I don't post much about baseball

[duckter]

It's not only baseball, it's Cheer squads, Pom Pon, volleyball, travel soccer, dance, etc…

[trey]

http://www.mac-n-seitz.com/teams/mike-m ... etter.html

check out this letter Mike Matheny gave to the parents of the team he coached!

[Ster]

These are all good comments in this tread. Clearly there are two camps on this issue. One which feels that it is overzealous, and another which feels that there are some kids that love the sport enough to want as much as they can get. I can understand both arguments.

I think that there are some kids (like some of you have mentioned about your children) that are talented and want as much baseball as they can get. But the real question to ask is how many of those kids in an 8, 9 or 10 and under travel tournament have that desire. And how many of those kids are there because their parents WANT their son to have that desire?

There is a lot of stress and pressure that is placed on these kids by coaches and more frequently parents. I have sons that play Travel baseball and the most disappointed I have ever been with myself as a parent has often been centered around baseball. It went to a point where I finally realized it was a real problem and took it to the alter one day at church and laid it there before the Lord. Since then, I found a whole new perspective on the game. My sons still play travel baseball, but only because they like spending time with their friends. We took the serious out of it.

I think that travel baseball does lead to some good kids getting burned out on the game. I also think that the organization of travel baseball fails to recognize potential of players. I know a family who's kid never played travel baseball and tried out for his Jr. High School team. He made the team simply because the coach saw potential. He hardly ever got to play in a game until he was a Sophomore in high school and started to tear it up. Everyone thought the coach was nuts for keeping this kid on the team when he didn't have the "Travel baseball" experience. But that coach saw potential and knew that it was just a matter of time before the kid started to get his coordination to a point that it matched his body. He later went on to sign a Div I baseball scholarship and was drafted in the MLB draft after his third year in college. Maybe some folks make travel baseball to important.

[hntrpat1]

My boys both play travel ball. My oldest 10 team plays one to two tourneys a month start this month and ending in july with the Gov cup. They both play league ball. My youngest 7 was just asked to play on a team with 9 year olds. He's been hanging with them and they will only do one tourney a month at the same tourney as my oldest. If they say they want to stop they stop shoot that will save me some money. Ya'll wouldn't believe how much better those kids are than league ball. Now burnout is going to happen. Some of those travel teams play every weekend all year long, THATS CRAZZY!

[hntrpat1]

These are all good comments in this tread. Clearly there are two camps on this issue. One which feels that it is overzealous, and another which feels that there are some kids that love the sport enough to want as much as they can get. I can understand both arguments.

I think that there are some kids (like some of you have mentioned about your children) that are talented and want as much baseball as they can get. But the real question to ask is how many of those kids in an 8, 9 or 10 and under travel tournament have that desire. And how many of those kids are there because their parents WANT their son to have that desire?

There is a lot of stress and pressure that is placed on these kids by coaches and more frequently parents. I have sons that play Travel baseball and the most disappointed I have ever been with myself as a parent has often been centered around baseball. It went to a point where I finally realized it was a real problem and took it to the alter one day at church and laid it there before the Lord. Since then, I found a whole new perspective on the game. My sons still play travel baseball, but only because they like spending time with their friends. We took the serious out of it.

I think that travel baseball does lead to some good kids getting burned out on the game. I also think that the organization of travel baseball fails to recognize potential of players. I know a family who's kid never played travel baseball and tried out for his Jr. High School team. He made the team simply because the coach saw potential. He hardly ever got to play in a game until he was a Sophomore in high school and started to tear it up. Everyone thought the coach was nuts for keeping this kid on the team when he didn't have the "Travel baseball" experience. But that coach saw potential and knew that it was just a matter of time before the kid started to get his coordination to a point that it matched his body. He later went on to sign a Div I baseball scholarship and was drafted in the MLB draft after his third year in college. Maybe some folks make travel baseball to important.

I agree my younger son has that desire. He goes outside and practices everyday on his own. I can promise you I don't want to do that everyday!

[Roach]

I was one that was "ate up with baseball" and wanted to play everyday. I started at 5 years old and played through Ole Miss and then played travel softball for 5 years. Now when I grew up, you played everything (in moderation) that was in season. In high school I played football, basketball, weight lifting, baseball and ran track, but baseball was my love.
Now, I have a 9 yr old that is in his 3rd year of select. He is very talented and have to tell myself everyday, to stop and smell the roses. I want to push him to be better but I want HIM to have fun for himself, not for me.
You know we are having this covnversation generally about baseball, but it relates to specializing in anything, not only sports. Some parents want their kids to be doctors or lawyers and the kid may want to be a fireman. (Nothing wrong with any profession, I'm just making an example).
My recommendation is to each his own. Find out what the kid really enjoys, and jump in there with them.

