| Playing the game of professional baseball is a thrill | | | | game is very advantageous. Neighborhood and |
| few men get to experience. There is so much | | | | school leagues are known for providing |
| that goes into being a professional ball player. | | | | opportunities for all children to participate and |
| Hours and hours are spent hitting off the pitching | | | | have a fun time. While these are great programs |
| machine, training in the weight room, practicing the | | | | in their own right, they may be the wrong choice |
| fundamentals of the game, and honing the skills | | | | for the child who has a special talent for playing |
| specific to the position played. But pitching | | | | ball. The opportunity to get quality coaching |
| machines and weight training aside, being a | | | | appropriate to skill level is invaluable, especially |
| professional ball player takes a little bit of luck too. | | | | during these formative years. The opportunity to |
| Many professional ball players have a similar path | | | | play in a select league is often a more valuable |
| to the big leagues. While the details may vary, the | | | | competitive and learning experience for a gifted |
| big picture is often the same for many players. If | | | | player. It is an excellent stepping stone up to the |
| your child shows an aptitude on the ball field it is | | | | high school years. |
| vital that he is exposed to all the opportunities | | | | As a high school student matures and grows, a |
| available to be in a position to make the most of | | | | serious baseball player typically is incorporating a |
| his abilities. What is the best way for a parent to | | | | weight regimen into his training. This is an |
| accomplish this? | | | | invaluable step in an effort to get the maximum |
| One of the very first things a parent can do is to | | | | performance out of his body and as a basis for |
| acknowledge that your son has a gift for playing | | | | avoiding injury. At this age, fundamentals are still |
| baseball. Usually this is not a problem, as it is often | | | | stressed and skills are being worked on year |
| very obvious that your child is naturally gifted. | | | | round. The athlete with phenomenal talent is |
| Another thing to consider at an early age is | | | | typically well known in his area, perhaps even his |
| whether or not your child has an interest in | | | | state. A good school program and coaching |
| playing ball. Early education experts are quick to | | | | network is essential for getting out the word |
| point out that exposure to a broad range of | | | | about a talented athlete. Often, the most talented |
| activities and interests is vital to the growth and | | | | high school athlete finds himself attending college |
| development of a young child. Exposure to | | | | on a scholarship, or opting out of college and |
| activities can help you and your child determine | | | | taking a chance on playing some minor league ball. |
| what is enjoyed and where gifts might lie. While | | | | As a parent, your role in giving your gifted ball |
| attention span and interest level can sometimes | | | | player the opportunity to play professionally |
| be short for any given activity, typically a child | | | | basically comes down to awareness. Be aware of |
| with special skills in a sport will show a repetitive | | | | all the opportunities available to your son. Be |
| interest, primarily because it comes so easily to | | | | aware of his natural abilities, be aware of his |
| them. This early start is often what sets apart a | | | | interests, be aware of all the many valuable |
| good athlete and a great athlete. | | | | assets you have in your community. Be willing to |
| As a child grows into the elementary age years, | | | | place your son in the best environment for |
| the opportunity to play with a group of individuals | | | | success at every developmental milestone. With |
| who are above average in the sport and who are | | | | some hard work and a bit of luck, your child could |
| serious about mastering the fundamentals of the | | | | one day be playing professional ball. |