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nwgadad
137 Posts |
 Posted - 06/25/2012 : 10:20:25
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My son used to play travel ball and got burned out so he took the fall off, then played rec ball in the spring and now playing all stars. We have played in a couple tournaments already and noticed a few differences.
1. Talent level (obviously)
2. Dizzy Dean tournaments do not have time limits. 6 innings or run rule. The games are scheduled every two hours but some games have run 2 1/2 to 3 hours or more. Long day at the park if you have two games back to back or even if you have a break in between.
3. Chanting or cheering on both sides from the dugout. (12u age group they are too old for that!)
4. Kids get down on themselves more by play/pitch/mistake. Maybe that is by kid, but seems like I have seen more in all-star than travel.
5a. Pitching - see coaches throwing a lot of curve balls and the fastball of most of the kids is a change up in Travel!
5b. Passed balls/Wild Pitches - some of both, but too many for 12u's. At what age group does this get better and is it because it is 'all stars' and not 'travel'?
But what is crazy with all that said, my son is having a great time! Hoping he goes out for travel in the fall! 
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GAFarmer
90 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2012 : 20:22:36
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That was a great experience I am sure. I have been around the game for a long time and the common thread I see is burnout. So what if things are different your son had to adapt. You did not mention this but I would bet the farm your son mentored and inspired other kids to step up their game. That is what it is about. 75 percent of the travel ball players will leave the game in the next three years. I saw minor leaguers with potential walk away from he game due to burnout over the years. All you parents need to be aware that the travel environment breeds burnout more than you think.
quote:
Originally posted by nwgadad
My son used to play travel ball and got burned out so he took the fall off, then played rec ball in the spring and now playing all stars. We have played in a couple tournaments already and noticed a few differences.
1. Talent level (obviously)
2. Dizzy Dean tournaments do not have time limits. 6 innings or run rule. The games are scheduled every two hours but some games have run 2 1/2 to 3 hours or more. Long day at the park if you have two games back to back or even if you have a break in between.
3. Chanting or cheering on both sides from the dugout. (12u age group they are too old for that!)
4. Kids get down on themselves more by play/pitch/mistake. Maybe that is by kid, but seems like I have seen more in all-star than travel.
5a. Pitching - see coaches throwing a lot of curve balls and the fastball of most of the kids is a change up in Travel!
5b. Passed balls/Wild Pitches - some of both, but too many for 12u's. At what age group does this get better and is it because it is 'all stars' and not 'travel'?
But what is crazy with all that said, my son is having a great time! Hoping he goes out for travel in the fall!
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mbdale
28 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2012 : 23:17:55
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Great points, GAFarmer. I agree with you 100% - too many parents are living through their kids and have no life of there own. These boys need time to be kids - if they can play the game, they'll be able to play when they are 15, 16, and 17 years old. Some of them are going to ruin their chances of advancing by tearing their arms up by playing 80-100 games a year. The large majority of kids being idolized today will be sitting on the curb in 5 years.
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ecbpappi
244 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2012 : 10:18:34
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I don't think it has as much to do with burnout as many here like to say, it's more of a combination of wanting to chase girls, spend time with buddies and the game getting harder and sometimes not as fun as it was when your 10 yrs old.
quote:
Originally posted by mbdale
Great points, GAFarmer. I agree with you 100% - too many parents are living through their kids and have no life of there own. These boys need time to be kids - if they can play the game, they'll be able to play when they are 15, 16, and 17 years old. Some of them are going to ruin their chances of advancing by tearing their arms up by playing 80-100 games a year. The large majority of kids being idolized today will be sitting on the curb in 5 years.
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