Is Travel Baseball Worth It? Advice from a Baseball Dad

Is travel baseball worth it depends on your child’s passion for the game and if your family is willing to make the financial and time commitment.

I have 3 boys that play travel baseball and we love every second of it and priceless memories have been created but it’s not for everyone.

Is Travel Baseball Worth It? Yes, If…

Here are 5 key factors that determine if it’s worth it

1 ) Your Child Loves Baseball

If your child does not have a passion for baseball, they will get burned out by the game really quickly because of the intensity and the time and commitment it requires.

Sacrifices will have to be made, such as missing birthday parties and other activities.

2 ) The Parents Love Baseball

What is often overlooked is that at least one of the parents must love baseball.

If the family does not like the game, they will get bored easily and also easily resent all the time commitment that travel baseball requires.

3 ) Your Child Wants to Play at a High Level

Travel baseball provides better training and more competitive games against better kids.

If your child wants to play at a high school or college level, it is almost a requirement for them to play travel baseball.

Otherwise, they will have a difficult time making the team.

Times have changed.

You just can’t practice by yourself, play with your friends and hope to make a high school team.

Kids start very early now, and unless your child is used to playing at a really high competitive level, it is going to be really difficult for them to make the high school team.

4 ) Your Family Has the Money

Travel baseball costs can range from $300 – $950 a month and that does not even include travel and lodging costs.

5 ) Your Family is Willing to Make the Time Commitment

Travel baseball teams usually practice twice a week for at least 90 minutes to two hours.

Teams also play two tournaments a month, so basically two weekends out of the month are gone.

The time commitment for travel baseball prevents most families from taking other vacations or participating in other activities and sports.

Travel Baseball is Not Worth It if…

• Your child just likes baseball and hasn’t shown strong passion for the game
• You’re not willing to give up your weekends
• Your child is too young
• It will cause you financial stress

If your child loves baseball, we recommend the best age to start travel baseball is at 9U

My Opinion On Travel Baseball

If you ask me “Is travel baseball worth it?” and my answer “Heck Yes!”

Travel baseball has been the best time of my life and I’m loving every second of it because it’s created priceless memories with all three of my boys.

These memories have been created from conversations in the long car rides to tournaments to the times we have traveled outside our local area.

The bonding time created around a game that we both love is priceless.

If both you and your child love baseball, it’ll be the best time of your life.

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About Simon Chan