Skipping 12U

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Jun 14, 2018
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We have been asked if DD would be willing to jump to 14U because her 12U team appears to be folding. DD is going to be a 1st year 12U player who is a good player but not a great player for her age. After talking with DD and putting everything on the table she has said she wants to try it and see how it goes. What are people's thoughts on this? Should I ask the club if they would be willing to put more time in with training DD?
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I think it depends on level she is playing.

If it is an A team I would think she would be in trouble.

If less then A maybe give it a try but do not pay all the money upfront in case it doesn't work out. Injuries or what not she should be able to find another Team if she needs to. Big thing to me is you are comfortable she will not get hurt.
 
Oct 21, 2016
189
28
There is a big difference between 12U pitching and 14U pitching. Same thing with the size of the girls. I'm 6'2" and we played 14U girls that were taller than me this past year. If your DD can play with the older girls and is not easily intimidated then I would say go for it. Another consideration is that 13 and 14 year old girls have different priorities and conversations than 11 and 12 year old girls. Mainly boys.
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
Need to know more about your DD.

My DD went from 12U to 16U. Samantha Findlay (hit HR to win NCAA for Michigan) skipped 14U and played only one year of 16U.

If your DD can swing the bat well, she would probably be OK.

The training and time has to come from you.. Don't expect the TB coach to help.
 
Last edited:
Jun 14, 2018
172
28
The conversations between the girls is the first thing I brought up to my ex-wife. She agreed with me on that topic and said that we would cross that road when/if we get there. SMH! DD has always been on the 50/50 scale for growing so she is avg in size. Her bat has come on here of late and the coach is saying that she would like her to be a slap hitter because she is fast.

I am not worried about her here in local leagues just in the 2-3 out of town tournaments they are talking about.
 

Strike2

Allergic to BS
Nov 14, 2014
2,044
113
From 10U to 14U? She'd better be one heck of a player for anything above Rec level.
 
Jul 16, 2018
120
18
DD just turned 11 yesterday practices 3 times a week with girls that are 13/14. She more than holds her own but we have yet to see live pitching because well we don't have any. She is entering some tournaments with a 12U team so that she's at least seeing some sort of action in the fall (and probably spring)

I was nervous as hell about it but she's pretty use to being the youngest around due to being a cheerleader and size wise she doesn't look much different then some of them out there. It can be done but I would have her get to a practice or two first to get her comfortable (and you as well lol) but I would also talk to the coach about what happens when there is failure. No matter how athletic or how "good" of a softball player you are making that kind of jump is big so things that caused success don't translate over (specifically at 10 you can still count on an over throw or an error. Theoretically that should go down as they get older but you will still find those teams where it happens) If she doesn't "produce" then where does that leave her?
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
We have been asked if DD would be willing to jump to 14U because her 12U team appears to be folding. DD is going to be a 1st year 12U player who is a good player but not a great player for her age. After talking with DD and putting everything on the table she has said she wants to try it and see how it goes. What are people's thoughts on this? Should I ask the club if they would be willing to put more time in with training DD?

What other options are there?

If I could avoid it, I would. 14yr olds are a different species. Boys, classes, maturity, etc, etc... Often later practice times. Playing up more than a year is a big jump unless you are REALLY good or the team is not really that great (so a lower 14U team). if she is good for her age (but not great) where will she rank on this team? Is she going to get enough playing time or just be there making up numbers? All questions you should be asking.

Also if there are HS freshman on the team you are going to face the issue where some of this team is going to be playing HS at some point - a lot of 14U teams can't play during HS season. So even if it is OK this season, you are going to be looking again shortly.

The extra practice time probably has to come from you and your DD.
 
Mar 4, 2018
126
28
No need to sugar coat this topic. This sounds like a bad idea. Your daughter needs to be stud to play up 3-4 years in age.
 

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