Mindset of Travel Sport Parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I find perplexing about these recurring negative “travel sports” posts is the implication that involvement is parent-driven.

In my experience, by about age 9, it’s pretty hard to force a kid to do any activity (scouting, music, sports) that they don’t want to do. Are there overly-invested parents? Absolutely. But most kids who do travel sports are doing it because they love something and want to do it with peers who are similarly skilled and driven.

Now is the travel sports industry as it currently exists ridiculous? Absolutely. But there’s no great alternative for kids who want to focus seriously on one thing. Rec sports are awesome. There needs to be a place for kids to dabble and try new things. But the alternative is also valid, even if the current vehicle isn’t great.

I agree with this whole heartedly and have talked with so many other parents about this issue. Options in between rec and travel are few and far between.

I wish there some some sort of intermediate level that involves try outs so it’s not just any kid who signs up on the team, but also not a travel level team.

Like I would love for my baseball kid to be able to play on a local DC area team with other talented kids who make the cut and to be able to do lots of extra clinics, camps, scrimmages, etc. specifically for this level of player. And then have games be amongst other DC area teams. At least until 13/14U or so. I know a lot of people who would pay for this for a number of sports. I do think there is a soccer version of this (ADP?) and it seems very popular.

So if anyone out there reading this wants to invest in mid level competitive sports I can tell you there is an untapped market!

I thought BCC has BCC Select for this very purpose up to 13. Also, I know there is a fairly active Babe Ruth league in NoVa for kids 14-18.

Yes, this is exactly BCC Select. Nice uniforms and fields too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I find perplexing about these recurring negative “travel sports” posts is the implication that involvement is parent-driven.

In my experience, by about age 9, it’s pretty hard to force a kid to do any activity (scouting, music, sports) that they don’t want to do. Are there overly-invested parents? Absolutely. But most kids who do travel sports are doing it because they love something and want to do it with peers who are similarly skilled and driven.

Now is the travel sports industry as it currently exists ridiculous? Absolutely. But there’s no great alternative for kids who want to focus seriously on one thing. Rec sports are awesome. There needs to be a place for kids to dabble and try new things. But the alternative is also valid, even if the current vehicle isn’t great.

I agree with this whole heartedly and have talked with so many other parents about this issue. Options in between rec and travel are few and far between.

I wish there some some sort of intermediate level that involves try outs so it’s not just any kid who signs up on the team, but also not a travel level team.

Like I would love for my baseball kid to be able to play on a local DC area team with other talented kids who make the cut and to be able to do lots of extra clinics, camps, scrimmages, etc. specifically for this level of player. And then have games be amongst other DC area teams. At least until 13/14U or so. I know a lot of people who would pay for this for a number of sports. I do think there is a soccer version of this (ADP?) and it seems very popular.

So if anyone out there reading this wants to invest in mid level competitive sports I can tell you there is an untapped market!

I thought BCC has BCC Select for this very purpose up to 13. Also, I know there is a fairly active Babe Ruth league in NoVa for kids 14-18.

Yes, this is exactly BCC Select. Nice uniforms and fields too.

And for soccer, try MSI Classic or SAM Select.

[Anonymous]

One reason my son plays travel soccer is because it's one of the only areas in his life that he encounters a challenge. Even in advanced classes at school, academics are easy. He likes music and theater, and participates in those clubs, but its for fun, its not hard. Travel sports are the one thing that he encountered that made him step it up and work harder. And that is a great skill for young kids to learn. Maybe your kids get that elsewhere. But for those who don't, the challenge is the thrill of travel sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents are living vicariously through he kid

Why do people say dumb sh— like this? My DH did play a sport in college. I didn’t and didn’t want to. Lots of parents let their kids lead what they want to do and at what level.

My DC found their sport in roughly 6th grade. Up to that we were very casual
About sports. DC was good and wanted to get better and there are very few rec opportunities in the sport. We moved to travel. Then DC decided they wanted to pursue college. And has been successful in that.

So your sweeping generalizations are wrong on every count, for us personally and for many.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know about others but for us it is quite simple. Our kid loves her sport and we love our kid.
She has too much skill to play rec level as it is frustrating for her. The travel level provides her with the challenge she craves.
She sets the pace and as her parents we want to support her. Nothing more, nothing less.

The dc metro area has a ton of the same level players as your kid—why does she need to travel to Delaware and North Carolina when there are players around here at her level? I get not wanting to do rec, but why do the “travel” teams have to travel so far they need hotels? You are ALL leaving the area when you can play each other here.

