Children show signs of athletic excellence very early in their lives. As parents, it is our duty to notice that ‘it’ factors in them and helps them become world-class sports persons. So how to tell if your child is athletically gifted baseball?
For some, they have a eureka moment when suddenly they realize their child is inclined to sports. Others have to find out if their little ball of joy can become the next Roger Clemens.
The athletic quotient in your child can be inherited from you or your partner. Children often share interests and talents with their parents or other blood relatives.
Apart from that, there are other tell-tale signs that your child might be showing which is yet to be identified. Being an ex-baseball player, and a baseball coach to school students. I can say that the most important quality someone can possess is patience and perseverance.
My experience says confidence makes a player a good player. Let’s see what are the other signs your child is athletically gifted.
How To Tell If Your Child Is Athletically Gifted Baseball
Balance is the key
We all know how important balance is for any sport. Be it soccer, basketball, or baseball, when one has a good sense of balance, it helps them have a sharp posture.
Babies often start to have a sense of balance from their first year. If you see that your young champ is developing better control of their body movements, you are probably growing the next baseball champion in your home.
Leadership Skill
According to The Pennsylvania State University, leadership skills show signs of confidence in your children. The ability to make small decisions in their early years helps them make better decisions both in the field and in their future years.
See if your children can come up with creative solutions to their daily obstacles. It can be anything like dodging the bed rails, building a block home, or choosing what clothes to wear for the day.
Children with leadership skills are better at solving problems, and they can work in teams and have higher self-confidence. You can teach your children to be independent and give them sensory toys and puzzles to shape their young minds.
Although there are debates about whether children are “born leaders” or “learn to be leaders,” if you are wondering how to tell if your child is athletically gifted baseball, working on their leadership skills might help you get the answer.
Quick Learning
Quick learning does not necessarily mean being a quick textbook learner. A child can have talent in other aspects too. If your child grasps things quickly and can easily replicate your task, they might be a quick learner.
These children are curious about their surroundings and have an enthusiastic attitude towards learning new things. They are often self-sufficient and take pride in their work. If your child is a quick learner, they might have the potential to be a good baseball player.
Did you know that one of the greatest baseball players of all time, Babe Ruth started his career at an early age and was a keen learner? Ruth was exceptionally good at pitching and hitting and was first noticed by Baltimore Orioles’ owner Jack Dunn.
You can also play baseball with your children in your backyard or in the nearby field. Ensure their safety and make sure they wear the perfect gear to protect themselves.
Baseball wrist tapes are fashionable and useful sports gear that can escalate your child’s confidence as well as protect their young hands from any injury.
Hand-eye coordination
Although babies are born with zero hand-eye coordination, this skill is developed over time. Your child’s hand-eye coordination can be polished by playing baseball, handwriting, shooting or catching a ball, etc.
Hand-eye coordination requires our brain to receive information through our eyes, process it, and guide us to perform with our hands and feet. The faster our brain works, the better coordinated we become.
If your child shows well-coordinated hand-eye movements, you may have been blessed with a future athlete. Following an object with the eyes and responding accordingly with hands and feet gives a heads up in the sport.
Explore your child’s inner sportsmanship by playing exciting games and introducing them to new sports rules every now and then.
Do you want to polish your baseball knowledge? Here is a blog for you.Positions On The Baseball Field Explained By A Coach
Endurance
It is natural for children to get easily agitated by the slightest inconvenience. However, I have seen children in the field who are stubborn (in a good way, of course) and have great endurance, who want to achieve their target no matter what.
Some fifth-graders in my school refuse to sideline even after a bleeding wound, whereas I have seen eighth-graders start limping after a scratch.
Definitely, having a lower endurance level is not a bad thing. However, great players often have higher endurance levels and are more focused on the field.
Being able to endure tough situations makes players determined, and they do not easily give up, no matter how difficult situations get on the field. You can help your child practice endurance by different coaching techniques from a young age.
Exercise with your child, and you can also engage your children in swimming, brisk walking, biking, etc.
Always keep in mind that elementary or high school players do not follow the same baseball techniques as adults. The rulebooks for younger players are vastly different. You can read the details in this blog. Baseball Drills For 10-Year-Olds
Adaptability
Adaptability, like endurance, can be coached in children. However, some children are born with this quality. Adapting to regular day-to-day struggles and bouncing back from a challenging situation helps children build a strong personality afterward.
You can observe how your child/children react to a situation when it is not in their favor. Always teach them to be respectful towards adults and empathize with those in need.
Determination
Famous American author Napoleon Hill once said, “Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.” This quote genuinely depicts how important determination is for a person.
Determination and focus on the goal will always keep the spirit alive in a sportsperson. No matter how difficult the journey gets, an athlete will never leave behind their dream.
Consistency is the secret of a great player. As Rickey Henderson said, “If my uniform doesn’t get dirty, I haven’t done anything in the baseball game.”
Tired of stains in your child’s baseball pants? Here is an article t helpHow to Get Grass Stains Out of Baseball Pants
Stamina
All our everyday activities require stamina. When it comes to sports like baseball, stamina is one of the core factors. Pay attention to your children’s stamina level and how well they perform in the field.
Some children are genetically gifted with higher stamina levels. If your child is one of them, they have a great possibility of becoming a successful baseball player. An athletic child will actively participate in regular practice and an enthusiastic learner.
You should also look after their diet and ensure proper rest. Never forget your child can achieve anything with proper care and support. You can help your child get better immunity and stamina through adequate coaching.
Introduce your child to Baseball
Good things take time. To get the best out of your little champion, introduce them to the game from an early age. Give them baseball gifts to entertain their young mind and to make the process more fun.
Here are some baseball gift ideas Gifts For Baseball Fans | Surprise The Fans.
Teach them the basics first. You can toss a ball back and forth or can also tell them to swing and hit. These initial playful activities will keep them engaged in the game, and you can also figure out signs your children are athletic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. At what Age can You tell if a Child is Athletic?
A: You can see signs of athleticism in your child from age 10 to 13. At this age, children discover the world around them and show interest in what they really love doing.
Q. Does Family Background Play a Role in Athleticism?
A: It is not necessary to come from a family of athletes to become a baseball player. In fact, the majority of baseball players do not belong to an athletic family.
Q. How to Encourage Children to Play Baseball?
A: As a coach or parent, you should always introduce your children to baseball in a fun way. Keep room for failure and disappointment because if they are not making mistakes, they are not learning.
Here are some Baseball Drills for 7-year-olds.
Q. When is it too Late to Start a Sport?
A: Well, it is never too late to introduce your children to something new. As long as they participate wholeheartedly, they can start playing baseball at any age. Whatever you do, make sure your children enjoy it, and you never force your decision on them.
Final Word
If you are still fascinated about how to tell if your child is athletically gifted baseball, take your bat and baseball and get out to enjoy a summer day with your children. You can call all your friends and their kids to make your children’s summer holidays more enjoyable.
Look for the qualities mentioned in the blog and if you want your children to flourish as professional baseball players, nurture their gifted skills and support their dreams.
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Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.
I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.