14u or 16u

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As try-outs approach, the question I'm looking at is "does my DD stay at 14u or do we move up to 16u?". I realize there are a lot of factors involved in this decision but I would like other opinions. She currently is a 1st year 14u player who is on a "B" team and will be a freshman this Fall. I keep throwing around the ideas of do we try to play for a team that will play "A" ball at 14u or do we look for a team at 16u that may play a little weaker schedule for the first year. I would really like to find a team for her to stay with throughout HS. My DD should make the varsity squad and be one of the starting pitchers.

 

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There is a HUGE difference in 14U "B" hitters and 16U hitters. Find a 14U "A" team that will play a strong 14U schedule and also venture into an occasional 16U tournament.

Not saying that your HS coach is like this, but a lot of HS coaches have their #1 pitcher and they start her almost every game. The #2 will get the leftovers. If your DD does get to pitch varsity, it will give her a taste of 18U and 16U hitters, some good, some bad.

 

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In your Opinion ( wvanalmsick) what is a Tough A Schedule?? Do you think all ASA (A) or what? This question is for anyone really. Wanting to know from teams that have played 14u ( A) and then went into the 16u Division what there success rate was over just going straight into a 15u or 16u age division from the 14u age group?

 

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IMO. Choosing between playing on an elite 14U team that is going to play at Compuware, Stingrays, and the other high profile tournaments vs. playing on a 16U team that will play in the smaller less visible tournaments is simple. Play on the elite 14U team. Most if not all of the teams you will face at Compuware / Stingrays / etc. will win most of the the "lesser" 16U tournaments (or at least finish in the top three). Never fear... you will face amazing competition at these elite 14U tournaments.

Now if you are good enough to play on an elite 16U team that can play at these tournaments... this the answer is simple enough... play on the 16U team.

 

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The single most important thing is find her a team that she will actually be playing. If she can stay down to 14U, but moves up to 16U, she may not be a starter, and loose playing time, and the same could be true if she stayed down on a top 14U team. Just try to find a happy medium where she is getting good coaching , and plenty of playing time.