Leaving a known situation and joining a new team is a big move. You can’t do so blindly. You must make an informed decision, and to do that you need to be prepared to ask the coach specific questions.

Some of the questions may seem obvious but others will be less obvious. You want a good fit. The answers to these questions could help you spot a potential problem before it happens. You can then decide how important these things are to you before it’s too late.

Let’s go…

How Many Openings Do You Have and Why?

Having openings is normal! Ideally, you’ll keep all of the same kids and families forever, but that’s just not realistic. That said, a lot of openings could be a sign of trouble.

Get an understanding of why these openings need to be filled in the first place. Does the coach routinely cut players every year? Do players and families leave every year? You may need to follow up with people other than the coach if you don’t feel like you’re getting the full story.

Also, if there are too many spots to fill, regardless of the reason, it can be a major red flag. Will the coach be able to fill all of these spots? Will he add players and families who could create problems in order to fill those holes?

How Many Players Will You Have?

The number of players on a roster will have a significant impact on playing reps. The larger the roster, the more you should be concerned about your child — particularly if he won’t be one of the main stars (which is never guaranteed).

A “small” roster is typically around 10 or 11 players. This may lead to lots of playing time, but that size could also result in a regular need for guest players (we’ll get to that question, too).

A large roster will require more kids sitting more often, and that can become very difficult to juggle.

What Are Your Philosophies on Playing Time?

This is closely tied to the number of players on a roster. Does the coach make reps for all a priority? If so, how does he do that? What examples can he provide?

Does playing time look different in pool play versus bracket play? This is common. While it’s not a deal-breaker, you need to understand how it will be handled. Are some players less likely to play in big games?

Will the entire lineup bat? All the time? Sometimes? This could also tie back to the pool play versus bracket play question and playing time. It’s also closely tied to the size of the roster. At a certain point, there’s just no way that everyone will bat, and that’s why it’s important to understand that about roster size going in.

What Are Your Philosophies on Using Guest Players?

You could join a team of 10 or 11 players, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that playing time is guaranteed — especially if the coach regularly brings in guest players.

The use of guest players is often a point of contention. You need to understand when and how often guest players will be used. Maybe start with how often they were used in the prior season.

Also find out how a guest player will be used. Where will they generally hit in the order? Where will they play in the field? How much will they play?

The Spiders historically rarely used guest players, but we had so many issues with injuries, illness, and conflicts during the past season that my approach had to change. Even though we consistently used a guest player or two, they always hit last. They only played the outfield, if they weren’t pitching. They pitched to help save our arms, and my goal was to use their innings in pool play or less important games. And they’d sit more.

But some coaches look at guest players as if they are full-time players. They hit at the top of the lineup. They take infield spots. They play more than some kids.

This approach can lead to all kinds of animosity — and for good reason.

How Would You Describe Your Coaching Style?

You may have a general sense of this heading in, but there may be things beyond closed doors that you never see. It’s important that the coach’s style will work well with your child’s personality.

Is the coach a yeller and intense? Is he calm and quiet? Does he talk a lot, giving constant instruction? How does he correct players?

There isn’t necessarily a right and wrong when it comes to coaching style, but some styles absolutely don’t work for all.

What Does a Typical Week Look Like?

It probably depends on the time of the year, but get a sense for what a typical week will look like. How many practices? What time of day? Any league games? When and how often? Will you have weeks or weekends off from tournaments?

You need to know the time commitment ahead of time and how it works both with your schedule and your child’s.

How Do You Treat Other Sports and School Conflicts?

If your child plays other sports, this will be important. Does the coach encourage playing other sports? Will your schedule and occasional conflicts be okay? Or will he hold it against your child?

Maybe missed practices will result in a player’s benching. Maybe your coach has animosity for players who play other sports. You need to know this.

Do You Have Any Rules or Expectations That I Need to Know?

