Youth Inc Recommends: Resources to Decide if Travel Ball is Really Worth It

Travel baseball is a big step up from rec or local ball. Often, when athletes switch from rec to travel, the grass may seem greener on the other side, but that’s not always true. There are benefits to playing travel baseball, but you need to consider the time commitment, cost, and overall experience to determine if it’s worth it.  

To help parents and athletes decide how valuable travel ball is, the Youth Inc. staff scoured the Internet and social media to find the best resources to help improve your mental game. They range from blogs to YouTube videos, giving you the resources you need in the format that works best for you.  

Here are three resources to help you decide if travel ball is worth it: 

 Is Travel Ball Really Worth It?  

What it is: A blog from College Athlete Advantage that talks about the pros and cons of travel baseball, comparing it to high school baseball.  

Why we like it: It puts into perspective how many players in the MLB have previously played travel baseball. “In 2017, there had been about 5,000 MLB players throughout history who had played at least one game in a travel baseball league.” So, by now, imagine how many more players have played travel. If MLB is the goal, maybe emulate that in your choices.  

Travel Baseball: The Bad & The Good 

 What it is: A YouTube video from Recruiting With Alex, a baseball recruiting influencer talking about the pros and cons of travel baseball.  

Why we like it: Alex says it’s not the best way to get recruited for college! He says college coaches or scouts miss 90% of travel ball games. Though some organizations can invite coaches to come to tournaments or showcases- it’s not a guarantee that they’ll show up. If you’re paying for a team, hoping for exposure, this seems like an uncertain outcome (which is not what you want!)  

Here's The Scam Of Travel Baseball 

What it is: A YouTube video from baseball enthusiasts Dan and Joe about what travel baseball is MISSING.  

Why we like it: Being team-oriented vs. self-oriented is something that athletes struggle with. Joe and Dan stress that being on a high school team can teach you teamwork and to build relationships with your teammates. The experiences are very different- and not as helpful to helping you grow as a teammate.