Search FairfaxCounty.gov . Travel baseball is very competitive, especially compared to recreational leagues. Kids blossom at different ages. The focus of the Little league is mainly on kids developing baseball fundamentals and having fun without too much competitive pressure. A lot of well rounded and good mannered young men who enjoy competition and sportsmanship. Fall 2022 Season Focus. Im betting you would be better off saving your money to help him with college expenses. I was forced to purchase team-designed cleats and helmet. The guy running the program told me he was going to have a 7/8-year-old team. Thus the rec league dries up. Little League wants parents to understand the potential dangers of allowing a child to participate in programs in which limited rules and regulations may exist - while recognizing our program's rules that are designed to protect players from injury, such as Pitch Counts and equipment rules. They open/close each practice and game with prayer and are not overwhelming us with lots of games. God will open doors to tell others about Christ as we are faithful to follow Him. I appreciate the attention to burnout as well Ive seen that in some kids where theyre pushed to keep going and just dont want to do it anymore. Icicidirect. We come together as believers to worship and encourage one another then we go out into the world to reach people in the name of Christ Hebrews 10:25 is just one example of the Bible reminding believers that its important that we not throw church out the window to do other things. Ive heard of travel ball teams that play 60 games in a summerfor kids under 10!and then they practice at least once a week through the winter. via Facebook. Our hope as parents is that they think of themselves first as members of Gods family and then our family, and then perhaps as an athlete, etc., after that. Here are 10 reasons I think you should keep your kid in the rec league rather than quitting it for travel ball. Learning that excelling takes commitment, hard work, loyalty. It was excellent, by the way. I have also read some of your other works and have learned much from them and enjoyed reading them. Enfield Little League is happy to continue with the Enfield Warriors travel program. But this issue goes far beyond Little League Baseball organizationally. . I hear this quite a bit. For others, it can wreak havoc. Little League. Now I know the reasons. Teen suspect in shooting of 15-year-old NYC boy caught upstate after months on run: sources 12-year-old NYC boy was shot while playing with other kids in apartment lobby Harrowing video footage. 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. Do not tolerate conduct of the weak and uneducated. Not posting some long winded bs. It has been said that travel ball is killing the rec league programs and that may be true. My daughter loves the game more now than ever before. So many kids grow up dreaming, so few put on a big league uniform. Congrats to the 3524663635357 travel ball teams playing in a "World Series" this week or the next couple of weeks. Third, most days my family enjoys family travel ball, together. The pitchers pitched far more balls than strikes. Yes, I need Sunday fellowship and worship. But over the years, the cost of entry has become more and more expensive. We are leaning strongly to go back to his Rec ball league that we enjoyed in the spring. Wr had to travel 3 ours to find a competitive travel team. I remember back when we played Dizzy Dean and Babe Ruth baseball. Additionally, every local Little League program in the United States with a team that travels 150 miles or more per one round trip to a section, state, and region level tournament receives a reimbursement from Little League Baseball of $1 per mile for one round trip to each tournament site, to help offset travel expenses. However, many people believe that the Little League better cultivates the true spirit of baseball as opposed to the sometimes too professional and competitive approach in travel baseball. Travel is not glamorous but grueling. Do I think that she will go pro? I know you were saying that theres no one answer for everyone. I disagree with the idea that the sport is entirely a white elitist sport. After all, scores of players are of Latin American descent, including some of the games top superstars. Articles like this help. I was excited not just for him to face pitchers his size and age, but for him to also have a chance on the mound. If youre a non-Christian reading this post, dont you want to live for something more than baseball? A travel team can be started by anyone. They want to stay together early, and with Little League, if they re from different towns, they can t do that. Little League enrollment has been suffering in the past decade (down approximately 16% between 1997-2010) and while travel ball isn t fully to blame, it s definitely a major culprit. The result: In the United States, baseball is becoming a mostly white country-club sport for upper-class families to consume, like a snorkeling vacation or a round of golf. Whos forcing their kid to play??!! As a PastorI certainly appreciate the sentiments expressed in this article. Skip to main content Toggle navigation menu. While my son made a ton of new friends and had fun, I felt he needed more. In Little League baseball, ages can vary as much as three years in a division, with 9-year old players in a division with 12-year olds. And that can, partially, explain Major League Baseballs lack of investment in the game in America. Then again, some games I find my older daughter listening to her ipod while we watch the games. I found a local travel ball organization that was offering tryouts for several 10-U teams. Maybe families should pray over the decision that best suits each individual child. However, as parents now of three young adult children we handled sports for them in a much different way than the current culture dictates. But this, which I encourage you to read in its entirety, is a very damning piece about the state of baseball in America. Who are these kids being forced to play? General Little League to Travel Ball and Back Again February 7, 2017 I started my son in the Little League Tee Ball program when he was four. I know that may sound weird working with a kid at such a young age, but his older brother played baseball, so he was always around. We are certain you will find a team that fits you and your youth baseball players' needs perfectly! And there are eight Urban Youth Academies providing year-round instruction in the game. My son had the same coach as the year prior. MORE: 5 Little League Strategies for Coaches Who Want to Have Fun and Win Herbst will then go down the line and examine form to correct anyone who isn't doing the wind-up properly. (Their varsity team is seeded #1 or #2 nationwide and is competitive, though still strives to put Jesus first.) The local Little League and the teams players, manager, or coaches, do not need to raise any funds to be able to participate in the Little League Baseball World Series. 