New to Travel Ball

[mnyeck]

Please be gentle

So my DD is talking about playing travel ball.

How can you tell when your DD is ready for travel? She's made gold all stars four times and is starting to get bored with rec ball (she still loves the game, though). She mentions that the girls on rec aren't competitive enough.

Looks like try-outs are normally in August. Are these typically just for the winter season or are the teams pretty much set for 2008-2009? Do players move around from team to team? Some of the coaches we've contacted have said they will have tryouts in January.

How do you pick a team? Watch games/practices? Interview coach/parents? We want this to be a positive experience and have her grow. Don't want a coach that gets thrown out every other game and berates the girls.

We had a horrible experience with travel baseball for DS, so want to make sure we do our research for softball.

Thanks!

[Tucson]

You are asking the right questions. It is good that you have been through this in baseball.

I can't tell what state you are in, but that would tell me how numerous teams are in your area.

Is your DD 10? 12?

Hopefully, she is going to a top pitching instructor and learning to hit. If she has those 2 skills, you might be able to take your pick of teams.

If she knows girls on prospective teams, just have her ask around about the coach and the parents of the other teammates.

[mnyeck]

We're in the Orange County/LA County area so there are a lot of teams (and that is also what makes it hard to find the "right" team). Unfortunately, the only way to find a good fit (I think) is to practice with the team and play some games with them. Is this the way it works or do you tryout, get picked, and then learn all the bad stuff?

DD is first year 12 (97 in travel ball speak?). We're not expecting her to get on a team and be the #1 pitcher. But we want her to get some pitching time in addition to field/batting time and also to learn. She is a great batter most of the time (for the amount we spent on the bat, she should be hitting home runs every time )

We know some girls that have gone travel and will ask them.

Thanks!

[artomatic]

if they allow your kid to practice with them, that is a good thing...and watch their games.
the more promises that are made to you, the more promises that can be broken.

[2down1togo]

How can you tell when your DD is ready for travel? - That's a tough question but your daughters desire to compete against better players is a pretty good sign that she's ready to take the step..... She'll learn pretty quickly that it will take committment on her part (and yours) to compete. To improve takes repetition, which takes time and dedication........

Looks like try-outs are normally in August? In our area teams are ALWAYS looking for quality players..... and although I've never been to Orange County I'd dare to say there are a lot of teams... The sooner you could pickup the better so that you could partake in their winter program....

How do you pick a team? You've answered your own question - talk to the coaches, other parents, watch practcies carefully catch them in competition if you can. It's always a little easier on the player if you already know players on the team... If your daughter know's players already on a team, you might consider targeting those teams first. Try out for several teams before you commit...

IMHO the most important thing to look for are coaches that coach and teach with passion.... You can tell immediatly if a coach has passion to teach the game, you are what you teach and passion for the game is often overlooked......

Go for it!

[Hurricanes 12U]

MNYEK,

Sent you a P.M.