problems with travel softball

They use evangelism as a spiritual reason for not being in church. No formula exists, but here are a few ideas to think about: Variety: Encourage your children to play a different sport each season until their upper teens. Thanks, To Him Be the Gory (in travel ball and everywhere else in His Creation). 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. Softball programs usually get a team in fresh-off a summer season filled with travel softball games and practices. Travel ball softball is the next step up from recreational softball. 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. 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. 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. 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. All of that easily runs anywhere from $2,500 to $6,000 a year, making elite travel softball one of the costlier youth sports. Rec ball in many places is competitive. I made the switch from Little League/rec ball to travel ball when I was ten years old, and from then on I consistently played at the highest levels possible. 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. Lesson learned. Reduces boredom Cons Expensive Increased risk for injury Potential for burnout Time-consuming Pros Young athletes can reach a point where they are bored with rec league play. foster a love for the game. More general instruction. Not as organized- depending on the organization. These reflections grow out of my own experience playing and coaching and watching other families. Another common problem is not having the right equipment. The gods of baseball punished me for my lack of devotion. The low-end travel teams can be local teams going to a few tournaments outside the region. It will look different for each family and each child. Baseball is the greatest game ever, it is exactly that, a game. 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. Does your child have the discipline, maturity, and attention span required to succeed? Age brackets are 8U (8-years-old and under), 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U. How do players interact with their parents? And given the number of kids playing and the number of available spots, even a partial baseball scholarship is terribly unlikely. She needs to throw on her gear almost daily and work on blocking up the ball. I just watched a program not too long ago on the rise of Tommy johns surgeries. The percentages are outrageous. This is related to the previous: the best players leave the rec league for travel ball, and then the mediocre players get tempted to do so, and then all the kids get burnt out and stop playing baseball. Ask the coaching staff their thoughts on this, and what they do to help foster this type of development. Theres usually a brief hitting session (front toss), as well as defensive reps and throws based on your position. If your player doesnt have the drive to get better by putting in the extra work, then travel softball most likely isnt for her. We only have 1 high school senior playing basketball. Was it really worth it? This is a straw man argument that has nothing to do with the very valid points the author makes. No internets back then to stalk them. Travel is not glamorous but grueling. Youll usually stay within a 30 minute radius for games and practices. Jun 8, 2016. 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. Nor am I categorically condemning their decisions and choices. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | FUTURESLASH CORP. Get two articles delivered to your inbox each week. But its also a major commitment, so its important to think carefully about what kind of program is best in your specific situation. Keeping Youth Softball Travel Teams in Perspective No one should expect to make the show. 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. The answer to that question depends on two main things: her love for the game and your wallet! You have to trust that all decisions are made for the good of the entire team. They have grown together, developed rapport and strong friendships. Let kids be kids. With your TeammatesCommunication on the actual playing field is critical. Its Saturday and its 10 am. He told us last week that he is glad that we have taught him to focus on his eternal future. This post seems a departure from your normal posting and writing. Of course, we cant forget tournament day. Do I think that she will even play on the high school level? Ive seen many parents try, and it never ends well. It became known in the United States by various names, such as kitten ball, mush ball, diamond ball, indoor-outdoor, and playground ball. Once we knew about travel ball there was no going back. Breakers Labs I intend to keep it that way. No zoning restrictions. 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. I also need it every day of the week. Thanks for sharing them. Third, most days my family enjoys family travel ball, together. They are the parents that try to coach from the sidelines. Shipping and taxes will be calculated at checkout. Ideally, you dont want to have parents serving as coaches. Ive seen a couple of families fall into the travel ball trap. 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. Tendonitis describes inflammation of a tendon, typically caused by overuse. Eternity is at stake. The three year old is already all in and ready to play. 10 Ways Softball Can Change Your Life - GOOD Other parents might be emboldened to speak up. If team dues seem ridiculously high, make sure youre getting your moneys worth in terms of equipment, facility use, uniforms, etc. Depending on where you live, you could be spending a ton of time in the car, or even on a plane. 