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There are several things parents only become familiar with after their baseball boy has joined a select or tournament/travel baseball team. In this article, we will describe some things we wish we had known earlier.
Select & Travel/Tournament Teams Start Young
A lot of select & travel baseball teams form when kids are 7 or 8 years old. With this, it makes it very hard for older kids to get on a team. This is due to most coaches are only looking to fill specific positions on established teams. This can lead to the need to try out for multiple teams and sadly, can lead to disappointment from your player. Check out our post on the top things to know about finding a select or travel baseball team.
Tournaments Will Likely Take Your Entire Weekend
It’s very hard to plan around tournament weekends because you won’t know when your team is playing until a few days prior to the tournament. How well the team plays on the first day will determine when they play on the second day. You’ll need to leave your weekend open as anything can happen from a scheduling perspective.
It Can Be a Huge Expense
Not only can team fees be high, but you’ll also need to plan for the cost of travel, equipment, uniforms, specialized coaching & may find yourself eating out more often during a tournament. Every team is different, so it’s good to ask during the tryout about the fees and also any fundraising activities you’ll be expected to participate in.
Summary
In summary, trying to find a team for your baseball boy can be stressful for both you as the parent and for your son. Knowing what to expect and setting those expectations with your baseball boy may help with some of the stress. As with anything else in life, stay positive and keep trying until you find the right team for your son.
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