'You're Not Getting Scouted at 12': Youth Sports Tips from a Little League World Series Hero
Todd Frazier was 12 years old when he led off the final game of the 1998 Little League World Series with a home run, then recorded the last out as a pitcher. His team from Toms River, New Jersey beat Japan to win it all. He went on to play 11 seasons in Major League Baseball.
Now he's back on those same fields in Toms River, coaching his son Blake. And what he sees from the sidelines — parents overanalyzing, kids burning out, travel ball replacing the joy of Little League — has given him a lot to say. Steve Borelli caught up with him for Part 1 of a summer series on former MLB All-Stars turned sports dads.
"You're not getting scouted at 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-years old, man. Not until you get to the big field."
Frazier's Advice for Sports Parents
Little League is the best — and kids are missing it
Frazier grew up before travel baseball existed. Little League was everything — and the memories he made there weren't about winning. They were about becoming friends with kids from Saudi Arabia and Japan, trading pins, riding cardboard down the hill at Williamsport. "Those are memories that are lasting." He worries kids are being pushed out of that experience by travel programs that promise things they can't deliver.
Good parents make good teams
"If you have really good parents, you're gonna have a pretty good team, whether you win or lose, because you have no complaints. They're not worried about where their kid's hitting. They're focused on how the kid is getting better each day." Toms River's 1998 team felt zero pressure — and Frazier credits the parents and coaches for that.
Set goals high — but expect failure
"Set your goals high. You want to bat .500 and you bat .400, that's pretty darn good. Sometimes you reach for the stars and you hit the moon a little bit. That's still a pretty good feat." And when they fail — because they will — don't ask what went wrong. Ask what they learned, and how they could do better next time.
Bring energy, emotion, enthusiasm — to anything you do
Frazier's message to his kids isn't about making it to the pros. It's about showing up fully. "Bring energy, emotion, enthusiasm, to anything you do, and you can't go wrong. Practice the right way. Just be you, but at the same time focus."
By Steve Borelli — USA TODAY
Published June 22, 2025 · Republished with permission
Read the Full Article at USA TODAY →Stay Informed
Get free resources, news, and updates for sports parents delivered to your inbox.
Watch Be Valiant
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video content, interviews, and the Be Valiant series.
Subscribe on YouTubeBE VALIANT. PLAY FEARLESS.