It’s very likely that the coach has rules or expectations that may be different than what you’re used to. It’s best to know this up front.

Hopefully, they have rules and expectations in writing that you can see. The Spiders have individual contracts for parents, players, and coaches so that nothing is ambiguous.

Sometimes, parents and players aren’t trying to be difficult or intentionally breaking rules. They simply do what they’ve always been allowed to do.

An example of this is hanging around the dugout and talking to their child during the game. We don’t allow this on the Spiders, but it’s not an emphasis for all teams. It can be an adjustment, so it’s important for parents to know this early.

What Does Travel Look Like?

Don’t commit to a team without knowing this. The amount of travel can add quite a bit of unexpected costs as well as time commitment that you may not be able to afford.

Will the team stay in state? Will they travel some? How often and where?

Some locations are more expensive than others, and many of the costs won’t be covered with team fees. Don’t assume anything. A lot of travel can simply be too much to expect for some families, whether it be due to cost or getting off of work.

How Much Will it Cost?

The coach should have at least a general idea and fee schedule. Unexpected costs come up. The season probably hasn’t been completely planned yet. But there should be a clear idea of what the costs should be.

How does the coach expect families to pay? Will it be up front or regular payments? What will that look like?

What happens if money is left over at the end of the year? The Spiders give this money back, but I’ve seen that this is certainly uncommon.

How Do You Manage and Report on Finances?

Transparency is important here. Do they itemize a budget and report on what has been spent? How does the team keep track of this and how can families find out what has been spent and what is owed?

Money can be a source of team problems, particularly if families don’t trust that the money is being spent wisely.

Your Turn

This is a good start, but what other questions do you feel need to be answered before joining a new team?

Let me know in the comments below!

We’ve discussed the numerous potential drawbacks of travel baseball. So, why do it at all? What are the benefits?

My family hasn’t always been believers in travel baseball. We were very slow to adopt. Originally, we saw it as a waste of money and completely unnecessary. We cautiously joined in when our oldest son was 12, but we’ve been converts ever since (our middle son has played travel ball since he was nine and our youngest since he was eight).

The benefits of travel baseball are going to be different for each kid. But here’s a few things that stick out…

1. Preparation for High School

I’ve heard from some parents who wonder why kids play travel baseball at all. Why not just play high school ball? I think this is a difference in the way things work, depending on where you live.

We live in the Denver metro area. High schools are large (about 2,500 students at our high school), and competition is high. While most high schools have four teams (varsity, junior varsity, sophomore, and freshman), there’s no guarantee you’ll make the freshman team. And while that may be the easiest team to make, a very large number are unable to hang on through varsity.

While it’s not impossible for a kid to make the freshman team and even survive beyond while only playing rec ball, it would be incredibly rare. It would need to be a kid with incredible natural ability (again, this may depend on geography).

This isn’t about politics. High school coaches don’t care if you played travel baseball or for which team you played. But playing travel ball, with all of the benefits we are going to discuss, helps prepare kids for high school. While travel ball won’t guarantee you’ll make the high school teams, the experience you get will give you a much better chance.

2. Level of Competition

Yes, you can just play rec ball if you want. But, there’s something special about playing baseball against high performing teams.

Playing against high-level teams is what helps you get better. They push you to your limits. They help you see where you need to improve.

You might be able to get that competition locally. Better yet, you may travel to tournaments in other parts of the country where some of the best teams play.

These are challenges you will not see at the rec level. And that may be fine for your son. But if your son is passionate about the game and is a high performer, it’s one of the many benefits of travel baseball.

3. Reps

I can’t speak for all rec and local leagues. But more often than not, these are constructed to be more casual. You can expect to play 10 or maybe 20 games in a season.

While the load for a typical travel baseball team is going to vary, a single tournament will typically consist of four or five games. The regular season may consist of 10 to 14 tournaments.

