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I think this causes too many parents to look at travel ball as rec league 2.0. This is a case where a player made a poor decision on team selection. On the other hand, dont force her to join a competitive travel ball team if she just wants to have fun. Any extra lessons are usually a large chunk of money. Kids are smarter than what we want to give them credit for. If your daughter is interested in playing college softball, youll want to be part of an organization that: When I was coaching at a Division II school, there were a handful of travel ball coaches I knew well and could really trust to give me honest feedback on a kid as an athlete and a person. Dont let one child be turned away because they cant afford registration or equipment. Rec ball is shorthand for Little League Softball and/or your local city league. We dont recommend this for everybody, but for the right people travel softball can literally be life-changing in a great way. 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. SAVE 25% ON ALL HER MUST HAVES - 25% OFF SITEWIDE ALL REGULAR PRICED ITEMS. If the coaches seem wishy-washy about these topics, dont offer straightforward answers, or seem like they just dont want to be bothered with the questions, thats a red flag. Kevin Soles. Do they walk away, rolling their eyes? But if you don't make it into your dream team, the loss is much heavier on people's pockets as well as their minds. By Catherine Holecko My arm hurt all the time, and I wasnt a pitcher. How much sleep do student athletes need?. While on the bench she would rather play with fidgets than to watch and learn from the game. And there is no guarantee of playing time (unlike in recreational leagues where all kids will usually get a chance to play regardless of ability). As more and more kids get involved in travel ball, the best players are taken out of the rec league. They had to draft 8th graders to play for the high school JV team so the others could step up and play the Varsity. I wanted to play at the highest level I could, and they were willing to sacrifice to make that happen. Travel softball is not for everyone. Not one. Small towns breed professional athletes, and the reason seems to be that kids in small towns arent over-coached, over-organized, and over-specialized by the travel ball opportunities found in larger cities. Travel Fastpitch Softball Organizations by State 5. The cost of travel is not included in the monthly dues. If I was in the big leagues, my summers (and falls, and springs) would be dominated by an unrelenting schedule leaving no opportunity to coach my kids teams. We havent broken the bank, we attend church on Wednesdays is we know we will be traveling too far to attend on Sunday (otherwise we go on Sundays), and the kids are all great friends. Is it a help or detriment to their character and bodies? Then, another tournament every weekend from late spring through July or August. Open Access J Sports Med. Highly-competitive programs need to have high-level coaches. My sons high school teammate played in the minors for several years before being cut and at age 26, he is just now finishing college and trying to figure out what to do with his life. There are gloves, bats, batting gloves, helmets, cleats, sunglasses, facemasks, and God forbid your daughter decides to be a pitcher or a catcher like ours. This is a delicate balance to strike, but its something to keep in mind. Travel Ball Format Not Good For The Sport - Coaches Insider In general, there is no regular season with travel softball it runs all year long, with club practices once or twice per week during the spring and fall season, and a full slate of weekend tournaments during the later spring and summer season. At the high end, families can spend more than 10% of their income on registration fees, travel, camps and equipment.". Tendonitis describes inflammation of a tendon, typically caused by overuse. Thanks for the great article I can share with the parents of my students. Thats fine for an 18 year old on the cusp of adulthood, but theres no reason to put a 714 year old through that kind of rigor. I was recently Contemplating to start travel ball from my son recently and for some reason Ive been holding back . Help your kids find the joy of learning in areas other than sports. Listed below are six of the pitching injuries that athletes tend to experience. These girls can always work harder to be better. On the contrary, travel baseball is pure commitment! At tryouts, you should expect to be tested on your home-to-first sprint time, your home-to-home sprint time, and your overhand throwing speed. While some languages are much harder to grasp than others, a lack of words is a travel problem with an easy solution. Hopefully not though. My kid started lessons at five and at almost thirteen, still going strong. 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). 