Those were the programs I kept going back to. I have friends I respect whose kids have played (and some who do play) travel ball, and I mean no offense to them by this post. This is a an uncomfortable topic to address given that you are . The cost is typically around $100, which includes a uniform top. Joining a team where youre not among the absolute best players can motivate you and build your work ethic, but joining a team where you get virtually no playing time or attention can hinder your development. She also coached collegiately for 3 years at the University of Montevallo (D2). Some teams charge a small fee for this tryout. Let kids be kids. What should she do? Kids need to see that Jesus and his church are more important to their parents even than baseball. Focusing on winning games is short-sighted and ignorant. I do not feel we will ever look back on our decision to say no to travel ball. We have had a sub par experience, and I have that guilt every Sunday that we are at a tournament instead of honoring God in His house. However, they are much more severe. The high-end teams travel to tournaments every weekend (sometimes out-of-state) and qualify for national tournaments. 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. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. My older brother played sports from t-ball to college, probably would have went pro if he hadnt hurt his shoulder (yes, he was THAT good, Im not just saying it, he had an unhittab,e curve ball), but the decision was made when he first started that God and His church would always come first, and he would not play if there was a conflict between his first priority and the game. Some of you may have fainted after mentally calculating the cost of everything in that last section. The Difference Between Travel Softball and Little League. Several thoughts on that: Their chances are greater for continuing their sporting lives, whether at college or recreationally as adults, if they arent burnt out on competition by the time they turn 18or 13, as Ive seen occur far too often. I got an education, got married, we started having children, and now I get to coach my kids. At the same time, they also want to focus on player development. 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. The group that split from us is the same group that has ruined our little league. Since you are spending so much time with your teammates, long-term friendships are formed more likely than on a rec ball team. Loneliness. Its Saturday morning and the sun hasnt risen yet. Joining a travel team is definitely demanding, and not just for your kid. I think it does need to be approached carefully and prayerfully, especially with the demands on the family and commitments that call us away from the church. Coaches are typically parents or grandparents, and the umpires are often volunteers. I needed a break, and I wanted to be a counselor at a Christian camp that summer (Kanakuk). Catherine Holecko is an experienced freelance writer and editor who specializes in pregnancy, parenting, health and fitness. The roster includes 35 players, 27 of whom can receive scholarship money. 5. Some teams charge a flat fee up front, some allow parents to pay as they go and some combine the formulas. If you can not recover or a fix an error as quickly as another player then you will be replaced. Generally speaking, these parents dont do the Sunday sports to evangelize. Age brackets are 8U (8-years-old and under), 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U. There doesnt have to be a life lesson constantly pointed out. Theres usually a brief hitting session (front toss), as well as defensive reps and throws based on your position. They will actually improve more at each sport because a variety of new skills enhances old ones in ways that cant be quantified. I understand that now I may be bringing up an exception to the norm. I do want to finish by saying that we absolutely love travel ball. Im not saying that travel ball is a sin, but it seems to be something that Satan can use to tempt people away (especially dads). If instead you go to games and yell out how to do things to the girls or degrade them or constantly run to the dugout to chit chat, then you are a problem parent. My 5 year old has peers that are playing baseball year round already! 3. . You accept the fact that today you will be cold, wet, sleepy, and possibly moody. Well, this certainly diverged off the main topic of traveling versus rec sports, but I hope it provides a little more to talk about, especially among family members. Here are a few questions that many travel softball players and parents ask when joining or switching teams. Again, like you said, church should not be sacrificed by families of 8, 10, and 12-year olds, and oftentimes not even by families of high-schoolers. Fill your childrens team with morals and role models. And if it means giving up travel ball, by all means give it up. Travel ball softball is the next step up from recreational softball. This not only applies to the sport of baseball and softball, but in all sports where a dad coaches their own son or daughter. We have made this decision for the past three years and been ridiculed for it and told we are not being fair to our son. We may be the exception along with the league in which we play. Exactly how much depends on the level of competition your daughter is looking for. With the top-tier of competitive travelling softball teams, the coaches are generally not related to the players. Watch and listen to how players respond to the coaches. Here are a few of the factors you should consider when evaluating your options and picking a team. Since tournaments and games are . Uber competitive athletics is going to end for 99.9 percent of kids/young adults. 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. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | FUTURESLASH CORP. Get two articles delivered to your inbox each week. 