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Travel Baseball: The Ultimate Guide for Parents and Players

Table of Contents

What is travel baseball, what to look for in a travel baseball team, travel baseball vs. little league, travel baseball pros and cons , criticisms and controversy, is travel baseball worth it.

For many families, the transition from Little League to travel baseball comes with stress, anxiety and questions about what to look for in a team and what to expect from the experience — not to mention the question of whether making the switch from a more laid-back rec ball program to a more competitive (and expensive) travel club is the right decision in the first place.

In this post, we’re going to go over everything you need to know about getting started with youth travel baseball. We’ll help you answer the questions above and determine whether travel baseball is a good fit for your son or daughter. 

If you have a softball player in the family, you may also want to check out our article “ What to Look For in a Travel Softball Team ,” which covers some of the same information from a softball perspective and dives deep into my personal experience as an elite-level amateur player and college recruiting prospect.

Table of Contents :

• How to Choose a Travel Baseball Team
• Travel Baseball Pros and Cons
• Is Travel Baseball Worth It?  

First, it’s important to understand what a travel baseball team is and how travel baseball is organized. 

There are tens of thousands of travel baseball teams around the country, and their popularity has exploded over the past two decades. As recently as the 1990s, travel baseball was a niche experience limited mostly to elite players in baseball-rich areas like Texas and California. Today, participation is seen by many as a near necessity for talented players to develop their skills and hone their game against the best competition they can find. 

Whereas Little League is the dominant organization when it comes to recreational youth baseball, there are multiple organizations throughout the country that host hundreds of travel tournaments each year. Some of the biggest and most popular are USSSA (United States Speciality Sports Association), AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), Triple Crown Sports , and Perfect Game . Travel baseball teams often participate in tournaments organized by more than one of those organizations. 

A team can be started by anyone. Many are formed by parents, but many others are formed by high school and former college coaches. Depending on their organizational goals, some programs have just one team that participates in one age bracket (such as 10 and under), while some are run like businesses and have teams that compete in every age group. 

Some huge organizations, such as California Baseball Academy (CBA), even have multiple teams within the same age group, located in multiple cities. CBA has teams not only in California, but also in Nevada, Texas, Utah and the southeast. High-level programs like that are often known for attracting top talent, for training recruits into elite players, and for feeding those players into nearby colleges and universities. 

Travel Baseball Competition Structure

Virtually all travel baseball games are played on weekends in a tournament format. Those tournaments can theoretically be held anywhere, but are frequently held at multi-field facilities in easily-accessible travel hubs. For example, many Florida tournaments are held in Orlando because it’s in the relative center of the state, it has plenty of hotel rooms, and it’s home to many great baseball facilities. The farther you live away from such a hub, the more you should expect to travel. 

Most tournaments begin with pool play, meaning that teams are guaranteed a number of games before heading into single elimination. A team can expect to play anywhere from three to eight games over the course of a two-day or three-day tournament, depending on how they perform.

There is no set number of tournaments a team must participate in. Each team decides which tournaments to enter on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration factors such as age level, skill level, and cost. In general, two tournaments per month can be seen as about average, although higher-level teams may play more frequently. 

Most organizations run regional and national championships, which are invite-only. For example, USSSA hosts “qualifier” tournaments, where the winner of the championship game (and sometimes the runner up) can earn a bid to the USSSA national tournament.

Additionally, beginning at age 14, some teams start participating in “college exposure tournaments,” where college scouts come from across the country to watch and evaluate prospects. These tournaments are typically more expensive than regular tournaments, and are often farther away.

How to Join a Travel Baseball Team

If you’ve decided to join a travel baseball team and aren’t sure where to find one, there are a number of resources available. 

It may go without saying, but word-of-mouth can be a valuable first reference point. If you’re thinking about switching to travel baseball, chances are that you already know someone in your area who has made the jump. If so, don’t be afraid to ask them questions about the team and their experience. It’s a big commitment — both in terms of time and finances — so it’s important to make sure you find the right club for your son or daughter.

In addition to word of mouth, many organizations offer a list of active teams on their website. For example, USSSA has a tool that lets you filter teams by age level, skill level, and location . There are also many state-based forums and Facebook groups where coaches post their team’s tryouts (and positions needed). As an example, here are Facebook groups for travel baseball teams in Florida and Michigan ⁠— you can find similar groups for every state. 

Another good option is FieldLevel.com , which (like the USSSA site) allows you to filter teams by state and level. While not every team is listed on that website, it does include over 4,000 clubs.

Here are eight things to think about when evaluating teams. These factors will make a big difference when it comes to your overall experience, so take the time to think about them, and don’t be afraid to ask questions of parents and coaches.

1. Coaching  

A coaching staff can make or break a team. How coaches manage players, keep the game fun, instill the fundamentals, and focus on development — not only as athletes, but as young men and women — is extremely important. 

Some travel baseball teams have parents or grandparents serving as the head coach. While that can be fine, it’s important to make sure those coaches don’t make keeping their own child on the field a priority. Before committing to a team, spend some time researching it by watching a practice and talking to current and/or former players and parents. 

What’s the coaching style? Do they have high expectations but still encourage and love their players? Or, on the other hand, are they screaming at players when they make a mistake? 

Additionally, are players treated equitably, or do some get preferential treatment based on their relationship to the coach or their financial contribution to the team?

Ideally, your child will be a part of that team and organization for consecutive years, rather than bouncing from team to team. As such, determining whether the coaching staff is a good fit is a crucial first step.

2. Cost  

For many parents, this is the most terrifying aspect of travel baseball.

Just how much of a toll is this going to take on your bank account? The specific answer varies, but the typical range of cost for participating in travel baseball is between $500 and $2,500 per year. 

That said, you can end up spending a lot more than that. Back in 2011, CBS News reported that one Georgia family paid $4,000 per year for their 9-year-old son’s travel team. You can imagine that older players in elite programs that travel all over the country can spend even more over the course of a season.

Typically, the more intensely focused a program is on developing its players for college baseball, the more money the program is going to cost. On the other hand, teams that are playing more for the fun of it — those looking for just a little more structure and competition than offered by Little League — won’t put as much of a dent in your wallet.

There are a number of specific factors that go into how much it costs to be on a team:

• Where you live . If you live in a baseball hub, like Texas or California, you won’t have to travel as far to get to tournaments. Many teams from rural areas regularly drive across multiple states (or sometimes even fly) to tournaments. As such, where you live will likely be the single biggest variable in your overall travel baseball cost.
• Whether you have to buy your own equipment . Some teams are sponsored by equipment companies like Easton and Rawlings and have their bats, gloves and cleats provided either for free or at a reduced cost. Obviously, this can be a huge savings. Also, keep in mind that (unfortunately) equipment is often viewed as a status symbol in travel baseball. If your child joins a team where every other player has multiple bats and position-specific gloves, he or she is going to press you for similar gear.
• Whether you have to rent facilities . Some teams practice exclusively at public fields. Others have little or no access to such facilities and have to rent fields and/or indoor space (especially for winter workouts). This can have a huge impact on the overall cost of participation.
• Whether or not coaches are paid . Some teams — typically the more competitive ones — pay their coaches small stipends and/or cover their cost of travel. On one hand, this tends to lead to better coaching. On the other hand, families are the ones who will ultimately foot that bill.
• How competitive the team is . Higher-level tournaments typically have higher fees. Lower-level tournaments, operated on a more sub-regional basis, are usually much less expensive to enter. If cost is a concern, make sure you know what types of tournaments the team usually enters over the course of the season. 

3. Location  

As stated earlier, location is a key factor in deciding which travel team to play for. If you’re fortunate enough to live in California, Florida or Texas, you’re going to have a lot of opportunities to play with and against high-level competition right in your backyard. 

But outside of those states, it’s a little bit tougher, and you have to decide how committed you are to playing at the highest possible level. 

For example, if you live in a medium-sized town outside of a major baseball hub, chances are you have at least a couple of travel ball options. However, the odds are that those options are not the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to coaching and competitiveness. In order to play for the absolute “best” team possible, you might have to commute from your mid-sized town to the nearest major city. 

So you’ll be faced with the following choice: play on a lower level team that’s closer to home, or drive a hundred miles or more for twice-weekly practices? It may sound crazy, but many families do just that. 

Why would they commit so much time and money to their son or daughter’s athletic pursuits? It comes down to goals. Better teams often provide better coaching and more opportunities for exposure to college and professional scouts. 

What’s the team’s mission? Is the focus on fun, player development, college exposure, or a mix of all there? Teams can have many different goals and missions, and there’s no right or wrong approach.

However, it is possible that a team’s mission does not align with your values and goals, and you need to think about this before committing, as a compatibility mismatch can lead to coach-parent and coach-player tension. 

5. Organization

Consider the reputation of the organization you’re evaluating. When you join a team, you and your son or daughter will essentially be endorsing everything the program stands for. If they’re known for dirty play or being disrespectful to the game, you’ll be associated with that. 

And believe it or not, the baseball world is a small and surprisingly tight-knit community. College coaches tend to know which programs produce bad apples — and they avoid them. In fact, many college coaches will completely write off an entire organization that has a reputation for not playing the game the right way or for having disrespectful players.

6. Playing Time

There’s an important balance between getting enough playing time and being challenged. Before committing, ask the coaching staff what kind of playing time your child can expect — including at what position. 

If there are two returning shortstops, he or she most likely won’t be playing there and might have to learn another position. That’s not a bad thing: college coaches want players that are versatile, and many players change positions as they get older and their bodies develop. 

Still, it’s helpful to know what to expect ahead of time. Getting game reps is important from a development perspective, but also just from a fun perspective: no kid wants to consistently travel to a tournament only to sit on the bench for most of the weekend. 

7. Skill Level

Be realistic about your child’s skill level, and pay attention to the level of competition around him or her at tryouts (i.e., the skill levels of the other players). If your kid has the fight and desire to compete for a spot (like they’ll have to do if they make it to college ball), then putting them on a team where they’ll be challenged is the best option. 

But if he or she is there to have fun and make friends, with no burning desire to be constantly improving, then choosing a travel team that’s more low-key will be the better call.

8. What You’re Giving Up

Travel baseball tournaments are on weekends, and players often have to sacrifice certain things that are part of a normal childhood. 

Is your son or daughter willing to miss out on things like birthdays, sleepovers and school dances, because most of their time is spent doing homework, traveling to and from games and practices, practicing on their own (possibly including private lessons), and spending nearly every summer weekend at the ballpark?

And are they willing to sacrifice the material things that matter to kids — things like clothes, video games, new smartphones, etc. — because so much money is being spent on baseball? 

As I wrote in THV’s guide to travel softball , my family made major sacrifices to support my athletic pursuits. 

For some, their love of the game is so great that giving up these things is a no-brainer. For others, they may regret missing out on these social activities. And that’s perfectly fine! Just be honest with each other and talk about the true costs of travel baseball — because it’s not just the sticker price.

There are some important similarities and differences between competitive travel baseball and recreational baseball. Both can teach many valuable life skills, such as work ethic, good sportsmanship, teamwork and bouncing back from failure. But they are very different when it comes to time commitment and competitiveness.

The Little League schedule usually runs from the late spring through early summer, with teams practicing twice per week and playing two games per week. The total number of games per season varies, but it usually ranges from 10 to 20. It’s a local program, which means travel is either limited or non-existent. In general, Little League coaches are parents.

Little League can be a great place for kids as young as 4-years-old to start playing the game. They’ll learn the rules and the absolute basics of hitting, pitching and fielding in a fun an easy-going environment (except for the occasional parent that takes their coaching position overboard). 

Overall, Little League fits the classic stereotype of youth baseball: kids having fun playing the greatest game in the world, without much pressure or focus on player development. 

Back in the day, Little League would feed into middle school and high school programs, which carried the bulk of the weight when it came to getting payers ready for college and the pros. But today, the reality is that it’s almost impossible to get the coaching and skill development you need by participating only Little league or other rec ball programs. 

That’s especially true when it comes to the gap between “Majors” Little League (12-and-under) and high school. Few middle schools still have baseball programs, and those programs that do exist tend not to be very good. Likewise, while Little League offers both a Junior division (12-14) and a Senior division (14-16), those leagues tend to pale in comparison to the coaching and competition offered by travel ball. 

So, if your son or daughter is serious about playing baseball at a high level, it’s especially important to focus on the transition to travel ball at around the age of 11 or 12.

There are positives and negatives when it comes to travel baseball. Here are a few of each.

• Better competition : Players are more serious about the game and more driven to improve. This higher level of competition will help push your son or daughter to improve their own skills.
• Better coaching : Travel baseball coaches tend to be better qualified, more knowledgeable, and better-connected. At the highest levels of travel ball, teams often employ former professional coaches.
• More exposure : Aside from high school baseball, travel ball is the primary means of exposure to college coaches and pro scouts. Plus, travel teams often attend showcase tournaments and camps.
• More games played : Travel teams play significantly more games per year than rec ball teams.
• Facilitates travel : Sometimes seen as an ancillary benefit, the travel itself can be a valuable and eye-opening experience for players. Many kids don’t have an opportunity to travel out of their own area or state, and travel baseball can provide that. 
• Encourages character development : Because travel teams are more serious, there’s a greater emphasis put on things like being on time, demonstrating maximum effort, and having a good attitude.  
• Cost : Travel baseball is expensive — sometimes absurdly so. Families often spend around $2,500 per year, but the costs can be even higher. 
• Time commitment : Even a moderately competitive travel team can consume an entire summer’s worth of weekends. 
• Ultra-competitive : On most travel teams, there’s a balance between player development and winning. What you won’t often find is an “everybody plays” approach. For the most part, the best players will play the most, which makes for a highly-competitive environment. 
• Tougher workouts : This can be a pro or a con, depending on the player’s perspective and goals. Tougher workouts can lead to better outcomes, but they can also be mentally and physically taxing if the player isn’t fully invested.
• Lack of diversity : Because travel baseball is expensive, it has often been criticized for a lack of socioeconomic and racial diversity. 

Travel baseball provides many benefits and can be a valuable opportunity for players who are serious about the game and committed to playing at the highest possible level. However, it’s not without its share of criticism and controversy. 

In an essay titled “ Left Out ,” MLB superstar Andrew McCutchen wrote about how kids like him, who grow up in low-income families, are often excluded from travel baseball and thus systematically disadvantaged when it comes to development and exposure: 

“When you’re a kid from a low-income family who has talent, how do you get recognized? Now, you have to pay thousands of dollars for the chance to be noticed in showcase tournaments in big cities. My parents loved me, but they had to work hard to put food on the table, and there wasn’t much left over. They didn’t have the option of skipping a shift to take me to a tournament over the weekend. […] That’s the challenge for families today. It’s not about the $100 bat. It’s about the $100-a-night motel room and the $30 gas money and the $300 tournament fee. 

[…] If you’re a poor kid with raw ability, it’s not enough.”

McCutchen was lucky: an AAU coach “discovered” him at the age of 13 and covered his travel ball expenses. But most kids from similar situations aren’t so fortunate. 

Why is this important for you, the parent of a child thinking about joining a travel team? 

On one hand, it’s important to be aware of how the systems we participate in affect our society. But on a much more specific level, you should know that your child will be entering a largely homogenous environment.

On top of that, kids from lower-income families can often feel out of place in travel ball — especially if they don’t come to the ballpark with the latest, top-quality gear like their teammates. This social dynamic can have a powerful impact on your child’s experience. 

Additionally, travel baseball means that both your family and your child will be spending less time within your own community.

There’s been a lot written in recent years about how travel baseball may be contributing to the erosion of communities , because it pulls families out of local baseball programs that once served as important civic institutions.

This is evidenced by the sharply declining participation in Little League. In the organization’s Southeast Region (a hotbed for a travel baseball), the number of Little League players has plunged by nearly 50% since 2007 . 

So we’ve come to the biggest question: Is travel ball worth it?

If you want to improve your skills and have the best chance to play in college or the pros, travel baseball is the way to go. But remember: there is a range of cost and time commitment within travel baseball. Your son or daughter doesn’t necessarily have to opt for the most expensive travel team in order to be sufficiently challenged (and later on, to get noticed by college coaches). 

Your goal in evaluating teams should be to find the right balance of: 

• Financial commitment 
• Time commitment
• Intangible sacrifices (school events, community involvement, etc.) 
• Baseball goals

After reading this article, you should have a very solid understanding of what Little League and travel baseball have in common, their differences, and what you should be looking for in a club. 

Remember, this is your child’s choice to. Help them see the pros and cons of each option. And although we stated it earlier, we cannot stress this enough: you cannot dictate your son or daughter’s commitment to the game of baseball. It’s up to them. So, support them in whatever capacity they want to participate. If you do, they’ll never regret or forget the amazing experiences, friends, and lessons learned playing this great game.

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Travel Baseball 101: Everything You Need To Know

• By Chris F.
• On July 29, 2022
• Travel Ball

Table of Contents

Most popular organizations

Tournament travel, how is travel baseball organized, additional costs:, what’s a good age to start playing travel ball, other parents, organization websites, what to look for in a team, travel baseball pros and cons, travel baseball vs little league, what is the best travel baseball team, when should i leave a travel baseball team, fundraising ideas for travel baseball.

If you are an engaged baseball parent and have a child with decent skills, you’ve probably grown frustrated with the level of play in the laid-back rec leagues in your towns. I mean, how is your kid going to get better if the other players on the team don’t understand the game and don’t have the desire to improve? This is probably the most significant reason we’ve seen explosive growth in the travel baseball leagues and tournaments. 

The transition from Little League to AAU comes with many questions, but the good news is that these travel leagues will provide a support system and structure to help your child succeed in highly competitive baseball. 

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about travel baseball and help answer any questions that will help you determine whether or not these types of leagues make sense for your child. 

Travel Organizations

Let’s not beat around the bush. Travel baseball is a business. This market has exploded over the past decade, and the youth sports industry expects to grow more as travel teams become more popular.

This $15b youth sports market in the US rivals that of the $14 billion NFL, so you know we are talking about big business.

However, this business presents kids as young as eight with opportunities to team with other skilled players to play against better competition in their area. Teams will compete with other travel teams within the state and participate in regular tournaments. 

When people hear “travel baseball,” they immediately think the team goes all over the country every weekend to participate in different tournaments. In some cases, that may be true, but when I think of travel baseball, I think of some of the better local players coming from all over and trying out for the team. If you are on more of a showcase team, you will often have players come from all over the country. 

.stk-2b1a187{margin-bottom:0px !important}.stk-2b1a187-container{background-color:#96caf9 !important}.stk-2b1a187-container:before{background-color:#96caf9 !important} There are thousands of travel baseball teams throughout the country, and most play in tournaments or leagues organized by AAU, USSSA, and Perfect Game.

Playing in one of these leagues is almost a requirement if you are a talented ballplayer and are serious about your baseball career. While expensive, these leagues will help players develop their skills and play against some of the area’s best competition.  

If your child is on the younger side and is just getting started with travel baseball, most of the games will be local, with a few longer-distance tournaments mixed in. Once you get to that 16u-18u range, the tournaments become more about exposure and getting recruited by colleges so that you might travel to Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, etc.

You won’t go to all these travel baseball tournaments every year, but the WWBA, for instance, is one of the biggest tournaments in youth baseball and is located in Georgia. Many college coaches attend this tournament, so it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills and gain exposure. 

If you are a player from one of the colder states and are interested in playing down south , these tournaments provide a great platform for you to make some new connections and show some of these coaches what you can do. 

When I think about travel baseball, I don’t think of it as being seasonal. Some teams will have their regular season in the spring, and some even play in the fall.

