How to Tell If a Child Is Ready for Youth Baseball

Sadly, the days of sandlot baseball-when the neighborhood kids would organize a game of their own accord, on the street or a dusty field-are long gone. Today, kids as young as five can participate in baseball leagues to learn the game's basic skills and to find out what it means to be part of a team. However, not all kids are destined to enjoy this form of recreation. Here's how to tell if your son or daughter is a suitable candidate.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Determine your child's interest level. By the time she's entered grade school, your kid may reveal her interest in sports by, say, rooting for the local baseball team or by simply asking to play catch. Ideally, you'd like to sign her up for youth baseball at her own suggestion-as in, "some of my friends at school belong to the Pee-Wee League and I'd really like to join too."

2. Examine your own motives. It's true that participating in team sports can build character. Still, your child will enjoy it only if he has the right kind of character to begin with. If you're looking to "toughen up" your gentle, uncoordinated seven-year-old son, your gambit may backfire: kids can be brutal, no matter how alert adults are about smoothing out disputes or preventing name-calling. (As a side note, if your kid doesn't have a smooth, level swing by the time he's in second grade, he's not going to grow up to be a major-leaguer.)

3. Consider another team sport. If your child is especially sensitive or self-conscious, baseball may not be the best choice. Wherever your child is on the field--batting, catching, running--all the attention will be on her. In a sport like soccer, on the other hand, the pressure on individual players is significantly lower. Plus, kids can still learn to function as part of a team.

4. Gauge your child's skill level. Perhaps your son has broached the idea of joining a softball league but you suspect he's not quite ready for the big time. You probably already have a pretty good idea of his skills. Take inventory by playing a quick game of catch, having him take a few swings with a bat, and questioning him about the rules of baseball. If there's a particular weak spot, try to strengthen it up by the time the season starts.

5. Look out for signs of trouble. If your kid was gung-ho for his team at the start of the season but now feigns illness whenever the weekend rolls around, it may be that he's being teased by his teammates, despite the best intentions of the coaches, who are usually pretty good at nipping this behavior in the bud. You shouldn't force a genuinely unhappy kid to play baseball. As popular as it is, this sport isn't for everybody!