The local community often gathers around a Little League team and takes pride in the kids representing them. For those not going into coaching/training or the extremely few that will play professionally the focus needs to not get away from marketable skills once your done with college; which is a challenge in itself as athletes are often steered towards meaningless degrees to accommodate athletics. The team brings the kids together and provides a common ground upon which they can build lasting friendships. But most of them still play, in one way or another. But I say be wise. foster a love for the game. I submit that even with all the excitement of the game, and the money and fame that come with it, the life of a professional athlete is not one to be envied. The goal of this program is to provide additional playing opportunity for those baseball and softball players interested. When I was playing at Arkansas, none of my teammates had a full ride from the baseball program. It's a vicious cycle. Two guys who are now playing in MLB came from two of the leagues in the District. Cookie Notice I simply have to go find the people that need Jesus. A travel team can be started by anyone. Little League - Character, Courage, Loyalty. (No wonder God calls us to pray without ceasing!). However, Little League International also has the right to limit participation in its activities to players who comply with its rules, regulations, and policies. Too many times parents want what they want, not whats best for their kids. In general, most of the Little League tournaments are organized in the local area and involves teams from the same city or community. This mentally effects the kids also with so much pressure to do well. Little League Internationals rules, regulations, and policies have been formulated over more than seven decades to ensure a safe, fun, and healthy environment for children. We also pushed the season back deeper into the summer so to allow high school kids (mostly JV players) to play rec ball as well. If youre a non-Christian reading this post, dont you want to live for something more than baseball? To make matters worse, I learned his old Little League team did incorporate kid pitch mid-way through the season. Of course our children have bents that we want to nurture, encourage and help them develop, but lets make sure we arent pursuing our own agenda. That would inevitably awaken the competitive impulse, leading to more practices, more effort expended, and the gradual creep to a higher key. The piece in America by John W. Miller posits that America sold out Little League through the widespread adoption of high-dollar travel baseball: The father on the phone was upset. Awards. I've seen and heard stories about parents who spend thousands of dollars to get their kids on the best travel ball squad in their areas. Well, at registration, I learned my leagues Board of Directors decided to use a pitching machine for 7-year-olds, and that MAYBE toward the end of the season, there MIGHT be some kid pitch. The answer to this question depends on the reasons for joining the program. Alas, the father refused to make him work on defense, explaining: I am not a fielding dad.). And thats where the travel baseball jumps in as currently the surest path to the higher level of the game. I left registration, and pulled him from the Little League program. How does a big leaguer have a family? It was time for him to play real baseball! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. . Do the social aspects improve their values and stimulate great discussions at home, or lead them away from family?). My 5 year old has peers that are playing baseball year round already! As more and more kids get involved in travel ball, the best players are taken out of the rec league. Do they enjoy it or is it a drudge? It is called Daddy Ball but it is perpetrated by way more than daddies. Is it a help or detriment to their character and bodies? I never felt that way until I got to college, but looking at the demands of travel ball, I totally understand how the kid feels. That the glory of the Lord might cover the dry land as the waters cover the sea. Baseball is the greatest game ever, it is exactly that, a game. They open/close each practice and game with prayer and are not overwhelming us with lots of games. Sabathia and the Upton Brothers have become big league players. Once he has gone through everyone, he will tell them to 'release' and they will throw the ball to the teammate across from them. Part of the argument for travel ball is the appeal of better competition. Sad to see but strengthened our resolve that sports would not take priority over God and our church family. Michael Hortons Christless Christianity #momof3boys. but could it be said that youre in the big leagues of your profession? Think about your reasons for getting your child into a sport. Nowadays boys don't know how to catch at age 9-10. re: Little League Baseball Really is the Worst. After all, theres a reason why the closing scene of. While it has completely permeated and overtaken little league baseball, it exists in every sport, football included. Now, the league has grown a bit but has 190 kids playing travel ball, with multiple teams at 12u, 14u, 16u, and 18u. http://kristenanneglover.com/my-kids-dont-play-sports/#comment-6411. However, the main reason weve stuck with travel is the consistency that it offers. It should be noted that the local Little League programs pay a one-time entry fee for each team to enter Tournament Play ($200), which goes into a restricted fund