Pioneer/NoVA Travel Baseball

[Anonymous]

I tried asking this in another (barely related thread), but does anyone have any experience or opinions on Pioneer’s travel teams? I’m looking for some potential leagues for my two young boys (U9 and U12). Pioneer seems convenient.

Any other leagues convenient to NoVA that you would recommend?

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

At that age, do what is convenient for your family. The real game changer is 13/14u on the bigger field and kids going through puberty. A good (doesn't have to be elite) program with coaches who develop players is fine at younger ages. The worst I have seen is kids going for elite programs, riding the bench and losing their confidence- thus quitting.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the reply.

We are on the same page, but there are a few options that are similarly (in)convenient. (Pioneer, Stars, Arlington, and maybe some others I dont know about.) Just trying to do learn what I can.

[Anonymous]

I know kids who play/have played for Pioneer but they are older and I’m only hearing secondhand info from them, so I’d take what I say with healthy skepticism.

From my understanding, some have been disgruntled because they feel it is a money grab to try to keep their technically unaffiliated Pioneer Baseball Academy afloat. Having said that, PBA where the teams often train, is a beautiful facility.

I believe the travel costs per season are fairly high, but not out of line with other travel teams.

Check out who the prospective coaches are (just as a general tip). If they sound too good to be true, they just might be.

I’ve said this in that other thread and someone from MD strongly disputed it, but lots of NOVA teams are having tryouts now or very soon. Check out the VA Travel Baseball Tryouts Facebook page as everyone is listing their upcoming tryouts there now. I understand MD is on a different tryout schedule, MD guy, so please don’t come at me!

PS- the Metro Senators rising 13u teams have already had their first round of tryouts and offers were made last week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know kids who play/have played for Pioneer but they are older and I’m only hearing secondhand info from them, so I’d take what I say with healthy skepticism.

From my understanding, some have been disgruntled because they feel it is a money grab to try to keep their technically unaffiliated Pioneer Baseball Academy afloat. Having said that, PBA where the teams often train, is a beautiful facility.

I believe the travel costs per season are fairly high, but not out of line with other travel teams.

Check out who the prospective coaches are (just as a general tip). If they sound too good to be true, they just might be.

I’ve said this in that other thread and someone from MD strongly disputed it, but lots of NOVA teams are having tryouts now or very soon. Check out the VA Travel Baseball Tryouts Facebook page as everyone is listing their upcoming tryouts there now. I understand MD is on a different tryout schedule, MD guy, so please don’t come at me!

PS- the Metro Senators rising 13u teams have already had their first round of tryouts and offers were made last week.

I don't know why this is being so hotly disputed. I run social media for our league and I see lots of tryout advertisements for May/early June.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know kids who play/have played for Pioneer but they are older and I’m only hearing secondhand info from them, so I’d take what I say with healthy skepticism.

From my understanding, some have been disgruntled because they feel it is a money grab to try to keep their technically unaffiliated Pioneer Baseball Academy afloat. Having said that, PBA where the teams often train, is a beautiful facility.

I believe the travel costs per season are fairly high, but not out of line with other travel teams.

Check out who the prospective coaches are (just as a general tip). If they sound too good to be true, they just might be.

I’ve said this in that other thread and someone from MD strongly disputed it, but lots of NOVA teams are having tryouts now or very soon. Check out the VA Travel Baseball Tryouts Facebook page as everyone is listing their upcoming tryouts there now. I understand MD is on a different tryout schedule, MD guy, so please don’t come at me!

PS- the Metro Senators rising 13u teams have already had their first round of tryouts and offers were made last week.

I know several families as part of a softball club that trains at PBA. Heard costs for winter training doubled this year !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the reply.

We are on the same page, but there are a few options that are similarly (in)convenient. (Pioneer, Stars, Arlington, and maybe some others I dont know about.) Just trying to do learn what I can.

Do whatever is closest. Pioneer A teams are good. I think for 10U, they just started a B team last year. Not sure about 12U. For Arlington, you have to live in their boundary and their tryouts aren't until October, but sometimes kids move during the season and they might pick up 1 more for the fall. The ages change after the summer season is over. So a 10U now would be trying out for an 11U spot for the fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the reply.

We are on the same page, but there are a few options that are similarly (in)convenient. (Pioneer, Stars, Arlington, and maybe some others I dont know about.) Just trying to do learn what I can.

Do whatever is closest. Pioneer A teams are good. I think for 10U, they just started a B team last year. Not sure about 12U. For Arlington, you have to live in their boundary and their tryouts aren't until October, but sometimes kids move during the season and they might pick up 1 more for the fall. The ages change after the summer season is over. So a 10U now would be trying out for an 11U spot for the fall.

Is this true? My son played for ATB (Arlington Travel Baseball) and there were kids from Alexandria on his team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the reply.

We are on the same page, but there are a few options that are similarly (in)convenient. (Pioneer, Stars, Arlington, and maybe some others I dont know about.) Just trying to do learn what I can.

Did you just move here and are trying to join a travel team or have your kids ever played travel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the reply.

