Anonymous wrote:The dirty secret of travel teams (baseball, lax, basketball, whatever) is that no matter the skill level of your kid, there will always be someone willing to take your money. You might have to drive a bit more, or your kid might not know anyone else on the team. But if he wants to play, you will be able to find a team that will take him, just so they can cash your check.

Hopefully he will make the school teams but we will do this if there aren’t other options.

The dirty secret of travel teams (baseball, lax, basketball, whatever) is that no matter the skill level of your kid, there will always be someone willing to take your money. You might have to drive a bit more, or your kid might not know anyone else on the team. But if he wants to play, you will be able to find a team that will take him, just so they can cash your check.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ the best players were not 1 sport kids

He plays multiple sports but all the ones he plays are grade based and right now he’s significantly younger than most of the kids. The older kids tends to get better positions and play more. That’s just how it is, especially at this age with 2 year groups and you have an 8 year old and an 11 year old.

Lady, he's too young to know what he'll be really good at. That's what we're trying to tell you. Just let him play what he enjoys.

He does but it’s not realistic to think you can make a team when more than half are cut and everyone is way older.

Anonymous wrote:I hope you’re right and it evens out but it’s a big difference in elementary school and just want to be realistic about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ the best players were not 1 sport kids

He plays multiple sports but all the ones he plays are grade based and right now he’s significantly younger than most of the kids. The older kids tends to get better positions and play more. That’s just how it is, especially at this age with 2 year groups and you have an 8 year old and an 11 year old.

Lady, he's too young to know what he'll be really good at. That's what we're trying to tell you. Just let him play what he enjoys.

Play any sport that is age based not grade based

I hope you’re right and it evens out but it’s a big difference in elementary school and just want to be realistic about it.

Anonymous wrote:^ the best players were not 1 sport kids

He plays multiple sports but all the ones he plays are grade based and right now he’s significantly younger than most of the kids. The older kids tends to get better positions and play more. That’s just how it is, especially at this age with 2 year groups and you have an 8 year old and an 11 year old.

^ the best players were not 1 sport kids

My kid played baseball from age 5 until 18. Travel baseball for the majority of that. The kids who had an advantage because of their birthday Are only really better until 10/11 because it all evens out because of natural athleticism. Then puberty is the ultimate game changer. Doesn’t matter if your kid has an advantageous birthday or not – A tiny kid who is not as athletic is not going to be able to face a 6’3 200 pound left-handed picture with success when they’re 15/16. Additionally, the basket on the baseball team also played basketball competitively – they were not one sport kids.

All this to say, have your kids play the sports they love and are good at. You are way too focused on the future for them when you have no idea what their desires /abilities are.

It’s better to be realistic about it and keep options open than go all in on a sport he may see no playing time because he’s so young and it’s a competitive environment.

Anonymous wrote:I'd make sure my kid really liked baseball before I jumped into the dysfunctional world of travel baseball, especially so young.

He likes all sports.

I'd make sure my kid really liked baseball before I jumped into the dysfunctional world of travel baseball, especially so young.

Anonymous wrote:He’s 8? He should play whatever he likes. 🙄

Yes he does! He’s playing multiple sports but the reality is in our competitive area, only 30 percent of kids made teams by age 11 and even for a no cut sport like football, only about a quarter of the kids contribute in games and play. So it’s good to keep options open if you don’t make the school teams so you actually have a sport you can play games in. Rec drops off entirely for many sports that have school teams.

Tackle football