During the winter, especially in the Northeast, my son’s team had bi-weekly practices in one of the local indoor facilities where they could train. This allowed the team to build chemistry while also keeping them fresh. Travel baseball will allow you to practice all year round if you want to while you play other sports. 

All the travel league games my son has played in have taken place on the weekends. We typically have a doubleheader against the same team to squeeze in more games with a short break in between.

The tournaments usually consist of the top 8 teams in the League and are set up in a pool format. Those tournaments can be held anywhere, but we’ve traditionally hosted them at a local sports complex with multiple fields.

Suppose your tournaments are made up of more than ten non-local teams. In that case, they will usually take place in a central location with the infrastructure to accommodate traveling families for the weekend.  

With pool play, teams are guaranteed a certain amount of games before moving into the single-elimination games. Depending on the size of the tournament, a team may play between 2-8 games during the weekend. 

When signing up for travel ball, part of what you are paying for could include participation in a certain amount of tournaments. I know we were guaranteed at least one tournament, and everything else would be at an additional cost.

Each team will decide which tournaments to participate in and how many they’d like to do. The coach will need to look at age level, skillsets, and how many families can afford the additional cost.  

When the players enter high school, they may start participating in player showcases or tournaments where coaches and scouts come to watch and evaluate players. 

How Much Does Travel Ball Cost?

I’m not going to lie, when I first saw the cost of playing travel AAU baseball, there was definitely sticker shock. Our League tries to keep it affordable for families, so we were apparently on the lower end at $1700.

When you break it down, though, it wasn’t too bad. The kids got home and away uniforms, sweatshirts with their names, two sets of hats, helmets, Easton bags, and a batting warmup jacket.

The team had access to an indoor baseball training facility twice a week starting in the fall through April to practice. The fee also included a spot in a local tournament.

Other travel teams near us were upwards of $4k for the season. When I heard that, I stopped complaining about our price. Many of these travel baseball teams come with exorbitant prices that, unfortunately, eliminate many families and kids who can compete at this level.

.stk-110d1c6{margin-bottom:0px !important}.stk-110d1c6-container{background-color:#96caf9 !important}.stk-110d1c6-container:before{background-color:#96caf9 !important} When it comes down to travel baseball teams, the price can be pretty shocking to most parents, so you must decide how big of a financial impact this will have on your family. The League’s overall cost will differ but typically ranges from $500-$5,000 a year.

That amount is only the fee to play on the team. When you put together a potential budget, there are many additional costs to factor in. 

• Equipment – New bat rules may require you to buy your child a new bat. There are USSSA leagues that require USSSA bats, USA bats , BBCOR bats, and wood bats only. If you are lucky enough to be on a sponsored team, sometimes equipment such as bats, gloves, and other baseball gear is included.
• Travel costs – Even if you aren’t flying to a tournament, you will most likely be driving considerable distances, so be sure to factor in the price of gas. 
• Are the coaches being paid? Most likely not if you are on a younger team, but some older, more competitive travel teams pay their coaches.
• Facilities – We lucked out because practice time was included in our league fees. Teams who may not have access to public fields and practice off-season will have to rent space.

These are all the costs associated with your player and the League. Now, what about the stuff you will need as a baseball parent? Team gear, comfortable camping chairs , coolers, wagons, heaters , and fans.

Over the past twenty years, travel baseball’s popularity has exploded. Initially designed for teenagers, younger age groups have also taken over the sport.

Our first taste of travel ball was when our son was eight years old, playing on our town’s summer travel team. We didn’t have to travel far, but it was a fantastic experience.

It was a little more competitive than rec ball, so it gave us a good idea of where our kids stacked up compared to other towns. While eight sounds young, the kids improved during the month-long season. They knew who to back up, where to take the cut-off throws, and when to tag up on the bases.

It was so nice to see them begin to understand the little intricacies of the game, and they would not have received this type of instruction in town ball. While we had a great experience with our eight-year-old’s summer travel team, it is still pretty young.

I’d say the best time to start competitive travel baseball is around 9-10. It’s sad, but any later, you and your child will fall behind. Many kids have played years of competitive ball by then. 

How Do I Find A Travel Team Near Me?

If you have decided that travel baseball could be a good fit for your son or daughter, it’s time to start looking for a team. If you think your child would benefit from joining a travel baseball team but have no idea where to start, there are many resources to help you find some squads in your area. 

Facebook is a great place to start. In the search box, type in travel baseball near me or travel baseball ga for example. You will see a feed of many local teams advertising for upcoming tryouts or even established teams looking for a player to fill in for a tournament.  

After watching rec ball for a season, you will recognize who the best players are. Talk to their parents and ask them if their child is doing travel ball. If they are, ask them what their experience has been. Talking to other parents can also be helpful because if their child isn’t already in travel ball, they may know someone else who is. Word of mouth is huge. 

Many organizations, like USSSA, provide a list of active teams on their website. You can filter by age, location, and overall skill level to find potential groups that might be a good match for your child.  

A few other helpful resources for finding a travel team are Select Baseball Teams ,  AAU , and Field Level .

• Does the program win?
• What is the team’s location, and how far do they need to travel?
• Do they develop their players? What is their team mission?
• What is their facility like?
• Who are the coaches – read their bios on the website 
• How many games/tournaments do they play each season?
• How often do they practice
• What is the total cost for the season?
• What does the offseason training schedule look like
• Do they encourage multi-sport athletes?
• Do other players enjoy being on the team?
• What’s the reputation of the organization?
• What’s the skill level of the kids?
• How is playing time determined?
• Do they protect the pitcher’s arm by adhering to pitch counts?
• How many kids are on the team

When it costs thousands of dollars, money will always be an issue but try not to make your decision solely based on cost. Pick the program where your child will have fun and where they will develop the most. 

• Competition  – Competition tends to be better. Players take the game more seriously and seem to want to improve. It’s not cheap, so unless the parents have money to throw away, they will only pay the fees if their child is serious about the game.
• Development  – There’s a bigger focus on skill building. You practice much more than Little League, so your child will likely improve. 
• Coaching  – Travel teams will often have multiple talented baseball coaches who are more qualified and have more knowledge of the game and how it should be taught.
• More exposure  for the kids when they play in regional tournaments.
• More games played  
• Travel  – more opportunities to travel as a family and see different parts of the country
• Cost –  The price of playing travel can be high, sometimes up to $5k per year. 
• Time – Playing travel ball takes up a lot of time, so hopefully, you don’t like your weekends free in the summer.  
• Competitive – Travel ball can also be a lot of fun, but it’s way more competitive .  There is more of a focus on winning and advancing in tournaments. 
• Playing time  – The best players will rarely come off the field, so if your child is average, there might be a lack of playing time. 
• Lack of diversity – Aside from the high cost, many argue that the lack of ethnic and socioeconomic diversity is what is wrong with travel baseball.
• Overdoing it . Is all of this playing too much too soon? There’s been an enormous increase in Tommy John procedures over the past decade amongst young pitchers.

The debate about travel baseball vs. Little League has been a popular topic in US youth baseball for some time. The two organizations have different philosophies on the game and how it should be played. 

We all came to love the game of baseball by playing Little League. For that reason, it’s easy to be biased toward the more laid-back rec leagues where the mission is to foster community, volunteerism, sportsmanship, and fair play. With Little League, whether you win or lose, each ballplayer should have fun, make lifelong friends and grow their love for this beautiful game. 

Travel ball is much more competitive, and fans of these types of leagues prefer the more “advanced” brand of baseball that comes along with it. In AAU and other travel ball associations, these leagues provide a level of instruction, coaching, and competition that Little League cannot match. 

If your child has shown true talent on the ballfield, considering “travel” should be an option. Many high school players and beyond have played in some competitive travel leagues.

I don’t want to give off the impression that these leagues have no similarities because they do. In any league, the kids should learn about teamwork, sportsmanship, respect for their opponent, work ethic, and dealing with and bouncing back from failure. These are excellent life lessons that extend well beyond the baseball field. 

The differences are around the competition level and the time commitment. Little League doesn’t always offer the type of coaching that will take your game to the next level. That is why many families are supplementing with travel ball.  

So, if your child is serious about playing at a high level, you should transition to travel ball at around 11-12 years old, if not earlier. 

Take a look at travel baseball rankings to see who the best performing teams were this year. This site is an excellent resource because it lets you filter by age and either state or national rankings. It even allows you to see historical data to see who consistently ranks at the top.  

Some of the top 16u national teams for this past year are listed below. You will see that most originate from the baseball hotbed states of Texas, Florida, California, and Georgia.

16u Rankings

• USA Prime National(TX)
• Top Tier Roos National(FL)
• Exposure Under Church(TN)
• TBT National(FL)
• Power Baseball Marucci(FL)
• East Cobb Astros(GA)
• Knights Nation Baseball (LA)
• Alpha Prime National(CA)
• MCBC Hit Dogs(MI)
• 5 Star National Black(GA)
• Burn Scout Team(FL)
• Top Tier Roos American(FL)
• Canes National(VA)
• CBU United(FL)

Let’s face it; every child will not have a fantastic experience with their travel team. There are so many different factors that go into whether or not a kid has a positive experience. 

• Are they getting enough playing time?
• Are they developing their skills?
• Is the team winning?
• Do they get along with the other kids on the team?
• Is it getting too expensive for the family?
• Are they mad about the time commitment, missing birthday parties, sleepovers, etc.? 
• Are the coaches compassionate and caring about you as a person, or are they only worried about winning a cheap plastic trophy?

It won’t be the same experience for everyone, so chances are, you and your child will know when it’s the right time to leave. It may be one of the reasons listed above or something completely different. Still, the bottom line is that if your child is not enjoying the experience and is not improving, why continue wasting money? 

• Super Bowl squares
• Yeti Cooler raffle – 1 ticket for $10 or 3 for $20
• Lottery ticket basket raffle
• Stand in front of Dunkin Donuts or the grocery store with signs and helmets to collect the money. Have a sign that says we take Venmo!! Do it in 3 hours shifts and watch the money roll in. 
• Golf tournament – although more complex to plan
• Solicit donations from local businesses
• Hit-A-Thon – They hit 15 (or whatever # of balls you choose). Each ball has a number on it. You sell each number for $10-20. The ball he hits the farthest wins a GC. The rest of the money you keep! Stream it live on Facebook for everyone to watch. Use the 99 Pledges site to set it up. I read about one League that raised $44k in one season. 
• Purse bingo
• Meat raffles
• Wreaths at Christmas
• Popcornmania
• Pampered chef

Final Thoughts

Baseball should still be fun. As good as it might feel, do not try to relive the glory days if you even had them in the first place.

Many parents see baseball or any other sport their kid is playing as the only realistic path to college, and these youth games are treated as training grounds for an athletic scholarship. No wonder why you have adults screaming at umps and other kids. Unfortunately for some folks, every game feels like life or death. 

So, is travel baseball worth it? It can be a rewarding experience for your player and the entire family. You must select the right travel team to ensure you have that fulfilling experience.

Depending on when you start, you will be with this coach and these players and their families for the next few years. Committing to a travel team will turn your life into absolute chaos, but you will learn to love it. If you are lucky enough, you will join a team where you click with the other parents, and your kid becomes lifelong friends with his teammates.

Travel Baseball: Pros and Cons

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Travel ball is one of the most popular forms of competitive baseball in the United States, and it is only growing in popularity. It can start as young as six years old and go all the way up to 18.

Travel ball consists of teams that are independent of any amateur league, school, or organization that travel to tournaments locally, regionally, and/or nationally to compete against other travel teams.

As more kids each year are taking advantage of travel ball opportunities, more and more parents are considering travel ball as an option for their child to improve his baseball skills. Before committing to travel ball though, one must weigh the pros and cons.

Pro: Competition

Travel ball teams are notoriously more competitive than rec league and sometimes even high school teams . Because travel ball teams are able to recruit the best of the best in their city, state, or region, teams are typically more talented.

This allows players to play with peers who share their passion and talents for the game. Also, it gives them the opportunity to play against peers with equal or greater skill than themselves. This allows them to push themselves to become better players.

Players who typically dominate rec leagues and high school games should consider travel ball as an option to play against better competition.

At the youth level, parents sometimes opt to play a full season of travel ball and skip little league altogether. This can be controversial as some believe that doing this is unfair to the community leagues, but it often benefits the player and challenges him to improve.

At the high school level, players often use travel ball to supplement their high school season. They play in the summer and sometimes fall when their high school team is not in season. Very rarely does a high school player opt to only play travel ball.

For players who struggle in little league or high school, travel ball may not be the best option as the competition may be too much for them. Their confidence in their abilities may suffer making it counterproductive.

For any amateur player looking to play with and against better players, travel ball is a great opportunity to do so.

Pro: Exposure

One of the main reasons many high school baseball players with hopes of playing college ball decide to play travel ball outside of their high school seasons is the exposure they may get because of it.

Most of the time, college and high school baseball seasons overlap leaving little time for college recruiters to get out and see players. High school travel ball normally takes place during the summer while colleges are not in season. This gives them more opportunities to be seen.

Also, many high level travel teams have systems in place to afford players the best opportunity to earn interest from college coaches. Many travel coaches have connections with college recruiting coordinators, so they often reach out on their players’ behalf to get them on recruiters’ radars.

More competitive travel teams also play in a lot of tournaments hosted by companies such as Prep Baseball Report and Perfect Game. These are scouting services devoted to helping high school players find colleges and for colleges to find talented prep players .

At these tournaments, players’ stats and measurables are recorded and added to their recruiting profile for college coaches to see. They also sometimes record videos that they share on social media.

Playing travel ball is not the only way to gain exposure in front of college coaches, but it is one of the more effective ways to play in front of recruiting coordinators.

Pro: Relationship Building

Travel ball also has non-baseball-related advantages.

Travel teams are normally made up of players from different areas of a particular city, state, or region. This affords young kids the opportunities to develop friendships with other kids outside of their hometown.

This allows them to broaden their horizons and experience things outside of the perspective of their hometown. Sometimes, players will form lifelong friendships with kids they never would have met outside of travel ball.

Not to mention the relationships that can be formed from a parent’s point of view. Sometimes, the adults of the children on the team can form lifelong friendships that otherwise may have never had a chance to develop.

Pro/Con: Playing Time

Yes, believe it or not, playing time is both a pro and a con when it comes to playing travel ball.

The positive side of it is that playing time is easier to come by in travel ball. Teams are often made up of anywhere between 9-12 kids to ensure that everyone gets enough playing time .

For coaches, it is important to evaluate the talent level of both your team and the players on your team. Ideally, they should all be about equal in talent level with maybe a few outliers who clearly have more talent than the others.

If a team has nine players that are head and shoulders above the talent level of the remaining two or three players, it will be difficult for a coach to get those two or three players in the game therefore leaving an unequal amount of playing time.

Parents let their children play travel ball in hopes that they will develop their skills, and those skills can only be developed through ample playing time. Most of the time, travel ball teams offer players that opportunity.

On the negative side of things, some people believe that this creates a false sense of security in young players. As competition against other teams is increased through travel ball, competition in playing time is decreased.

Some high school coaches feel that their players expect to start every game regardless of their talent level or their work ethic thanks to travel ball. This even leaks into the minds of their parents as well.

When they go from playing on travel teams where playing time is guaranteed to playing for their high school team where the best nine players get to play, they have a much more difficult time accepting a role as a bench player.

To combat this, travel coaches should make both players and parents aware that while their child may be guaranteed playing time on his travel team, that will not be the case in high school . While this may not solve every problem, it may help clear up any misconceptions.

Con: Coaching

Some travel teams have coaches with lots of playing and coaching experience and take their job as coaches very seriously in helping to develop players’ skill sets.

However, one of the biggest complaints about travel ball is that there is often not enough focus on player development . Coaches just put together lineups and let the kids play.

Sometimes, as is the case in younger levels of travel ball, coaches are parents who may not know as much about the game but are willing to spend time organizing practices and tournaments for the kids.

Also, parent-coaches can sometimes muddy the waters when it comes to playing time. If others feel the coach’s son is getting special treatment, it could cause friction among the team.

Any parent who volunteers his time to coach a travel team should be commended, but he should be prepared for complaints from other parents if his child gets more playing time than other players. It doesn’t always happen, but it is certainly a possibility.

To combat this, some travel teams hire a third party to come in and coach the team. These are often younger coaches who are looking for extra income and ways to get started in coaching.

There are some great travel team coaches out there, but for every good coach, there are many more who struggle.

Probably the biggest complaint about travel ball is the cost to play.

Travel baseball costs on average about $3,700 per year. It is not unusual for parents to pay close to $10,000 for their child to play on a travel team.

Before complaining about the cost, remember that travel teams are not affiliated with any leagues or organizations, so they are on their own when it comes to uniforms, equipment, tournament fees, umpires, coaches (sometimes), hotels, etc.

The typical travel team is not for the family who struggles to pay the bills each month. However, there are travel organizations with sponsorships that pay for most everything for the players. The only downfall is that these teams are typically exclusive to players with elite talent.

Some teams opt for fundraising efforts to charge parents as little as possible for their players to play on a travel team. Either way, parents should expect to fork up some money for their child to play travel ball.

Con: Length of Season

Another criticism about travel ball is the number of games the teams play. Some youth travel ball teams start in early April and play every weekend all the way up until Labor Day weekend.

If a team followed that schedule and played at least three games each weekend, that would be 66 games over five months . Three games is the minimum most teams play in a weekend. It is sometimes as many as six or seven.

This is the reason many kids get burned out on the sport before they even reach high school. They simply play too many games too early in life.

High school summer teams usually don’t start until June because of the high school spring season, but they are notorious for playing anywhere between three and five games per weekend the whole months of June and July and even some of August.

That’s about 8-10 weeks worth of games and can be anywhere from 30-50 games on top of whatever their high school teams played.

Not only can playing that many games lead to early burnout, it also puts young players at a higher risk for injury — especially pitchers.

Related Questions:

How does travel ball compare to little league.

Little League is an organization that was founded in 1939 that operates in more than 80 countries. It is the governing body for many community run youth leagues for ages 6-12. Travel ball is not an organization itself. Tournaments are run by individuals or groups that are not tied to Little League at all.

Travel ball is typically viewed as more competitive than Little League as teams are not restricted to playing against their local competition. Also, travel ball begins at age six and can be played all the way up until age 18.

How do I choose a travel ball team?

When choosing a travel ball team, players and parents should have in mind what it is they hope to get out of playing travel ball. Then, they should take that list and try to find a team that can provide them those opportunities.

Some teams require players to try out for their team while others simply use word of mouth recommendations from people they trust when finding the players that are fit for their team.

What age should I start a travel team?

Travel teams can start as early as six years old and go all the way up to 18 years old. Six is pretty young to start playing on travel teams, but many people do it.

Instead of using age as a determining factor for starting travel, ask this question: “Am I serious about baseball, and am I ready to take my game to the next level?” If the answer to both of those questions is yes, then it may be time to look for a travel team.

When should I leave a travel team?

Leaving a travel team is something that should be avoided because players do not want to get a reputation for jumping from team to team.

However, there are times when it is necessary. If the team is not providing a player with the opportunities to get better, it may be time to leave that team. It is also best not to leave the team in the middle of the season as that leaves them in a bind trying to fill the vacant spot .

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Travel Baseball Pros And Cons

• May 3, 2023

For children, travel baseball is the key to the world of high-level college play . If you want your kid to excel in this sport or if your child shows serious interest in it, youth travel baseball is worth a shot.

With that said, what is travel baseball exactly, and how does it differ from other forms of youth baseball? Read on to find out!

What Is Travel Baseball?

