The irony is that if you dont value your commitment to church (and Christ) enough to pass on sports to commit to church, you arent likely to step out and preach the gospel at the sports events either. Educate them. By Catherine Holecko Back in 2011, CBS News reported that one Georgia family paid $4,000 per year for their 9-year-old son's travel team. Baseball should be a fun game for him not a demanding job. So many times parents have mentioned to us about the cost of being on a team. I also when I was kid play at lyndon and never traveled and loved it and still played college baseball myself for 4 yrs. I also grew up watching sports slowly take over Sundays as the team practices/warmups got earlier and earlier until they happened during church times. But its also a major commitment, so its important to think carefully about what kind of program is best in your specific situation. Talk through the process and help her see the pros and cons of each option. I am confident that there are better ways to steward those thousands of dollars. They also need to learn more about taking care of their body to keep it strong and healthy through conditioning, nutrition, and good sleep habits. It all depends on what attitude you approach it with. Confused! Reduces boredom Cons Expensive Increased risk for injury Potential for burnout Time-consuming Pros Young athletes can reach a point where they are bored with rec league play. Of course, there are other ways to be the problem parent such as bad-mouthing the coach and other parents, not paying your dues, not bringing your daughter to practices, etc. Do not tolerate conduct of the weak and uneducated. If your kid is good and loves to play, you wont be able to keep them from it. doi:10.3390/sports7070171, Merkel DL. Second, recreation leagues can be just as competitive and demanding as travel ball, but doesnt have the same season length. Id venture no but the travel ball experience can be quite beneficial to that pursuit can it not provided travel ball doesnt become a means to an end which, unfortunately, it often is. This can include not having enough balls, bats, or gloves. Enjoyment: Help your children enjoy a sport for the simple joy of the sport. He told us last week that he is glad that we have taught him to focus on his eternal future. On a competitive travel team, players gain great experience in team play and sportsmanship. RelatedReading: Alexa Petersons College Softball Recruiting Journey. He pulls down honor roll at school and is in band. We all know the problem parents. If youre a non-Christian reading this post, dont you want to live for something more than baseball? Extend your season, make sure that all teams are drafted equally. Consider D1 baseball: each team is allowed a maximum of 11.7 scholarships, and those scholarships can be divided up between players. Of course, we dont love those miserable weather days where its cold and wet. As a pastor, I require my daughter to be in church every Sunday, which means that she misses all Sunday games that interfere with worship. You, as the parent, are going to be doing the driving. Families who thought the Sunday game was no big deal slowly dropped out of church because sports came first. Shipping and taxes will be calculated at checkout. I appreciate the article. Its also likely that kids will need to miss school for team commitments. It will look different for each family and each child. (And options do exist that dont cost an arm and a leg.) But besides that, if you are a Christian parent, the absolute worst thing you can do is teach your kids that anything is more important than God. So we are playing upward thru our church. More important than that, you and your family dont need a summer long break from the life and fellowship of your local church. I do wonder though as a parent of a child who did play travel ball and also ended up as a D1 athlete if we arent typically just exchanging one pursuit of excellence for another. Youre going to be paying team dues of course. What guides me is Paul in 1Cor9:22-23 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. It is generally agreed that softball developed from a game called indoor baseball, first played in Chicago in 1887. On the diamond. The percentages are outrageous. My daughter is involved in a local homeschool league. The true reality of life is that we aren't going to be successful at everything. Learn from others short comings and honor God with your precious time on the field. Our daughter played travel softball for 9 years. And it cuts into homework time as well. A majority of programs at this level also have their own indoor facility for winter workouts and bad-weather training. Motivations: Just because you liked something as a kid, or were good at it, it doesnt mean your child will or should be. Youth sport: positive and negative impact on young athletes. Travel with extended families and make bonds with good people. Thank you for this. I played college baseball and never once played Travel Ball in the summer until I was 17. In raising our children in a world where developing a one-sport athlete is pushed to the extreme, we both were counter-culture, and we have happy, well-adjusted kids now, all of whom continue to pursue fitness as a lifestyle. If money is a concern, ask about this ahead of time. but could it be said that youre in the big leagues of your profession? They have grown together, developed rapport and strong friendships. These parents are the ones that complain when things dont fit their idea of how the team should