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13 Yr Old baseball is right around the corner!

By Michael Anderson, 12/14/14, 9:30PM CST

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Dear SAYB parents,

The transition from Little League baseball (12 years and under) to Big League baseball (13-15 years old) can be an exciting and fun experience for your son or daughter. One of Shoreview Area Youth Baseball’s goals is to communicate some early information and provide helpful tips which may be of assistance as players evolve to their new league.

All players who completed their 12 year old season will be moving to the 13 year old level of Big League. Also, although SAYB recommends players play at their appropriate age, 11 year old season may elect to declare themselves eligible to play ahead one year and participate at the 13 year old level. 

The following information has been compiled over the years from past parent input and SAYBobservations. The items listed below outline some of the differences players and families will experience when transitioning from Little League:

o   Opportunities to compete against teams from other communities regardless of level of play. This will require some additional travel when playing away games.
o   Adult umpires - sometimes two per game.
o   Base runners can now lead off the base (while on the base paths) and the pitchers can now attempt to “pick off” a base runner.
o   Increased expense (new equipment, tournaments expenses, adult umpires, etc.).
o   Team Formation Process:
Similar to the SAYB 11/12 year old level, tryouts are held to determine team formation for the Big League program. Traditionally teams are made up of 11-12 players. We currently estimate 1-AAA (the most competitive level), 1 or 2-AA (depends on number of players registered) and 3-4 North Star teams. In addition, top players from each North Star team will be asked to join a combined weekend tournament team which competes in a minimum of 3 weekend events. The exact number of teams and number of players assigned to a team at the 13 yr old level is not known at this time and will depend on the number of players registered. The SAYB program in cooperation with the Hamline University Baseball program, have scheduled an evaluation session that will take place Feb. 28th, 2014. This session is an indoor event at the Hamline University Field house. It is the goal of this process to position players at a competitive level where they will have the best chance to experience success and further their development. It is a 1½-hour event designed to evaluate a sampling of skills via rotation between various stations. This is very similar to an experience a player would have when attending a baseball clinic. The evaluation process will consist of multiple stations throughout the field house. The stations will include: infield, outfield, hitting, running, and throwing. Members of the Hamline coaching staff/team will evaluate each player at the stations and provide scores to SAYBfor player placement. No SAYB officials or volunteer will have any input in the scoring process. Prior year participation in NL, AAA/AA team or on Tournament teams has no bearing on the player placement.  This process is the primary event to determine team placement. Although there is a second round process for final qualifying players considered for AAA or AA placement (March 29th), the foundation for the team placement decision is based on this impartial evaluation.  Attendance is mandatory for any players interested in participating on the AAA or AA teams. 

As players prepare during this offseason, it is suggested that players work on their technique. It is strongly recommended players find a winter program to continue development of their skills. Caution: Often players will get into a batting cage at high speeds to develop their skills. Keep in mind at the 13 year old level, the distance between the pitching mound and the home plate moves from 46’ to 52’. Although players do get stronger from year to year, players generally feel that the pitching speed seems slower than what was experienced at the 11/12 year old level. In addition, players are now allowed to throw curve balls and other off speed pitches. Players may develop timing for a 70 MPH fastball at a short distance, but they generally will not experience one during the evaluation nor during the season. Working on timing at slower speeds is generally beneficial. The belowinternet address will provide you with additional information that may assist parents and players as they develop their technique and is a foundation for Hamline evaluators when rating players. http://www.perfect-technique.com/Mediabook/PerformanceAnalysis.html 


o   Players at the 13 year old level are allowed to wear metal spikes. Plastic spikes are also acceptable.
o   “Big barrel” bats:
The Big League level offers players the opportunity to migrate to “big barrel” bats (larger than 2 1/4 inches in diameter). Players may also elect to use the bats they used as 12 year olds but the size of the barrel on a Little League bat is smaller than those used by most players at the 13 year old level.  If planning on utilizing a “big barrel” bat, it is recommended that players begin using them early in the offseason to develop additional arm strength and increase bat speed. When purchasing a bat, the bat must be no lighter than a “minus 10” meaning the weight cannot be more than 10 ounces less than the length (example: a 31 inch bat cannot be lighter than 21 ounces). Further, the bats must have BBCOR or USSSA approved rating. Bats which are deemed legal may change from one season to the next. MYAS, our governing body for the Big League, does a good job keeping their website updated as the status of bats is determined. For more details, please go to the MYAS internet address below.

http://myas.org/gm/users/myas/docs/Bats2014.pdf


o   AAA and AA team nuances:
In the past, AAA and AA teams have generally consisted of players who are interested in playing baseball into high school and maybe even college. We participate against top talent from other communities. Many parents have shared that this is an extremely enjoyable experience but it should be understood that there is a high level of commitment expected from players qualifying to participate on an “AAA or AA” team. Players at this level can expect practices and/or league games three or four days per week, plus four to six weekend tournaments taking place on both Saturdays and Sundays in May, June and July. Teams may also qualify for up to three State Tournaments beginning in late July and can run through the first week in August.

Players and parents need to agree ahead of time to this level of commitment so the team can count on your presence. If you do not wish this level of commitment, please do not plan on occupying the place of a player who is willing to do so. It is suggested that family vacations or participation in camps/other sports take place after the first week in August. Further, at the AAA or AA levels unlike previous SAYB levels players will not be playing multiple positions and playing time is generally not equal. 


o   Fields size and condition:
Players begin to play on a larger field at the 13 year old level. Base paths move from 60’ to 75’ and the pitching distance also increases. Players at the 14 year old level play on a full size regulation baseball field (90’ base paths). Consequently some programs, including SAYB, have limited access to quality 13 year old fields. Not in all cases, but players may experience a downgrade in field quality from what they played on at the 11/12 year age group. Many of the other programs utilize a “skin” infield (no grass). Fortunately, it is a single year situation and the quality of the fields dramatically improve at the 14 year old level. 


We understand this communication is early but baseball will be here shortly. Registration begins in several weeks meaning spring is not far away. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions regarding the above items or any additional Big League topic. 

Sincerely,
Michael Anderson
Big League Director – Shoreview Area Youth Baseball