Re: Is "stance" important?
Jake I know what you're saying. Parents, and school sports programs are pushing the travel teams to get in as many games as possible. Some play well over a hundred a year. I believe that is detrimental to young kids physically, and mentally. There is little doubt that throwing hard, and junk at a young age tears up arms. And it burns out a lot of kids. You loose the fun factor, and it becomes an issue of coach/parent politics as to who plays, and who sets.
High school programs almost demand that a kid play travel ball in order to get a look down the road. Now, if your from a family that can't afford the money to travel, or the parent/s have work commitments, you probably won't get much of a look at down the road. I cringe to think of the kids who may never get an honest chance to play at a higher level due to the economics of it.
I think too, that parents/coaches forget that these are pre pubescent boys. Some are very good at a young age while others get better later on as they get older. To cull the heard early leaves out a lot of dedicated players who would mature into better ball players given the chance. Besides, at about 14 boys really start to think about 3 other things. Cars, (Benjamin's got that covered) girls, and beer. Makes life interesting for a parent.
Sorry to rattle on. But I watch the kids play in the "new" system and many don't seem to have real fun. Maybe I'm just getting to old.
Keep Benjamin weldin on that car. I want to see" the stance" when he gets her done.
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