Almost every youth baseball team has its “token” top player. The better teams have several.
This standout athlete usually plays shortstop or center field, pitches, and bats third or fourth in the lineup. Often, he’s simply bigger and stronger than his peers. He throws harder, hits the ball farther, and seems untouchable at the youth level.
That’s not a bad thing—it’s just misleading. These players often don’t need to do things the right way to succeed. Their size and strength mask flaws in their swing and throwing mechanics. But once the field size increases to 60’–90’, reality sets in. Balls that used to clear the fence are now routine flyouts. Throws that once blew past hitters start getting timed.
And for many of these players, the adjustment is difficult. Some even give up on the sport when success doesn’t come as easily as it used to.
So, how should coaches and instructors handle this situation?
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Acknowledge the player’s flaws in his swing and throwing mechanics.
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Challenge him with stronger competition.
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Encourage him to play for a club team with similarly skilled players.
Acknowledge the Flaws
The first step is recognizing what those flaws are—and how to correct them. For many volunteer coaches, this may be outside their expertise. If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to bring in an instructor who can evaluate the player or give you pointers.
The biggest challenge is psychological: convincing a successful player that his process is flawed. The attitude of “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” is common—but unrealistic. What works at age 12 often fails at age 16. Helping the player see beyond short-term success is crucial for long-term growth.
Challenge the Better Players
Elite youth players need to be challenged constantly. Put them up against the toughest competition, ask them to face the best pitchers, or assign them leadership roles like team captain.
Some players even need to experience failure in order to grow. Challenge creates humility, and humility opens the door to real coaching.
Encourage Club Play
Perhaps the most important step is encouraging your top players to join a club team or travel team where they’ll face athletes of equal or greater skill.
Being the best player in town isn’t enough. Development comes from being pushed—by teammates, competition, and higher expectations. If a player knows he’s the automatic starter regardless of performance, he won’t be motivated to improve. Mistakes won’t carry consequences, and growth stalls.
On a club team, there’s no such safety net. If he wants to keep his spot, he has to work for it. That’s where true development happens.
Final Thoughts
The goal is to make sure talented players stay on track—not just as youth standouts, but as athletes who can excel at higher levels.
Baseball is a game that teaches hard work, discipline, and life lessons. But as players get older, the game gets tougher. What worked at 12 won’t work at 16. Coaches and instructors must prepare their better players for that reality.