Travel baseball is a form of youth baseball that is played away from a team’s immediate area . Travel teams may travel to another city or state to participate in baseball travel tournaments.

Generally, travel baseball is viewed as an intermediary step between Little League baseball and high school or college-level baseball . Travel baseball is usually much more competitive than recreational baseball leagues like Little League. Besides that, youth travel baseball allows for more exposure for a young baseball player, potentially providing a big boost to a child’s baseball career.

Travel baseball vs. Little League

The Little League embodies traditional youth baseball where children have fun rather than become engulfed in the tough training world of more “serious” youth baseball environments (like travel baseball).

Kids may start playing in the Little League from as young as age 4 . LL games are very rarely held outside a local area , and in this league, children will be learning the basics of hitting, pitching, and other essential baseball concepts.

Little League was traditionally an intermediary stage between recreational youth play and middle to high school baseball . Back in the day, sticking to the Little League and other recreational programs was enough to prepare young players for high school- and then college-grade baseball.

These days, this is no longer the case . Middle school programs are now either subpar or non-existent. Little League is a viable alternative to recreational baseball, but when it comes to building the basis for elite-level competition, it pales in comparison with travel baseball.

With all that in mind, let’s conclude this section with these two points:

• For professional-level development, travel baseball would be a logical next step for children aged 11 to 12 .
• Recreational leagues like Little League or local adult baseball leagues are a great choice for non-competitive baseball players who want to have fun and don’t want to make their life revolve around baseball.

The Benefits Of Travel Baseball For Aspiring Players

My overview of travel baseball and its benefits was kind of vague so far. Now, let’s look at the specific benefits of playing at travel teams compared to rec baseball.

More exposure

I’d say that exposure is the biggest advantage of travel baseball . Getting yourself in front of the right people is important for a child’s long-term success in this sport – travel baseball allows you to leverage this.

At the very least, travel baseball gives children the opportunity to show their worth to high-level college baseball coaches who may have substantial influence in the sport . College scouts also often attend travel baseball meetings. In case your child has what it takes to succeed in baseball, a scout will identify their talent and perhaps give your kid a chance to establish themselves at a higher level.

More competition and thus motivation

Players in travel baseball are better-versed in baseball and are more competitive than rec players . This is actually a good thing – young players will have someone to look up to and will be more motivated to improve .

Children will also learn to face and hopefully overcome challenges that they wouldn’t encounter in recreational baseball. Fierce competition from better players forces weaker athletes to adapt – this is arguably the best aspect of travel baseball, though I still think that exposure is its  #1 benefit.

Better coaching

Travel baseball team coaches are typically more competent than their colleagues at recreational leagues . Although travel baseball coaches will put more strain on a young player than a rec coach, the results will accordingly be considerably better.

Not only that, but travel baseball teams often employ former professional coaches who may have strong networks in basebal l. Such coaches not only know how to make a skillful player but also may be able to connect athletes with other teams.

More eye-opening experiences

And finally, travel baseball is laden with eye-opening experiences . 

People – and even more so kids – often don’t realize that there is an unexplored world beyond the limited horizon they have become so accustomed to . Throughout their travel baseball engagement, children will be able to meet people with different backgrounds, characters, and views of sport and life in general. 

Some encounters with other players will help your kid appreciate sportsmanship, while others will teach them how to ignore fan hate and how to stand up for themselves.

The immense load of the sport itself will also help children get used to investing effort to get results and make them understand that life has its ups and downs .

The Disadvantages Of Travel Baseball

Travel baseball is far from perfect – it has a few disadvantages that parents ought to know about:

• It’s really expensive. Traveling costs can rack up to $5,000 or even $10,000 a year, though in most cases, families seem to spend around $2,500.
• It’s stressful for parents. Parents will have to plan ahead to accommodate their children’s play schedule. Frequent travel can put a toll on any parent, not to mention the financial dent it makes in parents’ wallets.
• Mental and physical strain on children. Tougher and more frequent workouts will undoubtedly produce better players, but they also strain children considerably – both mentally and physically.
• Not everybody will make it in travel baseball. Travel baseball is highly competitive, and usually, only the best players find a place in a travel baseball team. Not everybody will thus make it in this sport.

With commitment, skill, and some luck, travel baseball can be a gateway into professional sport. However, before you decide to have your child join a travel baseball team, you must consider its advantages and disadvantages – both for you and your kid.

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What To Consider When Looking For A Travel Baseball Team

Now, I’ll outline a few things that you should be looking for in a travel baseball team – in case you are thinking about it as a future for your child.

Costs are going to be the #1 consideration for most parents.

I can’t tell exactly how much you’ll have to spend on entry fees, travel, and equipment – but it will most likely be under $2,500 per year. But depending on certain factors (more about these below), your costs may climb higher – in 2011, CBS News reported on parents who paid $4,000 for their kids’ participation in travel baseball .

You won’t find accurate cost estimates easily – you’ll have to dig deep for that. But one thing is certain – bigger teams with higher-quality coaches are going to cost you more.

To hopefully set you in the right direction, here are some major factors that will affect how hard travel baseball will hit your pocket.

• Your location. Teams based in rural areas will have to travel often and far. In contrast, travel baseball teams in important baseball hubs – like California – won’t have to drive or fly to another city or state too often.
• Whether the team will provide equipment. Bigger and more successful teams may have sponsorships with baseball gear brands. In these teams, players get their equipment for free or at a significantly reduced cost.
• Access to baseball facilities. Some teams have to rent baseball facilities to train. Needless to say, rent is going to be covered from your own pocket – whether in part or entirely. With teams that have their own facilities or train only at public fields, this will not be a concern.
• Coach compensation. Some teams pay small compensation to their coaches or cover their travel costs. Again, a team with such a model will transfer the responsibility for covering compensation to you. This will increase annual fees, but paid coaches are also likely to do their job better.

Travel tournaments in which the team participates. Teams participating in higher-level tournaments will have to pay higher entry fees. More competitive and “serious” teams are therefore going to cost you more.

What about coaches ? Some people may, unfortunately, overlook this crucial aspect.

Here are a few questions that you need to find an answer to regarding coaches:

• Does the coach encourage their players?
• Does the coach give tips and advice tailored to the player’s personal strengths and weaknesses?
• How does the coach handle mistakes? Do they scream at players?
• Does the coach treat all players equally? Or maybe they have favorites in the team?

Don’t become captivated by clean facilities and promises of success in the sport – you may overlook jerk coaches if you do.

3. Location

Your location will matter if your child wants to compete at the highest level in the future.

The thing is that major baseball states like California, Florida, Georgia, or Louisiana have plenty of elite travel baseball teams to choose from . You won’t have to travel far from home to find a worthy team for your kid.

On the other hand, in areas where baseball isn’t that popular, you may have few to no options . Even if there is a baseball team in such a place, it probably isn’t a super-competitive team with excellent baseball coaches.

Suppose your kid is unlucky enough to both want to play competitively and live in a baseball-less area. In that case, you’ll have to travel to another city or perhaps even state to find the opportunities you or your child desire . Not only is travel time-consuming, but it is also costly. You will have to make compromises – either play in a low-grade team or spend time and money to travel to another area.

4. The reputation of the team

The reputation of the team matters as well – for the athletic future of your child. If your kid plays in a team known for unfair plays, they may have trouble getting into a better team down the line.

Beating bad sports habits out of a baseball player can be challenging, and unless coaches are dealing with remarkable talent, they’ll prefer to work with someone who has the right foundation for their team’s goals and values.

5. Competitiveness and skill level

Is your kid looking just to have fun? In that case, more relaxed, less competitive Baseball travel teams would be ideal. Children who don’t intend to reach exceptional heights in baseball will feel out of place in a super-competitive team where everybody works at their limit.

In contrast, if your kid is ready to compete seriously, a more “upper-class” team with skilled players and a demanding coach will immensely motivate them.

In the end, youth travel baseball provides entry to competitive high school and college baseball. Consequently, it gives children a chance to try themselves in competitive play.

Travel baseball is a costly endeavor, and it requires plenty of planning and compromises on your part. Weigh the pros and cons and try to determine what would be the right choice for your child – more light-hearted, recreational leagues, or an astronomically competitive travel team.

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The Ultimate Parent’s Guide to Travel Baseball | Everything You Need to Know

March 14, 2023

49 min read

If you’ve got yourself a youth baseball player, you’ll probably start hearing all about travel ball soon – if you haven’t already. 

Travel baseball can be rewarding and exciting for both you and your ballplayer. 

It’s a chance for your child to substantially develop their baseball skills and passion while having a ton of fun. 

And a chance for you to foster that positive growth and love for the game while joining a new social tribe yourself – that of the travel ball parent, with its fulfilling experiences, camaraderie, and norms, just like any good tribe. 

But, travel ball can also be a huge commitment. It often involves a significant financial and time investment from you and your budding athlete. 

So before deciding to play travel ball, you should carefully consider what your child will get out of it and how it might affect your entire family. 

Several factors should go into this choice of whether or not to play club ball. 

And in this ultimate parent’s guide to travel baseball, you’ll learn how travel ball works, the pros and cons of travel ball vs. recreational baseball, what to look for in a new travel team, and even how to start your own travel team.

Let’s hook-slide in together.

# The Difference Between Travel and Recreational Baseball

# recreational baseball.

Recreational baseball often refers to Little League. Although, there are other organizations around the country, like PONY or Cal Ripken Baseball, that host recreational baseball leagues for their localities. 

Local is a keyword here. That’s usually the main difference between rec and travel ball – recreational ball doesn’t require travel. 

Recreational leagues focus on players learning the basics of the game, especially at the youngest levels. Seasons run from late spring to early summer. And you can expect around two games per week.

# Travel Baseball

Travel ball, on the other hand, refers to teams that travel to other cities or states to play baseball. 

Club teams might be a single team or an entire organization with several teams spanning different age levels. 

Another major difference is that travel ball is often played year-round. Not having extended off-seasons ups the commitment levels for all involved significantly. 

A few of the biggest organizations in the travel ball world are the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), Triple Crown Sports, and Perfect Game. 

These organizations will host most of the tournaments that travel teams compete in.

Traditionally, travel ball has been a higher level of competition than Little League, meant to train elite players who had their eyes set on collegiate opportunities. 

However, as travel ball becomes more ubiquitous, the level of competition can now run the gamut a bit more between extremely high to moderate-low.   

Travel baseball, as you’ll see, is also much more expensive in terms of both cost and time commitment than its recreational variety. 

# The Pros and Cons of Rec Ball Versus Travel Baseball

Both recreational and travel baseball have their merits and drawbacks. You and your child should consider the pros and cons of both before deciding which type of team to play on. 

# Little League Pros

• Local – If you don’t fancy traveling around two weekends out of every month, then recreation leagues might be better for your family. Part of this locality is time. The amount of time you and your ballplayer will spend at team practices, games, and individual workouts is significantly less in recreation baseball. 
• Learn a lot – Little League, PONY, or Cal Ripken Baseball teams’ emphasis on learning and having fun lets your kid discover and grow to love the game in a low-pressure environment.  Some children benefit more from this, especially in the beginning, while others thrive only with higher levels of competition.
• Less expensive – The average fee in the U.S. for a season of Little League is $150, but it could vary as low as $30 and as high as $250 in some areas.  Travel ball can easily cost three to four times that. But we’ll get into the details and rough estimates of this cost in just a bit.

# Little League Cons

• Dependent on your area – Having a local baseball league often depends on the interest in your area. No interest could mean no teams. The level of competition also depends on who’s playing and how much talent your area happens to have.
• Not a conduit for playing at the next level – Although it used to be the case, Little League is no longer a safe route to playing high school and college baseball.  Today, kids who want to reach these levels and find success once there, must, in most cases, find a travel team to play on at some point in their journey.  Of course, there are exceptions to this for ballplayers who naturally have top-tier talent. And obvious caveats must also be made to make room for how competitive or noncompetitive a particular high school might be.  But these unique instances aside, the reality for many parents and coaches on the ground is that playing rec ball only these days makes it less likely for a young man to be an impact player in high school or college. 
• Coaches – With recreational baseball, the coach is usually one of the players’ parents. And this person may know little to nothing about baseball, or about managing a youth team. They are exclusively volunteers after all. Sometimes you can get very lucky with elite-experienced parent volunteers and other times not so lucky – it's kinda a crapshoot.  

# Travel Ball Pros

• Better competition and coaches – Travel ball usually affords more competitiveness and more experienced coaches. Travel ball coaches might even be former college and high school coaches who’ve started a travel club. And larger organizations often pay monthly or seasonal paychecks to these professional coaches – many of which will not have a child on the team.
• More games – Instead of the 8 games per month during a short, designated rec season, your child can expect to play much more with travel ball.  It’s year-round, and the most games occur during weekend tournaments in the summer. Though some yearly tournaments are weeklong affairs.  At each tournament, teams play between three and ten games – depending on how well your team does in bracket play. By playing more games, your kid gets more exposure to baseball and is afforded more reps to cultivate their developing skills.
• Nicer facilities, opportunity to travel – Travel ball tournaments are usually held at nice facilities with plenty of room for parents to watch and for teams to hang out when they’re not playing.  Club ball also gives your kid a chance to venture outside their native city or state, which can be a valuable learning experience for them.

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# Travel Ball Cons

Costly – A season of travel ball can run anywhere from $800-$28,000 per year, depending on tons of different variables.

The numbers above may be less common on both the low and high side – but both are certainly possible. 

The second number ($28,000) that’s causing your blood pressure to rise higher than Boston’s Green Monster is meant to reflect a total expenses possibility with everything maxed out. 

You may not find a number that high when you Google travel ball expenses, but the writers of those articles are likely not including every single cost into their calculations. 

Here are some things to truly consider:

You will be expected to pay base starting fees and possibly tournament entry fees for your team or organization. 

And, sometimes, you’ll also be on the hook for monthly team dues along with an annual organizational fee. 

Also, you’ll  purchase all of your ballplayer’s personal baseball equipment and uniforms if your team’s not sponsored. 

And in travel ball, the pressure to get your ballplayer the top of the line equipment in all categories is much stronger than in rec ball. 

Next, many sports complexes that host tournaments charge daily gate fees on top of not allowing outside food or drinks. 

And you and your family need to eat and stay hydrated during these all day tourneys, which leaves the complex’s overpriced snack shack or restaurant as the only option at times. 

Don’t forget the hotels, food, and transportation costs for any and all out-of-town games, too. 

Further expenses include the gas and increased vehicle maintenance that you will surely incur driving to so many practices and games within your county or state. 

Another common expense that sneaks up on parents are weekly private or group lessons that are often expected by competitive programs. 

Besides hitting, pitching, catching, or fielding sessions, many parents also opt for sport performance training and athletic optimization services – i.e. strength and conditioning classes, a physical therapist, a chiropractor, etc. 

Another cost is found by participating in team bonding and fundraising activities, where you might be expected to bring snacks and drinks or buy tickets – such small things add up during the course of the year-long travel season. 

Finally, if your ballplayer is recruiting age, this higher number above includes college camps and showcases throughout the year.

It also includes getting his professional skills video produced, so you have something great to send over to college coaches.

Do not be too alarmed. Many of these expenses are totally avoidable and up to your family's budget. 

But, you should also know there tend to be unspoken expectations and incentives for some of these activities that you might feel are avoidable once you’re actually inside of competitive travel programs.

• Time – Travel ball is a significant time commitment. The two weekends per month out of town for tournaments is only a small part of it. Your child might also have practice or scrimmages against other travel ball teams during the week. And, as mentioned, your ballplayer may still be expected to get professional skill and sports training lessons each week.
• Tough – The level of competition is, again, higher in travel ball. The players are better, and many teams take a “the best players play” rather than an “everybody plays” approach. Club baseball can be intense and challenging. If your ballplayer’s skills aren’t at the right level yet, then they’ll see less playing time and could get discouraged. 

# Should You Switch from Rec Ball to Travel Baseball?

Parents often have mixed opinions when it comes to travel ball. In particular, there’s disagreement over what age to switch. 

Some say you shouldn’t put your child in club ball until he is 13 years old, since many kids drop out of sports altogether by this age. 

The rationale behind this recommendation goes something like: 

Most parents can avoid paying a bunch of fees for travel ball between the ages of 7-12, when your child is statistically likely to give up the sport soon anyway. And if they’re still serious about baseball at 13 years old, then it’s worth the investment.

While some parents echo this sentiment, others strongly advise starting your kid in travel ball much sooner – if they show a real interest. 

As one parent  put it online when asked about starting at the 8U level, “As long as they don’t get burned out I say let em’ play.” 

Another parent disagreed, however, saying that they saw “absolutely no value in travel ball with children that are so young.” 

Most parents polled agree that their decision to switch depended on their circumstances. 

Some said that “it is difficult to make a blanket statement” about when to switch or that decisions “are going to vary based on regions.” 

Again, the latter statement points to the raw fact that certain geographic regions of the country are much more competitive in baseball than others.

Living in a highly competitive region raises the threshold necessary for things like making a high school team to the point that playing travel to gather enough skill is an almost prerequisite.  

Often, the decision to join a travel team does come down to the organizations in your area. You’ll want to find out how many travel organizations there are in your locale and what their quality is. 

If there are no clubs in your town or city and none nearby, you’ll be looking at a bigger time commitment and more expenses to put your kid on a club team – which will include much more driving and the potential for more hotel rentals. 

But when to switch from rec ball to travel is not the most important question facing parents and ballplayers who are still on the fence about switching in the first place. 

So let’s get to the heart of the matter.

# Will Your Child Enjoy Playing Travel Ball?

The most important factor to consider when making the switch to travel ball is your child’s interest in baseball. 

Is your kid a competitor looking to sharpen his or her skills and continue playing as he or she gets older? 

Or does your child like baseball for the fun of it, and enjoy being on the field with his teammates?

Travel baseball is a huge time commitment – but not just for you. Your child has to be willing to put a lot of personal time and energy into it as well.

# Is Your Child Willing to Give Things Up for Club Ball?

Playing travel ball means your kid will miss out on many social events with friends and family.

Birthday parties, holiday celebrations, sleepovers, school events, family reunions, can be all sacrificed to time playing baseball. 

This is not say that there aren't plenty of travel ball players excelling in the classroom, because of course there are.

It's just that they need to be more focused and organized than other kids to get those same high marks, and parents should be aware of these realities. 

Not only are time and special occasions sacrificed, but the money you spend on baseball – fees for the team, equipment, private lessons, etc. – is money you cannot now spend on other things your child might want. 

Depending on your family’s finances, new clothes, video games, gadgets, and other material items for your son could come at the cost of playing baseball.

Whether you switch from recreational to travel baseball is ultimately down to you and your child. There are many factors to consider, some of which, like where you happen to live, are outside of your control. 

The best thing you can do is educate yourself and your child as much as possible about the pros and cons of travel ball, and then make an informed decision together. 

And this guide is a great start. But it should be supplemented by talking to local parents in your area and possibly finding Facebook Groups or other communities to learn from parents who have been there and done that when it comes to making the travel ball switch. 

If you do decide travel ball is the way to go for your family, then your next task is to find the best team for your ballplayer’s development. 

# How to Get Started on a Travel Baseball Team

# what to look for in a travel team.

If you and your child do decide to join a club baseball team, then you have five main things to look for when choosing a team.

# 1. Coaching

Here are few questions about any travel ball coach that you, as parents, will want answered right off the bat before joining their team:

• Who is the coach, and what is this person’s experience? 
• Is the coach someone who knows what they’re doing in terms of baseball skills and leadership?
• Even if they know the game, are they new to the travel ball scene?

Note: this last question can become more important once your ballplayer gets into the college recruitable ages. 

