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. I coach my son (U10 Rec soccer) and was considering travel but was hesitant because of playing on sundays. 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. Rec ball is shorthand for Little League Softball and/or your local city league. Our son never felt like he missed out on anything; he was too busy playing other sports and doing other activities. Jun 8, 2016. There doesnt have to be a life lesson constantly pointed out. (Sometimes youll find an assistant coach who is a parent, but rarely a head coach.) Stay positive. Also, some teams have fundraising opportunities that can bring down the cost to participate. The goal should always be for kids to have fun, be active, and keep learning, no matter what sport or team they choose. 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. I love excellence. Thanks, To Him Be the Gory (in travel ball and everywhere else in His Creation). Along with a recreational league, they have Travel Ball Teams that play competitive softball. I, personally, never even knew travel softball existed until high school. Its also important that you dont make your child feel guilty if she tries a competitive team for a year and decides its not what she wants. In general, there is no regular season with travel softball it runs all year long, with club practices once or twice per week during the spring and fall season, and a full slate of weekend tournaments during the later spring and summer season. On the contrary, travel baseball is pure commitment! To establish an active select fastpitch softball organization in the area of Kitsap County, WA, exclusively to foster national and inte rnational amateur sports competition by support and development of amateur athletes for competition I fastpitch softball at the national and international level and to conduct such competition; b. When children are interested in a particular elite team, it's important to find out in advance what their expectations are. Praying we keep the Lord first in all thingsand your insights help!!! Top Six Most Common Softball Pitching Injuries - Rothman Ortho 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). Competitive travel softball players come to the field every day with the intent to compete, push past their limits, and get themselves to the next level. Your daughter will be around these girls for months at a time, and they say you become who you surround yourself with. So, whats the vibe of the players? You may be betting on the kid getting a scholarship. And teams may invite players from anywhere in the region. Character Development: Arguably the most important aspect of a program is the character and personal development that will take place. Travel ball, by contrast, is not cheap participation fees average about $2,000 per player per year. Sometimes travel teams also change players during the season, adding and moving around players based on performance. Its apparent that wegenerally speakingspend more time encouraging our children to pursue athletic excellence than we do in developing a Biblical Worldview in them. This is great information, but unfortunately rec ballaka little leagueis a political nightmare where I am from and for many others. . A majority of these tournaments are qualifiers for the organizations national tournament, where the top teams from different regions compete in one location. God bless. 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. How knowledgeable are they, and will they be able to facilitate the proper degree of skill development for their athletes?