return on investment

For me it is a no brainer--a season of travel ball PROVIDED the team is in high profile events.

Most travel teams enter tournaments etc but how many of those events are high profile events

Not sure what kind of "bang for your buck" you're looking for. What kind of ROI are you expecting?

I never spent $1.00 for either of my kids expecting any return. I've supported them emotionally and financially because they've been doing activities (with baseball being the primary) that they loved and wanted to be a part of. I've never thought about their playing sports as getting them anywhere.

They've probably learned as many life lessons on the field as they have at home, church, or school. That's one heck of an investment! I think that can happen playing on big time travel teams or playing locally.

pawismom:

I see you live in Pawleys Island, SC. We [meaning the entire state of West Virginia] often vacation there.

My answer to your question would be, it depends. In West Virginia, there are a very limited number of travel teams and my son is interested in out of state schools for the most part. Thus, showcases and attending camps at targeted colleges are more what we are interested in spending money on.

The question you should get an answer to before making a decision is where does your son want to go to school? If it is Division I or II in SC, NC and VA, an Impact Baseball showcase or two and a good but not necessarily "the best" or most expensive travel team might be the optimum "bang for the buck". If it is any school around the Myrtle Beach area a local Legion or AAU team might be enough. If it is Florida and most of the rest of the Southeast and beyond, Perfect Game showcases are probably the best route to go.

All just my opinion, of course. Good luck.

lafmom,

Nice point.

I've spent much more on my two daughters dance and waterski activities than I ever did on my sons baseball. While he may see a ROI, they will not, but that is not the issue. If you go and expect a return I think............it's none of my business

Like many, I've spent a small fortune on my son's baseball experiences and got a huge return on the investment every time I set up my chair and watched him play. I could cry at the thought that I will never see him play in places like Cooperstown Dreams Park, Perkiomen Pennsylvannia, Marietta, Arizona, South Carolina or Florida as a 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16-year old ever again. If I never got a single dollar back from him playing baseball, every penny was worth it as I watched him grow on the baseball field and as a young man. There is no way to replace the time we spent together in cars, hotels, dinners, and sitting while waiting to play, just talking to each other. I'd pay double to do it again.

Travel baseball - high level.

Lafmom, great answer.
If you look at every dollar you spend as an investment into his future, you are not going to get that much in return.
If you look at every dollar as an opportunity to make your son a better individual by learning life's lessons on the field,etc. than you should expect to get a 100% return on your investment.

pawismom,
I would go for the combination, showcase, tournament play, camp, good summer travel team (senior summer). I don't think there is any one thing that will provide exposure, though I have seen some do very little and get great results and some do too much and get no results.

Baseballdad;
You hit the nail on the head with that one.
I could buy season tickets to some sporting event,
and not get one tenth the pleasure I recieve watching my Son and his Teamates playing Ball. It's Truly Priceless.

I think attending the College camps of your son's choice is a good thing. the EH

Nice posts all,

Pawismom, I'll share our experiences in hopes that you get some added perspective. My son attended two high level D1 camps, and though they were fantastic all-around experiences, there is still very much of a meat market environment working. Some kids do well in this environment, but not all. Pick the camp wisely, and remember college camps are set up primarily for the benefit of the college. They focus on evaluation, and the experience for the player may best be thought of as gaining insight into college life as a ballplayer.

Playing for a reputable and knowledgeable travel team coach, especially if the team gets to the biggies (eg East Cobb, Jupiter)
will get your boys seen by LOTS of schools and scouts. The confidence gained from those events proved invaluable to my son.

Also, as a baseball parent there's not much that can top seeing your kid go out and have success against the very best competition in the country. Good luck and let us know how things turn out.

Life is so short, and the kids grow so fast....It is ALWAYS worth it if it's something that brings them joy. Charles Dickens had it right on in 'A Christmas Carol'.

KRAK, So True.
I told my Son, I don't care if you where playing Tiddlely Winks,
I would be watching.

I've still got a couple of years, but the thing I'll miss the most is hearing him practice guitar. He's not even really good or anything, but whenever I hear the strains of his practicing through the amp up in his room, I get this incredibly peaceful feeling. I think it releases endorphins or something!!
So was it worth the few hundred for guitar and amp? No better money spent!

Krak:

I was going to talk to you about those dorphins...I'm so relieved to know that you let them go.

The scuttlebutt on this side of the pond was that PETA was planning to have their elite commando squad swim over the International Dateline and gaff you.

You did the right thing Krak...thank god no dorphins were harmed in your son butchering that tune.

wood, make sure you only buy your dorphins packed in water, and make sure it's marked 'tuna safe'.

I PM'd you a couple days ago.........by the way!!

Krak:

Yeah get in line ...everyone wants to do a Post Mortem on me!

wood, this is a picture of me holding my breath!!

BaseballDad,
I don't think anyone could say it any better. Having gone through it at the same time and many of the same places as you....Priceless...Costs, yea it cost. Vacations, pictures, memories all cost. The experiences and shared moments, can't wait to do it all again starting this summer.

The opportunity to play against top competition, grow as a young man and become a better player and person. These are things that travel ball has provided. Being on the road for weeks at a time and learning to be a teammate, roommate and responsible young adult...life lessons.

After all is said is done and the boy gets his college degree along with playing college that is the "reward" if you want to call it that

or if the boy goes pro the same "reward" is there

As long as they get the opportunity to take the baseball as far as the talent allows them the investment is worth it and then some

TR...

Baseball Glove $200.00, Bat $300.00, Cleats $100.00. Sitting back on a warm summer night watching him stroke a gap shot PRICELESS!

TR; I'm not sure who gets the most reward are kids are us.
It's sure fun to watch.

EH

I am with you--- it is great fun all around

Very good topic. I am in total agreement, the cost of my son's baseball adventures are "priceless." Now that my son is in college, the thrill I get going to his games and watching him play doesn't have a price tag. I love getting to the games early to watch BP/IF and to observe these kids live out a dream. I love taking him a few buddies out to dinner after the games and to just sit back and listen to them talk. Again, I wouldn't sell these memories for anything.

I will say concerning the original question that travel teams are not the only option for the motivated baseball player. My observation is that over the last several years, so many travel teams have popped up that the competition level has dropped. I agree with TR that it is important to attend top level events and that simply playing on a travel team will not guarantee a baseball life after HS. Just like everything in life, choose wisely.