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. Creating a logo and brand is a big step for your new program. Christians need to be gathering with the same group of people every week to worship the risen Lord Jesus, to hear his word, and to fellowship with each other. See also: How to Pick the Right Softball Bat. Im not a coach, but I can only imagine that problem parents are one of the most annoying things to coaches. The best outcomes were consistently when we stayed in the local rec leagues. The answer to that question depends on two main things: her love for the game and your wallet! This is what we due when we gather for worship. Then of course you have everything for your player to use at home to practice like hitting nets, tees, practice balls, medicine balls, balance boards, etc. But players should walk away from their travel ball experience not only prepared for college athletics, but also for life in general. Just last year, I finished your work Gods Glory in Salvation through Judgment. He was selected and after spending money on uniforms, dues, tournaments, he was cut from the team because he had a slump in his batting. For those not going into coaching/training or the extremely few that will play professionally the focus needs to not get away from marketable skills once your done with college; which is a challenge in itself as athletes are often steered towards meaningless degrees to accommodate athletics. We always had food on the table, but the effort put in by my parents to facilitate my amateur softball career was exorbitant. Travel ball, by contrast, is not cheap participation fees average about $2,000 per player per year. Well-roundedness: Despite the cultural drive for pursuing one sport, well-roundedness as a child makes for happy, well-adjusted adults. Travel Baseball - 10 Pros And 7 Cons - Little Ballparks Well always innovate to do whats best. Were enjoying the homeschool league to which we belong right now, but also realize that our daughters team is not a highly competitive team, but the JV/Varsity teams are a bit more competitive. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. softball, a variant of baseball and a popular participant sport, particularly in the United States. My thoughts written here veer away from the focus of recreational versus travel leagues as the original blog talks about, but include some areas to think about whichever route of competition you choose. Travel is not glamorous but grueling. 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. Think about your reasons for getting your child into a sport. The U.S. government tracks about 23,000 pieces of debris larger than a softball orbiting the Earth. Some of you may have fainted after mentally calculating the cost of everything in that last section. Truthfully, we have gotten better instruction and development at a Rec ball/All Star level. Dont get me wrong, there is definitely room for improvement with all players. Here are a few questions that many travel softball players and parents ask when joining or switching teams. Let kids be kids, they and their bodies will decide what they can and cant do. Softball programs usually get a team in fresh-off a summer season filled with travel softball games and practices. Your email address will not be published. Do they want to try out for the travel team just because friends are doing it, or because it seems like the next step? We have truly enjoyed getting to know our travel team family! I never felt that way until I got to college, but looking at the demands of travel ball, I totally understand how the kid feels. Its important to be committed to making games, meets, tournaments, and practices a priority, but not at the expense of church, or important family gatherings. I dont know. Levels are separated by age and skill level. It's really helpful to talk with other parents a few years ahead of you on the paththose who have experience with the same club or league you're looking at. 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. Parents: Want to Find the #1 Issue in Your Athletes Swing, Robbing Their Power? Travel softball can be one of the most stressful aspects of the sport, especially when it comes to choosing the right team. What are you waiting for? Prior she played six years professionally, and was 1st Team All-American at the University of Oregon, helping the Ducks reach the Women's College World Series twice. How many travel baseball games are played in a season? Small towns breed professional athletes, and the reason seems to be that kids in small towns aren't over-coached, over-organized, and over-specialized by the travel ball opportunities found in larger cities. There are half a million pieces of debris larger than 1 centimetre and 100 million pieces of. The pitchers pitched far more balls than strikes. Car pool or fund transportation for those who cant get their children on time. Glad to see you are faithful (and a baptist!). You have to grab a quick breakfast to eat on the way. And we want them to work hard, even when the going gets tough. Our youngest has decided that gymnastics is a little more important to her than softball, so we have taken her out of travel softball. Be sure to consider these questions. My weekend routine typically looked something like this for travel ball: In other words, its a lot of time on the road. Communication:Its important to have all your questions answered. Ryan E. I think this is a good post and is great advice. You all make very good points to consider. These teams expect you to take the game seriously: 15 minutes early is on time; you walk into a tournament in an orderly fashion; and you recognize that while theres a time and place to be goofy, youre there to get better at softball. Unlike recreational softball, travel teams don't play a set number of games every season. 