Ask former or current players and parents to describe the coaching staff, and see if they would be a good fit for your daughter. Do they walk away, rolling their eyes? Kids come out of high school where it seems that every game mattered, to a travel ball season where if you go 5-0 or 0-5 it doesn't matter. I agree with some that was said. Alexa has been working with The Hitting Vault since 2017 as a hitting coach, social media content creator, and writer. If you forego travel for these right reasons then you should challenge yourself and those in the league to make it the utopia described here (I believe it should be). 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. Some of the thoughts overlap what was already said. My son loves basketball but I have noticed the small number of high school players that are playing in high school now especially in our town. Sadly, I do have to admit that rec leagues (at least in our area) arent what they used to be. Lack of skill It's not easy to admit that you or someone you love is not good enough for something. I think Jesus said it best when He said, What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?, Thank you sir for thisI wrestle with this issue a lot as our older children (3 boys/12, 9, & 8) are starting to get to the age where this is a possibility. Thanks for the great article I can share with the parents of my students. (source). Were seeing some growth in her skills and she loves the game. Yes, they are young and this is not college softball players we are talking about here. But players should walk away from their travel ball experience not only prepared for college athletics, but also for life in general. 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. Ive alluded to this somewhat above. Thank you for this well thought out post. 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. As a PastorI certainly appreciate the sentiments expressed in this article. Crazy Baseball Parents #2 The Helicopter parent Is playing time important, or would she prefer to surround herself with the best possible teammates (even if that means less time on the field)? And it cuts into homework time as well. Just last year, I finished your work Gods Glory in Salvation through Judgment. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. 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). Does she want to be on a team that beats everyone 10-0? What are they learning? College Recruiting: This is for those a little older (freshmen and up). Second, recreation leagues can be just as competitive and demanding as travel ball, but doesnt have the same season length. Since you are spending so much time with your teammates, long-term friendships are formed more likely than on a rec ball team. -ta. Not as organized- depending on the organization. So Im writing in the hope that youll see that rec ball is a better route. These are just a few of the reasons why travel ball may not be a good fit for you. The Difference Between Travel Softball and Little League. Softball programs usually get a team in fresh-off a summer season filled with travel softball games and practices. There is a big time commitment: practices; games; travel; and parent volunteer hours all add up. They had to draft 8th graders to play for the high school JV team so the others could step up and play the Varsity. My kid started lessons at five and at almost thirteen, still going strong. Kids are smarter than what we want to give them credit for. It seems to me that time comes in the mid to late teens, but thats going to be a judgment call . 2. 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. These girls can always work harder to be better. Focusing on winning games is short-sighted and ignorant. Here in our area not so much. . I wanted to play at the highest level I could, and they were willing to sacrifice to make that happen. As a volunteer basketball coach for 18+ years, Ive seen girls spiritually suffer by the same well-intentioned convictions of their parents. Take the 59 second "Unlock Your Power" Analysis Tool, and find out exactly how your athlete can add 30-50 feet to their line drives (instead of ground outs). Lets pretend your daughter wants to be a catcher. What will travel ball mean for your other kids? We all know the problem parents. He was so upset. The physical and mental challenges of pursuing more than one sport is healthy in every respect. 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? Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Those conflicts are becoming more common with the increasing secularization of our country. We dont have Sunday games and Id venture that shes in the lower end of competitive teams. We have the pressure of middle school tryouts being in 2 years, and we wanted to make sure that he did well at those tryouts. The most elite tournament teams (especially at the high school level) travel the farthest and play the most. Unlike recreational softball, travel teams don't play a set number of games every season. However, the main reason weve stuck with travel is the consistency that it offers. It would surely come in handy as a travel ball parent. The group that split from us is the same group that has ruined our little league. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. No zoning restrictions. This is a case where a player made a poor decision on team selection. And keep in mind, the level of competitiveness usually coincides with how much work is expected outside of practice. When children are interested in a particular elite team, it's important to find out in advance what their expectations are. Lack of specified instruction. Since the start of Softball Galaxy, we have gone from two daughters playing, to only one at this moment. For us, travel has been amazing. I chase my boys all over creation and its very taxing in many ways. Sad to see but strengthened our resolve that sports would not take priority over God and our church family. 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. Rec ball is shorthand for Little League Softball and/or your local city league. Fourth, travel ball is expensive, but so are the other activities in which many parents place their children like show choir and band. We only have 1 high school senior playing basketball. Thanks, To Him Be the Gory (in travel ball and everywhere else in His Creation). By living our life for Christ the other 6 days. One of the most common problems is not having enough players to field a team. They have grown together, developed rapport and strong friendships. coming down the pike. I imagine that we could have lived a little more comfortably had I not been playing softball. Additionally, they will probably have fewer injuries and enjoy the competition more. There may be instances in which its the right thing, and when a kid gets to be 15 to 16 years old, its understandable that commitment levels and demands are going to rise and choices are going to have to be made. 