be run. What are you waiting for? I coach my son (U10 Rec soccer) and was considering travel but was hesitant because of playing on sundays. If instead you go to games and yell out how to do things to the girls or degrade them or constantly run to the dugout to chit chat, then you are a problem parent. At the same time, they also want to focus on player development. Rec ball is shorthand for Little League Softball and/or your local city league. I had played non-stop from the summer before my freshman year, through fall ball, winter weights, the spring season, then summer ball before it started all over in my sophomore year. The best outcomes were consistently when we stayed in the local rec leagues. I played two years of major college baseball at the University of Arkansas, and Ive been coaching my sons in baseball and basketball for the last 7 years or so. There are TONs of small but critically important things young players learn over the course of YEARS playing travel softball that you'll have to catch up on, especially if you want to play catcher, the toughest of all positions. How many travel baseball games are played in a season? Ive also heard more than one parent tell me that after a few years of travel ball, in some cases only one year of it, their son decided he didnt want to play baseball anymore. Having coached both my sons in travel an rec ball, and being on the board of our local rec league, serving as president for several years. Marley Hall is a writer and fact-checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. With all of that said, here are some things you need to know about competitive travel softball. Is it a help or detriment to their character and bodies? When children are interested in a particular elite team, it's important to find out in advance what their expectations are. This can be a big problem if you are trying to compete in tournaments or leagues. Thank you for sharing your experiences. If you think the coach is doing a bad job, then take your daughter off the team. Is it more important than being at church on Sunday morning? Your email address will not be published. Baseball is the greatest game ever, it is exactly that, a game. It can be a huge change in commitment, skill level, and dedication depending on the type of team and price you go into. While rec ball was enjoyable, the ever changing pool of players, coaches and parents made for inconsistent experiences for my daughter, some good and some bad. Chemistry: Consider the overall chemistry of the program, not just the chemistry among the players. Youre just now rolling out of the soft, comfy bed to throw on some clothes and get a lazy start to the weekend after a long hard week at work. The Difference Between Travel Softball and Little League. Here are 10 reasons I think you should keep your kid in the rec league rather than quitting it for travel ball. When my life ends, I will have to give an account to my Lord as to whether I obeyed the command in Matt28:19 that says Go. This is going to be a big temptation for me because I love sports and am competitive by nature. This post may step on some toes, but thats ok. No doubt there are exceptions, but I havent personally witnessed one. There are many benefits of pursuing sports excellence, travel like any other passion filled event children can participate can be an extremely beneficial. Loneliness. In fact, most experts believe that if your goal is for your child to go pro, the worst thing you can do is overplay them. No zoning restrictions. I am coaching a 5-6 yr old team and can already feel the pull of private instructors, out of season ball, travel squads, etc. Our league is like the one you described. Not as organized- depending on the organization. I was impressed when we showed up that the Varsity girls took a little time to welcome her and get her situated before the coaches were ready. With the top-tier of competitive travelling softball teams, the coaches are generally not related to the players. Do they want to try out for the travel team just because friends are doing it, or because it seems like the next step? I think this causes too many parents to look at travel ball as rec league 2.0. Many high-level programs are fully-sponsored by product manufacturers, or at least get discounted rates on things like uniforms and equipment. My weekend routine typically looked something like this for travel ball: In other words, its a lot of time on the road. They dropped out of church and I think it really showed their kids that priorities of baseball come before any commitment to church attendance or service. I have friends I respect whose kids have played (and some who do play) travel ball, and I mean no offense to them by this post. I was recently Contemplating to start travel ball from my son recently and for some reason Ive been holding back . Thats why Im writing this post. 