My son is a MIF and has been since 5 years old. He's 14 now and wants to switch to catcher full time. He has done some catching and according to his legion coach, he is most likely the best catcher on our team. Coach feels he should stick with MIF because that's his strength.

Any advice on what to tell my son? I know it his up to him but I have to agree with his coach, I just want to help my son make the right choice.

At 14 he has plenty of time to change positions and experiment; heck, guys change positions all the way through to the pros!

The first question is what does your son want? Talk to him and find out why he's interested in the change; perhaps he needs a new challenge. There's much to learn about the game from every position; even if he decides to go back to MIF full-time, the catching experience will have enhanced his understanding of that position.

I'm inferring from your post there are two coaches involved --- is there a problem with playing MIF for the team that wants him there and catching for his legion team? Catching's hard on the body; doing it for two teams is doubley hard.

If your concern is on down the line, talk with your son about the perceptions of recruiters/scouts for the two positions. An "expected" MIF body is very different from the "expected" catcher's body. At the plate, expectations are different as well, including BA, power, and speed differences. Recruiters are people and people generally see better than they think; it will go slightly easier if he looks like his position.

I speak as the parent of a player who is waaayyy tired of hearing he's 'too skinny' to be a catcher!

My son was a catcher on jv as a freshman in high school. Made varsity his sophomore year as a pitcher and played some at first base. Junior and senior years he was at first base and dh. Now he is a junior in college and plays rf. I always thought he was a pretty good catcher.

Should have had a lefty....makes it really easy! Luckily he is a pitcher and tallish for his age so he has 5 positions he can play...P 1B & the three outfield positions. That is it for him, so easy choices!! (and actually he is not fleet of foot so he really doesn't play center..so it is corner positions when in the OF, which is fine as it allows him to use his strong arm.)

The big issue with catching is the pounding the player takes. Throw in what squatting a lot does to the knees/speed. My son caught into 13U. Then he decided he had enough of taking foul balls on the arms and going to the plate feeling like the bat was made of cement.

Orlando, I think he has the size to catch. (5'10" - 150) My concern is that he is his legion/school teams #1 pitcher as well. Too much throwing would wreck his arm.

RJM - I thought of that to. He is a RB in football and I am concerned with any damage to his knees. I caught growing up until my knees gave out. Had to move to 1st after that.

He wants to make the switch because of the mental part of player catcher. I just don't want him making a decision that may impact his chances of moving onto the next level.

Thanks for the input.

As long as your son can hit coaches will find a place for hinm to play. If he has experience at different positions it make him more valuable in my opinion