Travel team

The best team for your son is the one where he gets lots of playing time. Nothing worse than racking up club fees and travel costs only to see your son sitting on the bench or getting minimal innings.

Most clubs will highlight past players and where they went to school or if they got drafted on their website. Should be pretty easy to tell if and at what level they place players, and also if they don't place players.

Star athletes will always be found - they often will get invited on to higher-level teams if they're really successful. But I've found that in the short term playing time is paramount.

Dad of 3;

Your objective for your son is to provide opportunities to teach him the game.

If a "travel" team is successful then their Coaches will be recognized by the next level. Ask your teams coaches if they need "help" in organization events.

You have 3 years to learn the art of "involvement".

Have your son keep a diary "What did I learn today"? "What can I do to improve"?

Bob

Be careful what an organization tells you about their alumni. I was visiting a potential 17u organization with my son. I notice four names on the alumni wall who didn’t make sense. Two lived 300 miles away to the south. Two lived four hundred miles away to the north.

I knew the dads of two of the players. I called them. What this organization did was recruit them at one tournament to play for the team free of charge at PG WWBA nationals one year. The team threw several paying players under the bus benching them.

In another situation a travel teammate of my son had to sue a travel organization to stop using his name claiming he was an alumnus. He rented a lane on a rainy day once.

@SpeedDemon posted:

The best team for your son is the one where he gets lots of playing time. Nothing worse than racking up club fees and travel costs only to see your son sitting on the bench or getting minimal innings.

Most clubs will highlight past players and where they went to school or if they got drafted on their website. Should be pretty easy to tell if and at what level they place players, and also if they don't place players.

Star athletes will always be found - they often will get invited on to higher-level teams if they're really successful. But I've found that in the short term playing time is paramount.

Nice post. Also good info by Consultant.

I say it is very important for the coaches to have contacts with college coaches.

Just ask the organization for references and where their players  have signed or played.

The organization that my son played for in HS, that also helped him get into Clemson, keeps a current list of ML players.

Two of son's current pitchers played for same travel organization he did while in HS.

They both pitched recently in the CWS recently.

I'd also suggest doing a little homework on players a team lists as commits...

If a travel team lists a player committed to a school check that they are on the roster for their freshman year and beyond.

I've seen travel teams list a player committed only to check the roster of the school and the player is not listed ever playing for them. Or they are listed with no playing time and transfer to a lower level school as soon as they can.

This can help show if the travel coach is looking to get the player on the right level team for their abilities, or they are not judging those abilities properly or wanting to get the biggest named school possible and to devil with if its the right fit for the player.

Follow a travel coach on Twitter.  You will then be able to see who follows him.  Note which college coaches follow him.  That is very likely his list of good contacts.

Thanks! All very good info. He will play and start for either team. So I am not worried about that. I am going to do some more Digging into both teams.

Just had a great conversation with the coach.  A lot like a college coach, earn your position every year, former mlb and college players on staff.  Some legit players.  Planning on lots of high exposure events.  All the insight was very appreciated, ty

One thing to definitely ask:  are the players all of the approximately same level and will rotate playing time?  Or will the "best play", which is perhaps a mindset of winning games?

On several of my son's teams, some players played every inning, and others rotated with more or less time.  In a few cases, pitchers got only one or two innings per weekend.  It didn't make for a good dynamic.

A couple of times, those who were not playing (or their parents who were paying for the travel) got disgruntled and quit the team mid-way through the summer.  That was a mess.

The best coaches explain to the boys (and parents), before the tournaments start, exactly how playing time will be assigned.  If kids will play if college coaches ask to see them, for example, that should be explained.  If some kids will play every inning and others not, that should be explained.

Great input.  So son will have tryout this week.  He should make it, how do you ask that question?

@Dadof3 posted:

........................  He should make it, how do you ask that question?

Be direct and to the point.  Start with expectations.  Ask what are their expectations for each player.  Then ask what can we expect from the coaching staff, and to what degree do they help with recruitment and networking.  Its a fairly simple question, and they should be able to answer with examples.   

