Have an 11 yr old that played ball since he was 6 and played Fall ball every year. Our yearly 7 month (travel ball) season recently ended. He pitched about 1,000 game pitches during the season but mostly plays middle in-field.

This year, instead of playing Fall ball, we are trying something different. We are putting down the glove and ball and playing tackle football. We will not touch a baseball for about 4 months.

I've often heard that baseball players are created in the off-season. This year, we will not be doing any off-season work. Is it advisable to take time off each year? Will it make starting back up in January more challenging?

Keep in mind, the child is exposed to numerous sports (tennis, swimming, track, basketball) throughout the year, but he has passion for baseball. Its too difficult to play tackle football and Fall (travel) baseball at the same time. So, we had to make a choice.

There might be some bias on this board, but again, do most of you feel taking time off every year from baseball is good, bad, or doesn't matter?

I think you have made a wise choice. Besides the physical toll year-round baseball exacts on a still young body, I personally think they need a "mental" break from the game for a time to recharge. While baseball may be their passion, it's healthy to give them time off from the game, to play football or whatever they like with a new/another group of friends, and be a kid.

I think what you will find is the passion for the game will be even stronger when they return in the new year.

At 11, there's no need to play year-round baseball and if they put down the glove after the summer season, that's fine. It will have no impact on whether they play high school baaseball or not. Rest is good and can prevent physical or mental burnout by time they get to high school.

My son didn't play fall ball until he was twelve (13U fall ball). In previous years he didn't play from the end of all-stars in early August until March. In middle school baseball stopped from the end of October to the beginning of March. In high school it's a January 15 to November 1 proposition. Even so he also plays s****r and basketball.

Brian another good question. I've always felt the break from playing was good for a player especially if they are pitchers and if they have a grueling season. My son only played fall ball 1 year when he was about 8 years old and I think it was 1 or 2 games a week for a month or so. However there are things a young player SHOULD do in the off season that can help him tremendously if he wants to focus on baseball. I basically left it up to my son on how much he wanted to do. It's a good time for you to understand what your son wants to do and whether you're HELPING him or you're PUSHING him. We did have talks about being the best he can be and what it takes to get there and I think I understood his goals and acted accordingly. Since my son was a pitcher (at that time) I encouraged him to do some baseball specific workouts to strengthen his throwing muscles (LIGHT weights, thera bands and rice bucket). I also had a soft toss machine and net in the basement where he would occasionally hit a bucket of balls. Football would almost eliminate all baseball workouts during football season but by the end of December he was ready to get his arm into shape for the upcoming baseball season.
Fungo