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. With travel ball, there is minimal time to recover from errors. In those cases, your club fees might include two or three uniforms, matching bat bags, visors and bats (some teams exclusively swing one brand). I chase my boys all over creation and its very taxing in many ways. Too many times parents want what they want, not whats best for their kids. She backs off every pitch because shes scared of the ball. Find out: Travel team play isn't right for every child, but it can be a lot of fun if you make the right match between child, sport, and team. Coaching: Are the coaches experienced? Travel is not glamorous but grueling. My 5 year old has peers that are playing baseball year round already! My thoughts will be mainly applied to baseball, but I think they are valid for basketball, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, swimming, and whatever else. If youre not in one of those states, expect to be travelling far and often. Joining a travel team is definitely demanding, and not just for your kid. So, during pool play, playing time tends to be more evenly distributed in order to give everyone game experience (as well as the opportunity to be noticed by college coaches, when the time comes for that). The roster includes 35 players, 27 of whom can receive scholarship money. There are two sides to every situation. Alexa Petersons College Softball Recruiting Journey. Many of the families on our team actually make it a family affair. No one should expect to make the show. Thanks for posting this. Most travel softball teams include between 10 and 12 players chosen by the appointed coaches. I have a neighbor who constantly pesters me about our childrens sports involvement level-rec. I grew up wanting to be a major league baseball player, and Im so glad I never even got drafted. Well, what a great life skills and bonding opportunity. You are spot on with all your assertions, and I wish Id been able to absorb something like this when my oldest two were starting out. Since tournaments and games are . This is the one your wife wants you to care about. My thoughts written here veer away from the focus of recreational versus travel leagues as the original blog talks about, but include some areas to think about whichever route of competition you choose. If your player doesnt have the drive to get better by putting in the extra work, then travel softball most likely isnt for her. As a preachers daughter, I saw many families who were active in church get involved with a travel ball team, and not only stop being active, but eventually drop out of church altogether. Michael Hortons Christless Christianity (Their varsity team is seeded #1 or #2 nationwide and is competitive, though still strives to put Jesus first.) And I want to provide the best competitive opportunities I can for my own kids. College Recruiting: This is for those a little older (freshmen and up). The tournament is 2 hours away and its cold and misty. You have to trust that all decisions are made for the good of the entire team. It's not just what you'll spend on equipment and fees, which can be significant, but extras such as travel costs and required apparel purchases (like a team jacket or bag). Learning that excelling takes commitment, hard work, loyalty. I intend to keep it that way. That said, you can end up spending a lot more than that. I think Jesus said it best when He said, What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?, Thank you sir for thisI wrestle with this issue a lot as our older children (3 boys/12, 9, & 8) are starting to get to the age where this is a possibility. Here are the 10 biggest problems in youth baseball and softball, and how we can fix them. We dont win Non-Christians by loving them more than we love God and his glory. Kevin Soles. You accept the fact that today you will be cold, wet, sleepy, and possibly moody. The gods of baseball punished me for my lack of devotion. Of course our children have bents that we want to nurture, encourage and help them develop, but lets make sure we arent pursuing our own agenda. Theres a lot that goes into deciding what travel softball team to play for. The time committed to travel softball requires a lot more of your free time than rec ball requires. Travel teams are also sometimes calledelite teams, select teams, club teams, or tournament teams. Levels are separated by age and skill level. A job is not a game. We love them by showing them that God is infinitely more valuable than all else. No. Well always innovate to do whats best. These are good thoughts. By living our life for Christ the other 6 days. #momof3boys. If I show my kids church is optional but reach the other parents, Ive failed. Just like you, he burned out after two years and transferred so he could pursue his other passions and, more importantly, gain much-needed work experience which benefited him tremendously when he graduated from college and was looking for a job. Focus on what you can do. I think it does need to be approached carefully and prayerfully, especially with the demands on the family and commitments that call us away from the church. Always keep in mind why you have this child involved in sport. A few coaches who work for franchised organizations will get paid and actually make a small profit for their time. We will be staying with rec from now on. you dont say what age your DD is, but see if there are opportunities for guest playing. But dont hold her back if she wants to push herself. My older brother played sports from t-ball to college, probably would have went pro if he hadnt hurt his shoulder (yes, he was THAT good, Im not just saying it, he had an unhittab,e curve ball), but the decision was made when he first started that God and His church would always come first, and he would not play if there was a conflict between his first priority and the game. Lesson learned. On the other hand, dont force her to join a competitive travel ball team if she just wants to have fun. I know you were saying that theres no one answer for everyone. But what do the managers do? Using our tools you can find travel or club Softball teams in spring, summer, winter, or fall near you or across the country in just a few minutes' time! Its quality time in a certain way, but probably not in the way youre envisioning right now. http://kristenanneglover.com/my-kids-dont-play-sports/#comment-6411. Voddie Bauchams Family Driven Faith. If this sounds like your daughters work ethic, then maybe travel ball isnt for her. Christian Smiths Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers SAVE 25% ON ALL HER MUST HAVES - 25% OFF SITEWIDE ALL REGULAR PRICED ITEMS. 