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. Hello, Im Paul, a 45 year old passionate baseball fan and the owner of this website. Is the travel ball opportunity your 714 year old kid has more important than Friday nights and Saturday mornings at home with the family? (on which more below). However, I am concerned about the amount of time spent in preparation, travel, and practice that can rob a family of what is truly important from a Scriptural perspective. And I want to provide the best competitive opportunities I can for my own kids. sacrifice your sons childhood on the altar of the hope, each team is allowed a maximum of 11.7 scholarships, Dont Play Travel Ball: Stay in the Rec League | For His Renown | Pastor John Reading List, http://kristenanneglover.com/my-kids-dont-play-sports/#comment-6411, 6-String Salvo, February 12, 2016 Mike Lee, The Daily Discovery (February 12, 2016) - Entreating Favor, More Great Reading | Second Chance Pastor, Todays Links // 4 Free Kindle Books, Worship Songs, Socialist Millennials, Buy a Friend App, Freedom from Anxiety | Word + Life | KevinHalloran.net. Golf attracts high dollar, high roller sponsors. The league originally included boys age 8 to 12. It is a trend mirrored by our schools, hospitals and military. AVONDALE LITTLE LEAGUE 10720 W Indian School Road, #19 PMB-137 Phoenix, Arizona 85037 Email: registerinfo.avll@gmail.com I do offer the opportunity to advertise your league and ask that you share it here and anywhere possible. Dont let one child be turned away because they cant afford registration or equipment. I love helping people get a better understanding of the game. The only time we had awful politics was before our team separated and we joined the head coach. Travel with extended families and make bonds with good people. The daily grind not only sapped the joy of the game, it was physically punishing. Here, the kid can learn the value of teamwork, play baseball in a relatively stress-free environment, and make new friendships. This means that kids participating in travel tournaments get a chance to play with or against highly skilled and competitive players. Very few will walk in my church doors on Sunday. The costs of travel baseball often put a serious strain on the family budget. I also need it every day of the week. It was good for us a s a family although the wallet didnt think so. As of now, we do believe that we are pursing the wisest course. Its not for every child or family, but we have enjoyed allowing our child to play travel ball, at least today. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Our time in sports opened up a world of opportunities, and more importantly taught us much about life, ourselves and God, so we are very pro-sports. coming down the pike. Nowadays boys don't know how to catch at age 9-10. re: Little League Baseball Really is the Worst. Additionally, every local Little League program in the United States with a team that travels 150 miles or more per one round trip to a section, state, and region level tournament receives a reimbursement from Little League Baseball of $1 per mile for one round trip to each tournament site, to help offset travel expenses. Too many times parents want what they want, not whats best for their kids. No one should expect to make the show. In the end, it should all come to what the kid wants. If I show my kids church is optional but reach the other parents, Ive failed. Is it any wonder that race sponsors like Goodys and Virginia National Bank have been replaced by Bluegreen Vacations, Ally, or Bank of America? You may be betting on the kid getting a scholarship. Its only about winning and not developing. re: Travel Ball/ Little League Coaches leaving work Posted on 8/20/22 at 6:32 pm to philly444. The majority of coaches in the Little League are volunteers, mostly recruited of the parent ranks. Additionally, as an exercise physiologist, Im very pro movement, health and sports, but believe balance in life is key. Below are just a few stream of consciousness suggestions as readers consider their views on how they encourage their children in sports. The roster includes 35 players, 27 of whom can receive scholarship money. Travel Ball Killing Little League!? The best coaches and the best players stop playing rec ball in favor of travel ball, leading to fewer teams and a lower level of competition in the rec league. featured all American teams. . Since 2015, it has been known as The Emirates FA Cup after its . But today, Havenwood Little League does not exist. RELATED: Basketball Classes and Leagues for NYC Kids PSLL plays its home games adjacent to the Con Edison Factory at the aptly named ConEd Field. She got to have some really good conversations with the moms who really didnt understand the philosophy behind Upward as a result. Fourth, travel ball is expensive, but so are the other activities in which many parents place their children like show choir and band. Just last year, I finished your work Gods Glory in Salvation through Judgment. Do you want to miss the younger kids games and practices? In 2002, Havenwood Little League merged with Riviera Beach Little League and two other local baseball programs in Pasadena and became the Pasadena Baseball Club. Operating Policies and Position Statements, Little League - Character, Courage, Loyalty. Mid-way through the season, I asked the coach if there would be an opportunity for some kid pitching. I spent my 20s laying the foundation for what Im doing with the rest of my life, not bouncing around in the minor leagues. But a story did cross my timeline about something near and dear to my heart: baseball. Probably the biggest advantage of travel baseball is the exposure young players get. Well, this certainly diverged off the main topic of traveling versus rec sports, but I hope it provides a little more to talk about, especially among family members. Guess what; we still talk about baseball. I dont even want to think about how much parents pay for their 714 year old kids to travel to tournaments, to stay in hotels, to pay the tournament entry fees, and whatever else all this costs. Member since Aug 2014. "Everyone's selling 'the dream gonna happen,' and people are making a. I support you with useful and actionable information about softball and baseball. Editor's note: This is the first story in a four-part series examining the pros and cons of youths playing extensive travel baseball versus Little League, or a combination of the two. Joined the head coach a PastorI certainly appreciate the sentiments expressed in this article baseball... 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