If it’s your ballplayer's goal to play in college, you will want to join an established program that plays in the right tournaments to get noticed, and a coach that has built a trusted relationship with college coaches and recruiters over the years. 

But, if the current goal is just to improve your son’s skill set, then the coach’s knowledge and ability to articulate it might be more important to you than he or she being a travel ball insider.  

Some additional, related questions to ask both the travel coach directly and to ask parents whose child is already playing under he or she are:

• What kind of coaching style is most commonly used? 
• Does the coach emphasize skill development or college recruitment? 
• Is the coach more like an instructor, or is the team playing to win nearly all of the time? 
• Would the coach yell at a player for making a mistake on the field or pull them aside afterward to discuss the error privately?

See why SeamsUp's the #1 instructional app for ballplayers

As we’ve explored, cost is a big factor for travel ball because it’s not cheap. Make sure you get all the anticipated, known costs for the season upfront from the coach or their team administrator.

If the coach can’t give you exact figures of what things cost on their end – monthly team dues, organization fees, uniform costs, and any additional tournaments costs – before you sign on, be wary. 

The coach may not be organized or experienced enough to help your ballplayer and you might end up paying more than you expected to. 

Some club teams have sponsors who provide equipment and uniforms, but others will ask parents to pay for these in addition to registration fees. 

You might also have to hand over a fee to help fund the coach’s stipend if they are paid for their expertise. 

For some elite organizations, coaching is a full-time job, plus the coach has to travel with the team too.

# 3. Location

Here’s some questions on this front that you’d want answered:

• Do you live near a big urban center where the team plays most of its tournaments, eliminating long travel times? 
• Or does the team regularly travel out of state for their games? 
• It’s a travel baseball team, but exactly how much travel is involved on this particular team?

Think carefully about how much you and your kid are willing to travel and factor those expenses into the cost.

# 4. Structure

Structure-related questions might include:

• How does the team operate? 
• Will your child get to see significant playing time? 
• Will the team have regular practices and training sessions to attend as well?

Another important question about structure is if your kid will get to pick their position. 

Meaning, will the coach let kids play where they want, or try to rotate everyone around to different positions during practices or practice games? 

Of course, this last line of questioning applies almost exclusively to the youngest levels of play. From about 14U up, there is more positional specialization and team roles are established and sustained more based on the talent and performance of the individual ballplayers. 

# 5. Values

Value question to get clarity on:

• What is the mission of this travel team? 
• Are they helping players get noticed by college recruiters? 
• Do they just try to offer more playing time and a fun environment? 

Make sure their objectives line up with yours. Ask yourself as well how your child will develop as a baseball player by joining this particular travel team.

# 6. Team Chemistry

Before joining a club team you should try to gauge the team’s chemistry. 

Once you commit, your child will be spending a lot of time with these teammates, so if they don’t get along or your kid doesn’t feel like he or she fits in, it could be a problem.

Similarly, look at how the parents interact with the players and each other. Are the other parents promoting a supportive environment for everyone by being encouraging?

Or are they the types to yell at umpires, coach from the stands, or take the game to unhealthy levels? 

Not only will your kids be spending a lot of time with their teammates, but you’ll also spend time with the other parents. 

So choosing a travel team is in a way choosing friends and peers for both you and your child. 

Team chemistry should also extend to how players and coaches relate to each other. Do the coaches work hard to bolster the kids’ confidence, or are they constantly tearing them down for the sake of winning?

# Where To Look for Travel Baseball Teams

Reading up on how travel baseball works in helpful guides – like this one – is again a great start. 

Don’t be afraid to ask around in your area about club baseball, either. Word-of-mouth is often one of the best ways to understand travel ball, especially how it operates in your specific city or town. 

You can also look up registered teams in your area on the USSSA website or FieldLevel.com . 

Again, Facebook Groups are also a great way to find local travel teams, since many teams might not have their own website. 

These groups are filled with parents like yourself and coaches who relish in helping with your travel ball journey. 

But maybe you have lots of playing or coaching experience and want to spearhead your own travel ball team. We’ve got you covered on exactly how to do it below. 

# How to Start Your Own Travel Baseball Team

Choosing to join an existing club team is one thing; starting your own is another entirely. 

Maybe you have some playing or coaching experience and you’d like to put together a team for your son or daughter. Maybe there aren’t any club teams in your area, so you’ll be starting the first. 

Whatever your reasons, starting a travel baseball team is a rewarding endeavor, albeit a daunting one. You are basically starting an entirely non-profit business. 

And you’ll see below that you must do many of the same steps that new entrepreneurs must do when beginning an enterprise, so make sure you have the time and skills for this undertaking before you even start.  

The steps to creating a travel ball team can be broken down into four main phases. 

We’ll look at each of these in detail. 

# Travel Ball Team Building Phase 1 - Finding Volunteers

Before doing anything else, you should recruit some other parents or outside volunteers to lend you a hand. 

Whether you’re planning to coach the team or to have someone else do it, committing to running all aspects of a team as a single individual for an entire season isn’t feasible. 

To make a strong team, the internal team of coaches, team managers, or recruiters needs to be strong first. 

Call on parents you know and trust, former coaches, former teammates from your playing days, or current older players to help you out. 

As you’ll see in future steps below, it’s highly recommended these days to have at least one person on your team who knows marketing, graphic design, or website creation. You’ll save a lot of time and money this way.

And instead of having 2-3 full-time volunteers, it can be helpful to eventually amass a network of people who are willing to pitch in semi-frequently. 

That way, you’ll have coverage if one of your coaches or volunteers can’t make it.

# Travel Ball Team Building Phase 2 - Planning Your Budget

After you have a group of people to help out, you should focus on the financial planning for the team. 

Make a list of the expenses that you’ll have to cover, along with sources of funding. 

Next, you should approach local sponsors about paying for some of the things you need, like uniforms and equipment. 

Now’s the time to think about fundraisers as well. Any the money you raise helps lower your player fees. 

Fundraisers are an important aspect of many teams, especially those without established sponsors. 

Raffles, silent auctions, casino nights, bingo nights, trivia nights, and paid dinners can all make great fundraising events. 

Look around at your volunteers and support staff. Do they have any skills, jobs, or relationships that can help raise funds to send your boys to the best tournaments? 

Company tickets to sporting events, like box seats or concerts, make great raffle or silent auction items. And if someone owns a restaurant, a paid dinner fundraiser is a no-brainer. 

Take this budget phase seriously, and it’ll save you a lot of headaches down the road. 

# Travel Ball Team Building Phase 3 - Getting Your Players

Once you have some people to help and a balanced budget, you need to find some players. 

It’s possible you already have a group of interested players and that’s why you’re starting the team in the first place. 

But your initial seed group may not be big enough to field an entire team. So you’ll likely need more. 

There are two slightly different journeys at this point in the process. One for people wanting to start a travel team by joining an already established organization and another for those starting a new team completely from scratch.

Of course, joining something that already exists is a bit easier, because they'll hopefully have team processes and even recruiting relationships in place that'll allow you to hit the ground running. 

If you are joining an already established travel ball organization, then you'll want to leverage their name, social media accounts, website, and email list to help you recruit your new squad of ballplayers. 

Even if this is the case, you will likely still want to create your own social media accounts that use the established organization's name alongside either the age group or grad years of your team and your last name as the username.

Here's a template for what we mean when applied to an Instagram account name:

{Established Organization Name} {The Age Group: 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16, 18U or Graduation Years} {Your Last Name}

Example: LA Pioneers 12U d'Aranud

But, if you're starting a new team or organization from scratch, there will be some additional steps. To make people aware of your team, you'll want to do the following:

• Pick a name
• Create a logo
• Set up all of your social media profiles
• If possible, create a simple website. 

A website can be a major differentiator between your travel team and others, as most teams still only have social media presences and no official site in the current year.

For social media, you need Facebook and Instagram profiles at minimum, because these are the first places interested potential parents in the current year will check you out. 

If your logo design and website developer skills are not where you’d like, we recommend outsourcing these things to freelancers on Fiverr, UpWork, or 99 Designs. 

You can find incredibly talented people who are reasonably priced and can do whatever you require quickly. 

But always first look into your new network of trusted team helpers and see what skills they possess before outsourcing anything. 

Once these fundamental online presences are established, you will want to make some social posts that give parents looking into your program feelings of trust. 

Post about your playing or coaching experience and about everyone on the awesome team of helpers that you’ve assembled. Seek to post images or videos that convey your values as a new team. 

Tell everyone you know about these new profiles, so you can build a bit of social proof for your team and encourage all of your helpers to do the same. This step alone can get you your first one hundred to a thousand followers. 

Once people in your community know your team exists, you can hold tryouts for skilled players. 

Seek out travel baseball message boards and Facebook groups, and post all the details of your tryouts – making sure to include a link to your shiny new website or social media profiles. 

There are even Instagram profiles dedicated exclusively to posting the details of travel ball tryouts, so take advantage of these as well.

However, if you’re still not getting enough interest through these free methods, you might consider setting up paid Facebook or Instagram ads. Just make sure that the video or graphics you use for your ads are top-notch. 

Again, if you’ve never created such assets or set up Facebook ads before – and they can be overwhelming to the uninitiated – lean on outside professional help in the beginning. Experts in paid media creation and management can be found all over the web.

Next, you run your awesome baseball tryouts. These we’ll leave to you, coach. 

When putting together your roster though, hedge toward a  bigger team rather than a small one . 

Summer is an active time for kids – they have family vacations and other sports or activities to do in addition to baseball. You may not have your full roster attending every tournament at the start. 

So having a team with at least 14 or more players covers you for when other commitments come up. 

# Travel Ball Team Building Phase 4 - Registering Your Team

Once you have your team put together, you’ll need to register your players with at least one of the major travel ball associations in the country. 

Again, these are USSSA, AAU, Triple Crown, Nations, Perfect Game, but there are others. 

These associations host the travel ball tournaments that you’ll be competing in. Make sure you follow the regulations and register your team properly. Each organization has their own unique guidelines for registering.

Once this phase is complete, you still have all the practices, travel logistics, and dues collections to worry about – but you will have laid an amazing foundation for your new travel team. 

Now you can enjoy the honor of helping the next generation of ballplayers find success in the game you love. 

# Wrapping Up Our Ultimate Parent’s Guide to Travel Ball

As you’ve undoubtedly realized – because we repeated it more than once – travel baseball is a big commitment. 

Switching from recreational baseball to travel ball shouldn’t be done lightly. 

It should also be a joint decision between you, your ballplayer, and the rest of your family. If you or your kid is interested in club baseball, then make sure you both understand the impact it’ll have on your lives. 

Once you know what you’re getting into, you can make the best decision together.

About the Authors

Courtney Withrow

Professional Writer

Originally from the U.S., Courtney is a Brussels-based freelance writer with a Master’s degree in International Relations. She grew up playing softball and still loves the game.

Chase d'Arnaud

Chief Talent Acquisition Officer & Baseball Business Ops

Chase d'Arnaud is a 7-year veteran of Major League Baseball. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants.

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Travel Baseball Uncovered: A Guide For Parents And Players

Let’s talk about baseball—travel baseball, to be exact.

For many, moving from the Little League to travel baseball feels like catching a curveball. After all, it’s more than just a pace change; it’s about trading Saturday afternoon matches on a grassy field for serious club competitions that come with a higher price tag.

You might be thinking, “Is this the right play for my little slugger?” or “How do I even go about choosing a team?”

Well, here’s our chance at bat. We’ll walk you through everything youth travel baseball has to offer, including answering these questions and more.

Table of Contents

What is Travel Baseball [Explained]

Travel baseball is just what it sounds like. It’s when youth teams have to travel in order to have their games and tournaments. This is usually the next step after traditional recreational or Little League. 

Since the level of competition is much higher, it can help them develop their skills.

But preparation comes at a cost—literally. And all that time on the road can take up your schedule very quickly. But despite all that extra work, they’ll get an exciting adventure out of it. Now, they’ll face off against teams from different cities, states, and sometimes even countries.

The love for Travel Baseball is Growing Fast.

In recent years, travel baseball gained an exponential amount of popularity and saw thousands of teams pop up across the country. 

Before the 90s, it was a relatively niche experience only limited to players nestled in regions like Texas and California.

Nowadays, participation is considered necessary for young players wanting to sharpen their skills and go up against some really tough competition.

Instead of focusing on the local leagues like recreational youth baseball does, travel ball operates under various organizations, hosting hundreds of tournaments each year. 

Some big names include USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association), AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), Triple Crown Sports , and Perfect Game . 

The ambitious goal for any team is to face off against as many different teams as possible to gain experience and test their skills.

Everyone can create a travel baseball team. It doesn’t matter if you’re a parent, high school teacher, or someone who coaches college kids.

The highlight of the season is the travel baseball tournament. Bringing together talented teams from different parts of the world to compete. 

This lets players show their skills to a bigger audience, including scouts and college coaches. These tournaments are organized by many institutions and happen locally, regionally, or even nationally.

There’s nothing cooler than the USSSA World Series, though. Every year, it’s hosted by the United States Specialty Sports Association. 

You’ll find talent from all over America coming here to fight for that top spot. But another epic tournament is the Triple Crown Summer Nationals, where they hold it at Myrtle Beach 

in South Carolina. It attracts teams from everywhere and is known for great competition and vacation vibes.

A unique little competition is held in Cooperstown, New York, known as the Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournament. 

Cooperstown, known as baseball’s birthplace, offers a unique week-long stay in baseball-style barracks. You can visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

These intense and challenging tournaments bring out some of the most talented players young kids have to offer. It’s also a great way to boost your young player’s confidence in playing on those big stages!

Different Levels Of Travel Teams And Their Requirements

It’s not just one level fit all for travel baseball teams. They’re organized into various levels based on skill, experience, and commitment from players. 

Imagine putting someone who only knows how to throw with moderate force into a contest against someone who does it with full force.

The team you choose for yourself should align with your skill level, how much free time you have, and your developmental needs as a player. Here’s an overview of different levels:

1. Local Travel Teams : For beginners starting their journey through travel baseball. The games they play are mostly local or within a close driving distance. Practices only happen a few times a week, and games during the weekend.

2. Regional Travel Teams : For players with more experience and higher skill levels. They go on trips for games and tournaments that will require overnight stays at places. Commitment level is higher, with practices being more frequent along with a longer season.

3. Showcase Travel Teams : The big leagues of young kid baseball players. These teams are made up of highly skilled people who are very serious about baseball. They have college scouts and recruiters present their games. This includes going to different states for showcase tournaments. 

You’ll need to be extremely committed to even think about trying out for this team, and their practices are rigorous and frequent, lasting all year round!

Benefits of Playing in a Travel Baseball Team 

A lot of benefits come from playing travel baseball. 

The biggest one? It can help players get to their goals. It’s not just about playing a game, especially when you want to make it big. It’s actually an experience that provides lifelong skills that can be applied everywhere else.

Competition in recreational leagues is nothing compared to this. It’s way higher. This allows players to grow new and old skills at a faster rate. 

There’s also an intense training schedule that demands discipline, resilience, and focus. These qualities go beyond just sports.

Participating in high-profile tournaments also gets the attention of other coaches and scouts. Which makes it easier for them to open doors for scholarships and professional contracts.

Traveling away from home just for games might seem like a drag, but it builds responsibility and maturity. It is a demanding journey for sure, but very rewarding.

Did MLB Players Play Travel Baseball?

Definitely! A lot of Major League Baseball (MLB) players used travel baseball as their starting point, too. It gives them all the exposure they need, honing skills at such a young age along with fierce competition.

Take Bryce Harper , for example. He’s one of the biggest names in MLB today. His journey started back when he was a child playing for the Southern Nevada Bulldogs 14U travel team. The opportunity came up where he could go against older players who were more experienced than him. This experience helped shape his professional career.

Albert Pujols also played travel baseball when he was younger on his team called Fort Osage Indians Travel Team before sailing into the Hall of Fame.

Clayton Kershaw ? Yeah, him too! Another name you hear often in MLB didn’t start there either — he played for the Dallas Tigers Travel Team where he developed early on gaining crucial skills and discipline that are instrumental in his success today.

How to Find a Travel Baseball Team in Your Region? 

If you’re a young baseball player who wants to take their skills to the next level, then joining a travel team is a great opportunity. If you are a parent and want to make your child the next MLB star, then travel baseball teams are a great place to start with. 

These teams play across the country and allow players to show their talents against top-tier competition. But how do you find one of these teams? 

Here’s a guide on how you can join a travel baseball team in the USA.

Check your local youth baseball organization.

Your first step should be checking with your local youth baseball organization. Chances are they have travel teams that play in leagues and tournaments outside of the regular season. If they don’t, then it’s likely they know someone who does.

Drop by showcases and camps.

In-person events like showcases and camps are great places to meet coaches and scouts from travel baseball teams. They’re designed specifically so players can showcase their skills and get noticed by recruiters.

The internet holds many answers, including finding a travel baseball team. Websites like USSSA Baseball, Perfect Game USA, and Travel Ball Select list lots of travel baseball teams based on state, age group, and skill level — all at a click away.

Talk to other parents and players.

If you want first-hand experience, then talk to other parents or players who have been through this process before. They can give useful insight into which teams are reputable, well-run, and competitive.

For example, if you live in Texas, then one option could be the Texas Bombers Baseball Club — an organization that has multiple teams at different age levels and is known for developing young talent. You can learn more about them by visiting their website or attending one of their tryouts.

How to Find the Perfect Travel Baseball Team? 

Identify the skill level and commitment of the player.

First thing first, you need to figure out how committed your child is to the sport and their skill level.  If he is naturally gifted athlete then you should help him to follow his dream. 

Research Local and Regional Teams

Begin by looking at teams that are close by. These teams usually have varying levels of skill and serve as great entry points for most players. 

You can check their websites and social media pages to learn more about them such as philosophy, coaches, players, and game schedule.

Attend Local Games and Practices 

Sitting in on local games and practices allows you to get a firsthand look at how they run things. You’ll be able to see their coaching style, how they interact with the players, and the overall team dynamic. With this insight, it’ll be easier to make a decision.

Speak with Coaches and Parents

While observing is good, it isn’t enough. Take some time out of your day or week to speak with coaches. 

This allows you to gain an understanding of their training methods, the expectations they have for your child, and the goals they want them to reach. It’s also good practice to talk to other parents so you can get a general idea of what people think about the team.

Consider Logistics

Logistical factors are important, too, so don’t forget about them. Make sure that the team’s practice location is suitable for you and your family’s schedule since it may be far away from where you currently live or work. 

The game schedule should be looked at as well because there could be conflicts in dates that would keep you from attending games.

Tryouts & Evaluations

Most teams hold tryouts or evaluations for people who are interested in joining. If this is offered, take advantage of it because it gives your child the chance to showcase their skills and for you to see if the team would be a good fit. 

A player’s evaluation is also helpful because it gives you insight into how strong the team itself is.

Travel Baseball Season Preparations 

Preparations before the pre-season.

Before the baseball season starts, you’ll want to make sure that your child is mentally and physically ready for the long days ahead. 

So, let’s start with an off-season workout routine to help build strength and agility. But don’t forget about eating well and getting enough sleep. Plus, practicing regularly can take their fielding, pitching, and hitting skills way up.

During the season

Once the season starts, it’s important to stay fit and perform at your best. You’ll want to communicate with their coach to keep track of your child’s progress as well as any areas they need improvement in. 

Another thing you should do is show up to their games and practices. It helps you stay in tune with how the team is performing and also supports your child. And finally, always keep their lines of communication open, whether it’s about pressure or their anxiety.