3. When I walked on and made the Razorbacks, the sport I loved to play became a year-round job. This is mainly to get those on the fence to really question if this type of play is a good fit for them or if maybe rec ball would be a little more suitable for them. The physical and mental challenges of pursuing more than one sport is healthy in every respect. I spent my 20s laying the foundation for what Im doing with the rest of my life, not bouncing around in the minor leagues. Thanks to all who replied. Then of course you have everything for your player to use at home to practice like hitting nets, tees, practice balls, medicine balls, balance boards, etc. Since you are spending so much time with your teammates, long-term friendships are formed more likely than on a rec ball team. Even a child with exceptional innate talent still needs to be a good team player. He didnt make the middle school team as only travel ball kids only made it. Jim, Identity: Think about how your child views his or her identity. When I was playing at Arkansas, none of my teammates had a full ride from the baseball program. Do you want to miss the younger kids games and practices? Softball. As a mom of a 10 year old girl who has played both travel and rec softball we have seen first hand the pros and cons of both. Its also important for everyone involved to be honest about the players skill level. Though parents are well-intentioned, often children are tired of pursuing what was once fun but has become a stressful climb to the next level of competition at the expense of other parts of their lives, or at the expense of joints injured by overuse. I was asked to join a team but unfortunately my parents liked their weekends at the shore too much, so I wasn't allowed to play. Here are a few of the factors you should consider when evaluating your options and picking a team. How knowledgeable are they, and will they be able to facilitate the proper degree of skill development for their athletes? Prior she played six years professionally, and was 1st Team All-American at the University of Oregon, helping the Ducks reach the Women's College World Series twice. They stand out on the team from the girls that clearly go home and put in the extra work, the extra exercise, even the extra lessons to constantly improve. Here in our area not so much. Then again, some games I find my older daughter listening to her ipod while we watch the games. No formula exists, but here are a few ideas to think about: Variety: Encourage your children to play a different sport each season until their upper teens. Also, parents may not have a realistic view of how talented their son or daughter is in sports, often over or underestimating their abilities. We practiced a lot, doing as much as the NCAA allowed, all year long, in season and out. I think this is an important topic that needs to be discussed. If you find yourself a great group of girls with an amazing coach, then your player can grow like crazy. Dont get me wrong there are alot of rec leagues that are great but if you live in the middle of no where lile wr do that was out only option to make her the best that she could be and to teach her to challenge herself and not settle for just good enough. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. But the reality is that if your goal is to play at the college level and especially if your goal is to play for a Division 1 program its an important part of the process. vs. travel. However, as parents now of three young adult children we handled sports for them in a much different way than the current culture dictates. Those were the programs I kept going back to. Within each age level there are three letters that designate the skill level: A is the highest level in a particular age group, followed by B (average) and C (kids who are playing mostly for fun). Third, most days my family enjoys family travel ball, together. Hey, for years sports programs operated quite successfully without Sunday morning scheduling. Its apparent that wegenerally speakingspend more time encouraging our children to pursue athletic excellence than we do in developing a Biblical Worldview in them. I simply have to go find the people that need Jesus. Uber competitive athletics is going to end for 99.9 percent of kids/young adults. Overall, you want your daughter to have a good experience on the field and off with her teammates and coaches. (And I hope thats not the reason you involve your kids in athletics!) Moen F, Hrozanova M, Stiles TC, Stenseng F. Burnout and perceived performance among junior athletes-associations with affective and cognitive components of stress. While some languages are much harder to grasp than others, a lack of words is a travel problem with an easy solution. Wow this article really spoke to me. Praying we keep the Lord first in all thingsand your insights help!!! You have to be selfless and extremely hard-working. She does it for fun and its not overwhelming even though its a little more competitive than a local rec league.

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