Talented Teenager Quitting Baseball

Hello!
I have a 13 year old boy who has always loved playing baseball. Well, he made the "select" team. So, it's no longer "rec" ball coached by Dad's its competitive. The coach is very strict...for good reason, wants to get the boys in shape. My son now wants to quit, it's hard and says "he's not ready," well, he is ready, he made the team along with all his friends. He is now refusing to play? I will also say he's been raised by myself and my mom, his dad lives in the area but isn't involved at all.
What do I do?
Thanks in advance for your advice

Parent Answers to "Talented Teenager Quitting Baseball"

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He's a kid, not a major leaguer. If he isn't ready for competitive level baseball, there's absolutely no reason why he should be pushed into it.

I would hope that the last thing anyone would want to do is to destroy his love of baseball by pushing him to do more than he's comfortable doing.

I think you need to have a heart to heart with him. If he really feels that he needs not to play, I think you need to be supportive.

Definitely sit him down and feel him out on the situation. Is this the first time he hasn't been the best or had it come easy to him? He might be surprised by the competition level and the amount of work required. Talented kids are often taken aback the first time they're around *real* competition. On the other hand, he might be looking at his friends watching TV, having friends over, and suddenly putting all this time into one activity doesn't do it for him.

Speaking as a sports coach, I'd rather see a kid with a huge amount of talent take time off or cut back to a "recreation" level than force him or her to play at a level they're not enjoying.

It's definitely sad as a coach (or a parent) to see a huge talent say "no thanks," but in the end, it's just a game. And I really believe that.

If he is not going to enjoy it, then just let it go. My brother went through this as a child, only he was on the ball team, because he thought, my dad wanted him to. HOWEVER, he did not tell my DAD, this, so when he found out- after my brother had a "melt-down", he told him "He loved, him and never had to do it because, he thought he wanted him too. My point is let him "quit", on his on terms, and don't let anyone, make him feel bad for it.

Was this a dream of his to be on the select team or yours?
If the alternative is rec ball or no ball; I would prefer my child to at least do the fun rec ball than no sport at all.
I'm involved in AAA select also. I understand how strict and disciplened they expect the child and parent to be for the team. But if he really has no aspirations of being a MLB player, why not just let him go back to rec league. Just make sure to find out first if there isn't something else that is bothering him on the team such as a jerky team mate or something.

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