With every post like the one above I regret my title of this thread more HOWEVER it bears repeating: the competitive disparity between the 8th graders and (most) freshmen is an issue (as Mr Cokeley so eloquently explained) but not the main issue, to me. The main issue is that 14U, an "at risk" age group for the decline in numbers in our sport, has only 1 grade level of competition ALL SEASON until the freshmen get dumped into the mix and that in order to do the things it takes to be competitive, to grow in the sport, you must attend bigger largely out of state tournaments throughout the season which some (most?) competitors families are not able to do for various reasons. Which seems a shame because a simple adjustment in the age cutoff would fix it. NOTICE: if other powers that be have their way in this state, the date of kids state may necessitate a change in the cutoff date