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. You have to grab a quick breakfast to eat on the way. 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. And keep in mind, the level of competitiveness usually coincides with how much work is expected outside of practice. this will let you evaluate if travel softball is right for your family, hopefully evaluate several different teams (not just the ones you play for, also watch the opposing teams, other teams in same age bracket, etc., gives you a chance to see them in a real Sports (Basel). For example, when you look at a solid team of 12u girls and there is that one girl that is nowhere near the level of the rest of the team. Excellence: Pursuing excellence is important, but be sure you know and your child knows what you mean by that. Q+A What is space debris and how dangerous is it? | Reuters Again, its an interesting post but when it comes down to it is the field that you or other high achieving people are in really all that much different? 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. 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. Kevin Soles. Encourage her to be a good teammate. These are good thoughts. Hopefully not though. I recognize that although it isnt common for kids to be offered college scholarships for sports, it obviously isnt impossible. It always seemed the season ended right about the time we got to know everyone. While on the bench she would rather play with fidgets than to watch and learn from the game. Softball. Non-Christians exist because what they worship is false. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Is it a help or detriment to their character and bodies? Softball Leagues + Travel Softball Teams - Lakeland Mom Whos forcing their kid to play??!! Parents also will also have to give their own free time to volunteer. We want girls who are team players, dedicated and committed to playing softball at an elite level. 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. I could be wrong. Id bet if you polled the MLB players the vast majority of them would agree. 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. Who are these kids being forced to play? Michael Hortons Christless Christianity Other important considerations are coaching style, character and overall attitude. It was excellent, by the way. Many of the families on our team actually make it a family affair. 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. I grew up wanting to be a major league baseball player, and Im so glad I never even got drafted. 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. So much time was freed up by not having to go to practice. How do you pick a travel program? - Discuss Fastpitch Softball Community For every 10 players that are forced to play at the highest level for their age, 6-8 will quit by the time they get into high school. There are two sides to every situation. Set the example for the kids. More important than that, you and your family dont need a summer long break from the life and fellowship of your local church. Marty Clark, Umpire in Chief (UIC) and Tournament . What should she do? Have your church thru fellowship and reach others who may be lost. Youre going to be paying team dues of course. I hope that this guide was informative and helped you understand what to look for, so that you can make the best choice for your family and have as rewarding of an experience as I did. Or are they truly passionate about the sport? Identity: Think about how your child views his or her identity. I just watched a program not too long ago on the rise of Tommy johns surgeries. Baseball is the greatest game ever, it is exactly that, a game. See caveats in opening and closing paragraphs. Coaches are typically parents or grandparents, and the umpires are often volunteers. Christians are Christians because we worship what is true. For one thing, their bodies just arent developed enough to handle the strain. On the field. I want your son to love baseball, to have the opportunity to be a kid, and to play the game as a kid. Sad to see but strengthened our resolve that sports would not take priority over God and our church family. Survey: Youth baseball participation on the rise - ESPN #momof3boys. A majority of these tournaments are qualifiers for the organizations national tournament, where the top teams from different regions compete in one location. Part of the argument for travel ball is the appeal of better competition. If you are ok with giving away your weekends to softball, then maybe travel ball is a fit for you. Likewise, I appreciate the voices of parents who have been there on both sides. 2019;7(7). Tell him he's great and anything is possible if you put your mind to it, but don't let him be an entitled little asshole out there on the field, because that's your fault! Create a Logo and Brand. The Pros and Cons of Youth Travel Teams - Verywell Family Ive also heard more than one parent tell me that after a few years of travel ball, in some cases only one year of it, their son decided he didnt want to play baseball anymore. With the top-tier of competitive travelling softball teams, the coaches are generally not related to the players. In travel ball, players have to try out. 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. I dont normally respond to blog posts, but I wanted to respond to this one because I respect you. 