How far have you traveled to participate in Travel Ball? Our Son tried out for a Team in Chicago IL..We live 30 MIN North of Madison Wisconsin. Traveled 2hours 15m to get to the practice facility... Now it will be Fall Ball, Practices and training till next Summer... AM I NUTS??

You are indeed nuts. How old is your son and what team did he try out for? If it's not the Cubs or the Sox, I'd say you're going to be working to fill your gas tank. Don't you guys have any teams behind the Cheddar Curtain?

I might tend to agree, how old is your son?

I wouldn't say you are nuts but I would discourage such an endeavor ... you are talking a minimum of 4 hours travel time round trip, and need to consider length of practices, training, etc. If the coaching staff is as it appears they are, it is probably going to be at least 6 hour 'day' just traveling to and from and practics; games could take up even more time.

It is possible that your son could do homework in the car on the way to practices, but by the time you drive back home, it may be a lost deal.

Our son played on a very good travel team when he was 13/14 and their home field was 45 minutes from our house ... it made for some very very long days for our son (and for his old folks). Not sure I would have had him do it if I knew what I know now but of course it wouldn't be my decision anyway.

But bottom line, I think it is too far for a younger player to travel ... and this doesn't address valid concerns about the risks of being on the road that many hours a day/week.

quote:

AM I NUTS??

yes.......but you knew that.....(need Proof?...4.5 hour roundtrip)

and I thought we were nuts for traveling an hour for "local" games.

A drive like that is going to take a huge toll on the family...........


Hope it works out for you

I have called people NUTS for traveling from Tampa to Orlando (1 hour) or vice versa... you are certifiable.

That of course doesn't mean I disagree with what you are doing. I have done some CRAZY things for my boy!

Is there not one good travel team in Madison or are you distantly related to the Favre's?

We can only assume you've examined your local options, but its hard for me to imagine that the 4-5 hours couldn't be spent effectively in Madison.

Beyond the resources spent, the burn-out risks seem super high for all concerned.

Mank10, I think that is a personal decision with special consideration given to your son. We started traveling a long distance (90 miles one way) when my son was 13 and continued until he was 18. (no fall ball). It has it's pros and cons. It does take up a lot of time but that time can be converted to quality time with your son. We talked a lot during that time and shared some things that I probably wouldn't have shared had he played locally. It also provided my son with an opportunity to play a level of baseball he could not have experienced in our smaller town. While I never thought much about the expense of gas (about $1.20 at that time) that would be a big factor at today's prices.

Crazy? Of course it's crazy! We're all crazy! This whole thing of parents working, sacrificing, spending, pushing, pulling, and begging just so kids can play a game is crazy!!! ---- But if your son wants it then go for it!
Fungo

Have spent many hours(years) searching for a travel team closer to home...there aren't any! We have a Babe Ruth and Little League near by... Son was very fortunate to be able to play up with a great Babe Ruth team and Coach... Coach is finished as his son will be playing Legion Ball next year. Little League is Rec Ball. We want to get away from the DaddyBall coaches in Little League... Called numerous clubs and they have either stopped or do not have a 13U or 14U program any more... Found it kind of funny...Coach of a 14U Wisconsin Travel Team (that is 45 min away) that had a team last year, had his son @ this tryout!! What does that tell you???

We would have to start our own team!!! NOT!!

We were very impressed with this club, They ran a Showcase/Pro Style try out.. WE liked the level of Coaching expertise and intensity... Yeah... Its a haul.. But I think our Son will benefit from this experience and be a better ball player in the end..

My Brother just returned from The Cooperstown Dreams Park... They had to haul my nephew 1 HR 45 Min each way (Oshkosh) 4 times per week all Summer to Practice and scrimmages.. He played very well in NY and elevated his game. (good coaching!!!)


Thanks for the forum I appreciate your responses still open to any advise given. N

Of course you are nuts! Viewed from the outside, most posters here appear to irrational, in one aspect or another of their behavior regarding baseball and their kids.

I sympathize with the idea of traveling to practice. Our son at 13/14 years old was traveling about 1 hour 15 minutes to practice. Some players on his team traveled farther. The practice locations are now closer to our house, but worse for some other kids. We do this because the team is a good fit for our son, with excellent coaching and exposure.

It is ironic that I don't have experience to know if traveling long distances to practice is the right tradeoff for our son, and by the time I do gain the experience and perspective, it will be too late to benefit from it.

We are on the EAst Coast and in the last two years we have had boys from Wisconsin with us---one got drafted and is now playing in the Florida Marlins system while the other signed a scholarship with a strong Division II program in

If you do not go for it, it cannot happen

Rockford?

If you calculated what it would cost you for fees,gas, possible stay overs and gas for the year, you might save more than a college coach will give for a scholarship.

Hauling in summer is a lot different than hauling during school year.

Yes, you are nuts. I know this because we drive close to 3 hours to our practices. From experience it does take a huge toll on the family. It is not cheap either. But, it has been worth it to my son. He plays on a very strong team at the level I think he needs to play at. We can't find anything close to that closer to home. Yes, we travel a lot but he has had many great experiences that we wouldn't trade for anything. Now that fuel is so expensive, we may tone it down for the fall. He will be in HS this year so spring is out too. But I am sure summer will be as busy as ever.

I would find out if there is an equivalent team closer by. Also, you may need to cut back on some of the team workouts. Remember, his education needs to come first. I can tell you that travel makes homework very difficult. We rarely made weekday practices during the school year. We did however, work out at home during the school year.

And honestly, the travel time has brought us closer together due to all the "chat" in the car.

Manke;

what type of business are you in?

Why not organize your own team, invite minor league players to teach and play games to learn!!!!. You will save $$$$.

I did this 25 years ago and now after 8,000 players, we are continued to be involved in International Baseball.

My coaches this year to Australia, include 4 pro scouts, one former LA Dodger outfielder. All are great teachers.

Bob Williams
<www.goodwillseries.org>

Well, it sounds like you've already made up your mind, but for the benefit of others who may be faced with the same type of choice... consider carefully what TPM said. By the time you foot the bill for all the travel expenses (including hotels and food for actual games during the season) you could have created your own "scholarship" fund, if that's what you hope will come out of this in the end.

Good luck to you and your son - hope it is everything you hope for!

It's funny though -- that "scholarship fund" idea. Playing baseball in college isn't always about getting a discount in the cost of education. Most states have really affordable, really good schools which will provide most students with a great education.

Isn't this endeavor all about letting your kid figure out if he is good enough to DO what he wants to DO at the next highest level?

If your kid wants to play baseball in college - at the highest level - it's not really about the money, is it?