. They created the team.

You look at the owners of the teams like Houston Heat, Texas Sundevils, etc... They will make profit off of it. That's not to say that they shouldn't be coaching and working for their money. Coming from experience, if your kid is good enough, it's worth paying a little extra to have your kid on a more solidified team. Not a team that some parent on your kids little league team from last year decided they would start. Not that they don't know baseball or how to run a program, but they do not have the experience/knowledge of these coaches from the more solid programs.

[gablfan]

you are right, but he does nothing with our group. Our 3 coaches (which are league coaches and dads like you and me) have gotten this group where they are. They could do it on their own IMO.

[AJ25]

you are right, but he does nothing with our group. Our 3 coaches (which are league coaches and dads like you and me) have gotten this group where they are. They could do it on their own IMO.

I'm not a parent lol I still play. I just know quite a bit on this subject. And yes, those parents should not be coaching select teams. I'm not taking anything away from those parents. Kudos to them for getting involved like they have, not every average parent will do that. But select is a higher level of baseball, which should have a higher level of coaches. I've seen some of these select teams, and I could do a better job of running them. Yes, they are expensive, but it usually isn't the individual team that sets the price, it's the tournament entry fees that cause the price to be expensive. But like I said, if your kid is good enough, get him into a better program.. The better the program, obviously the better the Coach. Gladiators, GTB, GT, and TC Young Guns are some of the better local teams. Most of these teams have paid coaches that have a great knowledge for the game, and will make your kid better at the game that they love. Which is the ultimate goal, correct?

[gablfan]

well he does play 4 one of those you mentioned lol. I dnt think 9 or 10 yr olds need paid coaches. Its good 4 the older kids but i have seen and know several "parent coaches" that can do just as good a job as some paid coaches i have seen.

[gablfan]

not sure how much it will be next season but i've heard 150 or more a month. Thats ridiculous! Just cause you charge alot to play doesnt mean you get the best kids. Just means you get kids who's parents got alot of money lol. Especially with the economy right now.

[AJ25]

I wouldn't pay that much at that age. I thought we were talking about a 14-15 year old kid.

Again from my experience, at that age you're paying for cool uniforms.. and maybe some hotels payed for on tournaments. And you're right, 10 year olds don't need paid coaches.. there is only so much that you can teach them.

[td]

It can be done on your own. It is a huge pain for the head coach which is who usually starts it. Chasing money all the time. The coach will end up spending a lot of his own money. It can be done alot easier if he has help with collecting dues and such. There are just so many things that have to be done that it's more than just a one man job.

[bobbycat]

How many tournaments did you play in this year GABL? 

[Lazeek]

Right now I am leaning towards Select only but my son still loves playing league ball with all of his friends as well.  Gonna be a tough choice come spring.

[MIF04]

your right... But in our organization a certain person is making money off every kid from the 8yr olds up to the older kids. And most age groups have 2 teams. He hasnt done 1 thing with our kids. Why am i payn his salary. I wont be next season

To the person that created the team, it is a business for them. They created the team.

You look at the owners of the teams like Houston Heat, Texas Sundevils, etc... They will make profit off of it. That's not to say that they shouldn't be coaching and working for their money. Coming from experience, if your kid is good enough, it's worth paying a little extra to have your kid on a more solidified team. Not a team that some parent on your kids little league team from last year decided they would start. Not that they don't know baseball or how to run a program, but they do not have the experience/knowledge of these coaches from the more solid programs.

I can only speak for the SE Texas Sun Devils but I promise you that there is not a profit made of of it.  Indeed, it is operated at a substantial loss every year...but, as they say, when 1 of your guys gets drafted or signs a scholarship -- 'priceless'.

As far as if/when to go select, I personally believe that league play thru Little League is the way to go.  You get the chance to play the game, in your own backyard, with your own friends, etc.  If you want to do more for your kid up to age 12, get him (or her) lessons.  After that, select becomes an option.  It takes the right kid (committed, etc.) and the right parents.  By the same token, once you get in that age group (and if you don't want travel ball), the Babe Ruth League down in Mid County is outstanding.  They do a great job year in and year out.

Select worked for me and my son.  Baseball was what he wanted...but, if you ask him, he wouldn't trade his Little League years for anything.  It is simply a matter of the right kid at the right time.

[MMSLB]

Good Post!

[piratefan]

your right... But in our organization a certain person is making money off every kid from the 8yr olds up to the older kids. And most age groups have 2 teams. He hasnt done 1 thing with our kids. Why am i payn his salary. I wont be next season

To the person that created the team, it is a business for them. They created the team.

You look at the owners of the teams like Houston Heat, Texas Sundevils, etc... They will make profit off of it. That's not to say that they shouldn't be coaching and working for their money. Coming from experience, if your kid is good enough, it's worth paying a little extra to have your kid on a more solidified team. Not a team that some parent on your kids little league team from last year decided they would start. Not that they don't know baseball or how to run a program, but they do not have the experience/knowledge of these coaches from the more solid programs.

I can only speak for the SE Texas Sun Devils but I promise you that there is not a profit made of of it.  Indeed, it is operated at a substantial loss every year...but, as they say, when 1 of your guys gets drafted or signs a scholarship -- 'priceless'.

As far as if/when to go select, I personally believe that league play thru Little League is the way to go.  You get the chance to play the game, in your own backyard, with your own friends, etc.  If you want to do more for your kid up to age 12, get him (or her) lessons.  After that, select becomes an option.  It takes the right kid (committed, etc.) and the right parents.  By the same token, once you get in that age group (and if you don't want travel ball), the Babe Ruth League down in Mid County is outstanding.  They do a great job year in and year out.

Select worked for me and my son.  Baseball was what he wanted...but, if you ask him, he wouldn't trade his Little League years for anything.  It is simply a matter of the right kid at the right time.

good post..