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re: Youth sports (overall Importance)?
Posted on 11/19/25 at 12:44 pm to burger bearcat
Posted on 11/19/25 at 12:44 pm to burger bearcat
Sport is great. I needed rec sports to keep me in college.
Whatever keeps kids/young adults motivated and behaved.
That being said, there are cheaper options than travel ball.
Whatever keeps kids/young adults motivated and behaved.
That being said, there are cheaper options than travel ball.
0
Posted on 11/19/25 at 12:50 pm to burger bearcat
We do travel soccer. I get a lot of joy out of watching my son play to his potential. With that said, if he started saying he was losing interest and wanted to pour into something else, I would be all for that too. Some parents are way too invested. Corner kicks wont pay the bills one day and he knows that
Posted on 11/19/25 at 12:52 pm to burger bearcat
If its competitive, extremely important.
Posted on 11/19/25 at 2:36 pm to burger bearcat
quote:Ask Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos... i'm sure they were All-Star jocks growing up
How important in the long run are youth sports to kids development and long term success in life.
Posted on 11/19/25 at 2:40 pm to burger bearcat
Sports are a critical part of development for some, completely irrelevant for others.
I have kids in club sports and rec leagues. The reason we pulled the oldest from rec was due to the army of moron parents that insist their kids play sports when they have no interest. For the kids that are interested in developing their skills and embracing hard work and discipline that will carry them forward, the booger eaters forced by mom are a huge developmental disruption.
This is the sole reason club and travel teams took off. Once they get to 8-10 YO, the variance in ability is nearly impossible to manage effectively.
I have kids in club sports and rec leagues. The reason we pulled the oldest from rec was due to the army of moron parents that insist their kids play sports when they have no interest. For the kids that are interested in developing their skills and embracing hard work and discipline that will carry them forward, the booger eaters forced by mom are a huge developmental disruption.
This is the sole reason club and travel teams took off. Once they get to 8-10 YO, the variance in ability is nearly impossible to manage effectively.
Posted on 11/19/25 at 3:07 pm to burger bearcat
If your kid is big or elite speed, focus on sports. Otherwise, you’re just tying to force it.
If not elite athlete, pick a fringe sport and be good that that, then play rec in the others.
If not elite athlete, pick a fringe sport and be good that that, then play rec in the others.
Posted on 11/19/25 at 3:09 pm to Bert Macklin FBI
That's crazy.
I guess if more a competitive thing rather than just having fun , the gap between kids with form from "polish and reps" and mere raw natural talent is noticeable.
Seems your guys loves it at that age -- that's great; So at 8-9-10 years old, is a travel ball resume a necessity for seasoning a ballplayer for the HS future and beyond? It's almost become like the routine for Olympic Ice Skaters and Gymnasts now.
quote:
My son is...almost 9 and we do not play travel ball and its starting to show. He is as naturally gifted as most of the players but he just doesn't have the polish or reps that these travel ball kids get and its evident.
I guess if more a competitive thing rather than just having fun , the gap between kids with form from "polish and reps" and mere raw natural talent is noticeable.
Seems your guys loves it at that age -- that's great; So at 8-9-10 years old, is a travel ball resume a necessity for seasoning a ballplayer for the HS future and beyond? It's almost become like the routine for Olympic Ice Skaters and Gymnasts now.
Posted on 11/19/25 at 3:19 pm to lsu777
quote:
depends on the size of the school, how rural it is etc.....but for the bigger schools...yea, even if they are not great. even down to 3a for the most part.
the really good schools, like the traditional powers, the laf and nola catholic schools....yep. especially in the BR area
Blows my mind. I'd have preferred a smaller school and more relaxed, fun atmosphere personally for myself. Loooved the kidding and camaraderie. when I played. But also competitiveness.
For the guys that peak late these days of starting to get into playing ball, tough luck I guess.
Today's travel ball situation is depressing.
I loved playing baseball all the time way back when, was a top player, but probably would have rebelled at some point had it been the current compulsion.
Posted on 11/19/25 at 3:24 pm to EphesianArmor
quote:
Blows my mind. I'd have preferred a smaller school and more relaxed, fun atmosphere personally for myself. Loooved the kidding and camaraderie. when I played. But also competitiveness.
For the guys that peak late these days of starting to get into playing ball, tough luck I guess.
Today's travel ball situation is depressing.
I loved playing baseball all the time way back when, was a top player, but probably would have rebelled at some point had it been the current compulsion.
i mean its not that you have to....but the chances of being good enough if you dont...is slim. and most in LA dont play more than about 60 games a year, usually off 4-5 months but most kids still train during that time. and at the good HS programs, you are lifting or training skill work every day if not playing another sport.
Posted on 11/19/25 at 3:46 pm to lsu777
quote:
most in LA dont play more than about 60 games a year, usually off 4-5 months but most kids still train during that time.
and at the good HS programs, you are lifting or training skill work every day if not playing another sport.
Wish I could have played 50+ games a year back in the day. But not as I got older to be honest.
But wow. Lifting and training off season -- presumably Frosh-Senior years? (or even younger?) Now I see why so many young pitchers are blowing out their elbow-arm-shoulder.
quote:
i mean its not that you have to....but the chances of being good enough if you dont...is slim.
Man, gotta be crushing for talented kids whose parents can't afford the travel ball expenses
Posted on 11/19/25 at 3:52 pm to EphesianArmor
quote:
But wow. Lifting and training off season -- presumably Frosh-Senior years? (or even younger?) Now I see why so many young pitchers are blowing out their elbow-arm-shoulder.
well lifting helps with arm injuries and they arent throwing with intent every day but they are doing hitting, maybe med ball throws or long toss or water bag work and then they are working on fielding. plus arm care etc. like 5 days a week
quote:
Man, gotta be crushing for talented kids whose parents can't afford the travel ball expenses
i mean there are only like half a dozen leagues in the state for 13/14u that arent travel of some kind.
and there are ways around the cost thru scholarships to teams etc
but in HS if you want to go play in college....got to go play real travel ball for the most part.
Posted on 11/19/25 at 5:50 pm to TutHillTiger
As a youth sports official I concur. I did find a league that handles it the right way. A “parent interaction” is a $1000 fine to the club and possible forfeit of the game.
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