Participation in organized sports drops by an estimated 70% by age 13. Baseball alone has similar numbers. The drop is driven by several factors, but burnout is number one. Why do kids burn out? Kids state it’s no longer fun. They feel too much pressure from parents and coaches. The kids say they can no longer compete at that level. They are just not good enough. Organized sports offer a lot for kids, including life lessons, physical fitness, and fun with friends. Certainly, some kids develop other interests, causing them to drop out. But others drop out because of the sport itself.
When it stops being fun
Baseball starts out as just a fun activity that’s typically played with friends in the community. As the kids (and parents) learn the game and gain experience, the shift begins. Kids become more engaged and more competitive. Some request private lessons. Some parents push their kids to do more. It starts to become a job. They begin to say they “have to put the work in.” It’s certainly more fun to win than lose. The desire to win begins to take priority over enjoyment.
Some achieve more wins through practice, while others pursue wins by switching teams. Parents and coaches begin to evaluate (scrutinize) the kids constantly. This added pressure eliminates some of the fun. As some switch to more competitive teams, the pressure to perform also increases, not to mention the additional cost. These factors combine to reduce the fun for kids, coaches, and parents.
Year-round schedules
Parents and kids also felt pressure to specialize in their chosen sport. Specializing early creates an increased risk of injury and provides less time for recovery. Staying active in multiple sports can help prevent burnout and provide a healthier experience. Playing multiple sports does not mean that the kids need to play them all at the highest and most competitive level. Exercising different muscles, varying movement patterns, and increasing coordination helps to become more athletic. Coaches prefer more athletic kids.
Multiple sports also prevent boredom and monotony. The constant repetition affects the mental state and contributes to potential overuse. When combined with private lessons, normal practices, tournaments, and travel, that risk of burnout is high. Mixing it up with other sports is effective, especially with younger ages. As they get to high school and want to specialize, they are much more ready for it.
Not good enough
Another contributor to burnout and the desire to leave baseball is the feeling that they are no longer good enough. As kids reach age 13, they typically move to a full-size field and begin to use heavier bats. Many of the tournaments and showcases also require wood bats. For the late bloomers, this move can really frustrate them. There have been some attempts at easing the transition, for better or worse. Recently high schools changed the bat rules to allow the use of lighter bats for high schoolers. This could provide some relief for the smaller players. If they are looking to play at the next level though, they have to get to the -3 approved college bats.
Comparing themselves to others can also produce worry and anxiety. It’s noted that kids should strive to be their best and not compare their outcomes to others. The current recruiting, showcase, travel, and ranking systems all but force the comparisons. Some kids thrive on the added pressure, but for many, it’s a driver to leave baseball.
Increasing pressure
Parent behavior often increases pressure on kids. As parents have dished out more money for travel, tournaments, and showcases, their focus moves to outcomes (winning). Parents will push kids to play when they don’t want to, leading to physical and mental fatigue. This fatigue drives kids to leave baseball earlier than they may otherwise.
Comparing kids also exerts significant pressure on the kids. Coaches and parents alike are guilty of this. Whether done in public or in private, it has a similar effect on the kids. Playing time and the surrounding entitlement also create significant stress. In rec ball, playing time requirements are used to help provide opportunities for kids. In travel ball, no one guarantees playing time. As the overall spend increases in travel ball, parents expect at least a minimum level of playtime. As the focus shifts to winning at all costs, the use of guest players causes conflict. Should the guest player take innings from a paying team member? (Yes, there are times when guest players make sense. Long tournaments require more arms than shorter tournaments, for example). Coaches often overuse guest players by just bringing in ringers for bracket play.
Poor adult behavior by both parents and coaches also adds to the pressure. Parents coaching and criticizing from the sidelines and arguing with umpires and coaches need to end. Kids put enough pressure on themselves and do not need this extra chaos. Social media misses nothing. Seeing how the adults act undermines the joy for the kids. Handle disagreements like adults and positively support the kids.
How to help kids stay
To help the kids stay engaged and support their desire to play at the next level requires awareness and self-control. Be supportive without adding pressure or stress. The kids will tell you how they are feeling . . . Listen! Let them play multiple sports as long as they desire, knowing that at some point they will probably need to specialize. It’s extremely rare to have kids who play multiple sports at a high level. Avoid toxic coaching. Find a knowledgeable, supportive coach who is interested in developing kids.
As long as the kids are having fun, they will stay engaged!