Arlington Baseball

[Anonymous]

Can someone help me understand baseball options in Arlington? Is there a development program (similarly to what Arlington Soccer Association offers) or is the only option "rec" and "travel"?

We've participated in Arlington Little League but wonder if we should switch to Babe Ruth. We haven't been impressed with the communication and organization with Arl Little League, but I'm really struggling to understand the information on the Babe Ruth website. What is the difference between Babe Ruth Storm and Aces? Are the only summer leagues?

I'd like to get my DS into a program with more commitment but need to understand how these programs work to see if we can juggle with our other children's schedules. He'd love to be on a travel team with multiple practices a week (I'm just not sure we can swing it).

Any insights on how these programs work, the time commitment and travel radius would be appreciated. TIA!

[Anonymous]

Little League and Babe Ruth are pretty similar IME. If you want a higher level of commitment and play, look into Arlington Travel Baseball http://arlingtontravelbaseball.org

Players in ATB are also required to play on a Little League/Babe Ruth team in the Spring.

[Anonymous]

My son was on ABR Aces in 9U and now is on ATB in 11U.

They are fairly similar, although I think the ATB program is more organized and stronger. I was frustrated with ABR when my son played because they didn't have a coach for his team (they rely on parent coaches), and it was not a great experience. ATB hires professional coaches and just seems to have a more streamlined experience as far as organization goes. Commitment in fall is 2 practices a week and doubleheaders on Sundays. Plus 2-3 tournaments - usually local. It goes through end of August through mid-November. Then there is training over the winter at VBC or Primetime 1-2 times a week. Summer consists of practices 2-3 times a week once rec. baseball is done in June, and it goes through end of July with usually 3 tournaments. The furthest we've traveled is Charlottesville, although I know some teams have gone to Pennsylvania and Rehoboth. I know kids who play on Storm and Aces, and commitment is about the same. Storm is the A team and Aces is the B team. Likewise, ATB has Blue and White teams. ATB seems to be much more baseball focused as far as the kids go - few play other sports. ABR seems to honor that kids play soccer, lacrosse, etc, and figures that into their schedules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son was on ABR Aces in 9U and now is on ATB in 11U.

They are fairly similar, although I think the ATB program is more organized and stronger. I was frustrated with ABR when my son played because they didn't have a coach for his team (they rely on parent coaches), and it was not a great experience. ATB hires professional coaches and just seems to have a more streamlined experience as far as organization goes. Commitment in fall is 2 practices a week and doubleheaders on Sundays. Plus 2-3 tournaments - usually local. It goes through end of August through mid-November. Then there is training over the winter at VBC or Primetime 1-2 times a week. Summer consists of practices 2-3 times a week once rec. baseball is done in June, and it goes through end of July with usually 3 tournaments. The furthest we've traveled is Charlottesville, although I know some teams have gone to Pennsylvania and Rehoboth. I know kids who play on Storm and Aces, and commitment is about the same. Storm is the A team and Aces is the B team. Likewise, ATB has Blue and White teams. ATB seems to be much more baseball focused as far as the kids go - few play other sports. ABR seems to honor that kids play soccer, lacrosse, etc, and figures that into their schedules.

I will also add that I think ABR travel works great when they have good coaches - parent or otherwise. We just did not have the best experience because we didn't have a parent who could/wanted to coach at a travel level. I believe they did make some changes to the program after that experience.

[Anonymous]

OP here ... thanks for the info! It sounds like Arlington has two travel baseball teams (ATB and ABR) and there isn't a program equivalent to development soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here ... thanks for the info! It sounds like Arlington has two travel baseball teams (ATB and ABR) and there isn't a program equivalent to development soccer.

yes, that's right.

ABR's travel tryouts are soon - this month I think. Their season runs from November - October.

ATB's tryouts are in July. Their season runs from August-July.

[Anonymous]

I think ABR Select is fairly similar to developmental - where they do a few tournaments, etc, but really focus on development. We had a great experience but that was based on the coach (most likely). I would encourage you to try that option as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think ABR Select is fairly similar to developmental - where they do a few tournaments, etc, but really focus on development. We had a great experience but that was based on the coach (most likely). I would encourage you to try that option as well.

They don’t always have an ABR select team. That’s basically the C team - and it depends how many kids try out.

[Anonymous]

ATB is a little more expensive than ABR because they hire the coaches. ABR travel tryouts are this month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ATB is a little more expensive than ABR because they hire the coaches. ABR travel tryouts are this month.

We’ve done both. They’re actually pretty much the same - $1400 a year.

[Anonymous]

You have done both? Why did you switch from
One to the other?