Travel Teams - Separating Fact and Fiction

The following is an example of what I have heardteam.
many student athletes say: "My All Star TravelFACT: Travel baseball and softball is extremely
Team is going to be playing in the Holiday Woodwatered down. Playing for a Travel All Star Team
Bat Classic in Peoria during the 4th of Julydoes not necessarily mean that you are on a
Weekend. This is a great opportunity fortruly elite team, despite what the coaches of
exposure."these programs may say.
FACT: There are only a select few tournamentsFACT: Travel baseball was at one time only about
for both baseball and softball where a vastplayer development. Then it later evolved into a
number of college coaches will be in attendance. Incontest between coaches to see who could win
terms of the example above, you can be surethe most games and tournaments. More recently,
that college coaches will not be spending their 4thseveral coaches and organizations realized that
of July weekend away from their families on themoney could be made if they somehow tied
recruiting trail.college recruiting to travel baseball and softball, or
FACT: Getting exposure through tournament playat least made it appear that a connection
is only possible if college coaches know who youbetween the two existed. When choosing a travel
are prior to attending a particular tournament. Justteam, find a coach and program that puts the
like showcases, most college coaches come toneeds of student athletes first. Travel baseball and
tournaments to evaluate players they alreadysoftball is first and foremost about development,
know. Thus, the chances of being discovered atnot about winning tournaments or getting
an exposure tournament are slim, unless you playexposure. If you choose a program that is
for a well known elite program, in which casesincerely about athletic development, then the
many college coaches are already familiar with therecruiting aspects will take care of themselves.
caliber of players that compete for your particular