[camlock]

This whole topic of conversation has many directions it can go...i have no problem with kids that have an absolute passion that they will play every single inning afforded them, and I also have no problem with parents that want to offer as much as they can for their kid. Now, in that regard for those that believe playing "select ball" and/or "travel ball" for this coach or this organization and putting in as many games as you can afford is they way to achieve a long term goal in baseball, my opinion, and the one shared by many behind videos like the one I shared...you are wrong. There is an ever-growing undercurrent of people that aren't realizing what they thought they and their son would, or maybe were sold, b/c their kids are burnt out, arms are tired or broken, and fundamentals are lacking b/c they had a lot of fun playing and funding a big ole pot and never really grew in the game and time is up...the end game isn't what they believe they paid for or were pursuing, both monetarily and in time spent...it's anti-climatic to say the least. This is obviously not for every single case, but it's very prevalent.

If it's just about going year to year and letting your boy play out his passion, go for it...you are blessed to have the ability to provide this for him. For me personally, if my sons (who are 5 and 3 right now) show me that passion and desire, as a father I'm going to dial it back and show them a path I believe is what they really need to grow as baseball players to maximize their opportunities throughout their given time to play the game. A kid will eat 100 pieces of candy if you let him...as a young hunter he'll shoot as many animals as you let him, keep as many fish as he puts in the boat...and etc, doesn't necessarily mean it's best for his development in whatever situation.

[Ster]

This whole topic of conversation has many directions it can go...i have no problem with kids that have an absolute passion that they will play every single inning afforded them, and I also have no problem with parents that want to offer as much as they can for their kid. Now, in that regard for those that believe playing "select ball" and/or "travel ball" for this coach or this organization and putting in as many games as you can afford is they way to achieve a long term goal in baseball, my opinion, and the one shared by many behind videos like the one I shared...you are wrong. There is an ever-growing undercurrent of people that aren't realizing what they thought they and their son would, or maybe were sold, b/c their kids are burnt out, arms are tired or broken, and fundamentals are lacking b/c they had a lot of fun playing and funding a big ole pot and never really grew in the game and time is up...the end game isn't what they believe they paid for or were pursuing, both monetarily and in time spent...it's anti-climatic to say the least. This is obviously not for every single case, but it's very prevalent.

If it's just about going year to year and letting your boy play out his passion, go for it...you are blessed to have the ability to provide this for him. For me personally, if my sons (who are 5 and 3 right now) show me that passion and desire, as a father I'm going to dial it back and show them a path I believe is what they really need to grow as baseball players to maximize their opportunities throughout their given time to play the game. A kid will eat 100 pieces of candy if you let him...as a young hunter he'll shoot as many animals as you let him, keep as many fish as he puts in the boat...and etc, doesn't necessarily mean it's best for his development in whatever situation.

I think that there are two issues as work with Travel ball. And again, I'm not someone who thinks that it's all bad. Both my sons have played travel baseball since the age of 7. But, there are some misconceptions. The first is that if your son isn't playing travel baseball then they are going to miss out on the ability to develop as a baseball player. As much external pressure as there is on parents to the contrary, this just isn't true. There are plenty of kids playing competitive high school baseball and beyond that didn't play travel baseball since stepping out of the womb. Much of that stems from the idea that when you walk out to see a rec league baseball game the better players are all kids that are playing travel baseball. That comes back to the old chicken or the egg theory. Are the players better because they are all playing travel baseball or are they playing travel baseball because they are the better players regardless.

Baseball is all about repetition. Players get better through repetition. The tournaments and games are all about having a good time. But, you don't seem to pick up on that when going to these travel tournaments sadly.

[camlock]

This whole topic of conversation has many directions it can go...i have no problem with kids that have an absolute passion that they will play every single inning afforded them, and I also have no problem with parents that want to offer as much as they can for their kid. Now, in that regard for those that believe playing "select ball" and/or "travel ball" for this coach or this organization and putting in as many games as you can afford is they way to achieve a long term goal in baseball, my opinion, and the one shared by many behind videos like the one I shared...you are wrong. There is an ever-growing undercurrent of people that aren't realizing what they thought they and their son would, or maybe were sold, b/c their kids are burnt out, arms are tired or broken, and fundamentals are lacking b/c they had a lot of fun playing and funding a big ole pot and never really grew in the game and time is up...the end game isn't what they believe they paid for or were pursuing, both monetarily and in time spent...it's anti-climatic to say the least. This is obviously not for every single case, but it's very prevalent.

If it's just about going year to year and letting your boy play out his passion, go for it...you are blessed to have the ability to provide this for him. For me personally, if my sons (who are 5 and 3 right now) show me that passion and desire, as a father I'm going to dial it back and show them a path I believe is what they really need to grow as baseball players to maximize their opportunities throughout their given time to play the game. A kid will eat 100 pieces of candy if you let him...as a young hunter he'll shoot as many animals as you let him, keep as many fish as he puts in the boat...and etc, doesn't necessarily mean it's best for his development in whatever situation.