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! The Do's and Don'ts of "Daddy Ball" - Amanda Scarborough How Much Does Travel Softball Cost - ourlittlesmarties.com All rights reserved. Despite not playing travel ball until high school, he got several offers and ended up playing for a highly regarded D1 program. (This, too, however, isnt a litmus test. There are typically four or five tournaments during October and November. You have to trust that all decisions are made for the good of the entire team. Were seeing some growth in her skills and she loves the game. Confused! Baseball should be a fun game for him not a demanding job. Yes, I need Sunday fellowship and worship. Our children assume that Sunday morning is time to worship with our church. When we read books about how it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert on anything, it may wrongly motivate us to try to create little experts out of our kids by the time they graduate from high school. The only kind of baseball scholarship D1 programs offer is a partial one. I also need it every day of the week. Here are 10 reasons I think you should keep your kid in the rec league rather than quitting it for travel ball. Competitive Travel Softball: Key Considerations When Picking a Team, Top 7 Things to Look For in a Travel Softball Team, Picking a Travel Softball Team Final Thoughts. Dont sacrifice your sons childhood on the altar of the hope that hes the next Derek Jeter. She does it for fun and its not overwhelming even though its a little more competitive than a local rec league. You accept the fact that today you will be cold, wet, sleepy, and possibly moody. Once we knew about travel ball there was no going back. Also, keep in mind that many tournament teams have monthly dues of around $200 to play on the team and have access to their training facility. Cheer them on and let them entertain you. Alexa Petersons College Softball Recruiting Journey. For us, it boils down to priorities. Your email address will not be published. A travel team is a youth sports team that plays at an elite level. A majority of programs at this level also have their own indoor facility for winter workouts and bad-weather training. 509 County Road 540A, Lakeland, Florida 33813. (Matthew 6:33) I pray that many folks take heed of what you shared. Competitiveness: Make sure you understand what level of competition you daughter wants. The goal should always be for kids to have fun, be active, and keep learning, no matter what sport or team they choose. So many kids grow up dreaming, so few put on a big league uniform. We dont have Sunday games and Id venture that shes in the lower end of competitive teams. What to Look For in a Travel Softball Team - The Hitting Vault They are the parents that are always visiting the dugout during the games. What will travel ball mean for your other kids? There is almost always a try-out or audition process to join the team. (Sometimes you'll find an assistant coach who is a parent, but rarely a head coach.) I enjoyed your article and the discussion following it. If you dont put in this extra work, you will quickly fall behind your teammates and ride the pine (plus risk being cut at the end of season). Its wonderful that your child wants to play at a higher level, but you need to be sure they understand what all youre signing up for if they make the team. As parents, however, we can sometimes unknowingly pressure our kids to continuing pursuing things at a higher level because we want it for them, not because they want it, and we proverbially try to put a square peg into a round hole. Parents also will also have to give their own free time to volunteer. They will actually improve more at each sport because a variety of new skills enhances old ones in ways that cant be quantified. Small town kids grow up playing lots of sports not getting burnt out playing the same one all year round. Too many times parents want what they want, not whats best for their kids. Thats why Im writing this post. 