Post-Season

After a long season, it’s important to take a break. Reflect on the games you had together. Acknowledge all the good things they did but also focus on areas they can improve in. 

Give them some downtime so they can rest and recover. Even though they’re chilling around, don’t let them become bums — physical activity is still important for them during this time.

Travel Baseball vs. Little League

Both types of baseball have their own unique experience and benefits that come along with it. The choice of which one to put your kid into mostly depends on what they want out of it.

For example, travel baseball is more competitive. It attracts players who are committed to sports no matter what and are willing to travel around just for a game against top talent in various regions. Not only does this provide intense competition but also high-level coaching.

It does require a lot of time, as seasons are much longer than in little leagues with more games and practices.

If you want your child exposed more, then this would be a good option, as you can see from Bryce Harper, Albert Pujols, and Clayton Kershaw.

Now, little league baseball is less demanding. It’s generally more focused on the community and not so much on traveling and time. 

It’s actually a great option for kids who still love the sport but aren’t ready to commit to such a demanding schedule. They focus on learning fundamental skills, enjoying the game, and fostering a sense of community.

You can learn more here: Travel Baseball Vs Little League

The Cost of Playing Travel Baseball

If your kid has a future in baseball, you might want to consider enrolling them in travel baseball. The only problem is that this option is much more expensive than local leagues. 

Local leagues tend to have low costs because they don’t do as much traveling as travel teams have to do. On top of paying for the actual games themselves, there’s also the top-of-the-line coaching and amazing facilities that the team needs to cover. 

You’ll be hit with fees like equipment, uniform, tournament, travel (like gas and airfare), and a team fee.

The team fee alone can include things like league fees, practice facility rentals, and salaries for the coaches. 

And let’s not forget about any extra training or lessons they need in order to take their skills up a notch.

It’s always good to ask the people organizing the league what you’re paying for specifically because then maybe it won’t seem so bad (it probably will still seem bad, though). 

But it really does come down to where you live. 

Depending on that, it could cost you anywhere from $1,500-$3,000 per season. And if you’re on one of those elite teams competing at national tournaments, then I’m sorry, but it’ll probably cost way more.

Find Out How To Choose A Coach

A good coach doesn’t just teach how to play sports but also builds discipline and confidence, along with fostering a love for the game. Here are some tips on picking a coach:

Experience And Certification : A coach should always have some kind of experience coaching youth sports, but having proof that they passed some coaching program can give you peace of mind, knowing they know what they’re doing.

Coaching Style : Every coach is different and will treat their athletes differently, too. Some will be very intense in trying to push their players, while others are more relaxed yet inspiring. Pick what works best with your child’s personality.

Communication Skills : A good coach knows how to explain things in a way that’s easy for their athletes to understand. They should also be great at talking to you and other parents.

Focus On Development : It’s better for your kid to improve their skills rather than just win all the time. Look for coaches that will work with them on that.

Reputation : Finally, look into what other people say about the coach. Not only other players but parents, too. It doesn’t hurt to ask around or even watch them during practice if you can. 

Things to Know About Uniforms and Equipment in Travel Baseball

Uniforms and equipment are a necessary investment in travel baseball. It can be beyond what you expect from Little League. Here’s a quick rundown of what your child might need:

Uniforms : Most travel baseball teams have their own custom jerseys that come with pants, caps, belts, and socks. Some teams may even have home and away uniforms, so check with the manager first.

Gloves/Mitts : Get your child a good quality glove or mitt that suits the position they play. For example, catchers and first basemen have their own special mitts, while outfielders use bigger gloves compared to infielders. Check out the Best Youth Infield Gloves 

Bats : Bat rules can get very specific, depending on the league. Before you buy one, make sure you understand what kind is allowed. Also, consider their height, weight, and hitting strength when selecting the right bat size . 

You can check out my list of Best Youth Baseball Bats

Helmets : No matter how old or young your child is, they need a batting helmet. Some leagues even require faceguards as well. Check out the Best Youth Baseball Helmet

Cleats : Running on grass and dirt requires traction, which is why cleats are used in baseball. However, be aware that some leagues don’t allow metal spikes, so again, you should always check if there are any shoe restrictions.

Protective gear : Depending on the position they’re playing at, your kid may need extra protection such as shin guards for their legs or a chest protector for their torso

What is a good age range for travel baseball?

Travel baseball typically starts around 7 or 8 years old and goes through high school. However, the age that you can join may differ depending on the league or team.

How much does it cost to play travel baseball? 

The price of playing travel baseball could be greatly different depending on things like where you live, what team you’re on, and at what level you play. You’ll have to pay for league fees, uniforms, equipment, and even the costs of traveling and staying in other cities for away games.

How often would we need to practice? 

Usually, travel teams practice more often than recreational ones. It’s common for them to meet several times each week. But it will depend on the time and dedication your child’s coach expects.

How far do they have to go? 

Again, that’ll depend on what league your child signs up for. Some teams only need to go a couple of miles, while others will have to cross city lines.

Can my child also play another sport? 

It all depends on how much time both sports require. Understandably, travel baseball takes up quite a bit of time and energy, so consider if they have enough for both.

Overall Worth of Travel Baseball 

Traveling with a baseball team is no joke. For players and families alike, it’s considered a big commitment that takes up lots of time, money, and energy. 

And while it opens up new opportunities, the best reward for joining one is amazing! The skills learned, and knowledge gained from playing at higher levels is priceless. 

Plus, it builds character, helping to teach important lessons like teamwork, dedication, success handling, and, most importantly, failure handling. And let’s not forget about the friendships built along the way from spending hours with teammates in different places across the country. 

Even though some costs and sacrifices come with this commitment, most families say joining a traveling baseball team was totally worth every bit of it. 

Just remember, the end goal is to love the sport and grow as a person.

Hello everyone. My name is  Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player.  I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego. 

I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit. 

The State of Travel Ball [Real Parent Survey Results]

By Bat Digest

In June 2023, we conducted a survey involving approximately 700 parents of baseball players regarding their experiences with travel teams. We aimed to present this data in an annual report called the State of Travel Ball, making it easily accessible to a broader audience. To assist parents, players, and coaches in forming their conclusions, we have focused primarily on presenting factual information rather than providing extensive commentary or opinionated analysis. This report seeks to answer the question: Is Travel Ball Worth it?

Quick Takes

• Despite all the costs, travel, and coaching issues, most parents are ‘satisfied’ with Travel Baseball.
• The average annual travel ball player pays $2,178 per year. This does not include uniforms or any ancillary fees.
• The average travel baseball player participates in about 47 games and 45 practices. However, there is wide variation here.
• Over 40% of players have two or fewer months off baseball per year, while only 10% have more than six months off.
• The “typical” family travels about eight nights yearly because of the travel ball.
• The typical family travels between 10 and 15 miles to practice. More than a few, however, travel 50 or more miles.
• 20% of respondents believe they are ‘absolutely’ playing college baseball.
• Over 50% of Travel Ball coaches are paid.
• Most parents believe their travel ball team does NOT overpitch their players, although most teams pitch less than half of their players.

Selection Bias

This data, like all data, should be taken skeptically. The bias from individuals self-selecting to take a survey about Travel Ball implies a lot and immediately skews the data. We aren’t interested in giving breathless commentary here, so we’ll let the data speak for itself. But, be sure, we know that such bias in the data exists, but that doesn’t make it useless or uninteresting.

Travel Ball Satisfaction

About 2/3 of Travel Ball parents are satisfied with their experience. Although, as you will see below, most parents are satisfied, it costs a lot of money, a severe amount of time, and requires more than a week of sleeping somewhere else.

To be sure, this is respondents that play travel baseball, so the selection bias is real with this one. But, if you are considering travel baseball, do know that, at any given time, most parents appear to be happy with their decision to participate despite all its potential drawbacks.

The Average Price of Travel Ball Teams

After excluding families that reported zero team fees, our analysis shows that parents investing in travel baseball face significant financial commitments. On average, families spent approximately $2,178.25 on team fees in the most recent year. These costs varied considerably, with a standard deviation of about $1,411.04, indicating a broad distribution of expenses. At the lower end, we observed that 25% of families spent $1,000 or less, excluding those who reported zero costs. The median expenditure, a more representative measure of a ‘typical’ family’s spending due to the skew in our data, remained at $2,000. On the higher end, 25% of families spent up to $3,000, with the highest reported costs reaching $10,000. These figures underscore the substantial investment parents make to support their children’s involvement in travel baseball, reflecting the sport’s potential to foster enriching skills, experiences, and opportunities. Recognizing these financial commitments is essential as we continue exploring ways to enhance our programs’ value and impact.

The Number of Games and Practices

On average, a travel baseball player participated in approximately 46 games per year and, based on our data collected, ranged from 3 to 100. The majority of players stayed between 20 and 60 games.

Compare that with the number of practices held. The average parent of a player reported 52 practices (one a week) per year. The median number of practices (that is the middle team) had around 45 practices. The vast majority of practices are between 24 to 75 players.

The scatter plot below visually compares the number of games played and practices attended by each individual in the dataset. Each point represents an individual, with the x-coordinate indicating the number of games played and the y-coordinate showing the number of practices attended.

We can see a positive correlation between the two variables, suggesting that individuals who attend more practice also tend to play more games and vice versa. However, there is some variation in this trend, with some individuals attending a large number of practices but playing fewer games and others playing a large number of games with fewer practices.

It’s also worth noting that a cluster of individuals attend around 45 practices and play around 45 games, which aligns with our earlier finding that the median number of games played and practices attended is 45.

Number of Months Off Travel Baseball

The bar plot below shows the distribution of the number of months off from travel baseball as a percentage of total responses.

Here are the percentages for each category:

• No months off : 2.41% of players
• 1-2 months off : 39.49% of players
• 3-4 months off : 36.44% of players
• 5-6 months off : 11.56% of players
• 6+ months off : 10.11% of players

This analysis reveals that the majority of players (75.93%) have a break of 1-4 months in a year. A smaller percentage of players (21.67%) have a more extended break of 5 months or more. Only a tiny fraction of players (2.41%) have no months off.

These percentages provide a more nuanced understanding of the number of months off distribution, giving us insights into the typical rest periods and the intensity of engagement in travel baseball.

Number of Nights Away from Home

We also asked parents how many nights they spent away from home because of travel baseball. We know this answer often gets muddy as many family vacations are combined with travel tournaments. In any case, we asked the surveyed to give their best shot at how many nights they spend away from their home because of travel ball.

• Average Nights Out : Families spend approximately ten nights out due to travel baseball in a year.
• Range of Nights Out : The number of nights out varies, with a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 30 per year.
• Most Common Number of Nights Out: Most families spend 5 to 15 nights out.
• Median Nights Out:  The median number of nights out, which provides a more representative measure of a ‘typical’ family due to the skew in our data, is eight nights.

Distance of Travel Ball Practice

The practice distance data for travel baseball reveals that families travel approximately 15.5 miles for practice on average. The distance varies widely, ranging from a minimum of 0 miles to a maximum of 100 miles, indicating the diverse geographical spread of families involved in the sport. Despite this wide range, most families typically travel between 5 to 15 miles for practice, as revealed by the distribution analysis.

The median practice distance is 10 miles, suggesting that half the families travel ten or less for practice. This data underscores families’ significant travel commitments for practice sessions in travel baseball and the time commitments for games and practices. It highlights the extent of dedication and commitment that families demonstrate toward supporting their children’s involvement in the sport.

College Ball Aspirations

We asked each respondent about the future of their player in college ball. Specifically, will your player play ball in college? These are how the answers break down.

• Definite : Approximately 19.84% of the respondents were confident in their future in college baseball.
• Probable: A slightly higher percentage, 23.36% of the respondents, said they would ‘probably’ play college baseball.
• Maybe : The largest group of respondents, 32.00%, were ‘maybe’ considering their future in college baseball.
• Lack of Clarity : A significant portion, 20.48%, expressed that they were ‘unsure’ about college baseball.
• No Interest : A small fraction, 4.32%, indicated ‘no’ interest in college baseball.

This analysis clearly shows the respondents’ varying intent and expectations of college baseball. While a considerable portion is definitely or probably interested, there is a significant level of uncertainty, with the largest group of respondents in the ‘maybe’ category. Only a tiny fraction have definitively ruled out college baseball.

Are Travel Ball Coaches Paid?

Based on our respondents, over 50% of Travel Ball coaches are paid. Some are paid directly (10%) while the rest are paid through the team fees.

This analysis provides insights into the various ways in which coaches are compensated in travel baseball. The nearly even split between families who pay coach fees and those who do not have a paid coach suggests a diversity of coaching arrangements in the sport. A small but significant percentage of families pay their coach directly, outside of team fees, indicating a direct financial relationship. Finally, the fact that a sizable group is unsure about their coach’s compensation status underscores the complexity and variability of coaching arrangements in travel baseball.

Development: Position Changes

Most respondents (42.77%) stated that position changes occur ‘sometimes.’ This was followed by ‘frequently’ (31.67%), ‘rarely’ (15.59%), and ‘almost never’ (9.97%). This suggests that for most players, changing positions is a relatively common occurrence in travel baseball, possibly reflecting the sport’s emphasis on versatility and broad skill development. However, 1 out of 4 teams tend to change their players positions infrequently.

Development: Pitcher Depth

The highest percentage of respondents (43.57%) indicated that the number of players on their team pitched was between 26-50%. This was followed by 51-75% (29.90%), 0-25% (18.17%), and 76-100% (8.36%). These findings indicate that most players are involved in pitching to some extent, although plenty of teams rely on a few arms.

Pitch Count Issues

Most respondents (75.12%) felt that coaches use pitchers adequately. However, a notable number of respondents (11.56%) felt that coaches do not use pitchers enough, while a similar percentage (10.75%) felt that coaches use pitchers too much. Only a tiny fraction of respondents (2.57%) disagreed on pitcher usage. These findings suggest that while most families are satisfied with how coaches handle pitchers, there are differing opinions on whether pitchers are used too much.

In conclusion, the State of Travel Ball survey conducted in June 2023 provides a comprehensive view of the experiences of approximately 700 parents of baseball players involved in travel teams. The survey reveals that despite the significant financial commitments, with an average annual cost of $2,178, and the time and travel demands, most parents are satisfied with their child’s participation in Travel Baseball. The data also highlights the varying intensity of engagement in the sport, with most players having a break of 1-4 months a year and families spending approximately eight nights away from home due to travel baseball.

Interestingly, the survey also uncovers the aspirations and expectations of the players, with a significant portion expressing a definite or probable interest in playing college baseball. However, a large group remains uncertain about this prospect. The survey also provides insights into the coaching arrangements in travel baseball, revealing that over 50% of Travel Ball coaches are paid, either directly or through team fees.

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Travel Baseball: A Guide For Parents & Players

Baseball has changed.

Well, not the game necessarily. The diamond is still the same dimensions, as is the distance from the rubber to the plate. But the way the game is played has changed – specifically at the youth level.

For decades, organized youth baseball was a seasonal sport, played on town diamonds under the banner of Little League Baseball. Each spring, kids would join their local league and play with their friends, against teams made up of kids from the same town, coached by a group of fathers. There was little travel, little intermingling. It was a local sport, unless you made the All-Star team.

Youth baseball was based around recreational leagues , with little emphasis put on the competitive nature. There was a set schedule, with spaced-out games and a hyperlocal focus. It was just a spring sport, one of many sports played by youth across America.

Now, things are different. Kids who play baseball have a chance to forge their own path, to take part in more than just recreational leagues played in the springtime. The recent introduction of youth travel baseball has made it easier for young players to specialize in the sport that they love, focusing on their development on a team that plays throughout the year.

Travel baseball can be difficult to get involved in. Many times, there is anxiety surrounding it, with questions that are hard to answer. Is it worth it? How much travel is involved? What team should my child join? What will he gain from it?

We’re here to break it down for you, uncovering some of the secrecy surrounding travel baseball.

What Is Travel Baseball?

Travel baseball is a relatively new way to play. Until recently, travel teams only existed in parts of the country that were baseball hotbeds – places like Florida, Southern California and Virginia. Only elite players took part, the best of the best, and it was focused on the upper levels of youth baseball, where scouts could get a better look at developing players, gauging their professional prospects.

It was intended to be more of a showcase for older players, but in the last twenty years, baseball at the youth level has evolved considerably. Now, travel baseball is almost a necessity for any player that’s looking to hone their skills and be serious about baseball. Instead of being a place for a young player to showcase their skills, it has become a place where a younger player can develop, can receive specialized instruction. It’s also a way to face an increased level of competition.

Travel baseball isn’t a monolith. It goes by several different names: select ball, club ball and premier ball. There are several different governing bodies, including USSSA , Perfect Game, AAU and Triple Crown Sports. But each team has something in common: the structure of its season.

Instead of being focused on individual games, spaced out through the week with practices and off-days, a regular season and postseason, travel ball is centered around tournaments.

Most of these tournaments happen on the weekends. Teams can play several games each day during a tournament, sometimes against teams from different governing bodies. These tournaments are not always local, as some of the best teams travel across the country to compete, while others prefer to stay closer to home.

Teams in travel ball can be started by anyone. Sometimes they’re started by a baseball academy, while other times they’re started by a group of parents looking to branch out from a Little League. Some teams have squads in each age bracket, for each level of baseball ability, while others are the only team to bear their name.

It must be noted that due to its competition structure, travel baseball is pay-to-play. Entering tournaments costs money, as does renting batting cages and getting field time. Thus, travel baseball costs money, which to some people, is a deal breaker.

How Much Does It Cost?

Here’s the short answer: it depends.

What does it depend on? The structure of the team, the level at which it plays, and the travel that’s involved.

Sometimes, those fees are high, in the thousands each year. This is mostly confined to teams at the elite level, teams that travel frequently and enter tournaments with top-tier squads. And while parents may fork out thousands of dollars for their child to play, that amount doesn’t include travel costs. Those will have to be paid for out of pocket, especially for parents who want to see their child play in far-away states, where high-level tournaments are held.

However, for teams that travel locally, have volunteer coaches and enter less expensive tournaments, the costs can be exponentially lower, in the hundreds each season.

So why fork over all that money? Why should your child play this type of baseball? Because, it has its advantages, many of which lead to increased developmental opportunities that a young player would otherwise miss out on.

What Are The Advantages Of Travel Baseball?

There’s a reason travel baseball is so popular among parents and players alike. Playing baseball for a club team can help younger players develop more and specialize in their favorite sport by playing it year-round. But structurally, it provides a number of advantages over regular baseball.

Here are a few advantages that travel baseball provides:

• Better coaching
• Increased competition
• Specialized training
• Team bonding
• Increased exposure

Better Coaching

The old cliché about the typical Little League coach is that he’s the father of a player. In his mind, his kid is the star of the team, even if that’s not the case on the field. The coach probably played some baseball growing up but doesn’t know the technique or the strategy that the coach at the local high school does. He isn’t paid, nor is he all that experienced.

Travel baseball differs in that it offers players the opportunity to learn from coaches who are more focused on development. Many travel-ball coaches have coached for years and some even offer private lessons on the side. Sometimes, teams even have a fulltime coach who is paid strictly to coach the younger players.

Because the coaches are more experienced, the players get better teaching. Hitting practices can be spent refining a certain technical part of the swing. Players who develop a mechanical flaw can work with a coach to fix it quickly. Coaches can look at a player’s skillset and marry him to a position, focusing on the little aspects of that position that matter the most.

Some teams even have a full staff of coaches – a pitching coach, hitting coach and a manager. This means players become more polished and can harness more of their raw ability earlier. It means that they can unlock hidden potential from a coach that can teach them how to get more break on a curve or add a little juice to their fastball – something that they wouldn’t have been able to do in a recreational league.

