There are rules and considerations for exceptions and of course fall ball has its own set of rules as there is no rec ball at that time. For those not going into coaching/training or the extremely few that will play professionally the focus needs to not get away from marketable skills once your done with college; which is a challenge in itself as athletes are often steered towards meaningless degrees to accommodate athletics. In volleyball and soccer, maybe cheer, but most other sports they don't. FieroCoug. Archived post. However, the main reason weve stuck with travel is the consistency that it offers. The fear that if children dont specialize in one sport by eighth grade they will miss opportunities is unfounded. For millions of American families, paying private for-profit clubseuphemistically termed "travel teams"thousands of dollars a year to organize athletic games for their children is now an. Thank you for speaking out and I hope people will take these comments seriously. For others, it can wreak havoc. Its hard in the county. Dont get me wrong: I love competition. (Little League, 1) Paperback - September 24, 2013 by Matt Christopher (Author) 290 ratings Book 2 of 5: Little League See all formats and editions Kindle $6.99 Read with Our Free App Audiobook $0.00 Free with your Audible trial Hardcover $7.24 37 Used from $1.28 10 New from $7.24 Paperback $7.99 66 Used from $1.29 20 New from $6.75 Audio CD I was told pitching machines are good because they pitch a consistent ball, and help with hand-eye coordination. Now, the league has grown a bit but has 190 kids playing travel ball, with multiple teams at 12u, 14u, 16u, and 18u. The costs of travel baseball often put a serious strain on the family budget. After college, my husband played pro baseball for a while and I played on a national team. Legalism requires perfection, and Im not perfect, Jesus is. The three year old is already all in and ready to play. Sad to see but strengthened our resolve that sports would not take priority over God and our church family. His, Here, the kid can learn the value of teamwork, play baseball in a relatively stress-free environment, and make new friendships. Sabathia and the Upton Brothers have become big league players. 2 were here. Im betting you would be better off saving your money to help him with college expenses. It was good for us a s a family although the wallet didnt think so. Covering Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, Gilbert, the valley . The closest Little League organization to Pasadena now is in Davidsonville, 23 miles away. Mid-way through the season, I asked the coach if there would be an opportunity for some kid pitching. Its not the uniforms, its not bat flips or the lack thereof, its not the shift, its not the pace of play. Third, most days my family enjoys family travel ball, together. My son tried out. 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. The following year was about the same. March 28, 2014 -- A Little League coach and his family said they feared for their safety when their East Meadow, N.Y., neighbor terrorized them for a year with threatening anonymous letters because her son failed to make the summer travel team. 6 Differences Between Baseball And Softball, What Is A Quick Pitch In Baseball? If the ultimate goal is for the kid to get to the pros, then joining a travel baseball program is definitely a better choice. As a PastorI certainly appreciate the sentiments expressed in this article. Developing skills in (or at least having exposure to) music, art, great books, drama, theology, politics, or science-and-math-related activities makes us better, more empathetic, engaged human beings and citizens, and better leaders. I hoped that I would get information like yours Jason. As its name says, travel baseball is a form of baseball that involves traveling and playing away from the teams local area. Ryan E. I think this is a good post and is great advice. Messages conveyed: We parents need to pray daily about what messages we are sending our children by the sports or other activities we have them in. It has been somewhat successful in some respects in that some of its alumni like Carl Crawford, C.C. 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. We pretty much know that were not ready to commit to a large amount of travel and that will be a consideration as our daughter gets older. But we have had a great experience with travel ball and have been able to balance our commitments to both Christ, his church, and our family. I was sad when the team cut me from the roster, but I was also relieved. It is evangelism that is not solely dependent upon our efforts, but on the power of the Word being preached, loved, and then given to others. (Also, the boy could really hit. . 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. 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. Kids need to see that Jesus and his church are more important to their parents even than baseball. ). But heavens know there has to be a way to save the sport of baseball. And you are right about MLB not being all its cracked up to be; several of my sons college teammates were drafted in the top 10 rounds (as high as supplemental 1st round), and with only one exception, they all complained about the grind and monotony (not to mention extremely low salaries) once they entered the minor leagues. I dont see anything wrong with having children that play recreational sports. Also, Im more interested and more compelled by Scripture to promote the spiritual health of my own children than of their team mates. Scratch. You can start posting after you click here to register.Click the word the "register" to proceed. (And I hope thats not the reason you involve your kids in athletics!) foster a love for the game. Excellence: Pursuing excellence is important, but be sure you know and your child knows what you mean by that. On the contrary, travel baseball is pure commitment! However, Little League International also has the right to limit participation in its activities to players who comply with its rules, regulations, and policies. As more and more kids get involved in travel ball, the best players are taken out of the rec league. For more information, please see our Fill your childrens team with morals and role models. There are other times even on Sundays to play just as there are many different times that people worship. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. How does a big leaguer have a family? , weakening volunteer-based programs that promise affordable sports for all children. The Reno Mustangs Travel Ball organization provides an opportunity to our Northern Nevada/Truckee/Tahoe youth athletes to play . Copyright 2003-2023 Gallatin WAVE Baseball League This is a travel baseball league for teams only. We have truly enjoyed getting to know our travel team family! My son (now aged 26) was approached from age 10 on to play travel ball, but we declined year after year because it would pull us away from church plus cost us a small fortune. The piece in America by John W. Miller posits that America sold out Little League through the widespread adoption of high-dollar travel baseball: The father on the phone was upset. At 12, our son tells us he thinks we have made the right decision. She got to have some really good conversations with the moms who really didnt understand the philosophy behind Upward as a result. In the Little League, some kids get a sense of belonging for the first time. 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. I could now study what I wanted to study, and my classes were no longer determined by baseball practice. You can argue all you want and say you go to church when you travel, but the first time you skip church because it interferes with game time, you have taught your child that a game is more important than worshipping God. Not necessarily, but if your kid is in the 714 age range, I will suspect that you might not be pursuing the wisest course. While I wasnt thrilled hed be hitting off a tee because he could already hit a pitched ball, I figured we had to start somewhere, and Tee Ball was all that was available. Nope, the good, serious players in most sports do both in high school. Voddie Bauchams Family Driven Faith. http://kristenanneglover.com/my-kids-dont-play-sports/#comment-6411. Cant keep my almost 13 yr old from it since 5, and 3 yr old hits a large bucket of real balls off the tee by himself at the indoor facility in a cage while his brother hits in another. I wanted to play all the time, until I got to college and had to do so. Maybe my son will get a chance to play as long as he continues to love the game. Here in our area not so much. Hopefully it will make us parents pray, think, and analyze the motives behind our kids activities. It is other worldly, it is unlike anything the Non Christian can imagine, to deny ourselves something the world says is a must and do something the world sees as foolish. I am very thankful we found an amazing travel ball coach at age six. Thats why Im writing this post. Well, the genie of privatized baseball cannot be put back in the bottle. Learn from others short comings and honor God with your precious time on the field. Ive alluded to this somewhat above. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. I had to pay a sign-up fee of $750. 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. Steven_Ellis February 21, 2015, 12:46pm #1. #momof3boys. Was it really worth it? I do not feel we will ever look back on our decision to say no to travel ball. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. If anything, there are more youth sports options for people to pick what works best for them, even though there are. Today, that role has been mainly overtaken by travel baseball which has become the basis for young players looking to build a baseball career. But, the worst part of it all was that my son was clearly not having the same amount of fun he had in Little League last year. And that can, partially, explain Major League Baseballs lack of investment in the game in America. I appreciate that. Its apparent that wegenerally speakingspend more time encouraging our children to pursue athletic excellence than we do in developing a Biblical Worldview in them. On each weekend, a team will participate in at least four games or even more if its a three-day weekend. The team brings the kids together and provides a common ground upon which they can build lasting friendships. It is the most pernicious aspect of youth league sports. Too many surgeries, other arm problems, leg issues and other health issues that kids at that age shouldnt have to endure. 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. The closest Little League organization to Pasadena now is in Davidsonville, 23 miles away. No. I also appreciated this article: I was forced to purchase team-designed cleats and helmet. God will open doors to tell others about Christ as we are faithful to follow Him. I left registration, and pulled him from the Little League program. 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. Other parents might be emboldened to speak up. Is travel baseball killing Little League in America? All of the travel players MUST play rec ball. Were seeing some growth in her skills and she loves the game. We invite you take just a few moments to browse our ever expanding list of teams below. There have been times when our kids insisted that the entire family wear Orioles stuff. Jim, Likewise, I appreciate the voices of parents who have been there on both sides. Is it any wonder that race sponsors like Goodys and Virginia National Bank have been replaced by Bluegreen Vacations, Ally, or Bank of America? Perfect! I started my son in the Little League Tee Ball program when he was four. home. By your argument, we should never have church services because, if were in church and the lost people arent, how are we going to win them? Icicidirect. We havent broken the bank, we attend church on Wednesdays is we know we will be traveling too far to attend on Sunday (otherwise we go on Sundays), and the kids are all great friends. Keep him in rec ball, where he wont get burnt out because hes a kid facing the demands of a profession. Thanks to all who replied. Please dont mortgage your home on a dream that your kid might be good enough to go pro. After you click here to register.Click the word the & quot ; register & quot ; register & ;... In at least four games or even more if its a three-day weekend can partially! Program travel ball killing little league he was four take priority over God and our partners use cookies to Store and/or information. 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