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. And you should. I look at another coach who is seeded number one in the league and am very glad my kid isnt with him as I can only imagine the sort of character theyd be building. I agree with some that was said. 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. I dont even want to think about how much parents pay for their 714 year old kids to travel to tournaments, to stay in hotels, to pay the tournament entry fees, and whatever else all this costs. Plus, thats in addition to fees and travel for camps, which many top-tier players also participate in. If youre not in one of those states, expect to be travelling far and often. 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. ), playing time and how its divided up, and the coaching staffs goals and priorities. This includes the travel teams, specialized . See caveats in opening and closing paragraphs. Accepting players from all over central Florida and have had players from all over Polk County, Hillsborough County, and Hardee County. It did to me. I grew up wanting to be a major league baseball player, and Im so glad I never even got drafted. 4. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Top 5 Reasons Your Daughter Should Not Play Travel Softball I see quite a few girls that are not willing to put in the extra work to get better. 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. With that, the cost to play increases. 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. Of course our children have bents that we want to nurture, encourage and help them develop, but lets make sure we arent pursuing our own agenda. Articles like this help. Don't Play Travel Ball: Stay in the Rec League - For His Renown Dont get me wrong there are alot of rec leagues that are great but if you live in the middle of no where lile wr do that was out only option to make her the best that she could be and to teach her to challenge herself and not settle for just good enough. At 12, our son tells us he thinks we have made the right decision. Bottom line: give your kids a childhood theyll want to replicate with their own children not one theyll react against. 3. 6. Sadly, I do have to admit that rec leagues (at least in our area) arent what they used to be. Great post. What should she do? These teams travel, often long distances and out of state, to games, competitions, and/or tournaments (hence the name). A majority of programs at this level also have their own indoor facility for winter workouts and bad-weather training. This not only applies to the sport of baseball and softball, but in all sports where a dad coaches their own son or daughter. A few coaches who work for franchised organizations will get paid and actually make a small profit for their time. Travel Baseball: The Ultimate Guide for Parents and Players Kids need to see that Jesus and his church are more important to their parents even than baseball. The cost is typically around $100, which includes a uniform top. And if she has a hard time deciding what she wants? 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. What Is Travel Ball Softball? - SportsRec She got to have some really good conversations with the moms who really didnt understand the philosophy behind Upward as a result. Does she want to be challenged? Well-said. Go to a couple of games and see how the team plays together, and ask to watch the team practice before committing. Jesus is God not baseball. Some of the thoughts overlap what was already said. 1. My 10 year old tried out for a travel team for over 2 months. The only time we had awful politics was before our team separated and we joined the head coach. This is a case where a player made a poor decision on team selection. There are many problems that can occur when playing travel softball. doi:10.3390/sports7070171, Merkel DL. Check out: The Nehemiah Institute (nehemiahinstitute.com) If your kid is good and loves to play, you wont be able to keep them from it. There are TONs of small but critically important things young players learn over the course of YEARS playing travel softball that you'll have to catch up on, especially if you want to play catcher, the toughest of all positions. But players should walk away from their travel ball experience not only prepared for college athletics, but also for life in general. God will open doors to tell others about Christ as we are faithful to follow Him. 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. . Legalism requires perfection, and Im not perfect, Jesus is. I wanted to play at the highest level I could, and they were willing to sacrifice to make that happen. Then you have mad moms and dads when their little one rides the bench all day at a tournament two hours from home that you had to arrive at in the pre-sunrise hours of the morning. Well-roundedness: Despite the cultural drive for pursuing one sport, well-roundedness as a child makes for happy, well-adjusted adults. Travel softball tourneys are typically Friday through Sunday, with teams playing anywhere from 5-10 games each. We decided to engage in travel ball because the coaching was better. Most travel softball teams include between 10 and 12 players chosen by the appointed coaches. Then again, some games I find my older daughter listening to her ipod while we watch the games. 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. Often, good organizations will reach out to a player that caught their eye and invite them to come to the open tryout. You need the church, and the church needs you. (And I hope thats not the reason you involve your kids in athletics!) Also, since most teams only have one practice per week, theres an expectation that additional work is being done outside of practice. Do they want to try out for the travel team just because friends are doing it, or because it seems like the next step? 