Posted by: Mike's mom () on Wed Apr 21 12:27:54 2004

Hi Mom, I could have written your post (& I have a hitting devise in the basement too!) I too have a 10 year old (soon to be 11) in his 1st year in the majors. My son's 1st game was against an all 6th grade/12 year old team and I don't think he even got the bat on the ball...he did walk once though. His entire team is all 10/11 year olds & they looked extremely weak against the 6th graders. I see a huge difference in the boy's pitching from 5th grade vs. 6th grade, and their hitting as well.

My son is fortunate because I also have him in an all 5th grade league. This is a much easier league compared to the majors & sometimes I wonder why we have him there when I compare it to his other league because it seems so much easier. However, he naturally loves this league because he is very successful with kids his own age. He's hitting triples (just missed a homer) and hasn't given up any runs pitching in 2 games. So, while it's easier, he is playing with kids his age & it's building his confidence.

He's knows the majors are going to be difficult, but it doesn't seem to bother him because he has the other league to play in too. Next year, he'll be the older boy in the majors & I'm hoping the success he's having in this younger league will flow over to the majors next year.

How are the other 10 year old's in your son's league doing? Probably the same as your son, as that's how it is in my son's league too. We have a Frozen Ropes near us that has a lot of baseball programs. Maybe something like that with kids his own age will boost his confidence when he sees he is successful in his own age group. I know this is going to be a difficult year for most of the younger boys in the majors!

Good Luck.