problems with travel softball

In return, the Breakers Labs organization is committed to working with each Student-Athlete to . 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. 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. SAVE 25% ON ALL HER MUST HAVES - 25% OFF SITEWIDE ALL REGULAR PRICED ITEMS. Teach her other ways to stay involved throughout the game if she is not playing. 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 time we had awful politics was before our team separated and we joined the head coach. Back in 2011, CBS News reported that one Georgia family paid $4,000 per year for their 9-year-old son's travel team. From a father of 3 boys I can confirm this to be absolute truth. 3. 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. 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). 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. Keep him in rec ball, where he wont get burnt out because hes a kid facing the demands of a profession. First up, travel softball is a lot more intense than traditional one. If this sounds like your daughters work ethic, then maybe travel ball isnt for her. You also accept the fact that this may be a long day and that the next time you touch that warm bed could be 3 am the next morning if you make it to the championship. Neck Pain. Youll usually stay within a 30 minute radius for games and practices. Feel free to ask about financials (whats included in team fees, fundraising, etc. But I say be wise. His, She needs to throw on her gear almost daily and work on blocking up the ball. This is very true for our daughters as well. Learning that excelling takes commitment, hard work, loyalty. 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? It did to me. Maybe my son will get a chance to play as long as he continues to love the game. Travel with extended families and make bonds with good people. Breakers Labs, located in North San Diego County, is an elite, competitive Fastpitch Softball Organization dedicated to developing the student athlete. On the field. Then, another tournament every weekend from late spring through July or August. Motivations: Just because you liked something as a kid, or were good at it, it doesnt mean your child will or should be. 5. 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. Creating a logo and brand is a big step for your new program. No one should expect to make the show. We dont recommend this for everybody, but for the right people travel softball can literally be life-changing in a great way. Kids are exposed to new cities and sometimes get a chance to play tourist. Softball teaches you how to communicate with those who are in authoritative positions about something you really want. I spent my 20s laying the foundation for what Im doing with the rest of my life, not bouncing around in the minor leagues. Were seeing some growth in her skills and she loves the game. Your daughter will be around these girls for months at a time, and they say you become who you surround yourself with. So, whats the vibe of the players? Thanks, To Him Be the Gory (in travel ball and everywhere else in His Creation). I played four years at the University of Oregon, where I was First Team All-American, played in two Womens College World Series, and went on to play six years professionally. They learn to be a part of a team effort and that there are sacrifices that need to be made for the team (for instance being pulled during a game). Have fun with sports, and use it to build character, not dream-castles in the skies. 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. The high-end teams travel to tournaments every weekend (sometimes out-of-state) and qualify for national tournaments. And at best a professional athlete might play into his late 30s or early 40s, then what? What are you waiting for? #momof3boys. Many high-level programs are fully-sponsored by product manufacturers, or at least get discounted rates on things like uniforms and equipment. Thank you! Travel softball is expensive and time consuming. Evaluate at the end of the season is the team you are on is fitting your needs as a family. By living our life for Christ the other 6 days. And I hope all who read my question realize that there is no 1 correct answer for everyone. Thank you for writing this. After speaking to a lot of college coaches, they agree. That's not to say you shouldn't do it -- just be ready to work What guides me is Paul in 1Cor9:22-23 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 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. Not posting some long winded bs. 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. Applaud effort and celebrate results for both dugouts. Of course, we dont love spending a lot of money every weekend. If you are ok with giving away your weekends to softball, then maybe travel ball is a fit for you. I am coaching a 5-6 yr old team and can already feel the pull of private instructors, out of season ball, travel squads, etc. 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. Levels are separated by age and skill level. 