Increased Competition

Recreational leagues have a low barrier of entry. While this is great for encouraging a passion for the game, it’s not always a great setting in which to develop. Players come from all skill levels and for some, it’s their first time holding a baseball.

What about players who want to specialize in their sport, who know early on that they want to be the best they can be at baseball? What good do they get from playing someone who doesn’t want that – someone with less experience and less polish? What good do they get from someone who is rusty around the edges and can’t throw strikes?

Not much, that’s for sure.

That’s why travel ball is such an advantage for most younger players – because it consists of players with a like-minded mindset, most of whom are focused on their development. That means that players are more polished, that curves have sharper breaks, and those infield grounders are converted into outs more often than not.

The old saying is that if you want to be the best, you have to face the best. That’s why travel ball can be so valuable to younger players – they can gauge their abilities against the best competition and see how they stack up.

Additionally, many teams have “B” and “C” teams. While these teams may not face the best of the best, they’re great for players who are still developing their talents. That’s because those players can face talent at their level as they refine their game, maintaining their confidence and focusing on what they need to improve and sharpen going forward.

For what it’s worth, I had to play on one of those “C” teams one season, as I worked on my skills behind the plate. For me, it was great, because I got to work on my approach behind the plate and focus on positivity. It really did wonders for my game, in the long-term timeline, because my confidence was high going into the next season, when I rejoined my regular team.

Specialized Training

I’m huge on specialized training, especially when it comes to fielding. Really, this advantage of travel baseball is an outgrowth of the advanced coaching one receives, but it is so, so critical in order to become a great player.

While often overlooked, fielding is key to become a well-rounded player. And as a former light-hitting outfielder, I can attest to the fact that it can be a way to get noticed and get playing time, even if you don’t hit well.

Some of the best training I received in travel ball was fielding training that focused on footwork in the outfield, leading to better routes taken to fly balls and ultimately, better range. It was highly technical training, something that I doubt I could have received elsewhere.

For catchers and pitchers, this is especially true. Catching is something that is hard to teach in recreational ball – you either have it or you don’t. But in travel ball, catchers can focus on honing their craft during practices, working newly created drills that really help receiving and controlling runners.

Because a lot of travel teams have their roots in baseball academies and developmental centers, it is easier to get sidework in, and field time is also easier to obtain. That clears a major hurdle when it comes to developmental work.

Team Bonding

In recreational leagues, you’re playing with your friends and acquaintances. It can be cool, since most of y’all go to school with one another and grew up playing together. However, those bonds are not as strong as the ones forged in travel ball.

Because of the sport’s nature, with intense training, many hours spent together, and yes, travel time, the bonds forged by club ball are stronger. The atmosphere sometimes mimics that of higher levels, as players share the same buses and hotel rooms on trips.

Interpersonal bonds are formed by time spent together and a shared sense of purpose, often in the face of adversity. In travel ball, where weekend tournaments consume free time and practice is held most days, there’s plenty of that to go around. With shared interests and a focus on development, players have more in common – thereby making those bonds easier to forge.

Sports create lifelong friends, and travel ball is a testament to that.

Here’s a shocker, one that you may not have noticed yet: in travel ball, teams get the opportunity to travel. Crazy, right? Anyway, one of the big advantages of travel baseball is the opportunity to go beyond the local sandlot, even if it’s just locally. Some of the smaller teams focus on limited travel, never going more than a few hours out of their way, but that still affords a younger player a chance to see other parts of the country, a chance to get out of the confines of their own backyard.

Other teams travel more – around the region or even nationally. This gives players a chance to really broaden their horizons, but it’s also very exciting. There’s something special about going to a tournament two states away to prove your worth. For a younger player, it’s fun to spend time with teammates in hotel rooms – almost like a short vacation during the time off.

For parents, it can be fun too. Many of these tournaments are hosted in centrally located cities, where amenities and attractions are plentiful. For example, Orlando commonly hosts these tournaments because it is centrally located, with an excess of fields.

Local tournaments can feature more than just baseball there, as parents and players alike can visit one of the city’s amusement parks.

Increased Exposure

This one is for the players at higher levels. At the summit of club baseball, it can still be very much as it was in its early days, where showcases of talent are the main priority. Organizations like Perfect Game provide weekend-long tournaments dedicated to players who want to be seen in front of major league scouts. They take time to go through a combine, showing off their bat, arm, glove and speed, before taking part in a few games.

Plenty of folks are watching, from college coaches to MLB executives. And they’re all looking for the next big thing.

That kind of exposure is something you can’t get in high school ball, where the rosters are less talent rich. By consolidating so many pro prospects, it becomes a must-see event, one in which a player who puts together a good showing can go from a non-prospect to a prospect.

Is It For You?

Ultimately, the decision to play club baseball is up to individual families. They must weigh the advantages against the costs and the time that must be spent to make such a commitment.

Related Articles

• Comparing Youth Baseball Leagues
• Travel Ball vs Rec Ball
• Youth Fall Baseball

A lifelong baseball fan, Jacob Prothro has covered all levels of baseball for MLB.com, The Wichita Falls Times Record News and Rivals.com. Prior to that, he was a light-hitting outfielder in the Texas high school ranks. In his free time, Jacob roots for the San Francisco Giants and plays in a men’s league, where he still hasn’t figured out how to hit a curve.

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Navigating the World of Travel Baseball: What Parents Need to Know

• May 17, 2023

For many young players, making a travel baseball team is a rite of passage to the next level of competition. It is highly competitive and requires the commitment of not only the player but also the family. Considering all the realities of travel ball is essential to success for all involved.

Travel baseball involves playing games and tournaments in different locations, most often within a few hours’ drive. It’s a significant commitment of time and money, but it can also provide a valuable opportunity for your child to develop their skills, meet new friends, and experience the thrill of competitive sports at a high level.

Below is a guide to finding the right team and understanding the commitment and cost involved — everything you need to know to make an informed decision about whether travel baseball is right for your child and how to get started.

Note: This information can be used both before deciding which teams to try out for and after your child makes one or multiple teams.

Understand the Commitment

Travel baseball is a serious commitment, both in terms of time and money. Your child may have to attend multiple practices and games each week, and you will need to pay for travel expenses and tournament fees. Before your child even tries out, ensure that you understand what’s involved and can commit to the demands of the sport.

Research Teams

Not all travel baseball teams are created equal, and it’s important to research the team your child is interested in. Look at their record, coaching staff and player development philosophy. Ask other parents and players for their opinions on the team, and see if the team aligns with your family’s values and goals.

Talk to the Coach

The coach can make or break your child’s experience with travel baseball. Schedule a meeting or phone call with the coach to discuss their coaching style, expectations for players and parents, and the team’s goals for the season. Make sure you feel comfortable with the coach and that they prioritize the well-being and development of the players.

Check the Schedule

Travel baseball involves playing games on weekends and often holidays, which can impact your family’s schedule. Look at the team’s schedule for the season and see if it aligns with your family’s plans. Verify that you’re comfortable with the amount of travel required and that it won’t interfere with school or other important commitments.

Evaluate Competition

Playing against strong competition is essential for player development, but it’s also important that your child isn’t overwhelmed or discouraged. Look at the level of competition the team will be facing and evaluate whether it’s appropriate for your child’s skill level and experience.

Consider the Cost

Travel baseball can be expensive, and it’s important to understand the costs associated with the sport. In addition to registration fees, you may need to pay for uniforms, equipment, travel expenses, and tournament fees. Determine if you can afford the costs and that you’re comfortable with the financial commitment.

Assess Player Development Opportunities

One of the benefits of travel baseball is the opportunity for player development. Look for teams that prioritize skill development, provide individualized coaching, and offer opportunities for players to learn and grow. If the team aligns with your child’s goals for the sport, they’ll have a better chance to improve their skills.

Think About Team Culture

The team culture can have a big impact on your child’s experience with travel baseball. Look for teams that prioritize sportsmanship, teamwork and respect for coaches, players and parents. Make sure the team culture aligns with your family’s values and that your child will be in a supportive and positive environment.

Understand Requirements

As the name suggests, travel baseball often involves traveling to different locations for games and tournaments. Understand the travel requirements to ensure you’re comfortable with the amount of travel involved. Consider the impact on your family’s schedule and finances, and make sure it’s a feasible option for your child and family.

Prioritize Well-Being

At the end of the day, your child’s well-being should be the top priority. Make sure the team prioritizes player safety and that they have appropriate protocols in place for injuries, heat exhaustion and other health concerns. Everyone wants to win, but look for teams that prioritize the well-being and development of the players, rather than just focusing on the team’s performance.

Train with Powermill, Travel with WAR

Powermill Training Academy gives players between the ages of 13-17 the tools they need to train for, try out for and excel on Tallahassee travel baseball teams. With hard work, training and determination, we help each player reach their full potential on and off the field.

Our program is designed to prepare players for any Tallahassee travel baseball team, including our team: WAR Travel Baseball.

Are you ready to get started? Contact our team today.

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Exploring What is Travel Ball: A Comprehensive Guide

By Happy Sharer

Introduction

Travel ball has become an increasingly popular option for young athletes looking to take their game to the next level. But what exactly is travel ball? And how can it help develop your child’s future in sports? In this article, we’ll explore what travel ball is, the benefits of participating in travel ball, and an overview of popular travel ball leagues. We’ll also provide tips for finding the best travel ball team for your child.

A Comprehensive Guide to Travel Ball: Understanding the Basics

Travel ball is a form of competitive youth athletics that involves teams traveling to various locations to compete against other teams. It’s a great way for young players to gain exposure to higher levels of competition and work on their skills in a more advanced environment. Here, we’ll look at the basics of travel ball, including different types of travel ball leagues, age and skill level requirements, and how travel ball can help develop your child’s future in sports.

What is Travel Ball?

Travel ball is a form of competitive youth sports in which teams travel to various locations to compete against other teams. It typically involves teams from different areas or states competing against each other in tournaments or leagues. Travel ball is a great way for young players to gain experience playing against more advanced competition, as well as to hone their skills in a more challenging environment.

Different Types of Travel Ball Leagues

Travel ball comes in many forms, including American Amateur Union (AAU), United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), Pony Baseball, and United States Fastpitch Association (USFA). Each of these leagues offers different age and skill level requirements, so it’s important to research each one to determine which is the best fit for your child.

Understanding Age and Skill Level Requirements for Travel Ball

Each league has its own age and skill level requirements for participation. For example, the AAU requires players to be between 8 and 18 years old, while the USSSA requires players to be between 9 and 14 years old. It’s important to research each league to determine which is the most appropriate for your child’s age and skill level.

How Travel Ball Can Help Develop Your Child’s Future in Sports

Travel ball provides several benefits that can help develop your child’s future in sports. It can help enhance performance through coaching and advanced training, expand opportunities for college scholarships, and provide better access to recruiting opportunities. Let’s look at each of these benefits in more detail.

Enhancing Performance Through Coaching and Advanced Training

Travel ball teams typically have experienced coaches who can help players improve their skills. These coaches often specialize in specific sports and can provide advanced instruction and training to help players reach their full potential. In addition, travel ball teams are more likely to have access to top-of-the-line facilities and equipment that can help players further hone their skills.

Expanding Opportunities for College Scholarships

Participating in travel ball can open up new opportunities for college scholarships. According to a study by the National Federation of State High School Associations, “nearly all Division I and II college coaches use travel ball as part of their recruiting process.” This means that playing travel ball can help increase your child’s chances of getting noticed by college coaches and, ultimately, receiving a scholarship.

Better Access to Recruiting Opportunities

Travel ball teams often participate in highly competitive tournaments that draw the attention of college recruiters. This gives players the opportunity to showcase their talents and get noticed by recruiters who may not have seen them otherwise. As a result, playing travel ball can help increase your child’s chances of being recruited by college teams.

The Pros and Cons of Participating in Travel Ball

Travel ball can be a great way for young athletes to advance their skills and gain exposure to higher levels of competition. However, there are both pros and cons to participating in travel ball. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key advantages and disadvantages.

One of the main advantages of travel ball is increased competitive play. Travel ball teams typically compete in highly competitive tournaments and leagues, which can help players develop their skills more quickly. Additionally, travel ball teams often have experienced coaches who can provide advanced instruction and training to help players reach their full potential.

Another benefit of travel ball is improved player development. Travel ball teams typically have access to top-of-the-line facilities and equipment, which can help players further hone their skills. Finally, playing travel ball can give players better access to recruiting opportunities, as college recruiters often attend tournaments and leagues.

One of the main drawbacks of travel ball is the cost. Travel ball teams often require costly fees for registration, tournament entry, and equipment. Additionally, playing travel ball requires a significant time commitment, as teams often practice multiple times per week and travel to tournaments and leagues on weekends. Finally, the intense nature of travel ball can lead to burnout if players are not careful.

An Overview of Popular Travel Ball Leagues

Now that we’ve discussed the basics of travel ball and the pros and cons of participating, let’s take a look at some of the most popular travel ball leagues. Here, we’ll provide an overview of the American Amateur Union (AAU), United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), Pony Baseball, and United States Fastpitch Association (USFA).

The American Amateur Union (AAU) is one of the oldest and most respected travel ball leagues. It offers teams for boys and girls ages 8-18 in a variety of sports, including basketball, baseball, softball, football, volleyball, and track & field. The league hosts numerous tournaments throughout the year, giving players the opportunity to showcase their skills and gain exposure to college recruiters.

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) is another popular travel ball league. It offers teams for boys and girls ages 9-14 in a variety of sports, including baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, and soccer. The league hosts numerous tournaments throughout the year, providing players with an opportunity to gain exposure and compete against other teams.

Pony Baseball is a travel ball league for boys and girls ages 5-16. It offers teams in baseball, softball, and teeball. The league hosts numerous tournaments throughout the year, giving players the opportunity to showcase their skills and gain exposure to college recruiters.

The United States Fastpitch Association (USFA) is a travel ball league for boys and girls ages 8-18. It offers teams in softball, baseball, and tee-ball. The league hosts numerous tournaments throughout the year, giving players the opportunity to showcase their skills and gain exposure to college recruiters.

Tips for Finding the Best Travel Ball Team for Your Child

Finding the right travel ball team for your child can be a daunting task. Here are a few tips to help you make the best decision for your child:

Researching Teams and Leagues

It’s important to do your research when choosing a travel ball team for your child. Research each league to find out which is the most appropriate for your child’s age and skill level. Then, research individual teams to evaluate their reputation, coaching staff, and commitment level.

Evaluating Costs and Benefits

Before committing to a travel ball team, make sure you understand the costs and benefits associated with each team. Evaluate the financial obligations, such as registration fees, tournament entry fees, and equipment costs. Also, consider the benefits, such as access to top-of-the-line facilities and equipment, experienced coaches, and exposure to college recruiters.

Setting Goals and Expectations

Once you’ve chosen a team, it’s important to set goals and expectations. Discuss with your child what they hope to achieve by playing travel ball and establish clear benchmarks for success. Additionally, discuss any potential risks, such as burnout and injury, and establish protocols for handling them.

Travel ball is a great way for young athletes to gain exposure to higher levels of competition and work on their skills in a more advanced environment. It can help enhance performance through coaching and advanced training, expand opportunities for college scholarships, and provide better access to recruiting opportunities. However, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of participating in travel ball before committing to a team. With the right research and preparation, travel ball can be a great opportunity for your child to further their athletic career.

Importance of Travel Ball

Travel ball is a great way for young athletes to gain exposure to higher levels of competition, improve their skills, and increase their chances of receiving college scholarships. It can also give players better access to recruiting opportunities, as college recruiters often attend tournaments and leagues. With the right research and preparation, travel ball can be a great opportunity for your child to further their athletic career.

This article explored what travel ball is and how it can help develop your child’s future in sports. We looked at the basics of travel ball, including different types of travel ball leagues, age and skill level requirements, and how travel ball can help enhance performance, expand opportunities for college scholarships, and provide better access to recruiting opportunities. We also discussed the pros and cons of participating in travel ball and provided an overview of popular travel ball leagues. Lastly, we offered tips for finding the best travel ball team for your child.

(Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)

Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

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What Are the Differences Between Recreation and Travel Baseball

• There is a significant difference in skill levels between recreation vs. travel ball
• Greater money and time commitment is required for playing travel ball
• This is post is part of an nine-article series covering every aspect of a baseball tryout. If you arrived at this page via search, I highly recommend that you first read my post, Baseball Tryout – Complete Reference Guide

In youth baseball (or softball), the term recreation or travel ball is used to describe the level of competitiveness. There are three distinct types of competitive teams in the USA:

• Recreation “Rec” team (beginner, casual)
• Travel Team (competitive; district/state/regional/national competitions)
• Club Team (most competitive; regional/national competitions)

Recreation league is where all kids learn to play t-ball regardless of where they ultimately end up playing in a travel or club team down the road. Older kids who continue to play in rec are more or less casual players.

Travel teams are usually run by a local league in conjunction with rec league. Most town travel teams begin at 8U (i.e. 8 year old players) and usually go up to 12U. Some towns (like mine) may offer 13-15U but most 13u+ players who are good end up playing for a club team or middle/high school teams.

Travel teams usually against other town travel teams in a given league, though they may also compete in local tournament leagues like USABL.

Club teams that I have seen usually starts around 9U or 10U.

Although not required, many towns offer both recreation and travel ball under one of these national youth league organizations:

• American Legion Baseball – Based in Indianapolis, Indiana
• Babe Ruth League – Based in Hamilton, NJ
• Cal Ripken (2) – Division within Babe Ruth; see above
• Dixie Baseball – Based in Marshall, Texas
• Little League Baseball – Williamsport, PA
• Pony Baseball – Washington, PA
• Dizzy Dean Baseball – Based in Missississpi
• USSSA Baseball – headquartered in Kissimmee, FL
• (2) Cal Ripken Baseball, a Division of the Babe Ruth League, is not affiliated with Ripken Baseball, Inc
• Ripken Baseball offers camps and tournaments (www.ripkenbaseball.com).

In this post, I will be using Cal Ripken Baseball as the example since I am most familiar with this league.

Recreation Baseball and Softball

Under Cal Ripken, the age groups are loosely broken into the following categories:

• T-Ball – For ages 4-6; learn hitting (off tee) and fielding fundamentals in a supportive team environment. The primary goal is to begin to instruct young players in the fundamentals of baseball
• Rookie – For ages 7-8; learn hitting off a pitching machine to allow for more hit-able balls at the plate and more action in the field as well as reduce the fear of getting hit
• Minor – For ages 9-10; build and refine players’ fundamental skills while beginning to understand game strategy and teamwork
• Major/60 – Play on a 46′ pitching distance and 60′ base paths
• Major/70 – Play on a 50′ pitching distance and 70′ base paths
• Major – The most experienced level of Cal Ripken Baseball, recommended for 11 and 12 year old players. Cal Ripken Baseball is played under the Official Baseball Rules, but implements some special rules as necessary for the development and welfare of this young age group. Under the Major Division, there are two formats, the Major/70 and Major/60 divisions. In both formats, games consist of six innings

You can read more about them in detail here

In my town, the above categories are broken down into smaller chunks:

• T-ball (pre kindergarten) – For ages 4-5
• T-ball (kindergarten) – For ages 5-6
• Farm A (1st grade) For ages 7-8
• Farm AA (2nd grade) – For 9 year olds
• Minors (3rd & 4th grades) – For 10 year olds
• Majors 5th (5th grades) – For 11 year olds
• Majors 6th (6th and 7th grades) – For 12-13 year olds
• Senior (7th, 8th and 9th grades) – For 13-15 year olds (3)
• Babe Ruth – 16-18 year olds (3)

(3) Plays on the 60’/90′ field

“Rec teams”

A recreation team is a team that plays in a local youth baseball league, usually run by your town’s recreation department.

