Posted by: Jim (jwelborn@lexcominc.net) on Sat Jun 4 20:57:42 2005

> My 7 yr old son is doing very well in his 7-8 yr old coach pitch league and is being considered to move up to kid pitch league. He has practiced with a kid pitch team and hits very well, and is a decent fielder (has lots of room for improvement). Looking for advice as to whether its a good idea to move him up into the kid pitch level (9-11 yr olds) or let him stay with his age group in a final yr of coach pitch. He is a very big 7 yr old and will be 8 in October.
>
> Help! I don't want to make the wrong decision...
>
> Thanks,
> JeffA


Your 7 year old probably will not benefit from "playing up". Don't compare him to the average players in the older league. Compare him with the better players (the 10 and 11 year olds).

Keeping him in his age group should allow him to be a team leader. This probably won't happen if he moves up. Your son is going to grow up soon enough. Don't force it! Don't burn him out on the game.

I have seen many kids in youth sports pushed too hard at young ages by well meaning parents. Some of these kids could have become stellar athletes, but dropped out of sports before they got to high school.

Keep him with his age group, don't pressure him, and let him have fun.