Is 12 too old to start sports

[EMode]

Kids are competitive WELL before age 12. Heck, they want to win when playing Candyland at age 4. But I still say it comes down to the emphasis placed on the kids by coaches and parents. It should NOT be "winning is everything". If it is, there's something wrong.

I have 3 kids and you should see us on family game night
I don't disagree with you at all, but the reality is (at least here for baseball) winning takes center stage for players, coaches and parents by the time kids are 12. A newcomer will get the minimum play time, the focus will be on the kids who are very good (or on the coaches kids). Its just how it is.

 

[declansdad]

I'd suggest something other than Baseball and see what he says.
Tennis
Soccer
Fencing (if you can find a place)
These are all probably easier to start at an older age

I would suggest he he wants to try baseball, he try baseball.

 

[declansdad]

More people need to give some thought about youth sports and how they should be working. There is nothing wrong with developing competitive teams as long as it is done properly and in the proper context.


Here is a couple of links to a group that is trying to make people think. http://www.aspenprojectplay.org/about-project-play http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/sports-society

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Wish I could cite names, but there are more than a few major league baseball players who never played before high school, and at least one who didn't play until college.

JD Drew is one who didn't start playing baseball until 13.

 

[wallawallakids]

I would suggest he he wants to try baseball, he try baseball.

This. I agree. There are enough people later in life who say we "can't" or "shouldn't" do something. At 12, as parents, we should be saying yes to things like this. Absolutely. Let him try. It is important in life to go after what you want, even if things don't turn out the way we want them.

I recently had to fight to get my son on a little league team. (Our town is a bit up tight and competitive about ball). But DS(6) really wanted to play. It is little league for goodness sake. But they wanted him on a team for children with disabilities because he is visually impaired. (Mind you, he can still see, but not well, and he doesn't have depth perception). But he didn't want to be on a team that his friends were not on. At this age it shouldn't be about winning. It is about building their confidence and letting them be with their friends. We will see how it goes. He may decide it isn't for him but I am certainly not going to be the one to stand in his way, and I don't believe anyone should tell another person they can't do something. We all deserve a chance to try and a chance to prove ourselves to the world and to ourselves. Good luck to your son. I hope he makes the team!

 

[AustinTink]

I'd suggest something other than Baseball and see what he says.
Tennis
Soccer
Fencing (if you can find a place)
These are all probably easier to start at an older age

I bolded tennis as it caught my eye. My son is in 9th grade and made the varsity tennis team this year at his high school. He's been training with a private coach since he was eight. He trains 5-6 days a week and attends extra camps in the summer. Trust me, tennis is just as competitive as all the other sports.

It would be difficult to start at 12 if your child wanted to be a competitive USTA or varsity-level player.

 

[HM]

I would suggest he he wants to try baseball, he try baseball.

I just wondered whether he's even thought of some of these other sports as a possibility. I think its important to offer choices. He's now interested in baseball because some friends are doing it and if thats what he really wants, they should try to find a way to help him learn the game, I agree.

 

[HM]

I bolded tennis as it caught my eye. My son is in 9th grade and made the varsity tennis team this year at his high school. He's been training with a private coach since he was eight. He trains 5-6 days a week and attends extra camps in the summer. Trust me, tennis is just as competitive as all the other sports.

It would be difficult to start at 12 if your child wanted to be a competitive USTA or varsity-level player.

He may not want that level of play, though.

At this point, he can learn to play tennis and enjoy it with a team. Lots of adults pick up the game after never playing it before and doing recreation tournaments. It's one of the better sports for late learners.

In any case, the kid seems to be interested in baseball because that's what friends are playing. Hopefully he's got some kids that can help him and a rec program that is available.

 

[EMode]

This. I agree. There are enough people later in life who say we "can't" or "shouldn't" do something. At 12, as parents, we should be saying yes to things like this. Absolutely. Let him try. It is important in life to go after what you want, even if things don't turn out the way we want them.

I recently had to fight to get my son on a little league team. (Our town is a bit up tight and competitive about ball). But DS(6) really wanted to play. It is little league for goodness sake. But they wanted him on a team for children with disabilities because he is visually impaired. (Mind you, he can still see, but not well, and he doesn't have depth perception). But he didn't want to be on a team that his friends were not on. At this age it shouldn't be about winning. It is about building their confidence and letting them be with their friends. We will see how it goes. He may decide it isn't for him but I am certainly not going to be the one to stand in his way, and I don't believe anyone should tell another person they can't do something. We all deserve a chance to try and a chance to prove ourselves to the world and to ourselves. Good luck to your son. I hope he makes the team!