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. Things like being on time, sportsmanship, work ethic, speaking respectfully, putting the team first, uplifting those around you, and attention to detail; those are all crucial life skills that youth sports can help build. Ive seen many parents try, and it never ends well. We practiced a lot, doing as much as the NCAA allowed, all year long, in season and out. Of course, we dont love giving up almost every Saturday to softball. Do they look like theyre having fun, while still getting the job done? For one thing, their bodies just arent developed enough to handle the strain. I want your son to love baseball, to have the opportunity to be a kid, and to play the game as a kid. Travel teams are also sometimes calledelite teams, select teams, club teams, or tournament teams. Too many surgeries, other arm problems, leg issues and other health issues that kids at that age shouldnt have to endure. Although the outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pushed back the starts for some travel seasons, Northwest Whitfield High School head softball coach Todd Middleton said most of his team is playing a travel softball schedule currently. The majority of players at this level hire an experienced outside hitting or pitching coach. Small town kids grow up playing lots of sports not getting burnt out playing the same one all year round. Several dads had told me that they were leaving rec ball for a low-key travel ball team, or that they were adding a low-key travel ball team on top of the rec ball their son was playing. As Ive talked to people about this dilemma, one friend proposed this to me: he said that I should start my own travel ball team, and I should commit myself to being low-key about it. But if you cant imagine doing this every weekend or every other weekend (not always cold and misty of course, but it does happen) then maybe travel softball isnt a good fit for you and your family. 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 Nor am I categorically condemning their decisions and choices. Kids are smarter than what we want to give them credit for. I do wonder though as a parent of a child who did play travel ball and also ended up as a D1 athlete if we arent typically just exchanging one pursuit of excellence for another. What will travel ball mean for your marriage? See caveats in opening and closing paragraphs. I think God led me to this article to reassure me that we are doing right. So many kids grow up dreaming, so few put on a big league uniform. That said, you can end up spending a lot more than that. 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. My concerns in the post are directed not at adults pursuing excellence in their callings but at parents of kids in the 714 age range . I dont believe in definitive s. Its not easy to admit that you or someone you love is not good enough for something. If you're acting like your son has already made it, then you are killing his drive. Its Saturday and its 10 am. Open Access J Sports Med. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | FUTURESLASH CORP. Get two articles delivered to your inbox each week. How do players interact with their parents? I submit that even with all the excitement of the game, and the money and fame that come with it, the life of a professional athlete is not one to be envied. Educate them. Baseball should be a fun game for him not a demanding job. Families who thought the Sunday game was no big deal slowly dropped out of church because sports came first. The only thing you have planned is to lay around the house, relax and watch football. 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. A job is not a game. Not as organized- depending on the organization. For us, it boils down to priorities. But dont hold her back if she wants to push herself. I could rest. Every year, most teams host an open tryout, where anyone interested in joining has an opportunity to be evaluated by the coaching staff. 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. It was excellent, by the way. Sad to see but strengthened our resolve that sports would not take priority over God and our church family. They open/close each practice and game with prayer and are not overwhelming us with lots of games. (Their varsity team is seeded #1 or #2 nationwide and is competitive, though still strives to put Jesus first.) You, as the parent, are going to be doing the driving. We dont win Non-Christians by loving them more than we love God and his glory. Girls that don't attend the 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. They learn to be a part of a team effort and that there are sacrifices that need to be made for the team (for instance being pulled during a game). On the diamond. Do you know the coach or coaches? My 5 year old has peers that are playing baseball year round already! If money is a potential concern, you need to consider both your priorities and your daughters. 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. Lack of specified instruction. Im coming at this topic from a multi-dimensional approach. This is how travel sofball is. Well always innovate to do whats best. Travel is not glamorous but grueling. Im betting you would be better off saving your money to help him with college expenses. Now I know the reasons. 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. You need the church, and the church needs you. It became known in the United States by various names, such as kitten ball, mush ball, diamond ball, indoor-outdoor, and playground ball. 6. Not necessarily, but if your kid is in the 714 age range, I will suspect that you might not be pursuing the wisest course. Theres a lot that goes into deciding what travel softball team to play for. The most elite tournament teams (especially at the high school level) travel the farthest and play the most. . Rec ball pushes equality, fairness, and gives each player the same opportunities. If you live in a big city, chances are that a good program is nearby. On the contrary, travel baseball is pure commitment! (on which more below). Read our, Tetra Images - Erik Isakson / Getty Images, Sports Specialization and the Risk for Injury and Burnout, Dealing With Bullying on Youth Sports Teams, Budget Friendly Extracurricular Activities for Tweens, 2019 State of play: Trends and developments in youth sports, Burnout and perceived performance among junior athletes-associations with affective and cognitive components of stress, Youth sport: positive and negative impact on young athletes. softball, a variant of baseball and a popular participant sport, particularly in the United States. Despite not playing travel ball until high school, he got several offers and ended up playing for a highly regarded D1 program. We want girls who are team players, dedicated and committed to playing softball at an elite level. 