Is Travel Baseball Worth It?
As a parent, you want what’s best for your child. But is travel baseball really worth the time, money, and effort? Here’s what you need to know.
The Pros of Travel Baseball
If your goal is to play college baseball or even get drafted by a MLB team, then travel baseball is definitely worth it. By playing against better competition, you will force yourself to become a better player. You will also get exposure to college and MLB scouts. Travel baseball can be very expensive, but it is worth it if you want to play at the highest level.
The level of competition is higher
One of the main attractions to travel baseball is the level of competition. Travel teams are typically made up of the best players in a certain age group. These teams play in highly competitive tournaments against other top-level teams. This high level of competition can help players develop their skills and prepare them for the next level.
Playing against better competition will make your child a better player
Travel baseball is a great way for your child to play against better competition. By playing against better competition, your child will learn what it takes to be a successful baseball player. They will also learn how to handle failure and how to overcome adversity. All of these things will make your child a better player.
Your child will have more opportunities to be scouted and recruited
One of the major pros of travel baseball is that your child will have more opportunities to be scouted and recruited. If your child is good enough, he or she could potentially be recruited by a college team or even drafted by a professional team. College scouts and professional scouts often attend travel baseball games in order to find talented players. Therefore, if your child wants to play baseball at the collegiate or professional level, travel baseball is a great way to increase his or her chances of being scouted and recruited.
The Cons of Travel Baseball
Travel baseball can be a great way to see different parts of the country and meet new people. However, there are also some downsides to it. Travel baseball can be expensive, and it can take up a lot of time. You also have to be away from home for long periods of time, which can be tough on families. Let’s take a closer look at the cons of travel baseball.
The cost can be prohibitive
Many families spend a lot of money on travel baseball. If you want your son to play on a top team, you may have to pay for private coaching in addition to your travel team fees. The cost of travel and lodging when traveling to away games can also add up.
Some families choose to pay for their child’s travel baseball expenses by fundraisers and donations. While this can help offset the cost, it can be time-consuming and may not cover everything.
In some cases, the pressure to win can cause problems for players and families. Some coaches are more concerned with winning than with player development and enjoyment of the game. This can lead to tension and conflict within teams. It can also cause players to lose interest in the game if they don’t feel like they are contributing to the team’s success.
The time commitment can be difficult to manage
Travel baseball is a great way for talented players to get exposure to college and professional scouts, but it can be a big commitment for families. Players often have to miss school activities and family events in order to make the games, and the travel can be expensive. If you’re considering travel baseball for your child, be sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision.
The level of competition can be too high for some children
Playing against children who are bigger, stronger, and more advanced can lead to discouragement and a lack of confidence. If your child is struggling to keep up with the competition, it might be best to hold off on travel baseball for a few years. Remember, children develop at different rates both physically and emotionally, so it’s important not to compare your child to others.