Are you sure it was because they are uptight and not because of your ds's lack of depth perception. That can be dangerous in baseball and I could see the league not wanting to take the risk of serious injury for your son.

 

[wallawallakids]

Are you sure it was because they are uptight and not because of your ds's lack of depth perception. That can be dangerous in baseball and I could see the league not wanting to take the risk of serious injury for your son.

Perhaps, but in A ball here, he can still use a T. (Some kids still use it, others are coach pitched). IMO, if he is using a T and there is no real "catching" involved, I don't see how there can be much risk. He assumes more risk at recess on the school playground running around the swings.

 

[Hillbeans]

In my town, it'd be way too late unless he was a baseball prodigy.

They play year-round and the Rec team is almost as competitive as travel because I think the league requires the travel players also play rec ball. I enjoyed when my 13 YO played (up until last year) but the level of competition is so high that it's almost a joke if you're not at that level, at least that's how I felt watching my kid who was doing it for fun and exercise.

 

[EMode]

Perhaps, but in A ball here, he can still use a T. (Some kids still use it, others are coach pitched). IMO, if he is using a T and there is no real "catching" involved, I don't see how there can be much risk. He assumes more risk at recess on the school playground running around the swings.

I see, I didn't think about using the T. Its been awhile since my ds was that little and IIRC they did coach pitch then but still brought out the T from time to time.
Good luck to him and good for you for fighting for his chance

 

[sam_gordon]

Perhaps, but in A ball here, he can still use a T. (Some kids still use it, others are coach pitched). IMO, if he is using a T and there is no real "catching" involved, I don't see how there can be much risk. He assumes more risk at recess on the school playground running around the swings.

I would be worried about a child with depth perception issues playing defense. If he has trouble seeing a ball coming at him, he can get hurt!

 

[wallawallakids]

I would be worried about a child with depth perception issues playing defense. If he has trouble seeing a ball coming at him, he can get hurt!

Yep. He can get hurt in soccer, LAX, football, and even cheerleading. He can get hurt riding his bike, playing hockey, even taking a hike in the woods. So can my older children who have perfect vision. My 10 year old plays on a competitive soccer team and has had several of his teammates out at any one point after being hurt. Should they all not play? Should I tell my 6 year old that sports are off limits and that he can only sit and color or play with legos while his friends get to go out and play on teams?

Should he never ride his bike or ski down a hill? I am not sure what sport would be "safer" for him. At 6 there is soccer, pee wee football, basketball, and baseball. Which of those would be safer?

I am not a careless parent, I worry about him, I want him to be safe but I don't think it is in his best interest to wrap him in bubble wrap and tell him stay put.

 

[wallawallakids]

I see, I didn't think about using the T. Its been awhile since my ds was that little and IIRC they did coach pitch then but still brought out the T from time to time.
Good luck to him and good for you for fighting for his chance

Thank you.

 

[JanaDee]

I would suggest he he wants to try baseball, he try baseball.

At 12, he is far too old to just be starting, unless he is some type of prodigy.

 

[declansdad]

At 12, he is far too old to just be starting, unless he is some type of prodigy.

No he is not, he is far from being to old to start any sport.

 

[JanaDee]

No he is not, he is far from being to old to start any sport.

Here, if you have not learned the fundamentals of baseball by age 12, you are too late.

 

[Hillbeans]

Here, if you have not learned the fundamentals of baseball by age 12, you are too late.

Totally agree. As I mentioned in my PP the kids in my town play all year long (indoor practice all winter) and are advanced players (head-first slides and diving catches). OP, I feel your pain, I do because my kid was NOT good and could not even come close to keeping up if he didn't play all year like the others, and this was Rec league, not travel.

 

[sam_gordon]

Yep. He can get hurt in soccer, LAX, football, and even cheerleading. He can get hurt riding his bike, playing hockey, even taking a hike in the woods. So can my older children who have perfect vision. My 10 year old plays on a competitive soccer team and has had several of his teammates out at any one point after being hurt. Should they all not play? Should I tell my 6 year old that sports are off limits and that he can only sit and color or play with legos while his friends get to go out and play on teams?

Should he never ride his bike or ski down a hill? I am not sure what sport would be "safer" for him. At 6 there is soccer, pee wee football, basketball, and baseball. Which of those would be safer?

I am not a careless parent, I worry about him, I want him to be safe but I don't think it is in his best interest to wrap him in bubble wrap and tell him stay put.

Calm down mama bear. I wasn't trying to even HINT at keeping him "in bubble wrap" nor saying he shouldn't be participating in any sports. I was simply commenting that a vision issue is (IMO) more of a problem when on defense than when hitting at the plate. I don't know what the extent of his vision problems are.