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. If your player doesnt have the drive to get better by putting in the extra work, then travel softball most likely isnt for her. And teams may invite players from anywhere in the region. Well-said. These girls can always work harder to be better. I was sent the letter about "What if you can't . 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. Coaches are typically parents or grandparents, and the umpires are often volunteers. Travel ball, by contrast, is not cheap participation fees average about $2,000 per player per year. I appreciate that. This is a delicate balance to strike, but its something to keep in mind. 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. Of course, there are other ways to be the problem parent such as bad-mouthing the coach and other parents, not paying your dues, not bringing your daughter to practices, etc. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. For some may not even be an issue. Yes, they are young and this is not college softball players we are talking about here. I see quite a few girls that are not willing to put in the extra work to get better. 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. These parents are the ones that complain when things dont fit their idea of how the team should be run. This post may step on some toes, but thats ok. If your daughter wanted to be a catcher at a higher level of play like travel ball, then shes going to be putting in some work. I know because I was her coach for years. There is another very sad thing that often happens as a result of a familys involvement in travel ball. What is Daddy Ball? And keep in mind, the level of competitiveness usually coincides with how much work is expected outside of practice. Get in the car, and sleep for the whole drive home. With all of that said, here are some things you need to know about competitive travel softball. 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. 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. 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. coming down the pike. Cost: Figure out what your family can afford before you even start looking at options. Let them play the game. a. The low-end travel teams can be local teams going to a few tournaments outside the region. 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? 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. Even a child with exceptional innate talent still needs to be a good team player. Yes, we want players to get better at softball. She needs to spend more than 2 days working on drills. I also when I was kid play at lyndon and never traveled and loved it and still played college baseball myself for 4 yrs. 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. 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. Do not tolerate conduct of the weak and uneducated. With our current circumstances, it would be extremely hard with our job schedule to juggle two girls practices and tournaments with everything else. The only kind of baseball scholarship D1 programs offer is a partial one. 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. With your TeammatesCommunication on the actual playing field is critical. This is great information, but unfortunately rec ballaka little leagueis a political nightmare where I am from and for many others. So Im writing in the hope that youll see that rec ball is a better route. Check out: The Nehemiah Institute (nehemiahinstitute.com) 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. 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. I enjoyed my time as a travel softball player, but it wasnt always easy for me or my family. While you make some great points, let me provide an alternate perspective, even if I appear at present to be the lone dissenting voice. And it cuts into homework time as well. Developing skills in (or at least having exposure to) music, art, great books, drama, theology, politics, or science-and-math-related activities makes us better, more empathetic, engaged human beings and citizens, and better leaders. 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. Your subtotal today is $-.--. How many travel baseball games are played in a season? One of the most common problems is not having enough players to field a team. 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. Hopefully, this helped you decide whether its the step that you should be taking or not. She excelled once she wasnt under my leadership and under the leadership of a professional. I agree 100% with your article. I pray that God keeps me humble and rightly focused. My daughter is involved in a local homeschool league. Great post. Take Our :59 sec "Unlock Your Power" Analysis Quiz to Find Out, All content 2016-2023 The Hitting Vault. 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. Focus on what you can do. Do I think that she will even play on the high school level? What is the financial commitment? 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. 