Always Play Your Age?

[YoungBuck]

There are 2028's (rising 8th graders) right now still in 12U ball with OK's Aug. 31 school cutoff. My DD has them (and plays against them) on her MS team.

It's an example of why schools should stick to education.

 

[Dabears17]

My DD always played her age. She was a fairly good player, but decided to play her age, but she is a rule follower, really liked the coach, and Covid wiped out most of 2nd year 14u.

In general, I think most fairly good players should strongly consider playing 3 years of 16u. Both to play against stronger players to be ready for high school as sophomores and if they are thinking about playing in college, to get seen earlier.

There is a freshman on her HS team that was 1st team all-league, in the conversation to be co-player of the year for league and was female athlete of the year for the high school. She has been playing up a year since she was 8 and started playing on a 16u travel team last fall, coached by one of the best high school coaches in the state.

 

[_MIA_]

She has been playing up a year since she was 8 and started playing on a 16u travel team last fall, coached by one of the best high school coaches in the state.

This will be my DD.I will have to decide whether she stays in 16U for a third year or not.

 

[Orange Socks]

DD played all over the place. March Birthday. DD played 3 years at 10U Summer All stars. 2 years 12U Rec, but only 1 year Summer 12U All stars. Moved up to 14U in 7th grade so we could keep all the players together. I had 2 9th graders on that team. Only played 1 year at 16U in 9th grade which playing up, then played the next 3 years on the 18u team. Played up 9th, 10th, 11th grades. I never really thought twice about it.

 

[uncdrew]

In general, I think most fairly good players should strongly consider playing 3 years of 16u. Both to play against stronger players to be ready for high school as sophomores and if they are thinking about playing in college, to get seen earlier.

Being ready for High School softball requires two years of 10U Rec in our neck of the woods.

 

[lostcreek1]

There are 2028's (rising 8th graders) right now still in 12U ball with OK's Aug. 31 school cutoff. My DD has them (and plays against them) on her MS team.

I see that here also. Here you do not see a 12u team of 5th graders there are a few but not a team full. Most are 6th and 7th when they play 12u.

 

[daywalkerdad]

I think I need to clarify I was calling grade as of March 2023 not what they are going into in the fall of 2023.
2026- Freshman fall birthdays 16u spring bd 14u.
2027- 8th grade 14u
2028 - 7th grade fall 14u, spring 12u
2029 - 6th grade 12u
2030 - 5th grade fall bd 12u, spring bd 10u