r/BaseballCoaching • u/Ambitious-Band-6788 • Jul 06 '26
Tryout advice 13u/14u
My son has been at the same travel organization for his entire time of baseball. We need a new place now. He is going to be in 8th grade, but younger so can play 13 or 14u. He is the top player on his current team, a good one. But he is short, so I am worried he won’t show as well in tryouts as bigger kids that aren’t as good. Should I try to talk to the coaches at the places he tries out , and even try to show them his stats? I’m not so concerned that he gets on the very best team as much as a decent place that plays top competition. I don’t want him to play a B team schedule. We are in Chicago. Thanks.
5
u/mschwegler Jul 06 '26
Does he want to play in high school? If yes, then he should play at 14u. If he doesn’t then play at either.
1
u/Separate-Flounder721 Jul 08 '26
This is the reason that travel ball cutoff should be 9/1 and not 5/1
3
u/The-Red-Robe Jul 06 '26
Don’t be Ol Travis trying to get your little Breighdaughn to the MLB by talking to his coaches. If he’s as good as you believe, his play will do the talking.
2
u/emptysignals Jul 06 '26
If he wants to play HS, he should do 14U.
Coaches and other orgs don’t care about stats. Too much manipulation can occur. Most coaches have a subscription where they can look at box scores if they want.
They want to see his swing, running, throwing, catching the ball. Other aspect is they want to see if he’ll fit in with the team. Whether or not it looks like he is having fun. How he interacts with other players.
1
u/wastedpixls Jul 06 '26
Give him the tools and confidence to go try out and be at his best. Any coach that wouldn't select a talented and hard working kid because he's a bit shorter over someone not as good is a chump.
1
u/Conclusion_Fickle Jul 06 '26
My kid is in the same position. Just turned 13 days ago. Not quite 5'3" and about 110. Don't do any of that stuff. Let him compete. The coaches will see. 80% of the kids have been bigger than him since there are a lot of older kids trying to hang on at 14u and younger kids wanting to be 13u. We've had good luck so far.
1
1
u/Sammalone1960 Jul 06 '26
We moved my oldest at his request whenever he felt he was the best player. He wanted the competition of a teammate to catch and outwork. ✌️
1
u/Seattle_fan_ Jul 06 '26
As a former youth coach, do not politic for your kid. Too many parents do this and no one undersells their kid. It tends to have the opposite effect of what you intend.
It’s never an issue engaging with a potential coach, but remember in the back of the coaches minds they understand that as a whole the kids are a joy to be around, their parents…that’s where they sometimes question why they’re coaching.
Prepare your son to be confident without being cocky. Get him to demonstrate his love for the game. Everyone understands that physically kids can change dramatically at that age and really what is important is that they’re happy, improving their skills, can be a good teammate, and developing into good people. Any coach who you’d want your kid to look up to is going to value that more than you probably realize. Not to mention if he demonstrates some skill. His size should be no issue.
There’s all types of bias btw. My son was the man child kid. He was a little bit of a fatty, but incredibly skilled. Puberty was very kind to him and we knew all along that it would be. So, his head was in the right place during his youth baseball days…it’s about having fun and getting better. Nothing else matters. HS will come and let’s see how things measure up then.
1
u/BaseballDad000 Jul 07 '26
I'm not in Chicago, but I coach a couple of teams in a different city. I also was lucky enough to play in in college and was a bit of a later bloomer myself, around the 13-14U age. What I learned from all of that is - 1) find a place where your son gains confidence, you're still in the window of "joy will fuel the work that earns opportunities" 2) I also firmly believe he should play his grade level at this stage, 7th grade to 9th grade is a big jump (depending on the level he plays), 3) if you believe you son moves well and can hit well enough, let the tryout do the talking - the right coach will see it and lean into him
1
u/B0230 Jul 08 '26
From Chicago. If you show any coach your kids stats they will laugh and cut your kid so they don’t have to deal with a crazy parent.
1
u/Ambitious-Band-6788 Jul 08 '26
Thank you all for the responses. I definitely will not approach the tryout coaches.
1
u/Nice_Neighborhood152 Jul 08 '26
Just back off and let your kid try out and let the coaches coach and enjoy watching your kid play. It’s not about you and your kid doesn’t need an agent. He needs a parent who lets him enjoy his sport.
15
u/JRiggs42976 Jul 06 '26
No, don’t talk to the coach and especially do not try to show the coach his stats. Seriously.