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. Since the start of Softball Galaxy, we have gone from two daughters playing, to only one at this moment. Kids need to be challenged so they can grow. Catherine Holecko is an experienced freelance writer and editor who specializes in pregnancy, parenting, health and fitness. Thats why Im writing this post. Look for positive, fair-minded coaching. Any extra lessons are usually a large chunk of money. Encourage her to be a good teammate. Be a parent. There are significant costs (thousands of dollars per season is common). By Catherine Holecko The nature of sport is that participants will learn in the course of their play, practice, games or meets, all about discipline, perseverance, punctuality, teamwork, goal-setting, how to handle disagreements, disappointment and failure, as well as success and recognition. The pitchers pitched far more balls than strikes. The travel teams are turning into a true business. Because the goal of this type of program is to prepare the athlete for college athletics, the teams want to win. Are those stewardship issues as well? 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. The percentages are outrageous. 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. All your doing is increasing the strain and the chance of injury for no appreciable gain. Allows them to play against better competition. Hopefully it will make us parents pray, think, and analyze the motives behind our kids activities. She got to have some really good conversations with the moms who really didnt understand the philosophy behind Upward as a result. I have a neighbor who constantly pesters me about our childrens sports involvement level-rec. Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Youre going to be paying team dues of course. You have to trust that all decisions are made for the good of the entire team. Wr had to travel 3 ours to find a competitive travel team. Living in Oregon and playing competitively, I traveled multiple times every summer and fall to play in college exposure tournaments in Southern California. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Thanks to all who replied. Let kids be kids, they and their bodies will decide what they can and cant do. Not criticizing anyone not on same path, but if they want it, you wont stop them. PAY FOR QUALITY UMPIRES, make sure you have enough umpires for all games and have them supported by all involved. Travel softball can be one of the most stressful aspects of the sport, especially when it comes to choosing the right team. 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. How knowledgeable are they, and will they be able to facilitate the proper degree of skill development for their athletes? Have your church thru fellowship and reach others who may be lost. -ta. Subscribe below. Ok, so there were still good players in rec when you played. 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. But its also a major commitment, so its important to think carefully about what kind of program is best in your specific situation. This is mainly to get those on the fence to really question if this type of play is a good fit for them or if maybe rec ball would be a little more suitable for them. However, the main reason weve stuck with travel is the consistency that it offers. This is a great place to learn the rules of the game, to see if your daughter enjoys softball, and to just have fun while learning sportsmanship and the very basics of fundamentals. Generally speaking, these parents dont do the Sunday sports to evangelize. 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. However, I am concerned about the amount of time spent in preparation, travel, and practice that can rob a family of what is truly important from a Scriptural perspective. Some teams charge a small fee for this tryout. 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. There is no championship, just games. It is important that each player is available for every team practice and game. Thankfully, we have a great group of players, coaches, and families. 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. Its hard in the county. How dedicated is your child? Loneliness is not one of the travel problems which affects everyone, but when it strikes it can be the worst problem imaginable. Enjoyment: Help your children enjoy a sport for the simple joy of the sport. But players should walk away from their travel ball experience not only prepared for college athletics, but also for life in general. My son excels in travel ball and weve started a bible devotion for the boys before every tournament. " (Travel softball) has taken high school softball out of the equation," Hutchinson says. Chemistry: Consider the overall chemistry of the program, not just the chemistry among the players. This is the one your wife wants you to care about. Which is Better for My Daughter: Rec Ball or Travel Ball? Confused! I dont normally respond to blog posts, but I wanted to respond to this one because I respect you. I could now study what I wanted to study, and my classes were no longer determined by baseball practice. 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. 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. On the low end, a $500 budget may be enough to cover your team fees and play in local tournaments with lesser competition. Some teams charge a flat fee up front, some allow parents to pay as they go and some combine the formulas. I think this is an important topic that needs to be discussed. On the other hand, dont force her to join a competitive travel ball team if she just wants to have fun. This causes an influx of these types of players. I just watched a program not too long ago on the rise of Tommy johns surgeries. How do I know which is best for my daughter? I would also ask to establish contact with you for a best practices sharing of information and spreading of the works you are enjoying. She needs to be developing the leg and core muscles daily to give her the power to play that position to the best of her ability. 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. how much was berger's prada shirt,

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