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BBall123
395 Posts |
 Posted - 07/25/2010 : 18:08:51
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Hi guys,
What do you consider the biggest changes and challenges as you move from 11u to 12u ?
Any advice that you feel might help these transitioning teams? |
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Goin Deep
140 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2010 : 20:29:21
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More curve balls, changeups and velocity....Otherwise, no big difference. Enjoy one more year of 50/75, cause at 13 you will see an even bigger gap in talent, along with 54/80.....Also, at 12, about 1/3 to 1/2 have reached or will reach puberty, and it is OBVIOUS who has. That, my friend, is the game changer at 12u. |
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zwndad
170 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2010 : 17:56:28
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| This will be my third time around with 12U, and the one thing that always struck me is how the 12U kids fill up the field (especially the outfield). They are growing faster than the field size, and they can get to a lot of balls that would fall in 11U. Also, the infielders seem to have more time to throw the ball since it gets to them faster than 11U and their arms are stronger. Other than that, and the pitching that Goin Deep mentioned, those are the big differences. And, of course, you'll see more home runs since they usually play on the same fields as 11U. |
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highcheese
71 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2010 : 00:10:28
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| couple things for you to work on when making the transitions. The kids are getting bigger and stronger and the field dimensions have stayed the same. Better learn how to run the bases - cheap steals, easy first to third, going home on run down plays, etc.. are harder to come bye. Your pitchers will have to learn and feel comfortable pitching inside - the better players and teams have been seeing a ton of fastballs over the plate and on the outside all year and if you leave it in the zone at 12 they will kill it, even if you have hard throwers. Off speed, pitching inside, and really helping your players throw the right pitch in the right situation. If not you will have a bunch of batting practice going on out there. This is the year to really start to teach your guys to compete. Leave the crying, the parents coddling, the cruddy cheers, and all that junk behind. It may take the whole year of constant effort by the coaches but it is worth it. Most of these kids are now in middle school with schedule changes, more home work, riding the bus with kids two grades higher, etc.. - time to start the man up process and get the personal responsibility lessons on track. Coaches, do your self the parents and the kids a favor - do not schedule practices so early anymore, no one can realistically get off the bus at 4:45 and make your last year schedule when everyone got off the bus at 2:30. One other key observation - there will be a big change in a kid going from elementary to middle school and there is a period of adjustment especially with the school work. Make sure the kids know school comes first and if they do not make a practice because of school they will not be shot and kicked off the team - especially in the fall. Remember, we are teaching the great game of baseball and it goes hand in hand with teaching life lessons. |
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Shut Out
512 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2010 : 08:42:52
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| great post highcheese |
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MikeyC
50 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2010 : 11:03:53
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| Awesome post highchees! Looking forward to fall. |
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BBall123
395 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2010 : 20:40:22
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| Thanks to you all for the info, great post cheese. I cant wait to get started :-) |
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