There have been quite a few articles in the papers about young baseball players. Some of these players, aged 9-10, play for travel baseball teams that often play for a national championship, as for example the under 10 title. According to the coaches, these experiences will help them grow as baseball players.
The articles bring out that there are now hundreds of such teams that do extensive travel –which is often quite expensive for the parents. However, they believe it is well worth it as this is a great way to to have their son not only become recognized, but also develop into an outstanding player. Thus they rejoice whenever the team does well and especially when their youngster does well.
That parents should be proud of their youngster is understandable. However, is this the most effective way to become an excellent player — one who can not only get a college scholarship, but hopefully, make the pros? Sadly the answer is no. There is no direct correlation between success in the very early years and success as an adult. According to the statistics, most of these youngsters will drop out of baseball when they are teenagers and it is rare to have one make the pros.
In addition, parents should recognize that playing is not the most effective way to improve hitting, throwing, running, fielding, etc. skills. Playing is great for experience and strategy, not for skill improvement. Nor is playing effective for developing the physical abilities needed to play on the highest levels. Constant playing does not allow the youngster to become faster, stronger, quicker, more agile and so on.
This is why there are so many injuries not only to youngsters but also to teen and adult players. For example, medical reports show that there is a staggering number of top-flight amateur pitchers who have had reconstructive elbow surgery (Tommy John surgery). These ligament replacement elbow surgeries are taking place at an alarming rate with players 17 and 18 years of age.
Many teams are discovering that their top pitcher draft picks are coming down with elbow problems requiring surgery. Most never get to play in the pros. Why ? Because they do not have the physical abilities to withstand the stress involved in pitching — especially when their pitching skill execution is not as effective as it could be.
Most parents believe that their youngster will be an exception to these negative outcomes, but this is not so. But this does not mean that the youngster is doomed to failure. If they did not do as much playing and spent more time training to become a better player, they would then be able to achieve the desired goals. Until then, the early euphoria is destined to become a great disappointment. This is reality.
For more information on what it takes to become a great player read, Build a Better Athlete Also important information can be found in Secrets of Russian Sports Fitness and Training.