Expert: Willie Ansley Jr. - 8/25/2008

Question
My son is a good player...sometimes better then most children his age. He can throw accurately and catch in the outfield line drives. He is fast and just has a wonderful attitude. I want to push him a little harder because he seems to not be challenged anymore. He is as far as he "needs" to be to play ball for the 3rd graders that he played with last year. He just started second grade. I don't want to teach him so much that spring ball becomes boring. I guess I need a little push to keep him going in the right direction.

Answer
I will tell you that it sounds like he is doing quite well.Always remember you want the best 17year old around, not the best 12 year old.So taking that into account you might want to let him play in a tougher league.Or you may want to have him play with the 9s instead.The way you push is have them fall in love with the game.If they fall in love with the game you wont have to worry about him working at the game to be good he will do it on his own.If you have to make him then he want enjoy it down the line.