A team from Endwell, New York recently won the Little League
World Series. And it got me thinking how many kids that have played in the
Little League World Series have gone on to play Major League Baseball?
Here's an eye-opening statistic for many parents and
coaches...
In the 69 years of the Little League World Series, a total
of 45 players have made both the Little League World Series and MLB, including 13
current players who first made their names on the fields of Williamsport, Pa. How
can this be?
Aren't we watching the greatest 11 and 12-year-old players,
in the world?
What is happening to these players between the ages of 12
and 18?
Here's what happens...
We're really not seeing the most talented 11 and 12-year-old
players in the game. What we
really see is the most physically developed 11 and 12-year-old players in the
game.
When we see a 5'10”, 170lbs. 12 year old, that is a player
that is just bigger and stronger than other kids his age.
NOT more talented.
Here's where it goes wrong...
Other kids his age start to develop physically. 4 years later that physical development
levels out and often the physically dominant player has relied on that physical
dominance and has neglected the skills of the game and have not developed the
essential work ethic.
I get emails all the time from Dads of players who are just
realizing this and they are now scrambling to play catch up.
Sometimes it's too late.
So, if you're not one of those early developers, hang in
there, work hard, things tend to balance out. If you get cut don’t give up. 12 years old is far to early
to retire from the sport if you truly
love it.
If you are one of those early developers, stop relying on
that to succeed. Start layering this early advantage with the skills of the
game.
