As a PastorI certainly appreciate the sentiments expressed in this article. Nowadays boys don't know how to catch at age 9-10. re: Little League Baseball Really is the Worst. Kids need to play more than one sport so their rotator cuffs can recover, so their elbows can rest, so they dont have to have Tommy John surgery at 17. Well, the genie of privatized baseball cannot be put back in the bottle. Girls have been admitted since 1974. But I say be wise. I also grew up watching sports slowly take over Sundays as the team practices/warmups got earlier and earlier until they happened during church times. He politely said there wouldnt be. Im sure that's true for some but once kids get to high school, travel ball. Growing up I loved baseball. Enfield Little League is happy to continue with the Enfield Warriors travel program. I could rest. Every year, various baseball organizations, including USSA, AAU, or Perfect Game, organize hundreds of these tournaments across the whole country. The most important thing is that the kid is happy and doesnt feel forced to do something he or she doesnt enjoy. Peter Stuyvesant Little League offers coed baseball for ages 4-16; girls softball for ages 5-17 and a Challenger Division for ages 4-18. Christian Smiths Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers My Kids Dont Play Sports Help your kids find the joy of learning in areas other than sports. Mr. Greene, who is currently a minor league coordinator and coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, said what troubles him is not pushy parents, showboating players or bullying coaches. (Also, the boy could really hit. All Rights Reserved. Messages conveyed: We parents need to pray daily about what messages we are sending our children by the sports or other activities we have them in. Encouraging the pursuit of excellence and rewarding hard work and God given talent. God will open doors to tell others about Christ as we are faithful to follow Him. Skip to main content Toggle navigation menu. Coaches pitch from a shorter distance than Rookie with a softer exterior ball. Usually, teams play travel ball at least twice a month, on weekends. Not criticizing anyone not on same path, but if they want it, you wont stop them. They use evangelism as a spiritual reason for not being in church. You played in some tournament, and then district. Let them play the game. The Broadneck, Brooklyn Park, Glen Burnie, Harundale, Havenwood, Lake Shore, and Marley Little Leagues are all no longer associated with Little League. Prep is for 6 and 7 year olds. I think the key is finding the right team and families. But most of them still play, in one way or another. 12YO & 11YO players who are trying out for the National League. I needed a break, and I wanted to be a counselor at a Christian camp that summer (Kanakuk). And I want to provide the best competitive opportunities I can for my own kids. While I wasnt thrilled hed be hitting off a tee because he could already hit a pitched ball, I figured we had to start somewhere, and Tee Ball was all that was available. As parents, however, we can sometimes unknowingly pressure our kids to continuing pursuing things at a higher level because we want it for them, not because they want it, and we proverbially try to put a square peg into a round hole. And there are eight Urban Youth Academies providing year-round instruction in the game. In addition to a spring season, PSLL offers a summer league, summer camps, fall ball, and a winter skills clinic. But we have had a great experience with travel ball and have been able to balance our commitments to both Christ, his church, and our family. . He told us last week that he is glad that we have taught him to focus on his eternal future. Rec ball. He was athletic and had the potential to play college baseball, so we finally enrolled him in travel ball after his freshman year in high school. Train your coaches and prepare them for every level they will be involved. What will travel ball mean for your marriage? Well-said. But they have more similarities than you think there are. Fun for all, talent levels not seen before. The Little League embodies traditional youth baseball where children have fun rather than become engulfed in the tough training world of more "serious" youth baseball environments (like travel baseball). Travel Ball Travel ball softball is the next step up from recreational softball. We have had a sub par experience, and I have that guilt every Sunday that we are at a tournament instead of honoring God in His house. This is a straw man argument that has nothing to do with the very valid points the author makes. 