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? Not posting some long winded bs. Applaud effort and celebrate results for both dugouts. I know because I was her coach for years. The fear that if children dont specialize in one sport by eighth grade they will miss opportunities is unfounded. I love excellence. This guide will help you understand what to look for in a traveling softball team, and will answer some of the most common questions parents have about the process, including: Joining a traveling softball team can be a great experience, both in terms of enjoyment and player development. Extend your season, make sure that all teams are drafted equally. I imagine that we could have lived a little more comfortably had I not been playing softball. How will they respond if they don't get selected for a team, or if they get selected but then don't see a lot of playing time? They learn more socially because they have different teammates for each sport and different roles. I have a feeling you may not describe yourself as so Dr. Hamilton (humble?) What will travel ball mean for your other kids? With all of that said, here are some things you need to know about competitive travel softball. Chemistry: Consider the overall chemistry of the program, not just the chemistry among the players. How should we choose which travel team to play for? I am confident that there are better ways to steward those thousands of dollars. As a pastor, I require my daughter to be in church every Sunday, which means that she misses all Sunday games that interfere with worship. It allows each player to have the opportunity to play. 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. Travel softball hurts pocket books. Let kids be kids, they and their bodies will decide what they can and cant do. We dont win Non-Christians by showing them how little we care about worship and the assembly of believers, we win them through honoring God as better than all other appetites. During my travel softball career, I played for some amazing coaches that pushed me to be a better person and athlete, as well as some that didnt believe in me. Kids need to play more than one sport so their rotator cuffs can recover, so their elbows can rest, so they dont have to have Tommy John surgery at 17. Even a child with exceptional innate talent still needs to be a good team player. 1. We should be able to admit that to ourselves, but I think sometimes our pride gets in the way. Players invest a lot of money and energy into it. Articles like this help. But come bracket play on Championship Sunday, the goal is to win and the best players will be on the field with the expectation of dominating the competition. a. If you think the coach is doing a bad job, then take your daughter off the team. Travel softball is not for everyone. Yes, I need Sunday fellowship and worship. And with more practice and play time, the risk of injury and burnout goes up, too. At 12, our son tells us he thinks we have made the right decision. Back in 2011, CBS News reported that one Georgia family paid $4,000 per year for their 9-year-old son's travel team. 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). This post may step on some toes, but thats ok. Many high-level programs are fully-sponsored by product manufacturers, or at least get discounted rates on things like uniforms and equipment. (source). Youll usually stay within a 30 minute radius for games and practices. For us, travel has been amazing. 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? I appreciate the attention to burnout as well Ive seen that in some kids where theyre pushed to keep going and just dont want to do it anymore. coming down the pike. This is a delicate balance to strike, but its something to keep in mind. While rec ball was enjoyable, the ever changing pool of players, coaches and parents made for inconsistent experiences for my daughter, some good and some bad. You may be betting on the kid getting a scholarship. Often, good organizations will reach out to a player that caught their eye and invite them to come to the open tryout. Sometimes coaches are not as experienced, usually a player's parent who has volunteered to help out. Between 2013 and 2018, the number of U.S. kids playing baseball and softball combined increased by nearly 3 million, according to annual surveys by the Sports Fitness & Industry Association. Learning that excelling takes commitment, hard work, loyalty. Praying we keep the Lord first in all thingsand your insights help!!! These coaches have years of experience, and often played many years themselves. Loneliness is not one of the travel problems which affects everyone, but when it strikes it can be the worst problem imaginable. But what do the managers do? 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. What are they learning? I coach my son (U10 Rec soccer) and was considering travel but was hesitant because of playing on sundays. What are you waiting for? SoftballGalaxy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Fridays and Saturdays are pool play games, meaning you play a small number of the teams in the tournament, and then get seeded. On Sunday, you participate in double-elimination bracket play, with winners always taking home something cool like a trophy, medal, plaque or ring. 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. It is simply not necessary for the younger kids. Living in Oregon and playing competitively, I traveled multiple times every summer and fall to play in college exposure tournaments in Southern California. No one should expect to make the show. Do they enjoy it or is it a drudge? I think this causes too many parents to look at travel ball as rec league 2.0. Youth sport: positive and negative impact on young athletes. For us, it boils down to priorities. Have a frank family conversation about these sacrifices and whether you are willing to make them. In my experience as a recreation coach, I found the rec league filled with as much politics and drama and team stacking as travel ball leagues. 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. Travel softball can be one of the most stressful aspects of the sport, especially when it comes to choosing the right team. Was it really worth it? 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. So much time was freed up by not having to go to practice. Of course, we dont love giving up almost every Saturday to softball. 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. Every year, most teams host an open tryout, where anyone interested in joining has an opportunity to be evaluated by the coaching staff. If the tournament is really far from home, you may end up getting a hotel room. Havent seen any. 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. These are good thoughts. Cheer them on and let them entertain you. I enjoyed your article and the discussion following it. Yes, we want players to get better at softball. Do they look like theyre having fun, while still getting the job done? On a competitive travel team, players gain great experience in team play and sportsmanship. They dont need to have baseball practice every week all year long, and you dont need to be their taxi for that every week all year long either. 