Player mentality 12U vs 13U

[The Uncoach]

Those of you who have been there/done that, what's the difference you noticed between coaching 12U kids and 13U kids. The changes of puberty have an effect on their mentality, too? I'm seeing some formerly aggressive players be scared of diving for fly balls, get in a tough situation on the mound and not want to work through it, etc. And the only thing I can think of is the chemical difference in their bodies.

[tg643]

From a baseball standpoint the changes may be based on the level of talent you're coaching. My 13U team was thirteen of the top twenty LL all-stars we targeted from an eighteen team district. They were all very aggressive on the field. In the dugout or at practice it was sometimes like herding cats. At times their minds were all over the place since their interests are changing. In conversation they're trying to prove to each other they're men.

I got on my players once about missing signs. I went through the signs like a Sesame Street lesson. It was a little condescending to make a point. S is for sleeve. S is for steal. B is for belt. B is for bunt. I got to the take sign and explained there wasn't a body part to make it easy. Just remember it's the chest. The first kid yelled out "Grab your balls." T is for Tesiticles. T is for take." The second kid blurted out "T is for tits. T is for take." Then a third kid held up two hands to his chest like a full rack and said, "This means take two." That's what I remember about 13U.

[TexAg]

I got on my players once about missing signs. I went through the signs like a Sesame Street lesson. It was a little condescending to make a point. S is for sleeve. S is for steal. B is for belt. B is for bunt. I got to the take sign and explained there wasn't a body part to make it easy. Just remember it's the chest. The first kid yelled out "Grab your balls." T is for Tesiticles. T is for take." The second kid blurted out "T is for tits. T is for take." Then a third kid held up two hands to his chest like a full rack and said, "This means take two." That's what I remember about 13U.

not sure how/if you were able to maintain your composure, but i would've been...

[tg643]

We (coaches) laughed harder than the kids. We were laughing at the coming of age more than the juvenile humor. Then you get it back to normal and finish the conversation like the other stuff never happened.

[tradosaurus]

From a parents point of view I witnessed my son's select team evolve from last years 12U to 13U this year.

Some that were studs in 12U are not so much this year and vice versa.

The increase of just 4 ft in pitching difference has separated the men from the boys.

Personally I find that girls and girlfriends tend to ruin the drive of some 13 yo.

Why parents allow their kids to "date" at such a young age is beyond me.

[tg643]

From a parents point of view I witnessed my son's select team evolve from last years 12U to 13U this year.

Some that were studs in 12U are not so much this year and vice versa.

The increase of just 4 ft in pitching difference has separated the men from the boys.

Personally I find that girls and girlfriends tend to ruin the drive of some 13 yo.

Why parents allow their kids to "date" at such a young age is beyond me.

Future pitchers aren't developed in 13U. Some kids are behind the curve developmently at thirteen. Some are ahead of the curve. I'll ignore your constant attempt to push your archaic patriarchal attitudes on the board. It serves no purpose. If a thiirteen year old is distracted from baseball by girls he's not that interested in baseball.

[scorekeeper]

Those of you who have been there/done that, what's the difference you noticed between coaching 12U kids and 13U kids. The changes of puberty have an effect on their mentality, too? I'm seeing some formerly aggressive players be scared of diving for fly balls, get in a tough situation on the mound and not want to work through it, etc. And the only thing I can think of is the chemical difference in their bodies.

Are they playing on the same field, or were the 12’s on a small field and the 13’s on the big field?

[The Uncoach]

Are they playing on the same field, or were the 12’s on a small field and the 13’s on the big field?

Different field.

[skipper5]

If a thirteen year old is distracted from baseball by girls he's not that interested in baseball.

Totally agree.

My experience with the 13-14yo age-group (extensive experience) wrt this topic does not match that of many who post on the internet.

IOW, I found interest in girls to be a non-issue at both the rec and "select" levels of the game.

[The Uncoach]

So, Skipper, what issues have you found at that age level?

[skipper5]

I vividly remember coming home after the first 13u practice I held with my oldest son's team.

I said to my wife words to the effect that: Something is the matter with [our son] . He's different on the field this year. He's playing hard, but instead leading the chatter like he always did, he's quiet and seems almost like he's depressed out there.

My wife looked at me like I was stupid, and filled me on puberty 101, mood changes, etc.

[skipper5]

Uncoach,
I'm not good at typing on a keyboard.
Please check you private messages.

[Jake Patterson]

Those of you who have been there/done that, what's the difference you noticed between coaching 12U kids and 13U kids. The changes of puberty have an effect on their mentality, too?

Absolutely! Everything changes.... What they were prepubescent isn't always an indicator os what they'll be post pubescent

I'm seeing some formerly aggressive players be scared of diving for fly balls, get in a tough situation on the mound and not want to work through it, etc. And the only thing I can think of is the chemical difference in their bodies.

Very well could be... Some get more anxious.

[tg643]

In the beginnng of 13U one change was understanding how far they could run and it's still their ball.

[tradosaurus]

If a thirteen year old is distracted from baseball by girls he's not that interested in baseball.

Totally agree.

My experience with the 13-14yo age-group (extensive experience) wrt this topic does not match that of many who post on the internet.

IOW, I found interest in girls to be a non-issue at both the rec and "select" levels of the game.

The problem lies with the parents who are forcing their kids into tournament ball even though the kids don't have the heart to play it at a high level.

Out of 11 kids on our team 8 of the boys are dating. I see the majority of these kids give half-hearted effort at times.

It's no fun when you lose out early on single elimination games and have to go home.