Go take a look at the now dormant 2019, 18,17... threads and see all of the angst and consternation that was expressed over this subject several years ago. Unfortunately, none of it did any good then and none of the arguments on the 2020, 21, 22, 23... threads over this subject will do any good now. This falls under "control what you can control" and you can't control it. My 2019 son watched multiple boys he played with and against reclass in 8th grade and we had many long conversations about whether he should do it, if it was fair/ethical, etc and he happily stayed "on age" in his grade. I would say that the gamble to reclass worked out for about half of those boys. The other half are out the cost of an extra year of private school and are still uncommitted.
Until the NCAA does something about it, it will not change. The club coaches, high school coaches and most importantly, the college coaches do not care. If the kid can play and they want him, they don't care how old he is.
Don't let your worries about this or worries about the commitment process rob your son and/or your family of the joys of play. What will be will be.
The gamble to reclass or have children that did prefirst years ago is a decent gamble. You say 50% it works for, that you noticed. That is a good indicator of why more and more will hold their child back. 50% shot if he is the oldest, or more than likely a 0-25% chance if not the oldest.
I see this issue not going away. Private schools love this as their kids get to be the oldest on the many club teams. More playing time, etc.
This issue is not going away and the amount of kids heldback will only grow. Only a fool would not hold their child back if they could. Especially a prefirst year. That has less stigma according to many here.
It does seem like old news to many as your their son gets to the end of his HS time tho.. But along the way for many who didnt go that route. Watching their child always competing for a spot against an older child is a little disheartening.