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? Players invest a lot of money and energy into it. PAY FOR QUALITY UMPIRES, make sure you have enough umpires for all games and have them supported by all involved. This amount includes equipment, training, fees, and travel expenses. A few coaches who work for franchised organizations will get paid and actually make a small profit for their time. I was sent the letter about "What if you can't . Yes, we want players to get better at softball. Thus the rec league dries up. Marty Clark, Umpire in Chief (UIC) and Tournament . And with more practice and play time, the risk of injury and burnout goes up, too. If she cant get enough of softball, wants to travel around for more games, and is excited to play throughout the summer, then travel ball is the way to go. They learn more socially because they have different teammates for each sport and different roles. She got to have some really good conversations with the moms who really didnt understand the philosophy behind Upward as a result. Travel ball is being on the right team, knowing the right people, and working on your skill set; not that much different from academic pursuits really and more so I suppose. Softball teaches you how to communicate with those who are in authoritative positions about something you really want. With travel ball, there is minimal time to recover from errors. The biggest softball hubs are Southern California, Texas and Florida. Alexa has been working with The Hitting Vault since 2017 as a hitting coach, social media content creator, and writer. If team dues seem ridiculously high, make sure youre getting your moneys worth in terms of equipment, facility use, uniforms, etc. I simply have to go find the people that need Jesus. Create a Logo and Brand. Often, good organizations will reach out to a player that caught their eye and invite them to come to the open tryout. Now, teams just showcase players instead of playing team softball. Though parents are well-intentioned, often children are tired of pursuing what was once fun but has become a stressful climb to the next level of competition at the expense of other parts of their lives, or at the expense of joints injured by overuse. I see quite a few girls that are not willing to put in the extra work to get better. I do offer the opportunity to advertise your league and ask that you share it here and anywhere possible. They are the parents that try to coach from the sidelines. It became known in the United States by various names, such as kitten ball, mush ball, diamond ball, indoor-outdoor, and playground ball. If your kid is good and loves to play, you wont be able to keep them from it. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | FUTURESLASH CORP. Get two articles delivered to your inbox each week. We love them by showing them that God is infinitely more valuable than all else. My Kids Dont Play Sports Thanks to all who replied. Kids need to be challenged so they can grow. Get involved with the sports governing board and voice your opinion. Enjoyment: Help your children enjoy a sport for the simple joy of the sport. 12 Consideration on How to Start a Travel Softball Team Let kids be kids. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. She doesnt have ANY of the skills that the other girls have and the coach clearly has their own reasons for letting her ride the bench more than getting play time. Which is Better for My Daughter: Rec Ball or Travel Ball? And teams may invite players from anywhere in the region. Youth sport: positive and negative impact on young athletes. You explain it t the tee for me and cant thank you enough . Baseball is the greatest game ever, it is exactly that, a game. If you think the coach is doing a good job, then shut your mouth and watch the game. I spent my 20s laying the foundation for what Im doing with the rest of my life, not bouncing around in the minor leagues. 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. There is a big time commitment: practices; games; travel; and parent volunteer hours all add up. I, personally, never even knew travel softball existed until high school. It can be a huge change in commitment, skill level, and dedication depending on the type of team and price you go into. I think God led me to this article to reassure me that we are doing right. If money is a concern, ask about this ahead of time. The three year old is already all in and ready to play. As a mom of a 10 year old girl who has played both travel and rec softball we have seen first hand the pros and cons of both. That may be the girl were talking about here. . 7. When I was playing travel softball as a teenager in Oregon, I had a teammate from Montana who flew in once a month for our team practices. That makes YOU the problem parent. They also need to learn more about taking care of their body to keep it strong and healthy through conditioning, nutrition, and good sleep habits. Its not easy to admit that you or someone you love is not good enough for something. This question reveals how far our cultural worldview has intermixed with a Christian one. We pick and choose how much we want to play, spend, etc and have been very successful in several states. Hitting, pitching and defensive skills should be worked on roughly four days a week. Another common problem is not having the right equipment. Unfortunately with all the sacrifices Ive made that relocation doesnt seem likely but as usual, Ill pray about it. Educate them. Having coached both my sons in travel an rec ball, and being on the board of our local rec league, serving as president for several years. Travel teams are also sometimes calledelite teams, select teams, club teams, or tournament teams. By the age of thirteen, I knew I wanted to play NCAA softball, and playing against the best