Ive seen a couple of families fall into the travel ball trap. These are presented in the order in which I suspect most dads think about them, not in the order of importance I would rank them (#6 would be #1, and #4 would be #2). But its also a major commitment, so its important to think carefully about what kind of program is best in your specific situation. We may be the exception along with the league in which we play. Well-roundedness: Despite the cultural drive for pursuing one sport, well-roundedness as a child makes for happy, well-adjusted adults. Kids need to be challenged so they can grow. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. This not only applies to the sport of baseball and softball, but in all sports where a dad coaches their own son or daughter. Encourage her to work even harder to earn playing time. 10 common travel problems and how to deal with them - Worldpackers My thoughts will be mainly applied to baseball, but I think they are valid for basketball, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, swimming, and whatever else. Ask former or current players and parents to describe the coaching staff, and see if they would be a good fit for your daughter. We have truly enjoyed getting to know our travel team family! Does she want to be on a team that beats everyone 10-0? Fifth, a child can play travel ball while a family is still committed to church. I was impressed when we showed up that the Varsity girls took a little time to welcome her and get her situated before the coaches were ready. My recommendation to any family looking for a single event that can put their daughter in front of hundreds of college coaches, Scout Softball is the answer. My husband also was a quarterback at a Big 10 university, and my dad was a football coach, but we both chose to direct our son away from football and into other sports because of the enormous risk of injury, especially head injury. Using our tools you can find travel or club Softball teams in spring, summer, winter, or fall near you or across the country in just a few minutes' time! Go to a couple of games and see how the team plays together, and ask to watch the team practice before committing. Softball. We pretty much know that were not ready to commit to a large amount of travel and that will be a consideration as our daughter gets older. Do they look like theyre having fun, while still getting the job done? -ta. The only time we had awful politics was before our team separated and we joined the head coach. I dont see anything wrong with having children that play recreational sports. Thanks for the great article I can share with the parents of my students. Despite not playing travel ball until high school, he got several offers and ended up playing for a highly regarded D1 program. I imagine that we could have lived a little more comfortably had I not been playing softball. And while its obviously better to find a coaching staff that believes in you and is committed to nurturing your talent, I was able to learn important lessons and grow in both types of environments. Some teams charge a small fee for this tryout. How does a big leaguer have a family? Then you have mad moms and dads when their little one rides the bench all day at a tournament two hours from home that you had to arrive at in the pre-sunrise hours of the morning. (Not that we did everything right by any means!!) My name is Alexa Peterson. The cost for a year of travel softball can range from $500 to $5,000 and up, which includes a full uniform, and sometimes includes equipment. 2019 State of play: Trends and developments in youth sports. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Uber competitive athletics is going to end for 99.9 percent of kids/young adults. She might have all the natural talent in the world, but if she wants to spend her summers going to birthday parties, having sleepovers and just living life, then let her! This was the early 90's. It was only an 18U team and I have no clue how far they traveled or who they played. Our league is like the one you described. I coach my son (U10 Rec soccer) and was considering travel but was hesitant because of playing on sundays. These teams travel, often long distances and out of state, to games, competitions, and/or tournaments (hence the name). Youre just now rolling out of the soft, comfy bed to throw on some clothes and get a lazy start to the weekend after a long hard week at work. Before diving into the specific specifics of what to look for, its important to understand why you should consider playing travel softball (and why its not the right choice for every player in every situation). As one who has three sons, two of whom played travel ball for part of their youth, and one who didnt, I can affirm everything you say here. How knowledgeable are they, and will they be able to facilitate the proper degree of skill development for their athletes? Your email address will not be published. Sometimes travel teams also change players during the season, adding and moving around players based on performance. But we have had a great experience with travel ball and have been able to balance our commitments to both Christ, his church, and our family. On the court. But players should walk away from their travel ball experience not only prepared for college athletics, but also for life in general. 113. whack said: Mid 30's there was travel ball when I played but not the ridiculous amount of them as there are now to where it's hard to even field rec teams. Kids are exposed to new cities and sometimes get a chance to play tourist. In those cases, your club fees might include two or three uniforms, matching bat bags, visors and bats (some teams exclusively swing one brand). Thoughts on a 15 year old trying to play for a travel team with no It became known in the United States by various names, such as kitten ball, mush ball, diamond ball, indoor-outdoor, and playground ball. Let them play the game. Listen to truthful, accurate feedback from coaches. Truthfully, we have gotten better instruction and development at a Rec ball/All Star level. They understand the intangibles of the game, and can teach a higher level of mechanics that go beyond the fundamentals. I look at another coach who is seeded number one in the league and am very glad my kid isnt with him as I can only imagine the sort of character theyd be building. But if you cant imagine doing this every weekend or every other weekend (not always cold and misty of course, but it does happen) then maybe travel softball isnt a good fit for you and your family. They learn to be a part of a team effort and that there are sacrifices