Keep in mind they may know a lot of college coaches, but whether or not they are the (right) college coaches you want to target is another matter.  So, I think it is fair for your son to share his goals with the potential travel coach, and ask if he is willing to reach out to additional college coaches (that he doesn't know) if that is what it takes.  This is exactly what my son ended up doing.  Our first recruiting campaign ended up with some great schools that the coach knew, but they didn't have his major.   We had to start a second campaign of schools that were a better fit and brought the travel coach into the conversation.

Just my experience.

@Dadof3 posted:

How important is it for the coach to have college contacts?  This team for next year (16u) will be doing lots of showcases as well as pg, pbr tournaments as well as other high level tournaments.   Not sure what, if any contacts they have.  What’s the best way to ask?  Also, what’s better, a bad team that has some college contacts or a very competitive team doing college showcases and big tournaments with no contacts

To answer your question.... it is more important that your son be a featured player that is performing well regardless of the team.   I know my son was part of a big national organization that would be considered one of the top 20 Travel Baseball Organizations.   They have about 8 teams with each age group.   The only thing that matters is that a kid gets on one of those top two teams.   It doesn't matter if the coaches and organization directs talk to every Power 5 coaching staff on a weekly basis, if you kid isn't on that top one or two teams then it doesn't matter what connections they have.

I can add a lot on the topic of travel baseball, but in my opinion, the organization doesn't matter until you are in the high school ranks.   Prior to about the age of 14 or 15, travel ball should be about having fun with your friends, and getting some playing time with good instruction.   At around 14 and 15 it tends to become more about being on a high performance team or "Scout" team with the bigger organizations and to perform well when you get opportunities.   

If I had to do it over again, I would have had my boy play locally at 16 and 17.  We travelled the southeast doing all the 'big' tourneys.  which resulted in absolutely no one watching his team. If your son is a pitcher, expect mound time to be awarded based on field locations- if your son is not #1 or #2 in the coach's eyes, he may only get to start when the team is playing at a satellite field like some HS filed where NO college coaches came to watch.  Stay close to home if you have a good option for him, save money, and attend college camps of schools he could play at.  For reference, my son is a 2024 committed to a strong D1 Juco in Texas Rgn 14 as a PO. 

Interesting points.  Son is a 2027 position player.  Tres, why were their no coaches watching your team at the big tourneys?  Not competitive?  That's kind of what led to me to post that topic

@Dadof3 posted:

Great input.  So son will have tryout this week.  He should make it, how do you ask that question?

If they are recruiting your son to join their team, you get to ask questions.  Honestly, if you're paying money, it should be one of many general questions:  "How do you you assign and rotate playing time in tournaments?"  You want to know not just about your son, but in general.  They ought to have an answer, and if you know the answer, you'll be happier.

@Dadof3 posted:

Interesting points.  Son is a 2027 position player.  Tres, why were their no coaches watching your team at the big tourneys?  Not competitive?  That's kind of what led to me to post that topic

Well, I don't mean to speak for another poster, but I agree with his commentary.   College baseball coaches have limited travel budgets, and they are not in the habit of scouring the country looking for diamonds in the rough type of players.   They basically only spend their time going to a small handful of key showcases and big travel tournaments.  By Big Travel tournaments, I mean Perfect Games WWBA National Championships in Metro Atlanta, WWBA World Championships in Jupiter Florida, USA National Championships in Cary North Carolina etc....   The problem with the big tournaments such as WWBA National Championship in Atlanta is that there are hundreds of teams and thousands of games that have to be coordinated to play.  If you son is playing on a team that is going to get featured at the East Cobb Complex then that is fantastic, there will be a lot of scouts at that venue.  However, what if you son is a PO, and the game he is pitching in scheduled to be played at the Dalton GA complex that is an hour and a half away from Marietta Georgia.  Or, all of your teams pool play games are scheduled at obscure high schools in South Atlanta.   No coach is going to bother traveling to those locations.   If they don't get to see your son play then was it really helpful to be on that big organization travel team?  What good did it do, if no one bothered to go see him play because his team was scheduled at tertiary venues, and all of the scouts are hanging out watching game in Marietta?   

