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Forgotten aspects

TRhitTRhit10,000+ posts
There are a few discussions presently going on with regard to high profile travel teams and I think that a number of apsects are being overlooked.

01-- Travel teams for the HS player are not necessarily for only the high level D-I/Pro prospect---many who play simply want to continue baseball in college, be it at the D-1, 2 or 3 level or NAIA for that matter or even JUCO. Here in the Northeast with the preponderance of Division 2 and 3 programs many players set their sights on these programs and want to be seen in action by them--or they may want to be seen by Mid and Low level Division I programs---the key for all the players is exposure and being seen by the right schools in the right situations

02-- many of the players want to simply play at a higher level of competition than local type ball can give them--they simply want to see better competition and great tournament action while being seen by colleges and pro scouts at the same time

03--by playing on a high travel team it gives the college coaches another sounding board with regard to the players ability over the course of a season, not just one showcase weekend. I am sure other travel programs get as many calls and email inquiries as we do regarding players. High profile teams have become a major piece of the recruiting puzzle for college coaches

04-- the travel teams are also a big help to the player in getting him ready for college ball, regardless of the level. Going to a high power Division III program can be just as arduous as playing at a powerhouse D-I program and I truly believe that playing at the high level that the major travel teams play helps to prepare the player for what is to come next at the college level--it certainly makes them a better player at the HS level --unlike a HS team every player on a travel team is usually a star on his HS team so there are "no days off" if you get what I an driving at.Even most of the better Legion teams do not have the talent depth that a high profile travel team has--I am not knocking Legion but it is a fact of life.

Just a few thoughts from an old baseball guy
TRhit THE KIDS TODAY DO NOT THROW ENOUGH !!!!! www.collegeselect-trhit.blogspot.com
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justbaseballjustbaseball10,000+ posts
I pretty much agree with all of your points TR.

One thing I would like to add is that not all HS baseball is too low to provide benefit (not that you said anything like that...but I konw some feel that way).

Our HS-age son plays in one of the top travel programs in the country during the summer. But he also plays at a great HS program for an experienced and (in my opinion) great coach...in a great league.

But even more...from what I have seen...the summer program has both the time and the budget to play games nearly every day...5 days out of the week. The HS program cannot (by rule). HOWEVER, this HS program has tremendous coaching, practice virtually every day there is no game...and players develop. They benefit greatly from the 1-on-1 and repetition and many go on to college and pro ball just like the summer elite team.

I feel we have the very best of both worlds and having experienced less with our older son at a different HS, but same summer program...I just wanna state here that we could not be happier with our HS program and coach. That doesn't get said much here...just wanted to say it.
Last edited by justbaseball
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
quote:
Originally posted by justbaseball:
I pretty much agree with all of your points TR.

One thing I would like to add is that not all HS baseball is too low to provide benefit (not that you said anything like that...but I konw some feel that way).

Our HS-age son plays in one of the top travel programs in the country during the summer. But he also plays at a great HS program for an experienced and (in my opinion) great coach...in a great league.

But even more...from what I have seen...the summer program has both the time and the budget to play games nearly every day...5 days out of the week. The HS program cannot (by rule). HOWEVER, this HS program has tremendous coaching, practice virtually every day there is no game...and players develop. They benefit greatly from the 1-on-1 and repetition and many go on to college and pro ball just like the summer elite team.

I feel we have the very best of both worlds and having experienced less with our older son at a different HS, but same summer program...I just wanna state here that we could not be happier with our HS program and coach. That doesn't get said much here...just wanted to say it.

Good points justbb. I believe high school baseball and travel/elite baseball serve two different albeit important purposes. Travel probably provides the most opportunites to develop since the season is longer and also the most opportunites for exposure. High school ball teaches competition and teamwork imho. In high school, who plays and who sits is for the first time out of many players control. They have to go out and impress somebody that may know nothing about them. Learning how to compete in that environment is good for kids - especially those that want to play at the next level.
carolcarol100+ posts
My senior son has played with varsity since freshman year and on the summer team from HS during summer after freshman year. HS coach encouraged him to try out for a more competitive travel team after sophomore year. Made the team as a 15 year old playing with 18 year olds. Next summer played on the most elite travel team in our area. The coaching and competition at the higher level has only served to improve his poise and confidence in all aspects of his life. Dad and I cannot thank HS coach enough for his unselfish encouragement to son to move on up the competitive ladder of baseball. Thanks, Coach.
rz1rz15,000+ posts
quote:
tr quote:
many of the players want to simply play at a higher level of competition than local type ball can give them--they simply want to see better competition and great tournament action while being seen by colleges and pro scouts at the same time.


Good points tr. On a similar note. Of those who have kids playing on travel teams...

In your opinion, how many players on your sons teams, if any, do not have the tools, or the ambition to take the next step, or will not be approached to play on past HS?

FWIW- I see see no problem with kids wanting to pursue a passion at a higher level without post HS tools, and actually applaud them for competing for the sake of the game.
Last edited by rz1
MM Mid-Atlantic Mustangs100+ posts
quote:

FWIW- I see see no problem with kids wanting to pursue a passion at a higher level without post HS tools, and actually applaud them for competing for the sake of the game.


You can't be more right! It's also great to see how many of these guys become better baseball players from playing at this level. The one who may have been a mild contributor to his HS team in season's past, may now be able to help out more after seeing this level of competition all summer long.
rz1rz15,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Coach_May:
rz1 thats a great point that is rarely talked about.

Coach, We talk about kids with + tools having a passion for the game which is driven by the "dream", but IMHO the kid who is true to himself and realizes that the game will never be nothing more than life long "love affair" is in a class of their own. He is the real purist.
MM Mid-Atlantic Mustangs100+ posts
quote:

Coach, We talk about kids with + tools having a passion for the game which is driven by the "dream", but IMHO the kid who is true to himself and realizes that the game will never be nothing more than life long "love affair" is in a class of their own. He is the real purist.


One of the best comments I've read on this board in a while!
Last edited by Mid-Atlantic Mustangs
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
quote:
Originally posted by rz1:
quote:
tr quote:
many of the players want to simply play at a higher level of competition than local type ball can give them--they simply want to see better competition and great tournament action while being seen by colleges and pro scouts at the same time.


Good points tr. On a similar note. Of those who have kids playing on travel teams...

In your opinion, how many players on your sons teams, if any, do not have the tools, or the ambition to take the next step, or will not be approached to play on past HS?

FWIW- I see see no problem with kids wanting to pursue a passion at a higher level without post HS tools, and actually applaud them for competing for the sake of the game.


Good post.
Not sure of anyone else here, but many of the boys my son played with in HS (both travel and HS) had no desire to play past the HS level, they enjoyed the game, competing and enjoyed being part of a team more than anything else, they just had other plans with their lives.

I think we always assume that HS sports teams have to be made up of those that want to play at the next level, IMO, playing any sport teaches a lot of life lessons you can use later on to be competitive and successful in your life.
S sandlotmom100+ posts
More than half of our HS team has no desire to play beyond HS. Some of these players are talented enough to play at either D3 or D2. One could play at D1 if he wanted. But when you talk to them, they either don't want the demands of being a college ball player, have an academic goal strong enough to ignore their baseball talents or simply don't want to continue being a player. This doesn't mean their love of baseball is any less though.

Sandlotson was on a travel team which was purely about playing baseball in HS and providing vacation fun for families. No talk of college at all on that team. I have to say it we had some of the best times (as a family) when he was on that team!

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