What age should kids start playing travel ball?
I run a baseball academy and have a son that will be 8 next month so he is league age 8U. My son has played PONY and I have coached the last 3 years and we have a good group of players to select from. Aside from getting the boys together here and there for a workout, game, tournament when there are no conflicts I am not in favor of 8 year olds playing travel ball exclusively and not playing PONY or Little League. There are a few parents who want their kids to play travel ball year round and I think it is a mistake at 8-9 years old. In fact, one of the Dad's has decided to do a travel team and thus several players are not playing PONY this spring and will be playing travel ball.
You would think that because I run a baseball academy and could benefit from doing these young teams I would be in favor of it, but I am not. I have been coaching HS and college age players for 15 years, but this is the 1st time going through it with my son and these younger ages. So I am reaching out here because many of you have been through this with your own kids. I know that there is not a correct answer and opinions will vary, but it will be interesting to see the different thoughts. Thanks in advance for taking the time to respond.
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