Epic Rant From Robe

[Textitan]

Not buying it Tex.

I've heard way too many former MLB guys say that travel teams for youth baseball are not necessary to "keep up" with the other players. They say that what they are best for is burning a kid out on baseball and enabling attitude problems in the ones that don't burn out.

The truly talented guys will show up in High School no matter how much coaching or travel team participation they've had.

Youth travel teams in all sports are one big lie, a very expensive and destructive lie.

You don't have to buy it. It's just what I see every day in my career. It's just true. I didn't say I want it to be true, it is just what I have seen from my experience. And my biggest point is it is up to the parents to have the ability to say "No" when it comes to playing too many tournaments. Burn out is real and does happen. But you can say no. But in order to play quality, you have to eventually get to select ball.

[Dad04]

If parents would put the money in savings they spend on these travel teams, they would have their kids college paid for. People need to get their priorities straight.

there was a story about IMG Academy on HBO a while back. $60K per year and a kid was trying to get a partial golf scholly, without success.

[Dad04]

On my grandson's high school team you need not apply to play unless you participated in the coaches travel team.

Unless you can help the HS team win. We heard all that nonsense Sr. year. HS coaches almost always back down.

[31Ragin97]

there was a story about IMG Academy on HBO a while back. $60K per year and a kid was trying to get a partial golf scholly, without success.

I am amazed that IMG is even allowed. when it was just tennis I don't think their student-athletes were playing in FHSAA, so why can they do so in other sports, crazy, but that would be its own much longer thread.

[Dad04]

I am amazed that IMG is even allowed. when it was just tennis I don't think their student-athletes were playing in FHSAA, so why can they do so in other sports, crazy, but that would be its own much longer thread.

Last winter, Tennessee offered scholarships to 20 IMG players at once, spread over three classes. Two of 2017's 32 five-star recruits ...

[Turbine]

I don't think baseball cULture has changed that much in the 2+ years since UL was ranked #1 in the country.

[CajunNation]

You don't have to buy it. It's just what I see every day in my career. It's just true. I didn't say I want it to be true, it is just what I have seen from my experience. And my biggest point is it is up to the parents to have the ability to say "No" when it comes to playing too many tournaments. Burn out is real and does happen. But you can say no. But in order to play quality, you have to eventually get to select ball.

Maybe I wasn't clear enough. I'm not doubting that this is going on here. I am saying that it is a lie to think a kid MUST play in select tourneys on travel teams in order to be successful in High School and beyond.

If a kid has the skills and the desire to play college/pro ball, it will show up in High School. We don't need to turn them into pro players at 12. We should be instructing, but the focus should be on keeping community leagues intact and ensuring the kids are having fun and solidifying their love of baseball.

You're right. All the parent has to do is say NO. It starts with me, and this is why my girls will never be on travel teams.

[Textitan]

I agree.

[31Ragin97]

I think you are right that if a kid has enough talent he/she should shine through regardless. but didn't we see that problem with the Cajuns, that it helps to get more AB's or reps... granted travel goes way to far, so im not sure where the happy medium can be found.
another problem is, it cant be blamed solely on travel ball itself, as some of the great "municipal" parks and rec services we grew up with were probably facing cuts as well. so a void was developing on its own, without travel ball. I remember all you paid to play baseball was to pay five dollars for your own cap. (and you needed your own glove) but didn't need helmet or bat and gave the uniform back after the season. if you already had your own hat of that team didn't even need to pay the five bucks. and im not that old

[ManAboutTown]

All of you have a point in some regard, but too many of us want to cover all the nuanced problems with a blanket statement. Yes, affluence changes things. Yes, we've bastardized youth sports (not just baseball). Yes, coaches take advantage of kids, tournaments, etc. Yes, competing in REC league vs. travel ball has become an issue due to the lack of skill and/or knowledge of the game. Yes, other countries are out pacing us in baseball, mostly out of sheer desperation and/or sure will to get out of their ____hole countries. Yes, high school baseball is being ravaged by this modern model. Yes, bigger cities are impacted differently than rural areas.

But it all comes back to the adults. The parents that don't value their kids' long term health, or personal psyche. The scumbag coaches that would rather make some money or promote their brand over teaching kids the game, improving their lives or helping them experience highs and lows with graciousness and respect. Dad's trying to live THEIR dreams through junior and mom's hinging their pride on whether or not junior can get the ball out of the infield.

Our kids don't know how to compete, our PARENTS don't know how to handle their kid failing (or succeeding) and several things suffer because of this.