Recreation teams are mostly managed by volunteer parents (especially for teams with younger kids)

Most players in recreation teams are considered to have beginner/intermediate skills.

Rec teams are usually managed and coached by volunteer parents.

Unlike other sports, there are lots of moving parts when staffing rec baseball or softball teams so in many instances, there are volunteer baseball/softball league who work with township rec department to run the league.

If there aren’t enough local rec players from the town, baseball/softball league may open up so that players from surrounding towns can join the rec league.

“Travel teams”

Travel teams (a.k.a. town travel team, tournament team or all-star team) are usually comprised of in-town players with advanced skills when compared to their peers.

Local baseball league usually has a written selection process when teams are formed after players are evaluated during a tryout (usually a two-day event depending on the number of kids trying out).

Tryout format varies but usually includes pitching, throwing, catching (as a catcher), batting and fielding drills.

Usually a tournament director from the baseball/softball league is in charge of running the event, including instituting some sort of numerical evaluation data.

It’s important to note that evaluators (i.e. parents) should not be involved with evaluating their own kids of kids’ friends!

You can have multiple teams for a given age group, especially if there are enough volunteer parents who are willing to coach and manage a team.

For example, when my son was 10 years old, there were three 10u teams: 10U-a, 10U-b and 10U-c with “A” team having the most advanced players, “B” team with intermediate players and “C” team with average players. You can loosely think of them as AAA, AA and A minor league teams.

Town travel teams also compete in league-affiliated (i.e. Cal Ripken) district and state games so they compete at a higher level.

“Club teams”

Club teams are organized by for-profit companies. Club teams are viewed as having high baseball IQ, highly skilled players (look up Bryce Harper when he joined at club team at young age).

I have seen club teams as young as 9U (9 year old players) which I think is ridiculous but some parents really dream of their kids playing in the MLB (living vicariously anyone?)

Recreation baseball league usually runs from second week in April to second week in June (coincides with end of school year).

Travel teams usually plays during Sundays during spring season but also plays during summer months (June/July).

In our town, we also offer both rec and travel baseball during fall. However, in my town, the season is shorter (Sept/October) because it gets dark at 4:30pm as we get closer to winter solstice and can get very cold. If you live in states like Florida, Georgia, Texas, Arizona and California, you probably play baseball year round.

Little League World Series Example

Little League Baseball is a non-profit organization based in the United States that organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S. and the rest of the world. It was founded in 1939 and is now the largest organized youth sports program globally. The Little League serves boys and girls from ages 4 to 16, divided into different divisions based on age and skill level.

One of the most exciting aspects of Little League Baseball is the annual Little League World Series (LLWS), which takes place every August in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The tournament features the top teams from around the world and represents the culmination of the summer baseball season.

Selecting the teams that will participate in the LLWS is a rigorous process that starts at the local level. Each Little League program operates within a specific geographical area, defined by Little League International, and may involve multiple divisions based on age and skill level.

At the end of the regular season, all-star teams (known as District All-Stars) are assembled from each local league. The players are chosen by the league’s coaches, and often, the players’ peers also have a say in the selection. These teams then compete in a series of elimination tournaments at the District, Section, Division (State), and Region levels.

In the United States, the tournaments are divided into eight geographic regions: New England, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Great Lakes, Midwest, Northwest, Southwest, and West. The winner from each of these eight regions earns a spot in the LLWS.

Internationally, there are also regional tournaments held in different parts of the world: Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Latin America, Europe-Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Japan. Like the U.S., the winners of these international regions are invited to participate in the LLWS.

Once the 16 teams (8 from the U.S. and 8 from international regions) have been determined, they compete in a double-elimination format tournament at the Little League World Series, aiming for the coveted title of World Champions. It’s a significant event and a dream come true for many young baseball players around the world.

Playing Down

The term “playing down” refers to a select group of players whose birth month (usually May) that allows him or her to play with a younger group.

In most recreation leagues, teams are structured so that players are grouped at school grade levels, regardless of their birth months.

For travel and club teams, the cutoff month usually falls on May of every year. Simply put, if your child was born in May, you can choose to place them at their current age bracket (i.e. play with their grade-level friends) or at the lower age bracket.

For example my son was born in May 2007. That means during the spring of 2019, he had the option to play either on his 12u team (with his grade level buddies) or on a 11u team.

Because travel/club team rosters are usually set at 11 players, some parents feel that it is not right for “older” kids to play down, taking away roster spots from the younger kids.

Some parents who choose “playing down” route feel that their kid is not good enough to be on an “A” or “elite” team at their own grade level, so they choose to go with younger “A” or “elite” teams.

Playing down or not is a highly personal choice. You know your kid better than anyone else so if the option is available, you should discuss it with your child and make a decision that best suits your child.

For those parents with high expectations, you should know that something like 1% of 12 year olds continue to play baseball in high school and 1% of high school players become college baseball players.

After all, baseball/softball is a GAME and parents should focus on providing fun environment for kids so that they can grow to love the game.

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Travel Baseball – 10 Pros And 7 Cons

Since I am a baseball enthusiast, I like to think I’m pretty knowledgeable on the subject!

And, in my defense, a lot of my friends and colleagues agree!

Many of them usually ask me how travel baseball teams are better or worse than conventional baseball teams and Little League.

And so, today, I decided to talk about precisely that.

To help parents and young baseball lovers understand the concept of travel baseball, I have decided to compile a detailed guide on this topic.

By listing all the travel baseball pros and cons, I want to help everyone make a well-researched and adequately thought-out decision about their sports life!

Table of Contents

Travel Baseball Pros

I will start this list of travel baseball pros and cons with the advantages and benefits of a travel baseball player’s lifestyle.

Increased Passion And Dedication

You might think this is a dumb opinion, but it’s true!

And apart from my personal experience and observation, even experts have stated that athletes who are a part of travel baseball are more focused and work harder.

Here’s the logic behind it:

When players travel around for their athletic careers, they become more serious and dedicated. (Well, that’s true for at least a majority of cases).

Since they travel hundreds and thousands of miles at times and spend a considerable amount of money, they want to make the experience worth the effort and make sure they give their all to the field.

This motivation is enough to make them work harder, be more productive, and come back with great results!

Better Coaching And Training

Usually, coaches for travel baseball are more qualified, knowledgeable, and experienced. Teams even have coaches that were former professionals.

So, basically, in such a case, former successful players are training beginner players themselves, which is always great!

These coaches are selected based on a strict criterion and are paid well.

It makes them stay true to their jobs and put more effort into the coaching and training of travel baseball players.

Hence, as bizarre as it may sound, it is a frequent observation that training and coaching are better when you are a part of travel baseball.

Enhanced Competition

It is not easy to be selected in teams you want, especially as a travel baseball athlete.

Since you are not local, you can often be discriminated against based on geographical facts and access.

And apart from this bias, other technical aspects make it hard for you to get in.

Hence, you must work hard and have excellent skills to be chosen.

In addition, you have great competition, so you work much harder to excel and stand out from the crowd.

This enhanced competition ultimately makes you a better player!

Good Exposure

Traveling around is great for everyone; it allows you to experience different cultures, learn about different traditions, have geographical exposure, meet all kinds of people, and all that great stuff!

But, apart from that, even in your professional life traveling around can give you excellent exposure in your field.

For example, how do different players from different areas play?

What are their tips and tricks?

What can you learn from them that is not common in your local baseball teams?

This exposure is excellent for you as a professional athlete.

Great For A Travel Enthusiast

This one is pretty obvious but usually forgotten:

If you are a travel enthusiast or like to travel often, being a travel baseball professional can be the best thing that ever happened to you!

You get to live two of your dreams: baseball and traveling !

Everything that is a flaw or a drawback for other people can be an advantage and a plus point for you, which gives you an upper hand when compared with other people in your competition.

People who genuinely like to travel enjoy the process and are, thus, more productive than those frustrated by it.

Aids Character Development

Traveling around as a baseball player helps you be a part of different kinds of environments. Sometimes, you’re sitting in professional settings, sometimes in casual and informal ones.

You learn different etiquettes and are more educated about different environments. It helps build the personality and character of an athlete.

Moreover, travel teams are generally more professional and serious.

Productivity, composure, focus, organization, and management are essential in this field; these habits and behavioral training further develop an athlete’s personality.

More Family Time

I know what you are thinking:

If you are traveling around as a baseball player, how do you get to spend more time with your family?

Well, here’s the deal:

If you travel with your family, go on road trips for your baseball “gigs” and adventures, you are automatically spending more quality time with your family members and friends, right?

If your family enjoys traveling just as much as you do, you can set up frequent trips because of your baseball career.

Then, long drives and trips with your loved ones can compensate for the time you spend away on the field.

Healthier Lifestyle

As I said, travel baseball forces you to be more organized in your life and habits.

You cannot afford to be sick or physically unwell, so you automatically opt for a healthier lifestyle to stay in good shape.

This also means that your workout routines, sleep cycles, diet, and other aspects of everyday life get better over time.

Overall, you start making better, healthier life choices in general.

Broader Mindset And Perspective

Traveling around gives you more than just incredible Instagram posts and new places to eat!

When you visit places, you meet different kinds of people and witness different cultures. You’ll learn different things about countries and their people.

This experience and exposure automatically broadens your mind and gives you more perspective about everything in life.

You become more forgiving, open-minded, creative, and knowledgeable, regardless of your age and education.

Or, as I like to say, “One becomes wiser!”

Diverse Relationships

Apart from witnessing different cultures, you also engage with them. You make friends and colleagues everywhere, and sometimes, these relationships last a lifetime!

Being friends with people from various cultures also greatly impacts your personality and character, as an athlete and as a person in general.

Besides, having friends from different parts of the world can never do any wrong!

Whenever you need help or information, you always know you have someone you can go to. Everyone wants that, right?

Travel Baseball Cons

As great as travel baseball is, like anything else, it also has its drawbacks.

Moving on with my list of travel baseball pros and cons, let’s start talking about the potential negatives of this lifestyle, shall we?

Ridiculously Expensive

Travel costs and expenses are no joke!

Continuously going on road trips or flying back and forth can cost an arm and a leg.

And, in the long run, it can be impractically expensive.

So, you do have to consider your budget and financial limitations when you join travel baseball teams.

And it’s not like you can take up part-time jobs because traveling so much takes most of your time.

Unfortunately, most jobs don’t give you the leverage and flexibility to take off days whenever you want.

In addition, job timings can coincide with your game schedules, and it can be tough for players to manage these two aspects of their life.

It Consumes A Lot Of Time

If you are a student, a travel baseball player, and you somehow manage to get a job too, you can say goodbye to free time!

Since traveling for baseball takes most of your time, there is barely any of it left for your education or earning any money on your own.

So, me-time will probably become a fantastic idea for you for a very long time.

And, because of this, your lifestyle can become a little hectic. And for the first few weeks or even months, it can be hard for you to manage your time.

Leads To Exhaustion

Well, you probably saw this one coming!

Travelling, training, playing, and balancing your social life, education, and sports career can be exhausting!

It leads to physical, mental, and sometimes emotional exhaustion. Fixing this exhaustion and taking a break is also very hard.

It is improbable that you can pause any of these life aspects for some time at your convenience.

Difficult Work-Life Balance

Balancing your social life and your baseball career is almost impossible, especially in the beginning.

As I said, you barely have time for yourself, let alone for your friends and relatives. So, creating that balance usually takes a lot of time and effort.

But, in the end, your passion for this lifestyle is what decides whether you can put in that effort.

Higher Risks Of Burnout

Baseball itself is a very physically draining and demanding game. But being on a travel baseball team is even more difficult .

The competition is higher, the training is more challenging, and continuously traveling takes a lot out of you!

So, ultimately, your risks of breakdowns and burnouts are much higher!

These burnouts are more than just “being tired.”

They can range from mild to severe, leading to physical and mental signs and symptoms. Some of these symptoms can lead to being physically unable to perform.

And the timing of these burnouts can be detrimental!

For example, if the baseball player is burnt out while in an essential part of their sports career, that could be the end of their dreams.

The Specialization Can Be A Con!

Being a travel baseball makes you a specialist or an expert in a particular niche.

While many consider this fact as a pro, it can actually be a con for some. Players on travel baseball teams usually don’t get the time to play anything else.

Even if they manage to add multiple sports to their routines, it can be very stressful and even more draining.

So, they are forced to specialize in one particular field, and most of them don’t get the chance to participate in other sports activities.

Brutal Risks

Regular baseball involves less financial, physical, and emotional investments. Hence, if you lose or don’t make it into the team you want, it’s not “that bad.”

On the contrary, travel baseball is pure commitment!

Players invest a lot of money and energy into it.

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.

Overall, the risks are pretty much the same as regular baseball. However, they are much more severe.

Is Travel Baseball Better Than Little League?

Indeed, travel baseball is different from Little League. But is one better than the other?

Only you can make that decision!

Little league is less competitive , more economical, and has an easier lifestyle compared to travel baseball.

So, there are some obvious benefits and perks of it which give it the upper hand.

But are these perks important to you?

That’s what matters.

For example, Little League does not involve a lot of traveling. But is that a benefit or a drawback for you?

It depends on whether you like to travel or hate it.

Similarly, a lot of people choose travel baseball because of the better training and coaching. But, to some, it doesn’t matter since they are not very serious about sports.

So, which one seems better for you depends on your personal criteria of needs and wants,

In Conclusion

Understanding travel baseball pros and cons can help you decide whether this sports lifestyle is meant for you.

You can decide by prioritizing your preferences and see what cons you can compromise on.

However, before anything else, the most important thing to consider is whether you like to travel or if you are horrified by the idea of it!

If you love to move around and explore, travel baseball might be just the right thing for you!

However, if you are the opposite, and the idea drains you, it might not be the best long-term plan.

Hello, I’m Paul, a 45 year old passionate baseball fan and the owner of this website. I hope my article could help to answer your questions.

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Travel ball Part II – 6 things to consider when choosing a travel ball team.

• Post author By Baseballcentral Blog
• Post date January 24, 2022
• No Comments on Travel ball Part II – 6 things to consider when choosing a travel ball team.

Travel baseball can be a big investment of time and money. In today’s post in our 2 part series, we answer what parents should consider when choosing a travel ball team? 

1. Who’s the boss?  This could be said of any team at any age and any sport, but a coach can make or break a travel team. Your son will spend a lot of time with the coach on the game field and during practices, so pay particular attention to how coaches treat players, other coaches, umpires and parents. (PRO TIP: Also, how he treats his own kids and spouse.)

What kind of atmosphere does the coach create? Does he yell at kids and demean them or constructively coach and mentor? Is there preferential treatment for ANY player? (This “ profile ” from baseball guru, Domingo Ayala, isn’t too far off for some coaches). How does the coach act during games – or at lunch during a long break?

Does the coach make the game fun (important at any age, but especially at younger ages)? How well does the coach help players develop as players and young men? Does he invest in their well-being on and off the field?

Ideally, you want your player to stick with one team and organization for a long time. Will your coach stick with the team or do coaches rotate at different ages? All of these are important to ask about a coach.

2. Show me the money. Let’s cut to the chase: Travel ball is more expensive than Little League or rec baseball. The overall cost varies widely based on the number of tournaments, kinds of tournaments entered, travel schedule, and whether the coach is paid or not. Other costs might include facility fees, supplemental instruction, uniforms and team equipment.  

Costs to play tournament ball can vary widely from $500 to thousands (upon thousands) per SEASON. And there are typically different costs for spring and fall seasons. Pro Tip: Tournament ball can be a signifiant financial investment. Do not hesitate to ask questions and fully understand EXACTLY how much it will cost, how the money will be managed, WHO will manage the team funds and if there is accountability and oversight.  3. Mission (Im)possible 

 What is the ultimate goal of the team? For some teams, having fun and enjoying the game is primary goal. (Unfortunately) for others it is to win as many rings and trophies as possible and at all costs.  Others are more focused on training, development, and preparing for the next level. Note: “playing at the next level” should mean making the middle school team, starting on varsity, or prepping for college. And, unfortunately, other travel team organizations are around to make money for their organization. Pro Tip: Will your 9u travel team coster have 16 players? If so, you might be in a money-grab situation.  

In any event, it is important to determine if the team’s objectives are consistent with your values and support your player’s ultimate goals.  4. Organization

Before you jump in with both feet, think long and hard about the overall reputation of the coach/team/organization. Whether you like it or not, your player (and you) will be affiliated with the logo on your chest week in and week out.  And make no mistake – the baseball world is a small world. High school and college coaches are well aware of whom the respectable programs are. They know which ones produce well-coached, well-rounded players, and which ones cut corners and produce sub-par players.  5. Ability Level Get real with yourself and be completely honest about your son’s skills. A quick way is to scope out the competition at tryouts and (in a healthy way) compare your players abilities to others. You know your player better than anyone? Will stiff competition encourage him to work harder – or will he get discouraged and make him want to quit? If he or she is there to have fun and make close friends, with no burning desire to continually improve, then choosing a less competitive team may be the way to go. 6. What You’re Giving Up Travel ball can take up a lot of time. And most travel teams expect a full commitment. This becomes a commitment not just for the player and parents, but for the entire family.

Is you player willing to miss out on birthday parties, sleepovers and weekends at the lake? Is your family open to playing on holidays like Mothers’ Day, Memorial Day and 4th of July weekend? Are you willing to schedule summer vacation around tournament schedules and change last minute plans due to sudden schedule changes?

In the end Ask most baseball parents and they will tell you that win or lose, travel ball is a lot of fun. Knowing what your player, your family, and you are getting in to will make it that much more enjoyable! Still have questions? Head over to our forum and connect with other parents, coaches, and instructors.

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The Great Debate: Travel Baseball vs. Rec Baseball

May 4, 2023

James Arnold

Howdy, All!

As someone who has played both Travel Baseball and Rec Baseball , I can attest to the fact that they are two very different experiences.

For me, Travel Baseball was all about competition and pushing myself to be the best player I could be.

On the other hand, Rec Baseball was more about having fun and enjoying the game with my friends.

Are you a baseball enthusiast looking to take your game to the next level, but unsure whether travel or rec ball is right for you? 

Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting, understanding the key differences between these two options can be overwhelming. 

Fear not! In this post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of both travel and rec baseball so that you can make an informed decision on which one suits your needs best. 

So grab your glove and let’s get started!

Understanding Travel Baseball

I’ll never forget the thrill of playing in tournaments across the country with my Travel Baseball team and the lifelong friendships I made along the way.

Baseball is a sport that has been played by millions of people around the world for over a century. 

Well, it is a game that requires both physical and mental skills to succeed. 

There are two main types of baseball leagues that children and teenagers can participate in: travel baseball and rec baseball. 

Both options have their own set of benefits and drawbacks that parents and players should consider before deciding which one is right for them.

Goals of Travel Baseball

Travel baseball is designed for players who want to take their skills to the next level. 

The main goal of travel baseball is to provide a competitive environment where players can develop their skills and compete against other talented players. 

Travel baseball teams often compete in regional or national tournaments , giving players exposure to a wider range of competition.

Level of Competition

The level of competition in travel baseball is much higher than in rec baseball. 

Players on travel teams are often selected based on their skills and abilities, and the level of play is more intense. 

Travel baseball teams may also participate in more games and tournaments than rec baseball teams, which can help players improve their skills and gain more experience.

Age Groups and Divisions

Travel baseball is typically available for players in the 9-18 age range. 