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. Accepting players from all over central Florida and have had players from all over Polk County, Hillsborough County, and Hardee County. 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. Just like you, he burned out after two years and transferred so he could pursue his other passions and, more importantly, gain much-needed work experience which benefited him tremendously when he graduated from college and was looking for a job. Thank you for speaking out and I hope people will take these comments seriously. 2019;7(7). She got to have some really good conversations with the moms who really didnt understand the philosophy behind Upward as a result. You all make very good points to consider. My arm hurt all the time, and I wasnt a pitcher. For some may not even be an issue. Rec ball pushes equality, fairness, and gives each player the same opportunities. Youre all running on less sleep than usual and even though its only 5 am, theres no more rest for you. Yes, I need Sunday fellowship and worship. Michael Hortons Christless Christianity In those cases, your club fees might include two or three uniforms, matching bat bags, visors and bats (some teams exclusively swing one brand). Young athletes can reach a point where they are bored with rec league play. But when it comes to things like time commitment and competitiveness, they can be as different as night and day. Educate them. His, What should she do? Rec ball is where they develop and We still put prior commitments first and the coach understands that we cant make all games/practices as a result. ), playing time and how its divided up, and the coaching staffs goals and priorities. I would urge you to consider how trustworthy Jesus is, how he can reconcile you to God, how he has paid for your sin, and how his Spirit can enable you to love others and enjoy life with them in a gathering of people joined together at a local church. Joining a travel team is definitely demanding, and not just for your kid. If you think the coach is doing a bad job, then take your daughter off the team. The best coaches and the best players stop playing rec ball in favor of travel ball, leading to fewer teams and a lower level of competition in the rec league. According to WinterGreen Research the U.S. youth-sports industry is now a $15.3 billion market. But for us, when you lay everything out on the table, our daughter getting to play this incredible sport with an amazing team outweighs all the negatives that come with it. 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. Levels are separated by age and skill level. There is another very sad thing that often happens as a result of a familys involvement in travel ball. They will actually improve more at each sport because a variety of new skills enhances old ones in ways that cant be quantified. It is no wonder so many of our children leave the church when they go to college. But its also a major commitment, so its important to think carefully about what kind of program is best in your specific situation. Keep him in rec ball, where he wont get burnt out because hes a kid facing the demands of a profession. In travel ball, players have to try out. We all need to be careful that identifying with just one sport and spending most of our time with it can deter a child from gaining skills, interests and appreciation for other activities and knowledge. Kids are exposed to new cities and sometimes get a chance to play tourist. I grew up wanting to be a major league baseball player, and Im so glad I never even got drafted. If money is a potential concern, you need to consider both your priorities and your daughters. That makes YOU the problem parent. 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. Motivations: Just because you liked something as a kid, or were good at it, it doesnt mean your child will or should be. Thank you for writing this. Catchers usually have 2-3 reps to throw to each base, while pitchers are usually given the opportunity to throw all their pitches and have their speeds checked by radar. Your email address will not be published. It always seems to happen with those families that God is really working with. Catherine Holecko is an experienced freelance writer and editor who specializes in pregnancy, parenting, health and fitness. 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 open/close each practice and game with prayer and are not overwhelming us with lots of games. A few coaches who work for franchised organizations will get paid and actually make a small profit for their time. I am confident that there are better ways to steward those thousands of dollars. Website. Ryan E. I think this is a good post and is great advice. I just watched a program not too long ago on the rise of Tommy johns surgeries. Thank you for this. sacrifice your sons childhood on the altar of the hope, each team is allowed a maximum of 11.7 scholarships, Dont Play Travel Ball: Stay in the Rec League | For His Renown | Pastor John Reading List, http://kristenanneglover.com/my-kids-dont-play-sports/#comment-6411, 6-String Salvo, February 12, 2016 Mike Lee, The Daily Discovery (February 12, 2016) - Entreating Favor, More Great Reading | Second Chance Pastor, Todays Links // 4 Free Kindle Books, Worship Songs, Socialist Millennials, Buy a Friend App, Freedom from Anxiety | Word + Life | KevinHalloran.net. Many of the assertions in this article are quite true. Kids need to be challenged so they can grow. . If youre a non-Christian reading this post, dont you want to live for something more than baseball? Be sure to consider these questions. Parents also will also have to give their own free time to volunteer. 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. If the tournament is really far from home, you may end up getting a hotel room. How does a big leaguer have a family? For them, it was a matter of priorities. The majority of players at this level hire an experienced outside hitting or pitching coach. (Not that we did everything right by any means!!) So many kids grow up dreaming, so few put on a big league uniform. They learn more socially because they have different teammates for each sport and different roles. Travel Softball Rankings. My daughter is involved in a local homeschool league. A travel team is a youth sports team that plays at an elite level. The Sleep Foundation. Train your coaches and prepare them for every level they will be involved. On the other hand, dont force her to join a competitive travel ball team if she just wants to have fun. I also need it every day of the week. Sometimes travel teams also change players during the season, adding and moving around players based on performance. After college, my husband played pro baseball for a while and I played on a national team. Travel ball, by contrast, is not cheap participation fees average about $2,000 per player per year. 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. Its only my observation of course but many areas in life are dog eat dog competitive, as it were.
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