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. Does she want to be on a team that beats everyone 10-0? This is great information, but unfortunately rec ballaka little leagueis a political nightmare where I am from and for many others. Thanks for sharing them. And at best a professional athlete might play into his late 30s or early 40s, then what? Here are a few of the factors you should consider when evaluating your options and picking a team. Do I think that she will go pro? 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). 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. If this sounds like your daughters work ethic, then maybe travel ball isnt for her. The repetitive throwing motions that softball pitchers perform may irritate the tendons of the shoulder, elbow, forearm, and wrist, causing tendonitis. Have a frank family conversation about these sacrifices and whether you are willing to make them. Thats why Im writing this post. There are many problems that can occur when playing travel softball. Turn your focus and see a different view. Do I think that she will even play on the high school level? And you are right about MLB not being all its cracked up to be; several of my sons college teammates were drafted in the top 10 rounds (as high as supplemental 1st round), and with only one exception, they all complained about the grind and monotony (not to mention extremely low salaries) once they entered the minor leagues. Many of the assertions in this article are quite true. Many high-level programs are fully-sponsored by product manufacturers, or at least get discounted rates on things like uniforms and equipment. No one should expect to make the show. My name is Alexa Peterson. 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. While some languages are much harder to grasp than others, a lack of words is a travel problem with an easy solution. Just last year, I finished your work Gods Glory in Salvation through Judgment. He said he had seen it happen. 509 County Road 540A, Lakeland, Florida 33813. Which is Better for My Daughter: Rec Ball or Travel Ball? Theres usually a brief hitting session (front toss), as well as defensive reps and throws based on your position. Often this will vary from league to league and from coach to coach. While you make some great points, let me provide an alternate perspective, even if I appear at present to be the lone dissenting voice. 6. Youre going to be purchasing a uniform (most likely more than one). My son is 11u, and this fall was his first (and possibly final) season of travel ball. But if missing church on a Sunday for travel ball is condemning, then missing church for family vacations, work, sickness or any other reason is the same. But when it comes to things like time commitment and competitiveness, they can be as different as night and day. 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. (This, too, however, isnt a litmus test. Along with a recreational league, they have Travel Ball Teams that play competitive softball. 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. 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). Rec ball is where they develop and I have also read some of your other works and have learned much from them and enjoyed reading them. This amount includes equipment, training, fees, and travel expenses. Solving the Umpire Shortage in Youth Sports Requires a Team Approach The high-end teams travel to tournaments every weekend (sometimes out-of-state) and qualify for national tournaments. So many kids grow up dreaming, so few put on a big league uniform. Its apparent that wegenerally speakingspend more time encouraging our children to pursue athletic excellence than we do in developing a Biblical Worldview in them. Travel softball can become quite expensive. What Is Travel Ball Softball? - SportsRec He pulls down honor roll at school and is in band. I hear this quite a bit. 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. 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. How knowledgeable are they, and will they be able to facilitate the proper degree of skill development for their athletes? You all make very good points to consider. You can tell the girls that go home and dont touch a bat or glove until their next practice. They learn more socially because they have different teammates for each sport and different roles. It was good for us a s a family although the wallet didnt think so. 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 enjoyed your article and the discussion following it. It is simply not necessary for the younger kids. ), playing time and how its divided up, and the coaching staffs goals and priorities. Bottom line: give your kids a childhood theyll want to replicate with their own children not one theyll react against. You, as the parent, are going to be doing the driving. Small town kids grow up playing lots of sports not getting burnt out playing the same one all year round. Most importantly, let it be her decision, and make sure she knows youll support that decision (even if its not what you think is best). 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? Little League, which is the most common rec ball organization, is open to girls ages four through sixteen, and everybody makes a team regardless of their skill level. Rec ball. It is other worldly, it is unlike anything the Non Christian can imagine, to deny ourselves something the world says is a must and do something the world sees as foolish. What if you can't afford travel ball? - FloSoftball But what do the managers do? 