Little League tryouts were on Saturday and I had the privilege of throwing batting practice to about 200 kids right after watching them catch flyballs and field groundballs.
While that should come as no surprise, just because your son hasn't picked up a bat or throw a ball since May, doesn't mean he can't have a great 2014 season.Baseball truly is a year-round sport here in Palos Verdes and there are advantages and disadvantages to the fact that we can go outside and be in warm weather almost every day of the year. (My condolences to any readers who found themselves in the "Polar Vortex" last week!)
The advantages are clear: we get to play more baseball! We get more time on the field to practice our skills and put ourselves in game situations.
Emotional burnout is also very real and can be the hardest thing to spot in an enthusiastic young ballplayer. I coach 11 months a year and work with tons of players who play all 11 months - there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, taking some time off, whether to play another sport, or to just get away from the game for a few weeks or a month is really healthy.
You know the old saying that goes something like, "you don't know how much you love something until it's gone?" I think this is absolutely true for baseball and taking some time off does NOT mean you are falling behind, or that you don't still love the game.
But back to my original point. If your son went and played football or soccer or water polo or golf after the Spring Season and Summer Camp, that's awesome! And if he struggled at tryouts, that's OK too. Opening Day isn't until March 1st so there is PLENTY of time to get back into the swing of things (sorry to all the professional comedians readying this).
So, if your son looked really rusty at tryouts, don't fret - he's in the majority and there several weeks between now and Opening Day.
That said, now is time to get back to work, so lace up the cleats, dust of the glove, and let's hit the field!