This is just my opinion but if you want your son to be recruited then I have found that this is a someone reliable roadmap.  But, I want to emphasis that if you son isn't recruitable then it doesn't matter.  The most important step is to have a good understanding of your sons abilities, and some times that just means taking your parental blinders off.   You said your son is a field position player.   What is his infield velocity?  What is his hitting capability?  Can he cover ground in the outfield like a D1 player with fantastic 60 yard dash times?   Your son is 2027, how competent is he in the batters box with a 2027 pitcher that is throwing up to 88 mph fastballs?  If your son is only seeing kids that are 72-77 on the mound then what is going to happen when he goes sees a legit D1 recruit that is already mid 80's as a 9th grader?  Is your son a legit D1 prospect? Because if he isn't then all of this probably a waste of money.  JUCO coaches will scout high school games.  D3 coaches will see what your son can do at their camps.  D1 coaches are the only ones with money to actually attend these high end tournaments you are speaking about.   

Here is a rough outline.

Step 1: Get on the scout team of a reputable travel organization.  If they have multiple teams and your son is not on the top team then you are wasting money. 

Step 2:  Get an NCSA account so that you can get access to the email network.  It is the only useful thing about NCSA.  The email system is very good, and coaches will respond to emails through their system. 

Step 3: There are two very significant showcases that D1 coaches attend.   The Perfect Game Jr. National Showcase in Marietta Georgia and the PBA Jr. National Showcase in Lakepoint Georgia.   These are for rising Jr.s and it's crazy how many kids commit to D1 schools within a week or two of performing in those two showcases.   

Step 4:  Use the travel tournaments and perfect game to record verifiable stats, and film so that you have some material to email coaches.   

Step 5:  If coaches are responding to the NCSA email account based upon your video then find out which games you son will be performing in the big national tournaments, and get that material to those coaches so that they can make it a point to see your son play.  If they show up based upon the info you sent, then they are interested.  If they don't show up then they are not.  But, if your team isn't playing in the WWBA National Championship then that will be a missed opportunity because every D1 team will be represented at that tournament. 

Unless your son progresses to the point that he is getting interest from MLB scouts you are wasting your resources attempting to go D1. Everyone needs to understand that the recruiting game has changed and it will not go back to the way it used to be. Probably ever. HS kids that would have been legit D1 prospects 3 years ago no longer are. It’s a very simple litmus test. Is your player getting interest from MLB scouts? If the answer is no - and for most people on this board it will be - it’s time to adjust your sights. I will admit that my comments apply to upper end D1 more than lower end. But older players are here to stay. The transfer portal is here to stay. NIL is here to stay. Top end D1 dog eat dog is here to stay. These are all things that MLB wants. The landscape has changed and if you want a good college baseball experience for your son you need to change with it.

@adbono posted:

Unless your son progresses to the point that he is getting interest from MLB scouts you are wasting your resources attempting to go D1. Everyone needs to understand that the recruiting game has changed and it will not go back to the way it used to be. Probably ever. HS kids that would have been legit D1 prospects 3 years ago no longer are. It’s a very simple litmus test. Is your player getting interest from MLB scouts? If the answer is no - and for most people on this board it will be - it’s time to adjust your sights. I will admit that my comments apply to upper end D1 more than lower end. But older players are here to stay. The transfer portal is here to stay. NIL is here to stay. Top end D1 dog eat dog is here to stay. These are all things that MLB wants. The landscape has changed and if you want a good college baseball experience for your son you need to change with it.

Makes sense, so what do you recommend, especially for a kid in pa/Ohio area?

@Dadof3 posted:

Makes sense, so what do you recommend, especially for a kid in pa/Ohio area?