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. To establish an active select fastpitch softball organization in the area of Kitsap County, WA, exclusively to foster national and inte rnational amateur sports competition by support and development of amateur athletes for competition I fastpitch softball at the national and international level and to conduct such competition; b. (on which more below). Great post. Shipping and taxes will be calculated at checkout. Communication:Its important to have all your questions answered. Thank you for speaking out and I hope people will take these comments seriously. As of now, we do believe that we are pursing the wisest course. Its not for every child or family, but we have enjoyed allowing our child to play travel ball, at least today. Christians are Christians because we worship what is true. So many kids grow up dreaming, so few put on a big league uniform. Jesus is God not baseball. For some may not even be an issue. Parents also will also have to give their own free time to volunteer. 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. Stay positive. It seems to me that time comes in the mid to late teens, but thats going to be a judgment call . Kids are smarter than what we want to give them credit for. The travel teams are turning into a true business. Postal code Distance Teams Age Group State Facilities Coaches 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. I was asked to join a team but unfortunately my parents liked their weekends at the shore too much, so I wasn't allowed to play. Travel ball isnt free by a long shot. If youre in Louisville, come check us out at www.KenwoodBaptistChurch.com. It can be a huge change in commitment, skill level, and dedication depending on the type of team and price you go into. I pray that God keeps me humble and rightly focused. It was good for us a s a family although the wallet didnt think so. Is it a help or detriment to their character and bodies? It's not just what you'll spend on equipment and fees, which can be significant, but extras such as travel costs and required apparel purchases (like a team jacket or bag). This post seems a departure from your normal posting and writing. But players should walk away from their travel ball experience not only prepared for college athletics, but also for life in general. Also, some teams have fundraising opportunities that can bring down the cost to participate. 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? Softball teaches you how to communicate with those who are in authoritative positions about something you really want. Hey, for years sports programs operated quite successfully without Sunday morning scheduling. "The cost for parents is steep. These teams travel, often long distances and out of state, to games, competitions, and/or tournaments (hence the name). He played Little League all the way through age 14 and has wonderful memories of playoff games, sometimes leading all the way to state. Tendonitis describes inflammation of a tendon, typically caused by overuse. Then you get all of that extra gear and position specific lessons. Accepting players from all over central Florida and have had players from all over Polk County, Hillsborough County, and Hardee County. And I want to provide the best competitive opportunities I can for my own kids. 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. After college, my husband played pro baseball for a while and I played on a national team. On the low end, a $500 budget may be enough to cover your team fees and play in local tournaments with lesser competition. The pitchers pitched far more balls than strikes. In those cases, your club fees might include two or three uniforms, matching bat bags, visors and bats (some teams exclusively swing one brand). 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. Part of the argument for travel ball is the appeal of better competition. That the glory of the Lord might cover the dry land as the waters cover the sea. Is it more important than being at church on Sunday morning? Yes, they are young and this is not college softball players we are talking about here. Baseball is the greatest game ever, it is exactly that, a game. Having said that, below are the top reasons your daughter should not play travel softball. If non-Christians are playing travel ball on Sundays and all the Christians are in church with other Christians, how will the Christians win the non-Christians to Christ? College Recruiting: This is for those a little older (freshmen and up). I agree with some that was said. However, there are those few girls out there that just clearly have no business being in travel softball. In many instances, the coaching staff can make or break a childs experience with a team or sport. However, the main reason weve stuck with travel is the consistency that it offers. Look for positive, fair-minded coaching. If your children think you are most concerned about their being the best baseball pitcher, back-stroker, or whatever, they can become guilt-ridden for wanting to even think about spending time in other pursuits because they naturally want to please you (or the constant stress of knowing how vital it is to you, may act to make them hate it). Travel teams are also sometimes calledelite teams, select teams, club teams, or tournament teams. Speaking from experience, the game, the desire to compete, and the love of always being challenged those things are either there or theyre not. As more and more kids get involved in travel ball, the best players are taken out of the rec league. Kids are exposed to new cities and sometimes get a chance to play tourist. Travel ball, by contrast, is not cheap participation fees average about $2,000 per player per year. 7. I wanted to play all the time, until I got to college and had to do so. Awards. 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. Families who thought the Sunday game was no big deal slowly dropped out of church because sports came first. He told us last week that he is glad that we have taught him to focus on his eternal future. At the high end, families can spend more than 10% of their income on registration fees, travel, camps and equipment.". Any extra lessons are usually a large chunk of money.

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