used exclusively for offsetting local Little League programs expenses accrued during International Tournament play, including the World Series in each division of play. It is a trend mirrored by our schools, hospitals and military. Please advertise when you have this league so I can get the 70 or so kids I will bring with me to get in registration line. It is evangelism that is not solely dependent upon our efforts, but on the power of the Word being preached, loved, and then given to others. All of the travel players MUST play rec ball. I intend to keep it that way. It is organised by and named after The Football Association (The FA). Here are 10 reasons I think you should keep your kid in the rec league rather than quitting it for travel ball. Most professional golfers look the same. Our daughter played travel softball for 9 years. And I want to provide the best competitive opportunities I can for my own kids. You may be betting on the kid getting a scholarship. . For us, the Orioles will always be a family affair. After all, theres a reason why the closing scene of Field of Dreams is so poignant. I would urge you to consider how trustworthy Jesus is, how he can reconcile you to God, how he has paid for your sin, and how his Spirit can enable you to love others and enjoy life with them in a gathering of people joined together at a local church. I give you a big Amen! Until more teams see value in helping the game at home, this problem for the entire sport will continue. On the off-chance that your kid is a freak athlete with the arm strength, foot speed, power, stamina, and character, who gets all the right breaks at just the right time, chances are hell rise up through the ranks of rec ball rather than being groomed on the travel ball circuit. I grew up wanting to be a major league baseball player, and Im so glad I never even got drafted. Kids need to see that Jesus and his church are more important to their parents even than baseball. My thoughts written here veer away from the focus of recreational versus travel leagues as the original blog talks about, but include some areas to think about whichever route of competition you choose. Looking for a deeper, more forceful argument, the dad added: This team is our community.. I disagree with the idea that the sport is entirely a white elitist sport. After all, scores of players are of Latin American descent, including some of the games top superstars. When my life ends, I will have to give an account to my Lord as to whether I obeyed the command in Matt28:19 that says Go. The privatization of American youth sports over the past 40 years is one of those revolutions of late-stage capitalism that should shock us more than it does. This is a straw man argument that has nothing to do with the very valid points the author makes. Usually, teams play travel ball at least twice a month, on weekends. Turn your focus and see a different view. "Everyone's selling 'the dream gonna happen,' and people are making a. (Answered! And you should. Its a Jesuit-based publication with a political slant that does not agree with mine. re: Travel Ball/ Little League Coaches leaving work Posted on 8/20/22 at 6:32 pm to philly444. Bottom line: give your kids a childhood theyll want to replicate with their own children not one theyll react against. For some may not even be an issue. For every 10 players that are forced to play at the highest level for their age, 6-8 will quit by the time they get into high school. Uber competitive athletics is going to end for 99.9 percent of kids/young adults. They play the same. This is the saddest quote of the entire piece, one I mentioned earlier: Alas, the father refused to make him work on defense, explaining: I am not a fielding dad., Is there a sadder quote? I remember back when we played Dizzy Dean and Babe Ruth baseball. Confused! As one who has three sons, two of whom played travel ball for part of their youth, and one who didnt, I can affirm everything you say here. Rec ball and travel ball can coexist, BUT, it has to be done with the kids as the foremost priority. Excellence: Pursuing excellence is important, but be sure you know and your child knows what you mean by that. Travel baseball takes a toll on kids, both mentally and physically. The best outcomes were consistently when we stayed in the local rec leagues. Were enjoying the homeschool league to which we belong right now, but also realize that our daughters team is not a highly competitive team, but the JV/Varsity teams are a bit more competitive. Think brands like Mercedes-Benz. Focusing on winning games is short-sighted and ignorant. There have been times when our kids insisted that the entire family wear Orioles stuff. The majority of coaches in the Little League are volunteers, mostly recruited of the parent ranks. Dont sacrifice your sons childhood on the altar of the hope that hes the next Derek Jeter. I wanted to play all the time, until I got to college and had to do so. The coach was great! I know that may sound weird working with a kid at such a young age, but his older brother played baseball, so he was always around. My Kids Dont Play Sports (Not that we did everything right by any means!!) Its better to honor God than to win, and its better for your kid to enjoy the game than for him to play at the highest possible level. I was glad he played Tee Ball, and I looked forward to the following year when I assumed there would be some kid pitching. , I learned his old Little League team did incorporate kid pitch mid-way through season! 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