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. Problem #2: Athletes need to OWN their decisions, both good and bad We need to put an end to the helicopter and lawnmower parents, those who mow down all the obstacles for their kids, and give ownership to the athletes. Check out: The Nehemiah Institute (nehemiahinstitute.com) http://kristenanneglover.com/my-kids-dont-play-sports/#comment-6411. BE INVOLVED , VOLUNTEER, ATTEND MEETING AFTER MEETING, FUND RAISE, HOLD ALL ACCOUNTABLE FOR TIME, HONOR, COMMITMENT AND GET ALL THE KIDS TO ENJOY THIS LEAGUE YOU ARE A PART OF. Of course, we cant forget tournament day. Dont sacrifice your sons childhood on the altar of the hope that hes the next Derek Jeter. coming down the pike. As a PastorI certainly appreciate the sentiments expressed in this article. And I want to provide the best competitive opportunities I can for my own kids. Costs by region (travel mom is from California so these prices maybe a bit higher or lower than what you might spend), but here is her breakdown: FAST, FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS | WIN FREE DIAMOND CLEATS OR SPIKES FOR YOUR TEAM - LEARN MORE, Original Defense Pro Softball Fielder's Mask, Women's Period Protection Volleyball Shorts (3"). Watch and listen to how players respond to the coaches. Well-roundedness: Despite the cultural drive for pursuing one sport, well-roundedness as a child makes for happy, well-adjusted adults. 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. 10 types of CRAZY baseball parents & how they're RUINING At 12, our son tells us he thinks we have made the right decision. 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. Softball programs usually get a team in fresh-off a summer season filled with travel softball games and practices. Do they enjoy it or is it a drudge? The travel teams are turning into a true business. 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? Ive seen many parents try, and it never ends well. What to Look For in a Travel Softball Team - The Hitting Vault The main ones are USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association pronounced U-Triple-S-A), PGF (Premier Girlss Fastpitch, USA (Formerly ASA), Triple Crown, and NSA (National Softball Association). Do they walk away, rolling their eyes? Im not willing to give up the Lords day for sports as much as I want him to play in a better league. Catherine Holecko is an experienced freelance writer and editor who specializes in pregnancy, parenting, health and fitness. PAY FOR QUALITY UMPIRES, make sure you have enough umpires for all games and have them supported by all involved. Age brackets are 8U (8-years-old and under), 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U. See also: How to Pick the Right Softball Bat. College Recruiting: This is for those a little older (freshmen and up). Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | FUTURESLASH CORP. Get two articles delivered to your inbox each week. 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. Now, this doesnt mean that her coach and teammates like it, but we have found that our commitment has opened the door for spiritual conversations. 10 Ways Softball Can Change Your Life - GOOD Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Take Our :59 sec "Unlock Your Power" Analysis Quiz to Find Out, All content 2016-2023 The Hitting Vault. After establishing a manageable budget for your softball team, you need to start promoting your program and recruiting players. Ive alluded to this somewhat above. There doesnt have to be a life lesson constantly pointed out. 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. Youll usually stay within a 30 minute radius for games and practices. The low-end travel teams can be local teams going to a few tournaments outside the region. My son started disliking baseball at 9 years old because the boys in rec wouldnt hit a cut off, and dropped the ball so often. He didnt make the middle school team as only travel ball kids only made it. Don't Play Travel Ball: Stay in the Rec League - For His Renown 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. Id venture no but the travel ball experience can be quite beneficial to that pursuit can it not provided travel ball doesnt become a means to an end which, unfortunately, it often is. Additionally, they will probably have fewer injuries and enjoy the competition more. Travel ball, by contrast, is not cheap participation fees average about $2,000 per player per year. Eternity is at stake. Enjoyment: Help your children enjoy a sport for the simple joy of the sport. Stay positive. How to Deal with Daddy Ball - RIP-IT Sports Travel softball hurts pocket books. When children are interested in a particular elite team, it's important to find out in advance what their expectations are. All your doing is increasing the strain and the chance of injury for no appreciable gain. Hopefully, this helped you decide whether its the step that you should be taking or not. It did to me. According to WinterGreen Research the U.S. youth-sports industry is now a $15.3 billion market. I personally know people that I can guarantee will not be living the travel softball lifestyle for more than a season or two and Im pretty sure if someone would have stopped them before they started, they would have saved a lot of headache, money, and time. If you plan on being on a travel ball team, you need to be prepared to dish out some money. Many programs are run as a tight ship, with the goal of teaching and preparing their athletes for what college ball will be like: fast paced practices and a strong emphasis on execution. Stealing home: How travel teams are eroding community baseball But its also a major commitment, so its important to think carefully about what kind of program is best in your specific situation. Back in the day, if you played travel softball, you were a serious player striving to become an elite athlete, and you had the full intention of playing in college. These coaches have years of experience, and often played many years themselves. 