Two summers ago, while lugging an equipment bag and two rambunctious boys out of the ballpark after a hard fought Tuesday night tee ball game, I heard someone call my name.  It was an old friend with whom I had played baseball with and against when we were younger.   He stopped me and started a conversation about possibly combining a team and wanted to know when we were going to look into playing travel ball.  My son was 5 years old.

My knowledge of travel ball at that point was limited.  I was aware that youth baseball/softball had gone that direction long ago and I understood that, if my boys continued to play, I would likely be considering it as well.  I just assumed the decision would come several years down the road.  I wondered internally what age parents considered traveling and if it was necessary at all. Thinking about it that early seemed absurd.  My child was too young.  But how young is too young?

Through friends and other coaches, I had heard the horror stories about costs, the toll it can take on a family’s time and the motives of some of those involved. I had listened to parents of players complain about the inability to escape the politics that often mar youth sports.  I had also heard positive stories from parents that found themselves on a team with great chemistry, solid coaches and reasonable expenses.  I was even aware of a few players from rural areas that gained exposure and attention from college programs almost solely from travel ball. I knew that there were issues but I understood that, for some, it was both necessary and beneficial.

The merits and drawbacks of modern travel ball have been argued enough in print and social media that many parents are exhausted by the topic.  My personal opinion is that travel ball is necessary for many but not all.  It was born of noble intentions but it quickly blossomed into a massive hyper trend involving many players and families that should be enjoying the game at their local ballpark.  The result has been devastating for many recreational leagues and parks across the country.  Sadly, this means that in many areas that need it the most, kids aren’t being exposed to the game.  Those kids aren’t going to ever play baseball because it simply isn’t around.  The game is now played in some far off place and it costs too much.

Because of the reasons I’ve been given by parents for why they are playing travel ball, I’ve pondered the “chicken vs. the egg” question when it comes to travel teams.  Did competition really get watered down at that many local parks across the country at the same time?  Did every kid really have an incompetent coach and untalented teammates?  Did everyone’s kid suddenly become so dominant that they needed to take the show on the road and up their level of competition?  Or did the travel ball phenomenon consume them prematurely?  Did the competition and quality of coaches diminish as a result of all the good players being pillaged from local ballparks? Did mom and dad want to play travel ball because that’s what everyone else was doing?  I honestly don’t know the answer.  However, I do personally know many players that would be better served playing locally, enjoying multiple sports (if they chose) and letting mom, dad, brother and sister sleep in their own bed while saving the family some money. And I have heard parents and grandparents proudly boast about playing travel ball, strongly implying that they wouldn’t be caught dead playing in a measly rec league.  That leads me to question the motives of many.

Since that summer night two years ago, my knowledge of the advantages of travelling has expanded immensely.  I understand that, in most cases, it raises the level of competition significantly.  Many families enjoy the vibrant tournament atmosphere and playing on pristine fields.  It provides a platform for higher caliber players to draw the attention of college programs and younger players can develop much quicker if you are fortunate enough to find the right mix of team, coaches and competition.  Most importantly though, I understand that, when the decision is made to begin traveling, the game becomes much more serious.  Your child is going to work harder.  Your family is going to sacrifice more time and more money.  One child’s sport is going to consume the attention that another child deserves; or that you yourself deserve. Which brings me back to the question I asked myself that night as I was walking out of the ballpark.  How young is too young?

The answer will vary because kids are all over the map in terms of ability and ambition.  In 12 seasons of coaching youth baseball, I’ve learned more from the kids I’ve coached than they have learned from me.  I’ve also learned a great deal by watching how parents interact with their kids.  It’s been my experience that the most well-adjusted kids down the road (regardless of athletic ability) are the ones that were having the most fun playing when they were young. These also tend to be the children of parents who are letting them develop at their own pace. I can assure you, that if your child is going to hit the big time, it won’t be because of what they did when they were 8 years old.

For the foreseeable future, I want my boys to have fun playing this game. If and when they outgrow their competition at our ballpark and decide they want to work harder, we’ll have to make a decision.  For now, we are going to have fun.  Work can wait.