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. Truthfully, we have gotten better instruction and development at a Rec ball/All Star level. By living our life for Christ the other 6 days. 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. First up, travel softball is a lot more intense than traditional one. The biggest softball hubs are Southern California, Texas and Florida. 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. My arm hurt all the time, and I wasnt a pitcher. Some teams charge a flat fee up front, some allow parents to pay as they go and some combine the formulas. And it cuts into homework time as well. These are good thoughts. It was excellent, by the way. 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. I want your son to love baseball, to have the opportunity to be a kid, and to play the game as a kid. God makes it pretty clear when Paul says, Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus We represent Him, so we will want to do our best and want our kids to understand why. 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! I enjoyed your article and the discussion following it. His, It seems to me that time comes in the mid to late teens, but thats going to be a judgment call . 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. It would surely come in handy as a travel ball parent. It isnt even cheap! That makes YOU the problem parent. Some teams charge a small fee for this tryout. Exactly how much depends on the level of competition your daughter is looking for. Applaud effort and celebrate results for both dugouts. James Jesse, Vice President (Umpires) for Grand Slam Tournaments (GS), leads corporate oversight of all GS umpires and directly manages a team of 60 umpires in Atlanta, Georgia. God bless. 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. 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. On the other hand, dont force her to join a competitive travel ball team if she just wants to have fun. He was athletic and had the potential to play college baseball, so we finally enrolled him in travel ball after his freshman year in high school. The Pros and Cons of Youth Travel Teams - Verywell Family 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. 2019;7(7). And with more practice and play time, the risk of injury and burnout goes up, too. I recognize that although it isnt common for kids to be offered college scholarships for sports, it obviously isnt impossible. We always had food on the table, but the effort put in by my parents to facilitate my amateur softball career was exorbitant. This is a an uncomfortable topic to address given that you are . I know you were saying that theres no one answer for everyone. Here are the 10 biggest problems in youth baseball and softball, and how we can fix them. A majority of these tournaments are qualifiers for the organizations national tournament, where the top teams from different regions compete in one location. Our son never felt like he missed out on anything; he was too busy playing other sports and doing other activities. When children are interested in a particular elite team, it's important to find out in advance what their expectations are. With the top-tier of competitive travelling softball teams, the coaches are generally not related to the players. 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). Dont get me wrong: I love competition. Softball Leagues + Travel Softball Teams - Lakeland Mom Many high-level programs are fully-sponsored by product manufacturers, or at least get discounted rates on things like uniforms and equipment. PAY FOR QUALITY UMPIRES, make sure you have enough umpires for all games and have them supported by all involved. This is great information, but unfortunately rec ballaka little leagueis a political nightmare where I am from and for many others. They understand the intangibles of the game, and can teach a higher level of mechanics that go beyond the fundamentals. They learn more socially because they have different teammates for each sport and different roles. It is evangelism that is not solely dependent upon our efforts, but on the power of the Word being preached, loved, and then given to others. 14,539. But we have had a great experience with travel ball and have been able to balance our commitments to both Christ, his church, and our family. With travel ball, there is minimal time to recover from errors. Dont get me wrong, there is definitely room for improvement with all players. You will have to have tournament entry fees and food for the day, whether you bring it or buy it from concessions. This can be a big problem if you are trying to compete in tournaments or leagues. You may be betting on the kid getting a scholarship. They will actually improve more at each sport because a variety of new skills enhances old ones in ways that cant be quantified. When my life ends, I will have to give an account to my Lord as to whether I obeyed the command in Matt28:19 that says Go. If youre a parent who never played a sport competitively, you might not understand her desire to spend every waking hour at the ballpark. Within each age level there are three letters that designate the skill level: A is the highest level in a particular age group, followed by B (average) and C (kids who are playing mostly for fun). Uber competitive athletics is going to end for 99.9 percent of kids/young adults. While some languages are much harder to grasp than others, a lack of words is a travel problem with an easy solution. 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.
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