Relearning the game is not that tough as the kids get older. There are tons of exceptions and changes we make as they progress. At 9 we tell them to get in front of every grounder. By 14 we are telling them to either go around the ball or backhand it for a quicker throw. At 9 we tell them to throw overhand at 16 a girl who plays on the left side of the infield is commended for her side arm quick release. In soccer they slowly introduce the offsides rule in many leagues and play with less players on smaller fields. But by HS age they are on the full field with the OS rule called.
It doesn't hurt them to learn the game in stages. But the stages have to make sense within the game. Having an outfielder (rover) cover second on every play, is IMHO does not make sense within the game. To teach 10u middle infielders to go for the easiest base and to not worry about the second out, that makes sense to me. Why? Because its a progression within the sense of the game, we would tell an 18u team to make sure of out 1 before worrying about out 2. As others have pointed out, I would worry more about the steal attempt and the ss being able to make it to the base in time.
One caveat, I would allow the talent of the players dictate what adjustments I make. If they are all studs who can handle making the turn, have them give it a go.
It doesn't hurt them to learn the game in stages. But the stages have to make sense within the game. Having an outfielder (rover) cover second on every play, is IMHO does not make sense within the game. To teach 10u middle infielders to go for the easiest base and to not worry about the second out, that makes sense to me. Why? Because its a progression within the sense of the game, we would tell an 18u team to make sure of out 1 before worrying about out 2. As others have pointed out, I would worry more about the steal attempt and the ss being able to make it to the base in time.
One caveat, I would allow the talent of the players dictate what adjustments I make. If they are all studs who can handle making the turn, have them give it a go.