competition was crucial in helping me achieve that dream. Usually, these teams are part of a private or club sports program, not a recreational league or one affiliated with a school. Most travel softball teams include between 10 and 12 players chosen by the appointed coaches. Uber competitive athletics is going to end for 99.9 percent of kids/young adults. Coaching: Are the coaches experienced? The majority of players at this level hire an experienced outside hitting or pitching coach. Those conflicts are becoming more common with the increasing secularization of our country. Q+A What is space debris and how dangerous is it? | Reuters Michael Hortons Christless Christianity My son is 11u, and this fall was his first (and possibly final) season of travel ball. There doesnt have to be a life lesson constantly pointed out. 1. Recreational softball and competitive travel softball teach many of the same life skills, like teamwork and sportsmanship. Travel softball tourneys are typically Friday through Sunday, with teams playing anywhere from 5-10 games each. Maybe families should pray over the decision that best suits each individual child. My daughter loves the game more now than ever before. Likewise, I appreciate the voices of parents who have been there on both sides. Some of the thoughts overlap what was already said. We come together as believers to worship and encourage one another then we go out into the world to reach people in the name of Christ Hebrews 10:25 is just one example of the Bible reminding believers that its important that we not throw church out the window to do other things. Can I get a travel ball history lesson? | Discuss Fastpitch Softball 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! 14,539. Ive heard of travel ball teams that play 60 games in a summerfor kids under 10!and then they practice at least once a week through the winter. Train your coaches and prepare them for every level they will be involved. " (Travel softball) has taken high school softball out of the equation," Hutchinson says. I chase my boys all over creation and its very taxing in many ways. Some teams charge a flat fee up front, some allow parents to pay as they go and some combine the formulas. Travel expenses also can become considerable. Like I said earlier, if youre in Southern California you might end up paying on the lower end of that range, because your cost for travel will be much lower than someone flying into California every weekend. Legalism requires perfection, and Im not perfect, Jesus is. Speaking from experience, the game, the desire to compete, and the love of always being challenged those things are either there or theyre not. But, this isnt rec league either. I agree with some that was said. Our hope as parents is that they think of themselves first as members of Gods family and then our family, and then perhaps as an athlete, etc., after that. No one wants to admit that the little girl that they love and adore so much, is just not good enough to be doing something. A travel team may be the best way for them to learn new skills, meet expert coaches, progress in their sport, and have fun in the process. Character Development: Arguably the most important aspect of a program is the character and personal development that will take place. Maybe its you? Thank you for speaking out and I hope people will take these comments seriously. Wow this article really spoke to me. If you stumble across a high level program that does, most likely the coach has been around for a long time and is trusted to look after the best interests of the whole roster (not just their own child). Travel Softball Rankings | Youth Select & Showcase Travel Sports Teams Thank you! It always seemed the season ended right about the time we got to know everyone. This post seems a departure from your normal posting and writing. On the off-chance that your kid is a freak athlete with the arm strength, foot speed, power, stamina, and character, who gets all the right breaks at just the right time, chances are hell rise up through the ranks of rec ball rather than being groomed on the travel ball circuit. I just watched a program not too long ago on the rise of Tommy johns surgeries. But besides that, if you are a Christian parent, the absolute worst thing you can do is teach your kids that anything is more important than God. Be a parent. Or are they truly passionate about the sport? Yes, there are ways to make this lifestyle a little more affordable (check out used gear at places like SidelineSwap, Ebay, or take some tips from our post here on bats) but regardless of how much you cut the costs, you will still be paying a decent amount of money to be doing this. Please advertise when you have this league so I can get the 70 or so kids I will bring with me to get in registration line. That the glory of the Lord might cover the dry land as the waters cover the sea. And keep in mind, the level of competitiveness usually coincides with how much work is expected outside of practice. If youre not in one of those states, expect to be travelling far and often. Less competitive teams tend not to travel quite as far or as often.