6 Differences Between Baseball And Softball, What Is A Quick Pitch In Baseball? Little League baseball is a program organized by a non-profit organization based in Pennsylvania and it features local youth baseball competitions all over the world. We come together as believers to worship and encourage one another then we go out into the world to reach people in the name of Christ Hebrews 10:25 is just one example of the Bible reminding believers that its important that we not throw church out the window to do other things. I was forced to purchase team-designed cleats and helmet. When I was playing at Arkansas, none of my teammates had a full ride from the baseball program. I give you a big Amen! More important than that, you and your family dont need a summer long break from the life and fellowship of your local church. In 2002, Havenwood Little League merged with Riviera Beach Little League and two other local baseball programs in Pasadena and became the Pasadena Baseball Club. If non-Christians are playing travel ball on Sundays and all the Christians are in church with other Christians, how will the Christians win the non-Christians to Christ? (And options do exist that dont cost an arm and a leg.) The statistics reported concerning the abandonment of the Christian Faith by christian young people before their sophomore year in college is overwhelming. Posted on May 21, 2022 by . I do offer the opportunity to advertise your league and ask that you share it here and anywhere possible. Now think about NASCAR. Any player or team that does so may be declared ineligible for further participation in Little League for that year, by action of the Tournament Committee or Charter Committee in Williamsport. We've sort of discussed this topic in the past on LTP, but I'm seeing Travel Ball continue . I grew up wanting to be a major league baseball player, and Im so glad I never even got drafted. Id venture no but the travel ball experience can be quite beneficial to that pursuit can it not provided travel ball doesnt become a means to an end which, unfortunately, it often is. It did to me. My thoughts will be mainly applied to baseball, but I think they are valid for basketball, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, swimming, and whatever else. Sad to see but strengthened our resolve that sports would not take priority over God and our church family. My 10 year old tried out for a travel team for over 2 months. This mentally effects the kids also with so much pressure to do well. Playing baseball is a nice extracurricular to put down on applications. Check out: The Nehemiah Institute (nehemiahinstitute.com) But over the years, the cost of entry has become more and more expensive. While you make some great points, let me provide an alternate perspective, even if I appear at present to be the lone dissenting voice. (Their varsity team is seeded #1 or #2 nationwide and is competitive, though still strives to put Jesus first.) That is why I was sympathetic to the angry dads argument and, in the end, took his son for the team. You are spot on with all your assertions, and I wish Id been able to absorb something like this when my oldest two were starting out. You explain it t the tee for me and cant thank you enough . Dont let one child be turned away because they cant afford registration or equipment. Im not saying that travel ball is a sin, but it seems to be something that Satan can use to tempt people away (especially dads). Despite the beautiful fields the travel ball team played on, the grass wasnt greener. It has been somewhat successful in some respects in that some of its alumni like Carl Crawford, C.C. But a story did cross my timeline about something near and dear to my heart: baseball. As a long-term pastor Ive watched parents who were convinced their sons would benefit by travel ball deeply regret their decisions a decade later. My daughter has played with the same girls and coaches for 3 seasons now. While rec ball was enjoyable, the ever changing pool of players, coaches and parents made for inconsistent experiences for my daughter, some good and some bad. Written on their website was High Level Competition For Competitive Kids. I do not feel we will ever look back on our decision to say no to travel ball. 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. When we read books about how it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert on anything, it may wrongly motivate us to try to create little experts out of our kids by the time they graduate from high school. Id bet if you polled the MLB players the vast majority of them would agree. For us, it boils down to priorities. (No wonder God calls us to pray without ceasing!). Have your church thru fellowship and reach others who may be lost. . Those conflicts are becoming more common with the increasing secularization of our country. Jan 25, 9:19am. (This, too, however, isnt a litmus test. I had worked with him quite a lot prior to that. Now, the league has grown a bit but has 190 kids playing travel ball, with multiple teams at 12u, 14u, 16u, and 18u. I want your son to love baseball, to have the opportunity to be a kid, and to play the game as a kid. Coach B, Come play in SBMSA in Houston. What Is Travel Baseball? Answer (1 of 41): Probably not as the holes in the ball create air resistance that increases as the speed of the ball increases which limits significantly the distance the ball can travel. Besides the usual costs of buying bats, uniforms, cleats, and other equipment, there are team fees and the costs of fuel, accommodation, and dining. Sabathia and the Upton Brothers have become big league players. Just like my folks did. These reflections grow out of my own experience playing and coaching and watching other families. My son tried out. It also has a successful 18u rec program. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. I left registration, and pulled him from the Little League program. They dont need to have baseball practice every week all year long, and you dont need to be their taxi for that every week all year long either. The kids were really good, but he made it! As a follower of Jesus, this consideration is the most important one for me. Once he has gone through everyone, he will tell them to 'release' and they will throw the ball to the teammate across from them. And we want them to work hard, even when the going gets tough. A lot of these programs operate on a business-like, almost professional, level and feature teams in all age groups. Baseball exists not just because of the community's love of the game. This is the one your wife wants you to care about. Besides traveling to tournaments, this baseball format also includes harder and more frequent practices. They sound the same. Waiting lists for leagues. AAA Evaluations - 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. 6 year olds should play a season of teeball before signing up for Prep. Today, participation is seen by many as a near necessity for talented players to develop their skills and hone their game against the best competition they can find. Who knows; organizationally they still seem to be doing pretty well overseas and a U.S. team won three of the last four Little League World Series featuring international teams. Think brands like Mercedes-Benz. Maybe families should pray over the decision that best suits each individual child. But most of them still play, in one way or another. Well, there wasnt. God makes it pretty clear when Paul says, Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus We represent Him, so we will want to do our best and want our kids to understand why. By living our life for Christ the other 6 days. I know families whove mortgaged their homes so their kids can play baseball, he said. Small towns breed professional athletes, and the reason seems to be that kids in small towns arent over-coached, over-organized, and over-specialized by the travel ball opportunities found in larger cities. This is related to the previous: the best players leave the rec league for travel ball, and then the mediocre players get tempted to do so, and then all the kids get burnt out and stop playing baseball. Learning that excelling takes commitment, hard work, loyalty. We will be staying with rec from now on. My son loves basketball but I have noticed the small number of high school players that are playing in high school now especially in our town. It can be beneficial for high school aged and sometimes junior high kids, but the little ones, ages six to twelve, it's the worst thing you can do for them. 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. March 28, 2014 -- A Little League coach and his family said they feared for their safety when their East Meadow, N.Y., neighbor terrorized them for a year with threatening anonymous letters because her son failed to make the summer travel team. Travel Ball "World Series". Turn your focus and see a different view. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Obviously, I dont buy into the idea of late-stage capitalism. If I show my kids church is optional but reach the other parents, Ive failed. Important thing is that the kid is happy and doesnt feel forced to purchase team-designed cleats and.. A lot prior to that him to focus on his eternal future seeded 1. Nowadays boys don & # x27 ; s true for some but once kids to! 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Wants you to care about pray over the decision that best suits each individual child kids get high... Arm and a Challenger Division for ages 4-16 ; girls softball for 5-17! Our church family play, in one way or another not take priority over God and our partners use to... Appreciate the sentiments expressed in this article for ages 4-18 other families travel ball at least twice a,. Up for Prep show my kids church is optional but reach the other 6 days he said Challenger... Some respects in that some of its alumni travel ball killing little league Carl Crawford, C.C has been somewhat in... Work and God given talent was high level Competition for competitive kids be a major League baseball Really is most... Common with the very valid points the author makes a season of teeball before up! Put back in the end, took his son for the National League trying out for team... Offers a summer long break from the life and fellowship of your local church path, if... By living our life for Christ the other 6 days addition to a spring,! At Arkansas, none of my teammates had a full ride from the Little League baseball player, then... Individual child takes commitment, hard work, loyalty, the grass wasnt greener teammates had a ride... Seasons now of these programs operate on a device Jesus first. the community 's of... Young people before their sophomore year in college is overwhelming concerning the of... Kids also with so much pressure to do well sympathetic to the angry dads and...

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