  I have lived in Texas since I was 12 years old. I know Texas/ Oklahoma/ Louisiana/Arkansas/New Mexico area pretty well. I know very little about Pa/Ohio. But there are other members on this board that do know that area. Regional differences are huge (I say that a lot) and it’s important that you understand what they are.
  But in general I would start talking to your son about the various divisions of college baseball. And I would get him exposed to reality. Go see college games in your area. Watch JuCo, D3, D2, D1, & NAIA. Take of your rose colored parent glasses before you go. As you see enough college games you should see the differences in the levels of play. And this should give you a good idea of the appropriate level for your son. Here is the key - your son needs to see this too and you may have to help him with that.
  The other thing that you can do is talk with your son about the academic side of things as much as you talk about the baseball side. If your son knows what he wants to study it can help narrow the search considerably.
  And finally, stress to your son not to get caught up in what his friends are doing and/or saying. Every journey is different. Develop your own plan that is right for your son.

@adbono posted:

But in general I would start talking to your son about the various divisions of college baseball. And I would get him exposed to reality. Go see college games in your area. Watch JuCo, D3, D2, D1, & NAIA. Take of your rose colored parent glasses before you go. As you see enough college games you should see the differences in the levels of play. And this should give you a good idea of the appropriate level for your son. Here is the key - your son needs to see this too and you may have to help him with that.

My son was lucky enough to be in a high school, fall program that played junior college teams.  Some of the Jucos were REALLY good, some were really bad.   For example, he pitched one inning against a team that went to the Junior College WS. The first 4 batters were all P5 D1 drop downs.  He did it his sophomore-senior year with other kids from around the city who were going to play in college etc.  It ranged from kids that will play in junior college to kids who were named MVP of the CWS.  It helped him figure out if he was good enough.

We have a top 5 D1 Junior college in our city so we've watched a lot of their games along with all the local D1s, not to mention all the ESPN+ games.  They key is being honest with yourself and have coaches/advisors who will be brutally honest with you.

@Master P posted:

My son was lucky enough to be in a high school, fall program that played junior college teams.  Some of the Jucos were REALLY good, some were really bad.   For example, he pitched one inning against a team that went to the Junior College WS. The first 4 batters were all P5 D1 drop downs.  He did it his sophomore-senior year with other kids from around the city who were going to play in college etc.  It ranged from kids that will play in junior college to kids who were named MVP of the CWS.  It helped him figure out if he was good enough.

We have a top 5 D1 Junior college in our city so we've watched a lot of their games along with all the local D1s, not to mention all the ESPN+ games.  They key is being honest with yourself and have coaches/advisors who will be brutally honest with you.

Excellent post! I’m pretty good at the brutally honest part. It often isn’t received very well.
Regarding regional differences - this is what I mean. Some areas have great JuCo baseball. Some don’t. Some areas have a lot of really good D2 options. Some areas have no D2 options at all. And so on. If your son plays college ball is is almost always in your home state or a bordering state. Look at those states and determine what is good and what is not so good.

@Dadof3 posted:

Interesting points.  Son is a 2027 position player.  Tres, why were their no coaches watching your team at the big tourneys?  Not competitive?  That's kind of what led to me to post that topic

He was on the "B" team of his travel club and my son was "fishing in the wrong pond" for most of last summer.  The team was competitive but the JUCO coaches from Texas/OK/NM/Arkansas were not at the big PG and PBR tourneys in the southeast (none that I knew of).  We are lucky to live in TX where baseball is big and so I was basically saying, we didn't need to do all that traveling to end up committing to a really really good juco and hour from the house.  I will note that we had a lot of fun traveling (I'm retired so I was able to take him) but it wasn't remotely connected to son's ultimate commitment.  Adbono's school was the only coach that came to watch him throw- but that was at a tourney 30 minutes from home.  And a shout out to Adbono's advice and help with my son's process- he was very helpful. 

@Tres Elakes 24, you are very welcome! Glad I could help.

I can only say what I have seen, TX/OK JUCO scouts have been making the rounds in Texas this summer (17U). First tournament, first game in one of the WWBAs in Houston had 8 JUCO scouts watching, 5 stayed the whole game. Which was good for son, think JUCO has become the Plan A.

@K9 posted:

Follow a travel coach on Twitter.  You will then be able to see who follows him.  Note which college coaches follow him.  That is very likely his list of good contacts.

           ^^^^^ THIS. It's not the be all end all, but in the post-Covid world some adaptations have endured by efficiency and then necessity.