Out of town tournaments are actually a lot of fun. Get to see new places, get to know the other parents. It’s usually a great time and new and different competition for our kid.

I went to an out of town cheerleading competition with my friend, her daughter the cheerleader and my daughter. I couldn’t do that every weekend, ugh. And don’t act like they are not the same because they are.

Every weekend? We are not traveling anything close to every weekend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One reason my son plays travel soccer is because it's one of the only areas in his life that he encounters a challenge. Even in advanced classes at school, academics are easy. He likes music and theater, and participates in those clubs, but its for fun, its not hard. Travel sports are the one thing that he encountered that made him step it up and work harder. And that is a great skill for young kids to learn. Maybe your kids get that elsewhere. But for those who don't, the challenge is the thrill of travel sports.

You have a ton of inconsistency in your answer. The best musicians in the world find pieces that are extremely difficult even for them. Is your kid the 2nd coming of Mozart?

It sounds like your kid enjoys those activities, but is not interested in becoming a top actor or musician, which is fine...but that's a different story then saying "it's not hard".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents are living vicariously through he kid

Why do people say dumb sh— like this? My DH did play a sport in college. I didn’t and didn’t want to. Lots of parents let their kids lead what they want to do and at what level.

My DC found their sport in roughly 6th grade. Up to that we were very casual
About sports. DC was good and wanted to get better and there are very few rec opportunities in the sport. We moved to travel. Then DC decided they wanted to pursue college. And has been successful in that.

So your sweeping generalizations are wrong on every count, for us personally and for many.

Agree. We played sports in college and introduced our kids to these sports at a young age, but they ended up liking and focusing on other sports entirely. Never in a million years did I think I'd end up a football mom for one of my kids, for example. Strong-willed kids like mine find their path and we support them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I find perplexing about these recurring negative “travel sports” posts is the implication that involvement is parent-driven.

In my experience, by about age 9, it’s pretty hard to force a kid to do any activity (scouting, music, sports) that they don’t want to do. Are there overly-invested parents? Absolutely. But most kids who do travel sports are doing it because they love something and want to do it with peers who are similarly skilled and driven.

Now is the travel sports industry as it currently exists ridiculous? Absolutely. But there’s no great alternative for kids who want to focus seriously on one thing. Rec sports are awesome. There needs to be a place for kids to dabble and try new things. But the alternative is also valid, even if the current vehicle isn’t great.

I agree with this whole heartedly and have talked with so many other parents about this issue. Options in between rec and travel are few and far between.

I wish there some some sort of intermediate level that involves try outs so it’s not just any kid who signs up on the team, but also not a travel level team.

Like I would love for my baseball kid to be able to play on a local DC area team with other talented kids who make the cut and to be able to do lots of extra clinics, camps, scrimmages, etc. specifically for this level of player. And then have games be amongst other DC area teams. At least until 13/14U or so. I know a lot of people who would pay for this for a number of sports. I do think there is a soccer version of this (ADP?) and it seems very popular.

So if anyone out there reading this wants to invest in mid level competitive sports I can tell you there is an untapped market!

I thought BCC has BCC Select for this very purpose up to 13. Also, I know there is a fairly active Babe Ruth league in NoVa for kids 14-18.

Yes, this is exactly BCC Select. Nice uniforms and fields too.

Yep BCC Selects has dad coaches. Koa has BABL with paid coaches. Both are Rec + with some kids going on to play travel and others deciding that the extra games and slightly higher level of play/competition is enough. Our DS did Rec+ and it wasn't enough. Wanted more baseball and more kids who were as interested in the game/improving as he is. Our travel team fortunately doesn't really travel much and we just have a more demanding practice schedule with high expectations (at least in theory) from the players. Typically do 1-2 tournaments a season to terrible locations and stay in crappy hotels. Boys like it. We tolerate it because our kid loves to play, loves his team, and the parents are surprisingly normal and on the same page.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents are living vicariously through he kid

Why do people say dumb sh— like this? My DH did play a sport in college. I didn’t and didn’t want to. Lots of parents let their kids lead what they want to do and at what level.

My DC found their sport in roughly 6th grade. Up to that we were very casual
About sports. DC was good and wanted to get better and there are very few rec opportunities in the sport. We moved to travel. Then DC decided they wanted to pursue college. And has been successful in that.

So your sweeping generalizations are wrong on every count, for us personally and for many.