Most travel teams are divided into age groups, with each age group having its own set of rules and regulations. 

The younger age groups often focus on developing basic skills, while the older age groups may be more focused on winning games and tournaments.

Costs Associated with Travel Baseball

Travel baseball can be more expensive than rec baseball due to the increased costs associated with tournaments and travel. 

Parents may be required to pay for uniforms, equipment, and travel expenses, including hotel stays and transportation. 

Some travel baseball programs may also require players to pay a fee to participate.

Understanding Rec Baseball

On the other hand, some of my fondest memories of playing baseball come from my days in Rec Baseball, where I learned the fundamentals of the game and developed a love for it that has stayed with me to this day.

Rec baseball, also known as recreational baseball, is designed for players who want to play baseball in a less competitive environment. 

Rec baseball leagues often focus on providing a fun and safe environment for players to learn and enjoy the game.

Goals of Rec Baseball

The main goal of rec baseball is to provide a fun and safe environment for players to learn and enjoy the game. 

Rec baseball leagues may focus on developing basic skills or providing opportunities for players to play in a more relaxed environment.

The level of competition in rec baseball is generally lower than in travel baseball. 

Rec baseball teams may have a mix of experienced and inexperienced players, and the focus is often on having fun and learning the game.

Rec baseball is typically available for players in the 5-18 age range. 

Most rec baseball leagues are divided into age groups, with each age group having its own set of rules and regulations. 

The younger age groups often focus on developing basic skills, while the older age groups may be more focused on playing games and having fun.

Costs Associated with Rec Baseball

Rec baseball is often less expensive than travel baseball due to the lower costs associated with equipment and travel. 

Parents may be required to pay for uniforms and equipment, but travel expenses are typically not required.

Pros and Cons of Travel Baseball

Travel baseball can offer many benefits to players, including increased competition, better coaching, and opportunities to showcase their talent. 

However, there are also potential drawbacks that should be considered.

Benefits for Players

One of the main benefits of travel baseball is the increased level of competition. 

Players are exposed to higher levels of play, which can help them improve their skills and better understand the game. 

Additionally, travel baseball often provides access to more specialized coaching, which can help players refine their technique and develop new skills.

Travel baseball also offers opportunities for players to showcase their talent in front of college coaches and scouts. 

This can be particularly beneficial for players who aspire to play at the collegiate or professional level.

Increased Level of Competition

While increased competition can be beneficial for players, it can also be challenging. 

Travel baseball can be very competitive, and players may struggle to keep up if they are not prepared for the intensity of the game. 

Additionally, some players may find it difficult to handle the pressure of playing at a high level.

Better Coaching

While travel baseball can provide access to more specialized coaching, it can also be expensive. 

Travel teams often hire professional coaches or trainers, which can increase the cost of participating.

Opportunities to Showcase Talent

While travel baseball can provide opportunities for players to showcase their talent, it can also be very competitive. 

Players may feel pressure to perform at a high level to impress coaches and scouts, which can be stressful.

Potential Drawbacks for Players

Another potential drawback of travel baseball is the increased time commitment. 

Travel teams often require players to attend practices and games on a more frequent basis, which can be difficult to manage for players with busy schedules.

Travel Expenses

In addition to the increased time commitment, travel baseball can also be expensive. 

Travel teams may require players to pay for travel expenses, such as transportation, lodging, and meals. 

This can be a significant financial burden for some families.

Potential Burnout

Finally, travel baseball can also lead to burnout for some players. 

The increased time commitment and pressure to perform can take a toll on players, both physically and mentally.

Pros and Cons for Parents

When deciding whether travel baseball is right for their child, parents should consider several factors, including cost, time commitment, and parental involvement.

One of the primary considerations for parents is cost. 

Travel baseball can be expensive, and parents should be prepared to pay for expenses such as registration fees, uniforms, and travel expenses.

Time Commitment

Travel baseball also requires a significant time commitment, with players often attending practices and games on a more frequent basis. 

This can be challenging for families with busy schedules.

Parental Involvement

Finally, parents should consider their level of involvement in their child’s participation in travel baseball. 

Travel teams often require more parental involvement than rec teams, and parents should be prepared to take on a more active role in their child’s athletic pursuits.

Pros and Cons of Rec Baseball

Rec baseball is a popular choice for parents who want their children to enjoy the game of baseball without the added pressure and commitment of travel baseball. 

However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to playing rec baseball.

One of the biggest advantages of rec baseball is its affordability. 

Most rec leagues have lower fees compared to travel leagues, making it a more accessible option for families on a budget.

Local and Convenient

Rec baseball is usually played within the local community, which means less travel time and more convenience for families. 

Players don’t have to spend long hours in a car, and parents don’t have to spend money on gas or hotels.

Less Time Commitment

Rec baseball typically has a shorter season and fewer practices compared to travel baseball. 

This means less time commitment for both players and parents, making it easier to balance with other activities or commitments.

Limited Competition

While rec baseball can be an enjoyable experience, the level of competition is usually lower compared to travel baseball. 

Players may not be challenged as much or have the opportunity to face a variety of opponents with different playing styles.

Less Specialized Coaching

Rec baseball coaches may not have the same level of expertise or experience as travel baseball coaches. 

This could limit a player’s development and potential to improve their skills.

Fewer Opportunities to Showcase Talent

Rec baseball does not provide as many opportunities to showcase talent compared to travel baseball. T

There may not be scouts or recruiters attending games or tournaments, which could limit a player’s chances of being noticed for their skills.

As previously mentioned, rec baseball is more affordable compared to travel baseball. 

Parents can save money on league fees, equipment, and travel expenses.

Rec baseball typically has a shorter season and fewer practices, making it a more manageable option for busy families. 

Parents don’t have to commit as much time or sacrifice other activities to support their child’s involvement in the sport.

Rec leagues often rely heavily on parent volunteers to help with coaching, fundraising, and other administrative tasks. 

This can be a benefit for parents who want to be more involved in their child’s sporting activities.

Which One is Right for Your Child?

For me, the decision to play Travel Baseball or Rec Baseball ultimately came down to what I wanted to get out of the experience.

Factors to Consider

Skill level and experience.

Travel baseball is generally geared towards more experienced and skilled players, while rec baseball is open to players of all skill levels. 

If your child is just starting in baseball, rec baseball may be a better option. 

However, if your child has been playing for a while and is looking for more of a challenge, travel baseball may be a better fit.

Level of Commitment

Travel baseball requires a greater level of commitment from both players and parents. 

Players will need to commit more time and effort to practice and play games, while parents will need to commit more time to drive their children to games and practices. 

Rec baseball offers a less intense level of commitment, which may be better suited to families with busy schedules.

Family Schedule and Availability

When deciding between travel and rec baseball, it’s important to consider your family’s schedule and availability. 

Travel baseball may require more weekend and evening commitments, which can be difficult if your family has other activities or events planned. 

Rec baseball typically has a more predictable schedule, which may be easier to work around.

Financial Considerations

Travel baseball is generally more expensive than rec baseball, as there are additional costs associated with travel and specialized coaching. 

If cost is a concern, rec baseball may be a more affordable option.

How to Make the Decision

Seeking advice from coaches.

Talk to coaches in both travel and rec baseball programs to get a better understanding of the level of commitment required and the benefits and drawbacks of each option. 

Coaches can also provide insight into your child’s skill level and whether they may be better suited for travel or rec baseball.

Talking with Other Parents

Speak with parents who have children in both travel and rec baseball programs to get their perspective on the benefits and drawbacks of each option. 

Other parents can also provide insight into the time and financial commitments associated with each option.

Trying out Both Options

Consider having your child try out both travel and rec baseball to see which option they prefer. 

This can give them a chance to experience the different levels of competition and coaching, as well as get a better sense of the time and financial commitments involved.

And wait wait, see how you can start a travel baseball team !

In the end, I say, If you’re looking to take your game to the next level and compete at a high level, Travel Baseball might be the right choice for you.

But if you’re more interested in having fun and playing with friends, Rec Baseball is a great option that can provide just as many memorable moments and lessons.

Travel baseball and rec baseball have distinct differences that should be taken into consideration when selecting a team. 

It is important to understand the commitment each type of team requires, as well as the level of competition and skill development available in each. 

Depending on the player’s goals, travel or rec baseball could be a great choice for those looking to enhance their skills while still having fun. 

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, but with an understanding of what each option offers, you can make an informed decision about which path is right for your athlete.

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Timmerman hoping to help Lakeland to new heights on the softball diamond

After a busy summer of travel ball, the arkansas commit is ready for a brand new season of softball in minocqua.

MINOCQUA, Wis. (WSAW) - Saylor Timmerman has taken softball by force. She instantly had an impact on Lakeland Union when she came in as a freshman. Before she’d enter Lakeland this season as a junior, she got plenty of reps playing travel ball last summer.

“I think I went to five different states and played softball,” said Timmerman. “It was a long summer, but it was fun playing against the best competition in the country.”

Travel ball is nothing new to Timmerman, or countless other talented softball players around the country. However, the experience there is something she never takes for granted.

“It’s so much fun playing against your best friends and the best competition in the country,” said Timmerman. “Every coach in the country is there. It’s super fun.”

It can be a grind playing in tournaments all summer long, but it’s all worth it for Timmerman.

“It’s tiring, but when you love softball it’s not hard to do because it’s just so much fun,” said Timmerman.

Timmerman has already committed to play college softball at Arkansas. Her blazing pitching speed made her a top target for schools around the country. However, having already made the decision to head to Fayetteville takes some of the pressure off Timmerman, allowing her to focus on enjoying the game.

“It definitely takes, like, my performance, the weight of how I perform off, in not trying to people other than myself or my teammates, so that definitely helps my confidence,” said Timmerman. “Knowing that I have a school that I’m going to helps me be confident in everything I’m capable of so that’s super cool.”

A summer’s worth of travel ball has Timmerman ready for the new season of high school ball back home in Wisconsin. She and the Thunderbirds are off to a 2-2 start to the regular season.

“It’s cool being with girls that just want to have fun with the sport and aren’t taking it too seriously,” said Timmerman. “We just go out and have fun and win and it’s a lot of fun.”

Travel ball and high school ball are different animals, as Timmerman knows. She has different approaches to both but knows there are lessons to be learned in both.

“Travel ball is a lot faster-pace. Everyone is there to win. Everyone’s there to get recruited and go on to the next level,” said Timmerman. “In high school ball, everyone’s there. They’re having fun and we’re just having a good time.”

Part of Timmerman’s high school season is setting goals for herself and the team. She says one of her big goals would be to help Lakeland to their first-ever Great Northern Conference title in softball. Having seen the lows with the program, she hopes she can be part of the reason they’re elevated to new highs.

“Before my freshman year, I think Lakeland didn’t win a single game,” said Timmerman. “Now it’d be super awesome to see us at the top of the conference, competing against some of the best teams in the state.”

The Thunderbirds open conference play on Tuesday at Antigo.

Copyright 2024 WSAW. All rights reserved.

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Solar eclipse 2024: Is it safe to drive during the eclipse? How to stay safe

The eclipse will occur Monday afternoon and roads and highways will be filled with regular Monday traffic.

Is it a good thing to be driving during an eclipse?

Here's some information in case you're stuck in traffic this afternoon.

Eclipse 2024: It's total solar eclipse day 2024! Eclipse time, where to buy glasses & weather in Delaware

Is it safe to drive during the eclipse?

Yes, it's safe to drive, but AAA reminds drivers that there could be more traffic on the road before, during and after the event, so people should use caution.

Katie Bower, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, told the Detroit Free Press driving in an eclipse is not something motorists generally think about.

“Since they are such a rare occurrence, we don’t often think about how an eclipse might impact driving conditions due to the unique challenges it brings to roadway safety,” according to Katie Bower, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. “As the eclipse unfolds, and visibility decreases, drivers and pedestrians should be extra cautious, patient and alert to ensure everyone makes it home safely.”

How to drive during the Eclipse

According to AAA.com , you should do the following while driving during the eclipse:

• Keep your vehicle’s headlights on.  
• Put the sun visor down to block your view of the sun.  
• Don’t wear eclipse glasses while driving.  
• Don’t try to photograph or video the eclipse while driving.  
• Don’t pull over to the side of the road, highway or interstate to view the eclipse.  
• Exit the roadway and park in a safe area away from traffic to view the eclipse.  
• Be mindful of pedestrians who may be walking around with their eyes on the sky! 

When does the eclipse begin?

Though Delawareans won't be able to see a full eclipse of the sun, the partial eclipse begins at 2:07 p.m. and ends at 4:34 p.m. on Monday, April 8.

The maximum eclipse begins at 3:23 p.m.  

Purdue University Athletics

The boilerball report from day one in phoenix.

4/3/2024 7:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball

University of Michigan Athletics

Wolverines to Travel to Iowa for Big Ten Showdown With Hawkeyes

4/3/2024 3:57:00 PM | Baseball

By: Conor Stemme

SCHEDULE NOTE (4/4/24): Due to anticipated inclement weather in the Iowa City area, the series finale on Sunday (April 7) will now be played as part of a doubleheader on Saturday (April 6). The first game of the doubleheader will begin at 1 p.m. CDT. The series opener on Friday (April 5) at 2 p.m. CDT remains unchanged.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan baseball team (12-17, 4-2 Big Ten) travels to Iowa City for a three-game series against Iowa (15-11, 4-2 Big Ten). The series will begin on Friday (April 5) at 2 p.m. CDT on the Big Ten Network, a Saturday (April 6) game at 2 p.m. CDT and the series finale on Sunday (April 7) at noon CDT. The final two games will be streamed live on B1G+.

• The Wolverines are 2-0 in Big Ten series after defeating Penn State and ending Maryland's streak of 23 consecutive conference series wins to sit in a tie for third in the conference with Iowa and Ohio State. U-M dropped the first games in both series before rebounding to take the final two. Against Maryland on Saturday (March 30), Jacob Denner pitched 7.2 innings of one-run baseball while the offense produced an eight-run second inning. In the Sunday (March 31) rubber match, Michigan earned the win after strong days from Mack Timbrook and Mitch Voit . Timbrook continued his success in the midweek win over Eastern Michigan on Tuesday (April 2), setting a new career high in RBI en route to an 18-6 win.

• Denner earned Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors on Monday (April 1) thanks to his performance against the Terrapins on Saturday. He became the third different Wolverine pitcher to earn the honor this season, with Kurt Barr earning it on March 18 and Mitch Voit on March 4. This is the first time in program history that three different pitchers have earned the award and the 18th time in conference history.

• Against Maryland, Denner went 7.2 innings and allowed just six baserunners -- three hits, two walks and one hit-by-pitch. He struck out six Terrapins and allowed just one run. With the appearance, he now has 76 for his career which ties him with Ali Husain and Mike Ignasiak for fourth all-time in career appearances. He also moved up the career strikeouts list, passing Connor O'Halloran and Oliver Jaskie to sit ninth all-time with 226 and now trails Rich Hill by three.

• Timbrook had seven hits, four runs and four RBI against Maryland and followed it up with another three-hit performance against EMU. He also set a new career high with five RBI, doing so on a three-run double and two-run double. On Sunday, he hit his second home run of the season, a three-run bomb to add insurance runs. Timbrook raised his batting average by 65 points over the last week and is tied for the team lead in stolen bases at six.

• Voit has hit .389 over the last five games with seven runs and nine RBI. He leads the team in batting average, doubles (13), innings pitched (44.1) and strikeouts (29) among other categories. He is second in doubles and eighth in the conference in hits. Voit has five home runs on the season, two of which have come over the last five games. From the mound, he set a new career high with six strikeouts on Sunday against Maryland to bring his season total to 29, already surpassing the 25 Ks he collected all of last season.

• The Wolverines are second in the nation in double plays with 33 after turning one against EMU. U-M trails only Coastal Carolina's 34. Kyle Dernedde has been involved in 24 of the double plays while Timbrook is second on the team at 22. Last season, Michigan turned 39 and is just seven away from surpassing the total.

• Stephen Hrustich homered over the weekend and is tied with Drake Westcott of Illinois for the conference lead at nine. He also ranks third in the Big Ten with 26 walks and is eighth in slugging percentage at .634. Over the last 15 games, Hrustich raised his average by more than 100 points and is third on the team with a .287 batting average. He leads Michigan with 26 runs scored and is slashing .287/.455/.634 this season.

• Over the last four games, Cole Caruso has 10 hits with five doubles. He has slashed .625/.667/.938 over those games and added seven runs and six RBI. After his strong weekend, his average improved by 60 points and is hitting .245 on the season. On the season, he is second on the team in RBI with 24 and in a tie for third in doubles with seven. Caruso had four doubles over the weekend, including three on Saturday.

• Collin Priest has hit .333 in conference games this season with two home runs. He is second on the team in average at .300, home runs (four) and slugging percentage (.620). Priest has played in 25 games with 13 starts and made his first start in the field Sunday, making the start at first base.

• Thirty-five of the 38 players on the roster have seen game action this season with 22 players recording a plate appearance and 18 players seeing action on the mound. Joonsung Park was the most recent to do so and was hit by a pitch in his first plate appearance. Five players have done both this season with Voit leading the way among those with six starts on the mound and 106 plate appearances.

• Iowa is 15-11 on the season and tied for third in the Big Ten standings at 4-2. The Hawkeyes have series wins over Minnesota and Purdue in conference play and have won eight of their last 10 games. All-time, U-M is 124-60 against Iowa dating back to 1893. In conference play, the Wolverines are 106-50 and 59-26 in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have taken five of the last seven games, including two games last season in the Big Ten Tournament, the second a 5-0 win that eliminated U-M.

People travel to Oklahoma for eclipse from as far as Australia and India

IDABEL, Okla. ( KSLA /Gray News) — People from all parts of the globe came to the southeast Oklahoma town of Idabel to experience the Great American Eclipse’s path of totality.

Retired science teacher and eclipse expert Glenn Hughes, of Sydney, Australia, was originally planning to watch from Dallas, but came to Idabel at the last minute due to the fog.

“It’s going to be mind blowing. It’s like someone goes, ‘Bang!’, and the lights turn off. The cars will have to turn their headlights on, streetlights are going to come on, and if it’s cloudy, it’s going to be even darker than usual,” Hughes, who’s seen eight eclipses in his lifetime, said before Monday’s event.

He’s been interested in eclipses since he was 8 years old in Australia.

“You have to wait to see it if you’ve never seen one. It’s just amazing how the lights go out,” Hughes added.

Hughes’ grandsons, Freddy and Zack Beck, also of Sydney, Australia, were with him.

“A long journey. There was quite a bit of panic in the car from Dallas, where we were visiting our grandparents,” Freddy Beck said.

“I’m looking forward to when it’s totality,” Zach Beck said.

One man came to Idabel from India, via San Diego and Dallas.

“I’m from a farmer’s family, and the ranches and the houses are so beautiful here,” he remarked. “My daughter was asking me to purchase something!”

He said he has seen both solar and lunar eclipses throughout his lifetime.

“The total atmosphere is totally enchanted by this eclipse. So many cars, and families and small children. And there are very big binoculars and machinery they’re using to cover the eclipse,” he said. “This is very encouraging to me, also. I have taken a few clips and I’m going to show the eclipse to my friends so that they can also get encouragement.”

Malin, another visitor from India, landed in Dallas on Sunday, but wound up in Idabel. He’s seen many eclipses across the world and gathered information on this one for eight years.

“I am expecting people literally cheering. They go crazy,” Malin said.

“The temperature drops at least 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. I have seen it. It drops. Birds start chirping, going back to the nest, something like that.”

Copyright 2024 KSLA via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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