I think that there are two issues as work with Travel ball. And again, I'm not someone who thinks that it's all bad. Both my sons have played travel baseball since the age of 7. But, there are some misconceptions. The first is that if your son isn't playing travel baseball then they are going to miss out on the ability to develop as a baseball player. As much external pressure as there is on parents to the contrary, this just isn't true. There are plenty of kids playing competitive high school baseball and beyond that didn't play travel baseball since stepping out of the womb. Much of that stems from the idea that when you walk out to see a rec league baseball game the better players are all kids that are playing travel baseball. That comes back to the old chicken or the egg theory. Are the players better because they are all playing travel baseball or are they playing travel baseball because they are the better players regardless.

Baseball is all about repetition. Players get better through repetition. The tournaments and games are all about having a good time. But, you don't seem to pick up on that when going to these travel tournaments sadly.

To clarify my feelings...I don't think travel ball is bad, nor do I think it's bad to play it. I think too much of it (not all of it, but too much of it) is being sold as something it's not to the player and parent in order to develop a culture that accomplishes a couple things, none of those things being ultimately beneficial to the player. Strictly in terms of baseball development, too many players are missing out on development needed b/c all they do is play for paper trophies that cost a lot of money...they are underdeveloped mechanically, they are just experienced on the diamond and they look the part...some are naturals and love to play and can and it's moot, many need more than they are getting by dressing the part and leaning on expensive repetitions as the developer...

[1010]

Travelball has been one wicked roller coaster ride for us. All I've got to say is if you're kid does decide to play REC or travel ball, make sure they are ready. Not being prepared sucks. And they won't play long. Its not a drag race either, its a marathon. One step at a time.

Another strong point is don't let you're kid eat sugar before practice or a game. Sugar crashes cause more kids trouble. And parents wonder whats with the dragging around.. And something good to eat after school. A good coach should be telling them this!

To play travel ball takes work, and lots of it. They can easily see that. Whats hard to find is a coach that can bring a balance of fun and work.

I tell mine its their world, I just live in it. Don't push. Fun is why we play.. If it gets to be not fun we'll do something else.

And God has a plan for us all.

[Ster]

This whole topic of conversation has many directions it can go...i have no problem with kids that have an absolute passion that they will play every single inning afforded them, and I also have no problem with parents that want to offer as much as they can for their kid. Now, in that regard for those that believe playing "select ball" and/or "travel ball" for this coach or this organization and putting in as many games as you can afford is they way to achieve a long term goal in baseball, my opinion, and the one shared by many behind videos like the one I shared...you are wrong. There is an ever-growing undercurrent of people that aren't realizing what they thought they and their son would, or maybe were sold, b/c their kids are burnt out, arms are tired or broken, and fundamentals are lacking b/c they had a lot of fun playing and funding a big ole pot and never really grew in the game and time is up...the end game isn't what they believe they paid for or were pursuing, both monetarily and in time spent...it's anti-climatic to say the least. This is obviously not for every single case, but it's very prevalent.

If it's just about going year to year and letting your boy play out his passion, go for it...you are blessed to have the ability to provide this for him. For me personally, if my sons (who are 5 and 3 right now) show me that passion and desire, as a father I'm going to dial it back and show them a path I believe is what they really need to grow as baseball players to maximize their opportunities throughout their given time to play the game. A kid will eat 100 pieces of candy if you let him...as a young hunter he'll shoot as many animals as you let him, keep as many fish as he puts in the boat...and etc, doesn't necessarily mean it's best for his development in whatever situation.

I think that there are two issues as work with Travel ball. And again, I'm not someone who thinks that it's all bad. Both my sons have played travel baseball since the age of 7. But, there are some misconceptions. The first is that if your son isn't playing travel baseball then they are going to miss out on the ability to develop as a baseball player. As much external pressure as there is on parents to the contrary, this just isn't true. There are plenty of kids playing competitive high school baseball and beyond that didn't play travel baseball since stepping out of the womb. Much of that stems from the idea that when you walk out to see a rec league baseball game the better players are all kids that are playing travel baseball. That comes back to the old chicken or the egg theory. Are the players better because they are all playing travel baseball or are they playing travel baseball because they are the better players regardless.

Baseball is all about repetition. Players get better through repetition. The tournaments and games are all about having a good time. But, you don't seem to pick up on that when going to these travel tournaments sadly.

To clarify my feelings...I don't think travel ball is bad, nor do I think it's bad to play it. I think too much of it (not all of it, but too much of it) is being sold as something it's not to the player and parent in order to develop a culture that accomplishes a couple things, none of those things being ultimately beneficial to the player. Strictly in terms of baseball development, too many players are missing out on development needed b/c all they do is play for paper trophies that cost a lot of money...they are underdeveloped mechanically, they are just experienced on the diamond and they look the part...some are naturals and love to play and can and it's moot, many need more than they are getting by dressing the part and leaning on expensive repetitions as the developer...

As with most things, its about economics. There are two truths about Travel baseball.

1) Communities and Tournament organizers are making a lot of money off of these tournaments.
2) Parents feel pressured to have their kids play travel baseball because they believe they aren't getting the best for their child if they don't.