We are on the same page, but there are a few options that are similarly (in)convenient. (Pioneer, Stars, Arlington, and maybe some others I dont know about.) Just trying to do learn what I can.

Do whatever is closest. Pioneer A teams are good. I think for 10U, they just started a B team last year. Not sure about 12U. For Arlington, you have to live in their boundary and their tryouts aren't until October, but sometimes kids move during the season and they might pick up 1 more for the fall. The ages change after the summer season is over. So a 10U now would be trying out for an 11U spot for the fall.

Is this true? My son played for ATB (Arlington Travel Baseball) and there were kids from Alexandria on his team.

My kid currently plays for ATB, and we don't live in Arlington. The team tryouts are scheduled for July, so maybe PP is talking about a different Arlington team (Storm, maybe?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the reply.

We are on the same page, but there are a few options that are similarly (in)convenient. (Pioneer, Stars, Arlington, and maybe some others I dont know about.) Just trying to do learn what I can.

Do whatever is closest. Pioneer A teams are good. I think for 10U, they just started a B team last year. Not sure about 12U. For Arlington, you have to live in their boundary and their tryouts aren't until October, but sometimes kids move during the season and they might pick up 1 more for the fall. The ages change after the summer season is over. So a 10U now would be trying out for an 11U spot for the fall.

Is this true? My son played for ATB (Arlington Travel Baseball) and there were kids from Alexandria on his team.

My kid currently plays for ATB, and we don't live in Arlington. The team tryouts are scheduled for July, so maybe PP is talking about a different Arlington team (Storm, maybe?).

Yes, storm, I’m not sure about ATB, but gif 12u her kid has she’s out of both unless she means 12u for fall. Storm has done not in Arlignton, but it has a strict boundary. Not sure about ATB.
There’s also primetime if you are in Alexandria, op.

[Anonymous]

The location thing is key as no one wants to battle traffic twice a week to drive 10 miles away in this area.

10 miles can be 40 minutes in a car.

[Anonymous]

We love Metro but didn't start til 13u so I can't speak to how it works with the younger teams that I think are parent-coached. I do think they already had tryouts, though. But worth keeping in mind. I feel like their costs are reasonable and they do a lot of local tournaments so you don't have to travel a ton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the reply.

We are on the same page, but there are a few options that are similarly (in)convenient. (Pioneer, Stars, Arlington, and maybe some others I dont know about.) Just trying to do learn what I can.

Do whatever is closest. Pioneer A teams are good. I think for 10U, they just started a B team last year. Not sure about 12U. For Arlington, you have to live in their boundary and their tryouts aren't until October, but sometimes kids move during the season and they might pick up 1 more for the fall. The ages change after the summer season is over. So a 10U now would be trying out for an 11U spot for the fall.

Is this true? My son played for ATB (Arlington Travel Baseball) and there were kids from Alexandria on his team.

My kid currently plays for ATB, and we don't live in Arlington. The team tryouts are scheduled for July, so maybe PP is talking about a different Arlington team (Storm, maybe?).

Yes, storm, I’m not sure about ATB, but gif 12u her kid has she’s out of both unless she means 12u for fall. Storm has done not in Arlignton, but it has a strict boundary. Not sure about ATB.
There’s also primetime if you are in Alexandria, op.

Both LL and Babe Ruth have strict rules about where you live/play. Storm requires players to also play for Babe Ruth (rec/house). Sometimes they can get a waiver for 1 kid to be out of the district, and other times I've seen the kid get permission not to play Babe Ruth (only Storm). That's how some (not many) kids from out of Arlington play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the reply.

We are on the same page, but there are a few options that are similarly (in)convenient. (Pioneer, Stars, Arlington, and maybe some others I dont know about.) Just trying to do learn what I can.

Do whatever is closest. Pioneer A teams are good. I think for 10U, they just started a B team last year. Not sure about 12U. For Arlington, you have to live in their boundary and their tryouts aren't until October, but sometimes kids move during the season and they might pick up 1 more for the fall. The ages change after the summer season is over. So a 10U now would be trying out for an 11U spot for the fall.

Is this true? My son played for ATB (Arlington Travel Baseball) and there were kids from Alexandria on his team.

My kid currently plays for ATB, and we don't live in Arlington. The team tryouts are scheduled for July, so maybe PP is talking about a different Arlington team (Storm, maybe?).

Yes, storm, I’m not sure about ATB, but gif 12u her kid has she’s out of both unless she means 12u for fall. Storm has done not in Arlignton, but it has a strict boundary. Not sure about ATB.
There’s also primetime if you are in Alexandria, op.

Both LL and Babe Ruth have strict rules about where you live/play. Storm requires players to also play for Babe Ruth (rec/house). Sometimes they can get a waiver for 1 kid to be out of the district, and other times I've seen the kid get permission not to play Babe Ruth (only Storm). That's how some (not many) kids from out of Arlington play.

I have never seen this. I did know one kid who was on a rec team and never ever showed up, and it was very unfair to the rec kids.