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here we go:


Travel teams---there is always talk regarding what constitutes a good travel team---as a person who manages a travel team in the fall perhaps I can help you all by explaining what we do not what others do. I do not profess to know what other progbrams do but I know what we do and to date we have been very successful with our approach

We do not hold tryouts--we invite players---thus we are getting players we definitely want and those who will fit our team character---team character is key to us as it should be to parents---we do a lot of research on the players and families

In my mind a good travel team does not necessarily need to win every tournament or event that they attend---they need to be highly competitive and give extensive exposure to their players

We let schools know where we play every weekend and we also ask that the players contact schools that they have interest in so as to let the coaches know---yes we may dupicate efforts but it works

We play in high profile events as well as on college campuses around the region---this gives the players exposure as well as the opportunity to visit campuses in the area during their down time---we are of the belief that the more schools you visit, even if it is a drive thru the camous, the better the player can make a decision to fit him.

We also like to creat a College Select Family wherein the parents become "buddies" as well as the players becoming a great family unit

Our efforts go beyond the senior year of HS--- we are there for ther players during college if troubles come up---sometimes they can talk with us more openly than with their parents


This is our idea of a "good" travel team
TRhit THE KIDS TODAY DO NOT THROW ENOUGH !!!!! www.collegeselect-trhit.blogspot.com
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TRhit offers sage advice, and a great perspective, to anybody building or leading a team.

Character counts. Since my son started playing travel baseball in 2005 he has had the opportunity to play for (and against) many teams. The best teams, and most cherished experiences have come from his experiences with teams that operate like TRhit describes.

We have traveled from coast-to-coast so that southpaw_son could play with teams and coaches who keep this bigger picture in mind. He has had the good fortune of playing for Steve Cosgrove and the Boys of Baseball - NTT; Scott Luke, and the So Cal NTT; two top quality programs, run by top quality people who keep the bigger picture in the forefront of what they do.

Just a couple of weeks ago we traveled north to Long Island so that he could play for TRhit's College Select team. What a great experience. Another top quality program, run by top quality people, who remember there are some things more important than just winning a youth game.

The more programs that can keep the bigger picture front and center, the better off our kids and game will be. All of these kids want to go as far in the game as they possibly can; but even if they have a Hall of Fame career, they will spend a lot more of their life off a baseball field than on it. The best teams are the ones run by organizers and coaches who understand they are preparing kids to compete and win in a much bigger game ... the game of Life.
Son had played on a travel team and a fall scout team, to me they are very different types of teams. Scout team was invitation only and a showcase team. The objective was to play very good baseball and to showcase the players to college and pro scouts.

The travel team to play good baseball and to win, players tried out.
And another key: TR, you are fortunate to have a staff of coaches that know what they are doing.
My point: I'm out working at the cages with a couple of guys the other day while a fall team is practicing on the playing field. The coach, nice guy, loves baseball, has them work on double plays for about 20 minutes; ss and 2b are throwing full 90 feet and I hear them talking later that their arms are 'toast'... well, yeah.

My next point; a lot of parents' kids are at the mercy of working with guys who do some suspect things.
quote:
Originally posted by TRhit:
here we go:


Travel teams---there is always talk regarding what constitutes a good travel team---as a person who manages a travel team in the fall perhaps I can help you all by explaining what we do not what others do. I do not profess to know what other progbrams do but I know what we do and to date we have been very successful with our approach

We do not hold tryouts--we invite players---thus we are getting players we definitely want and those who will fit our team character---team character is key to us as it should be to parents---we do a lot of research on the players and families

In my mind a good travel team does not necessarily need to win every tournament or event that they attend---they need to be highly competitive and give extensive exposure to their players

We let schools know where we play every weekend and we also ask that the players contact schools that they have interest in so as to let the coaches know---yes we may dupicate efforts but it works

We play in high profile events as well as on college campuses around the region---this gives the players exposure as well as the opportunity to visit campuses in the area during their down time---we are of the belief that the more schools you visit, even if it is a drive thru the camous, the better the player can make a decision to fit him.

We also like to creat a College Select Family wherein the parents become "buddies" as well as the players becoming a great family unit

Our efforts go beyond the senior year of HS--- we are there for ther players during college if troubles come up---sometimes they can talk with us more openly than with their parents


This is our idea of a "good" travel team


TR uses the model that the team my son played for in HS used. The main objective was helping the players to secure college scholarships, winning wasn't as important as being recruited. It also was by invitation only, though he did hold try outs in january for those not invited.

This should be the first objective in consideration for the recruiting years, playing with teams that play on college campuses, have coach contacts, and playing against good competition.

It may not always be easy to find such a situation, regardless of being called a scout team or a travle team, I think that trying to find a situation where those in charge are more interested in getting you seen than winning the trophy is most important.
Last edited by TPM

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