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. If you're acting like your son has already made it, then you are killing his drive. It always seems to happen with those families that God is really working with. Dads get into it for a little better competition not meaning for it to take over their lives, and the next thing they know their schedule and wallet are dominated by travel ball. I can say without a doubt that I wouldnt have made it to the level I did without travel softball. . We dont have Sunday games and Id venture that shes in the lower end of competitive teams. But the reality is that if your goal is to play at the college level and especially if your goal is to play for a Division 1 program its an important part of the process. We all know the problem parents. Toughness is OK (even necessary for some kids and teams), but hostility isnt. Our league is like the one you described. Help your kids find the joy of learning in areas other than sports. There were wide variances in playing . Additionally, as an exercise physiologist, Im very pro movement, health and sports, but believe balance in life is key. The Holy Spirit leads us all differently. 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. Yes, we want players to get better at softball. Alexa has been working with The Hitting Vault since 2017 as a hitting coach, social media content creator, and writer. Accepting players from all over central Florida and have had players from all over Polk County, Hillsborough County, and Hardee County. How Much Does Travel Softball Cost - ourlittlesmarties.com 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. (on which more below). If I show my kids church is optional but reach the other parents, Ive failed. If you are traveling every weekend, or most of them, for a Friday, Saturday, Sunday tournament, what happens to non-sport family time? If money is a concern, ask about this ahead of time. Dont let one child be turned away because they cant afford registration or equipment. No internets back then to stalk them. And with more practice and play time, the risk of injury and burnout goes up, too. Its better to honor God than to win, and its better for your kid to enjoy the game than for him to play at the highest possible level. I had played non-stop from the summer before my freshman year, through fall ball, winter weights, the spring season, then summer ball before it started all over in my sophomore year. What are they learning? Motivations: Just because you liked something as a kid, or were good at it, it doesnt mean your child will or should be. softball, a variant of baseball and a popular participant sport, particularly in the United States. Recreational Ball vs. Travel Ball - RIP-IT Sports Evaluate at the end of the season is the team you are on is fitting your needs as a family. Fourth, travel ball is expensive, but so are the other activities in which many parents place their children like show choir and band. Softball teaches you how to communicate with those who are in authoritative positions about something you really want. There is another very sad thing that often happens as a result of a familys involvement in travel ball. More general instruction. I have been wanting to put my son on a travel team. If you can not recover or a fix an error as quickly as another player then you will be replaced. This not only applies to the sport of baseball and softball, but in all sports where a dad coaches their own son or daughter. There are many benefits of pursuing sports excellence, travel like any other passion filled event children can participate can be an extremely beneficial. 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. Our children assume that Sunday morning is time to worship with our church. 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. You have to be selfless and extremely hard-working. The only thing you have planned is to lay around the house, relax and watch football. 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. 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. 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. Travel softball is not for everyone. Sound familiar? How does a big leaguer have a family? We have truly enjoyed getting to know our travel team family! 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. In many instances, the coaching staff can make or break a childs experience with a team or sport. And man (probably some do) dont evangelize. Im betting you would be better off saving your money to help him with college expenses. I imagine that we could have lived a little more comfortably had I not been playing softball. Talk through the process and help her see the pros and cons of each option. Even though my son showed to every practice and gave 100% effort, it didnt matter. Nor am I categorically condemning their decisions and choices. 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.