that need to be made for the team (for instance being pulled during a game). If youre exalting baseball over all these other things, areyou serving a false god, an idol, that is going to use you and then throw you away? Its also likely that kids will need to miss school for team commitments. If money is a potential concern, you need to consider both your priorities and your daughters. They have grown together, developed rapport and strong friendships. We dont have Sunday games and Id venture that shes in the lower end of competitive teams. But my friend who suggested that I do this also told me what was going to happen: he said I needed to understand that the other travel ball teams werent going to be low-key, so we would get pummeled at tournaments and probably lose every game. Depending on where you live, you could be spending a ton of time in the car, or even on a plane. Chemistry: Consider the overall chemistry of the program, not just the chemistry among the players. (No wonder God calls us to pray without ceasing!). If youre a non-Christian reading this post, dont you want to live for something more than baseball? Travel is not glamorous but grueling. And remember that there will befundraisingresponsibilities, too. God bless. When I was playing at Arkansas, none of my teammates had a full ride from the baseball program. Go to practice twice a week, throw on her hundreds of dollars worth of catchers gear, catch for a few hours, then go home and not touch the gear until the next team practice day? That may be the girl were talking about here. Its also important that you dont make your child feel guilty if she tries a competitive team for a year and decides its not what she wants. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | FUTURESLASH CORP. Get two articles delivered to your inbox each week. The cost is a fraction of what a travel season would cost but may actually put you in front of more coaches. If the tournament is really far from home, you may end up getting a hotel room. you dont say what age your DD is, but see if there are opportunities for guest playing. I appreciate the article. How should we choose which travel team to play for? Of course, there are other ways to be the problem parent such as bad-mouthing the coach and other parents, not paying your dues, not bringing your daughter to practices, etc. Allows them to play against better competition. You all make very good points to consider. Highly-competitive programs need to have high-level coaches. This is very true for our daughters as well. You also accept the fact that this may be a long day and that the next time you touch that warm bed could be 3 am the next morning if you make it to the championship. On the other hand, dont force her to join a competitive travel ball team if she just wants to have fun. I talked to a dad who was committed to having his family in church even when they were on the roadand he said they traveled as a family as often as they couldfor tournaments. Be sure to consider these questions. Can you observe some practices or games before you commit? Several dads had told me that they were leaving rec ball for a low-key travel ball team, or that they were adding a low-key travel ball team on top of the rec ball their son was playing. Its also increasingly common for elite travel softball organizations to have two 18U teams, with the highest level designated as 18 Gold. There are no tournaments for which classification as an 18 Gold team is mandatory for entry these teams participate in the same high-level tournaments as A-level teams. If we dont, then look in the mirror. The answer to that question depends on two main things: her love for the game and your wallet! (Their varsity team is seeded #1 or #2 nationwide and is competitive, though still strives to put Jesus first.) Catherine Holecko is an experienced freelance writer and editor who specializes in pregnancy, parenting, health and fitness. They are the parents that are always visiting the dugout during the games. Cant keep my almost 13 yr old from it since 5, and 3 yr old hits a large bucket of real balls off the tee by himself at the indoor facility in a cage while his brother hits in another. I spent my 20s laying the foundation for what Im doing with the rest of my life, not bouncing around in the minor leagues. For us, travel has been amazing. It isnt even cheap! Competitiveness: Make sure you understand what level of competition you daughter wants. While many recreational leagues let anybody play (depending on their roster size) travel teams typically recruit players and conduct tryouts. Or are they truly passionate about the sport? My son excels in travel ball and weve started a bible devotion for the boys before every tournament. Travel Softball Rankings. Accepting players from all over central Florida and have had players from all over Polk County, Hillsborough County, and Hardee County. You may be betting on the kid getting a scholarship. God will open doors to tell others about Christ as we are faithful to follow Him. Breakers Labs, located in North San Diego County, is an elite, competitive Fastpitch Softball Organization dedicated to developing the student athlete. I see quite a few girls that are not willing to put in the extra work to get better. This makes for an unhappy family in my opinion and makes a good case for keeping a player out of travel ball. Since tournaments and games are . These are just a few of the reasons why travel ball may not be a good fit for you. Thank you for this. The biggest softball hubs are Southern California, Texas and Florida. I just watched a program not too long ago on the rise of Tommy johns surgeries. I agree 100% with your article. My husband and I were both very competitive athletes growing up (though we had a wide variety of interests), played travel ball in high school, and won scholarships to a Big 10 university. We want girls who are team players, dedicated and committed to playing softball at an elite level. Character Development: Arguably the most important aspect of a program is the character and personal development that will take place. Maybe families should pray over the decision that best suits each individual child. The true reality of life is that we arent going to be successful at everything. I played two years of major college baseball at the University of Arkansas, and Ive been coaching my sons in baseball and basketball for the last 7 years or so. That the glory of the Lord might cover the dry land as the waters cover the sea. Levels are separated by age and skill level. Of course, we dont love giving up almost every Saturday to softball. If you have a catcher on