My son will be 7 in Jan and he absolutely loves baseball, has played tball and coach pitch since he was 4. He is a very competitive kid and just wants to take that extra step and play on dirt fields and have better uniforms. They have a program here that does take the sports to the next level and I mean its a commitment for everyone there are 2-3 practices a week and 2-3 games a week as well but they are on the weekends. It goes from March-June (unless you are in the tournaments then its july) It will still be coach pitch andh e is really good at it too Im just wondering if this schedule seems like too much overkill for someone his age? It's been around for a long time so I know a lot of parents opt for this instead of the rec leagues just wondering if we should commit so early.
It's fun. Do it. I love baseball, my boys started with t-ball when they were five and little league at 7, it was FUN times.
I did competitive Tae Kwon Do at that age, also about 3-4 nights a week. It wasn't a huge burden on us because my whole family was involved and we didn't have any other extracurricular activities. Also, it is only 2-3 months. If the whole family is on board, then I say go for it, but only if you aren't already juggling other activities.
My daughter was playing softball at 7 and the rule then was they could not meet more than three times per week, mixture of practice and games. All-stars went through a good part of the summer.
We opted for scoccer for my grandson...2 practices a week, one game on weekend. Personally...I think baseball is rather boring....sitting around waiting for your child to go to bat...but I guess millions can't be wrong. I just like alot of action and all the kids get to play at one time.
we waited until our son was 9 to go competitive. honestly, he loves it and I HATE it. the time commitment is almost too much at 9, so at 7, I think it would be too much,. if his teacher sends much homework, it will be tough. also, no matter what the league tells you, there will be late games - our son got home from one at 10:45 once on a school night - I was furious. if you will be playing on weekends, realize that skiing (if you ski) is OUT during the best parts of the season (another of my complaints). this is a family commitment - it can seriously interfere with siblings' activities so it needs to be a family decision. so long as your son continues to play, he won't be at a disadvantage to go competitive when most kids do (at 9). at least that was the case w/North Jeffco league. also realize, that if you go competitive at 7, you're likely to to have a lot of "those" parents which can make you crazy. I'd give it some serious thought before doing it. I'm very glad we waited. and I think my husband is too, although he wasn't so sure for those last two years in developmental.
good luck with whichever decision you make.
We played competetive ball for many years. It was definitely fun, and very very tiring. It is hard for the kids to get up and be at practice at 8am on Saturdays always, and when they have games to have one right after the other. But it is so fun!!! IMO, competetive ball for the younger ones is kind of silly. So many parents get so serious about it, and the kids learn to hate it.
My son ended up in that 7/8 yr old competitive league. He was VERY excited in the beginning but as time went on he started getting more and more irritable. Because it's during the school year it added extra stress because he had to rush through homework, dinner r to get to practice 3 days a week and then every weeweekend @ the park. It was too crazy for me. In the end my son was ready to give up baseball all together. Good luck whatever you decide.....just be prepared for alot of work. Oh 2mygosh things I forgot...are you going to have to travel? If so, extra time &go stress AND be prepared for a different mentality of parent. Many are that "do or die" my child is better than yours and better play all the time! (Just saying..for me that was the hardest thing to deal with) good luck!
Our spring baseball sounds similar, but 2-4 games per week, most practices are before the season begins.
If it as 6 days per week--I would seriously think about it.
I will tell you this, it is (literally) a WHOLE new ballgame once kid pitch starts.
That's when you really see what kids are "into" it and what kids are just not...
It depends on YOUR son, and other factors. For example, our rule is ALL homework is done before dinner, then dinner, then baseball.
Our work schedules allow for that, as many weeknight games start at 6. That's a push, even though we are home when the bus gets home at 3:45. I cannot imagine a baseball schedule as you describe if it involved picking a kid up at daycare at 5:30 or 6:00.
You know your son best!
If there's something less intense, I'd wait it out through kid pitch for the intense league.
