What is more important to a travel team (ages 16-18)
1) they win their championship in what ever league they play in
2) How many of their players go on to play college baseball
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IMO, the goals of a travel team depend on the age of the team along with whatever the coaches have in mind.
Great question. I guess it depends on what age the team is. Younger teams should probably enjoy their time together and focus on development and winning. Older teams should really be about taking the kids to the next step. At least IMHO.
There are too many variables for tracking say 12's or 13's on playing college baseball. 16's and 17's though, that could be a different story.
There are too many variables for tracking say 12's or 13's on playing college baseball. 16's and 17's though, that could be a different story.
There are enough options for travel teams out there that you ought to be able to find one that matches up with your individual goals and capabilities.
There's no reason to expect all teams to have the same goals, and no reason to chide one team for not having the same goals as another.
I would think most kids still playing travel ball at ages 16-18 are pursuing college or pro opportunities, so I would think that should be the focus in most cases. But you know, some folks actually like to play this game just to play it! Ain't that just the darndest thing?
There's no reason to expect all teams to have the same goals, and no reason to chide one team for not having the same goals as another.
I would think most kids still playing travel ball at ages 16-18 are pursuing college or pro opportunities, so I would think that should be the focus in most cases. But you know, some folks actually like to play this game just to play it! Ain't that just the darndest thing?
It depends on the goals of the players playing on the travel team. If its to play at the next level then they need to play in events that will get them seen by as many college coaches as possible. And more importantly seen by the level of programs that they can play at. If its just to play and they are not concerned with playing at the next level then play whoever will play you.
Its been my experience with serious baseball players that by the age of 16-18 most of them have had their fill of collecting gold colored plastic trophies...
They want to play, and win...and do it against the best around.....and be seen by recruiters and scouts..... as most of them are hoping to continue on playing baseball beyond the HS years.........
So my thoughts would be a good goal would be to play a lot of really good baseball against quality opponents in high visibility venues....
just my .02.
They want to play, and win...and do it against the best around.....and be seen by recruiters and scouts..... as most of them are hoping to continue on playing baseball beyond the HS years.........
So my thoughts would be a good goal would be to play a lot of really good baseball against quality opponents in high visibility venues....
just my .02.
quote:Originally posted by piaa_ump:
Its been my experience with serious baseball players that by the age of 16-18 most of them have had their fill of collecting gold colored plastic trophies...
They want to play, and win...and do it against the best around.....and be seen by recruiters and scouts..... as most of them are hoping to continue on playing baseball beyond the HS years.........
So my thoughts would be a good goal would be to play a lot of really good baseball against quality opponents in high visibility venues....
just my .02.
Good call, blue!
My son played for a very competitive travel program for several years. Now that he is off playing college baseball our prospective on those years has changed. From where I sit now what was important in his travelball experience was:
A time to play, have fun, compete and get better.
A time to enjoy the "brotherhood" of like minded teenagers that he played with and against.
A time to learn to be independent and to make good decisions.
A time to learn dicipline, hardwork and the value of teamwork.
My son was not the star of the team, he was just one of about 20 kids that played baseball. Of the 20, about half have gone on to play college baseball. The experience helped develop the skills needed to move on, it did not insure that they would move on.
In the end, the experience playing competitive baseball shaped my son and opened doors to the next phase of his life. As parents, we feel that the most important part of playing baseball is that our son grows up to be a "good person."
A time to play, have fun, compete and get better.
A time to enjoy the "brotherhood" of like minded teenagers that he played with and against.
A time to learn to be independent and to make good decisions.
A time to learn dicipline, hardwork and the value of teamwork.
My son was not the star of the team, he was just one of about 20 kids that played baseball. Of the 20, about half have gone on to play college baseball. The experience helped develop the skills needed to move on, it did not insure that they would move on.
In the end, the experience playing competitive baseball shaped my son and opened doors to the next phase of his life. As parents, we feel that the most important part of playing baseball is that our son grows up to be a "good person."
quote:Originally posted by ILVBB:
A time to play, have fun, compete and get better.
A time to enjoy the "brotherhood" of like minded teenagers that he played with and against.
A time to learn to be independent and to make good decisions.
A time to learn dicipline, hardwork and the value of teamwork.
I know that song by The Byrds.