your team that cant stop a ball or she cant jump up to grab a wild pitch or make a throw down to second base, then your team will be at a disadvantage. What Is Travel Ball Softball? - SportsRec And man (probably some do) dont evangelize. I enjoyed my time as a travel softball player, but it wasnt always easy for me or my family. Rec ball. 8U softball debate. Your opinion please. | Discuss Fastpitch Our daughter played travel softball for 9 years. Softball | Definition, Rules, History, & Facts | Britannica I appreciate that. The irony is that if you dont value your commitment to church (and Christ) enough to pass on sports to commit to church, you arent likely to step out and preach the gospel at the sports events either. As Ive talked to people about this dilemma, one friend proposed this to me: he said that I should start my own travel ball team, and I should commit myself to being low-key about it. There are multiple organizations that host tournaments around the United States. So many times parents have mentioned to us about the cost of being on a team. As more and more kids get involved in travel ball, the best players are taken out of the rec league. I dont normally respond to blog posts, but I wanted to respond to this one because I respect you. Do I think you are sinning if your kid plays travel ball? Maybe take up your buddys offer to go play golf or go fishing. Travel Softball Rankings | Youth Select & Showcase Travel Sports Teams If you can not recover or a fix an error as quickly as another player then you will be replaced. Not criticizing anyone not on same path, but if they want it, you wont stop them. I think God led me to this article to reassure me that we are doing right. Travel softball teams will also sometimes have two different dates options for tryouts, so that athletes can attend the one that best fits their schedule. The fundamentals will already be in place, and theres no question as to whether they will dive head first to catch a ball. I know because I was her coach for years. Parents also will also have to give their own free time to volunteer. Lesson learned. Find out: Travel team play isn't right for every child, but it can be a lot of fun if you make the right match between child, sport, and team. By your argument, we should never have church services because, if were in church and the lost people arent, how are we going to win them? Lack of specified instruction. Too many times parents want what they want, not whats best for their kids. It always seemed the season ended right about the time we got to know everyone. PDF Diamond Dusters Fastpitch Organization Bylaws A majority of these tournaments are qualifiers for the organizations national tournament, where the top teams from different regions compete in one location. Help your kids find the joy of learning in areas other than sports. Your daughter will be around these girls for months at a time, and they say you become who you surround yourself with. So, whats the vibe of the players? How do you help your childs best come out, leaving the potential open for higher levels of competition, while avoiding the possible detriments of rigorous levels of the sport? 7. Recreational Ball vs. Travel Ball - RIP-IT Sports And I want to provide the best competitive opportunities I can for my own kids. After my first year of it in college, I found that what had been so fun because I had the opportunity to look forward to it in the off season, or even on days between practice or games, began to feel like a dreaded obligation that consumed a significant portion of every day. Youre going to be paying team dues of course. Between $500 and $5,000 per year (with an average of about $2,000), depending on where you live, the level of competition, and the time commitment. I want your son to love baseball, to have the opportunity to be a kid, and to play the game as a kid. By living our life for Christ the other 6 days. I played college baseball and never once played Travel Ball in the summer until I was 17. Thats particularly true for parents and players who are just beginning their travel softball journey, because it can be difficult to know how to evaluate a team and coach. Rec ball allows them to have fun, play sports, and still be their age without all the stress and competitiveness of travel ball. Watch and listen to how players respond to the coaches. Baseball should be a fun game for him not a demanding job. If youre coaching your 12 year olds travel ball team, what does that mean for the rec league opportunities your 7 year old has? Get access to discounts and the latest news. Its quality time in a certain way, but probably not in the way youre envisioning right now. Alexa has been working with The Hitting Vault since 2017 as a hitting coach, social media content creator, and writer. Kids need to see that Jesus and his church are more important to their parents even than baseball. More important than that, you and your family dont need a summer long break from the life and fellowship of your local church. Travel Ball is Killing Rec Ball - Discuss Fastpitch Softball Community Does she want to be challenged? Have your church thru fellowship and reach others who may be lost. Jesse played baseball for many years, served in the U.S. Army for 15 years, and began officiating 32 years ago. My son (now aged 26) was approached from age 10 on to play travel ball, but we declined year after year because it would pull us away from church plus cost us a small fortune. Thats commendable, but I suspect that those tournaments dont always start the Sunday games at times that make finding a worship service possible. Would it not make more sense to let this girl play rec ball a few seasons more and get some good one on one training before spending the effort, time, and money that is involved in travel ball? How much sleep do student athletes need?. It is a great starter for players to figure out if they really like the sport and would like to continue with softball at a higher level. Identity: Think about how your child views his or her identity. We only have 1 high school senior playing basketball. Today, softball has grown so much that while there are still teams dedicated to providing elite players the absolute best competition to facilitate skill development, there are actually more and more girls playing travel softball primarily for the fun of it often because they want to play more than the standard 20-game schedule offered by rec ball. Rec ball is where they develop and If money is a concern, ask about this ahead of time. I enjoyed your article and the discussion following it.
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