Making the College Travel Squad

I think all aspects of college baseball is stressful — even more for parents than the kids. The kids at least are talking to coaches and getting a gauge from them of how they should feel. Parents exist in a black hole, and I for one try not to ask my son about these things because I don't want to stress him out even more by showing how stressed out I am about it. And he rarely chooses to talk about it except to tell us what he is working to improve, and that's a fairly endless list.

In our experience last year, kids who were injured didn't travel (we were injury prone, so maybe that had a bigger impact than it will for others); kids who were struggling academically didn't travel. A significant number of pitchers travelled because you never know when you might need them.

My son was a midweek starter last year and still travelled on weekends, coming in occasionally in relief. Eventually it became pretty predictable on who would travel and who wouldn't, but that probably came a little later in the season.

My understanding in the SEC is that the TRAVEL roster is limited to 27 (of the 35).  Conversely, home games allow all 35 to dress, but only 27 can be active for the weekend and those 27 have to be established before the series starts.  So, the limit is 27 active, whether home or away.  

I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding Is this is how it works.

Conference play starts this weekend - I'm sure there is a lot of stress out there.

That is correct.  So 8 are not eligible.  I think it is different every series as to what you feel you need.  I think for me I've been looking at the stress from coach and player point of view.  For players it is like trying out every away series.  Walking in to see if you are on the travel squad and controlling your emotions either way because either you are not going or one of your friends is not going. 

Stress for everyone!  I guess my point was it is no different for a home series - only 27 are allowed to play either way.  The active roster is set week to week, so not being active this week theoretically doesn't impact availability in a subsequent week.  I have one in the SEC too.

Some perspective  - realizing that  (a) for the player it's hard and (b) for the parent it's hard because it effects your son.

My son was drafted out of HS. Had three miserable, awful years in college. It was so bad he was left off the travel squad on the last trip junior year. I was there (and heading to that series) when he got the news.  He (and I) were devastated; I hadn't seen him cry since he was pre-teen, but I saw it that day. I thought it broke him; he gave up his Northwoods assignment, found a summer internship, and moved on with his summer.

I believed his playing days were over. 

Come fall, he arrives on day one, finds the coach and throws a bp for him. Worked harder then he had ever worked. His senior year, he didn't have a bad pen or start, was named captain, was the #1 starter, eventually leading D1 in ks/9 (nice plaque).

My point is, while I had thrown in the towel,  he reacted differently (once that initial shock wore off); he used that awful moment as fuel ( I couldn't have done it). His love of the game trumped hanging it up.

So, back to the OP and perspective. Freshman at top programs arent expected to contribute as core members of the team; it's a three (or four) year process of uneven growth with triumphs and bitter, utter failure. Coach could care less if a kid didnt make the travel squad, if he then throws great bp or a few solid innings in a mid-week home game, he's back. What is key is him recognizing that it is a temporary setback and moving forward with a touch of amnesia is needed.

(As a parent, I'd drink more. And pitching fan, my son once threw  20 straight balls before the coach could pull him out - several times.)

Baseball, what a hard game. 

Son had .000 era before game now 6.42.  Gave up HR on first pitch.  Only 7th in life so that is a good thing.  Strikeout, double, walk, double. Pulled.  Then next guy gave up double first pitch.  It really was not bad but left balls up and the other team knew him well.  His travel ball catcher was on team.  They knew swing because he will be around the plate.  Just tough week for tough game.  But he will be okay whether he makes it or not.  But I realized there are 13-14 kids and parents thinking the same thing.  I especially feel for the 2-3 starters from last year that may not go because better players came in and are hitting real well.

i can't imagine what it is like for a coach to try to predict who will help you.  LHP or RHP.  infielder or outfielder.  Once you get down to the nitty gritty.  And to say it won't matter we have had 14 kids hit HR's so far so everybody is playing good.

This thread is a good example of why players have to staying physically and mentally ready to contribute when the shot comes. One success pinch running can lead to another. Now let’s see if the kid can hit his way on. Get a hit, get a start. Keep hitting, keep playing.

I am assuming that most teams have played 15-16 games so coaches have somewhat of an idea who will make up the travel roster. Coaches will take whoever they feel gives them the best chance to win, regardless of class.  The best players establish themselves early, so it really isn't that difficult.

Before every game or series, the pitching coach watches film of the hitters, the hitting coach watches films of pitchers. This gives them an idea of who, besides the usual suspects, will go.

I had NO idea about the TS when son started college but i did end up drinking quite a bit while he played... RHP/Reliever. I can't imagine the frustration and letdown being left off the TS but this is one more life lesson that can suck the life out of your college baseball experience, UNLESS your son converts it, improves and gets on it at some point. 

+1 Goose