Keep this in mind. Much of the situation you are talking about in your original post involves other parents who are not happy with the situation their kids are in at the rec level. It also involves the coaches. Many of these same people are probably considering taking their kid out of the rec league and putting them into travel. Many of the coaches who are currently coaching rec will get tired of the complaints and situation in rec and opt to move to the travel level. So, often times, you will wind up dealing with the same people or type of people in travel that you did in rec. It's just a reality. Over time, some of these people will be weeded out and some of them will grow personally. As the kids get older, the games become more and more relaxed and less drama. However, at the lower ages, it is still pretty crazy.
I don't say lower your expectations, just don't look through rose colored glasses at another situation thinking it will solve all your issues. There are a wide variety of travel teams out there. Some are no better talent wise than a local rec team, some are very good. Much depends on the coaches and what they are trying to put together. Many if not all coaches at the lower ages are dads. Some of those dads are very good coaches and some of them started a travel team just to make sure they get their kid some play time at the position he would like him to play. There are many threads on this board about researching the team that you are interested in playing on. Go back and read some of them. Unfortunately, sometimes even though you've done your research, you may not be happy with where you wind up.
The reason people say that the politics and drama doesn't really change is because every family that moves from rec to travel does so because they think their kid is too good for rec. When they get to travel and compete against other kids who also feel that way, they still might not get what they are looking for. For example, a kid is playing rec ball. Winds up playing outfield. Parents think, "he should be playing shortstop, we're getting out of here and playing on a team where his talent will be appreciated and he can play short". Well, they move to travel and lo and behold, there are a bunch of other very good players and little johnny doesn't get to play short. Parents are still not happy and wind up complaining and causing drama on that team. I think you can see where this is going.
Will the umps be better? Probably, although at the younger ages, it is usually the more inexperienced umps working. As they get more experience, they move up in age groups. So, you won't see a kid out there for the first time ever, but they won't be the best either.
I think all anybody is trying to say is all the problems you are facing will not go away. Some will, some won't, some new ones may come up. If your grandson wants to play at a higher level, there is the potential for that at the travel level. However, part of that will depend on the team you get on and who they play. If he gets on a single A team, and they play other single A teams, it's not going to be a whole lot better. If he can get on a major team, it will be a lot better.
As far as the cost, others have said it - you sacrifice. We spent a lot of money playing baseball and traveling over the years. A LOT. We didn't take a real family vacation for like 8 years. Every family vacation was a baseball tournament we did. Took a week off and went to Panama City or Myrtle Beach or Cooperstown or some other place that was pretty cool. It costs money, even on the teams that don't do a lot of traveling. I would never take those days back. The experience was wonderful. My son is about to graduate from HS. We were looking back on some pictures the other day from the old days and it was very nostalgic. Great times, great memories. My son played for dads until he got to HS. They were great coaches, we had a good team and we were very happy. It still wasn't cheap, but we made the sacrifice and I feel like it was worth it. |
How do you do it financially?
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 23:11:44