What sport? If it’s one of the tough sports like basketball or hockey then your son proves that you can start at 11 or 12 and do very well. Although I already knew that but some parents think you need to start at 5 years old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One reason my son plays travel soccer is because it's one of the only areas in his life that he encounters a challenge. Even in advanced classes at school, academics are easy. He likes music and theater, and participates in those clubs, but its for fun, its not hard. Travel sports are the one thing that he encountered that made him step it up and work harder. And that is a great skill for young kids to learn. Maybe your kids get that elsewhere. But for those who don't, the challenge is the thrill of travel sports.

You have a ton of inconsistency in your answer. The best musicians in the world find pieces that are extremely difficult even for them. Is your kid the 2nd coming of Mozart?

It sounds like your kid enjoys those activities, but is not interested in becoming a top actor or musician, which is fine...but that's a different story then saying "it's not hard".

Also theatre actors and singers and musicians, whether they are in orchestra or a marching band do not belong to “clubs”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One reason my son plays travel soccer is because it's one of the only areas in his life that he encounters a challenge. Even in advanced classes at school, academics are easy. He likes music and theater, and participates in those clubs, but its for fun, its not hard. Travel sports are the one thing that he encountered that made him step it up and work harder. And that is a great skill for young kids to learn. Maybe your kids get that elsewhere. But for those who don't, the challenge is the thrill of travel sports.

You have a ton of inconsistency in your answer. The best musicians in the world find pieces that are extremely difficult even for them. Is your kid the 2nd coming of Mozart?

It sounds like your kid enjoys those activities, but is not interested in becoming a top actor or musician, which is fine...but that's a different story then saying "it's not hard".

Yes, that could be. The level of engagement he is in (a performance band and a weekend theater group) meets his interest level. He's not driven to push harder in those areas even if there were opportunities to do so. But my point is the level he is at with those is an advanced level (he was moved to a more advanced group already) and its not challenging. Im sure we could find more challenging avenues. But travel sports fills that for him. I think its good for all kids to have something challenging to understand the need to work hard and prove yourself. That is one reason we "have a travel mindset" as OP asked.

[Anonymous]

Travel mindset. lol 99.9 percent of these kids won’t play d1 level college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Travel mindset. lol 99.9 percent of these kids won’t play d1 level college

How many parents of kids on a C level travel team (or whatever the equivalent of "travel teams that could really be rec still" in your sport is) really think their kid is playing D1? I'd wager close to zero.

I know parents who stick their nose in the air and act all superior that their kid is in travel and really don't understand how intense the college recruiting game is. They're annoying and yeah deserve some of that scorn you are dishing out.

I also know parents in travel because their kid love love loves the sport. I know parents in travel because they are sick of dealing with kids who don't know the sport or who won't show up. I know parents on those C level teams because their kid is a legitimate danger on the rec field due to skill but the better team their kid was on folded and this was what they could find last minute. Those parents are just trying the best they can for their families and trying to help their kids have fun. Why lol at them?

-rec parent

[Anonymous]

I haven't read all 13 pages, and I'm not sure of OP's definition of "intense". But thought I'd share our experience where one of my kids did a travel sport as a pre-teen, and another did an intense sport as a pre-teen (with not a lot of travel). Our reason for it was simply that they were passionate about their sports and wanted to grow in the sport, so needed to move from a big fish in small pond situation, to higher level coaching and competition. College scholarships were the last of my concern, as I had 529 savings plans for my kids that would fully fund college and they're good students who received merit scholarships. I'm also not at all a keeping with the Joneses type.

I will say the entire family didn't have to sacrifice their weekends and weeknights -- I would travel with one kid while DH stayed at home with the other. Only maybe 2-3 times did we travel or attend a long competition as a family.

Neither kid continued their sport in college (well, they both did club sports, but not on the official university team) and that was find and not at all the goal. The experience was still great for them, they learned and grew from it, and have carried those lessons on in life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One reason my son plays travel soccer is because it's one of the only areas in his life that he encounters a challenge. Even in advanced classes at school, academics are easy. He likes music and theater, and participates in those clubs, but its for fun, its not hard. Travel sports are the one thing that he encountered that made him step it up and work harder. And that is a great skill for young kids to learn. Maybe your kids get that elsewhere. But for those who don't, the challenge is the thrill of travel sports.

You have a ton of inconsistency in your answer. The best musicians in the world find pieces that are extremely difficult even for them. Is your kid the 2nd coming of Mozart?

It sounds like your kid enjoys those activities, but is not interested in becoming a top actor or musician, which is fine...but that's a different story then saying "it's not hard".

Also theatre actors and singers and musicians, whether they are in orchestra or a marching band do not belong to “clubs”.

Oh PP there is pay to play theater as well.