The 11u Spiders played 58 games this past spring and summer season. We’re wrapping up a light fall season where we’ll play another 17. Depending on where you live, 75 games may be near the bottom of what to expect. Warm weather teams may play 100 or more games in a year (I’d argue that’s pushing what’s reasonable).

You can do the math. This year, our Spiders have all had more than 200 plate appearances. Start thinking about the innings played in the field. That’s a lot of opportunities to fail, learn, and get better.

You’re not going to get anywhere close to that volume of reps in a typical rec league. And reps are usually going to be against lighter competition that is less challenging.

Maybe you simply love the game and want to play it more. The reps you get in travel baseball will give you that. Those reps will help uncover what you’re good at and what you need to improve.

4. Get Better

If your goal is to get better, improvement is incremental if you have a limited number of games and a limited number of reps. But travel baseball gives you the option of getting high-pressure reps against strong competition. This adversity gives players wanting to get better a huge advantage.

I love stories of kids who only played rec and low-level local ball and succeeded into high school and even beyond. Just know that this is extremely rare. It’s difficult to improve without being challenged.

Travel baseball also typically involves facilities with the latest technology and experienced instruction. It’s part of why the entire package of travel baseball is more expensive.

While these resources don’t guarantee a travel baseball player will improve at a faster rate, it’s a huge advantage.

5. Bonds with Teammates

Yes, you will form bonds with your teammates playing rec ball, too. But, once again, the amount of time you will spend with your teammates in travel baseball is far greater. As a result, the bonds may be deeper.

You’ll see them nearly every day. You’ll win and lose with them. You’ll go through the ups and downs. It’s what brings people together (if it doesn’t tear them apart first!).

6. Travel

While travel may be seen as a drawback, it’s also a benefit. It all depends on how you look at it.

The travel allows you to see parts of the country you might not otherwise see. You get to play against teams you might not otherwise play. You get weekends in hotels with your friends. It can be a ton of fun.

Our 12u Spiders are going to Cooperstown in 2020. It’s a trip that you would never take as a rec team, and it will result in memories you can’t replace.

It’s Not for Everyone

This post isn’t intended to convince you that everyone should play travel baseball. They shouldn’t. Don’t play travel baseball if you don’t love the game. And your ability will also color whether or not it makes sense.

It’s expensive. It’s exhausting. It can be drama-filled. But, if you find the right team with the right coach, teammates, and families, it’s an incredible experience.

Is your child good enough to play travel baseball? Does he love it enough to play the number of games that are played? Does he want to play in high school? Does he want to play beyond? These are all questions you should be asking.

Your Turn

Are there any benefits that I missed?

Let me know in the comments below!

I needed a soft way to say it, so I used a Superman analogy. Whatever it takes for you to understand it, this is important.

The temptation will be strong. You’ll convince yourself it’s important. You’ll think it’s no big deal. But, please…

Stay away from the dugout.

Of all of the expectations I have of parents, this may be the one that they struggle with most.

Your coach may not have ever communicated this with you before, but I guarantee he feels the same way. There’s no benefit in having parents come over to the dugout during the game.

Superman, It’s a Trap!

You’re Superman. Your son is a cat in the tree. But that tree is the dugout, and it’s built out of Kryptonite.

Have I taken this analogy too far yet?

The cat doesn’t need saving. He’s a cat. He likes being in the tree. He might climb down. He might not. Either way, that tree is made out of Kryptonite, so if you save that cat who doesn’t need saving, you put yourself at risk — and won’t be able to help citizens of the world who are actually in trouble!

Let that cat be a cat. It’s a trap.

It Can Wait

Barring some very rare emergency, whatever it is that you think you need to tell him at this moment can wait. You don’t need to come to the dugout.

You may think that he needs to be reminded about his mechanics or approach or responsibility.

It can wait.

You may think that he needs a pep talk because you can see he’s struggling.

It can wait.

You mean well. But he doesn’t need you right now.

It’s a Distraction

He may be focused on his responsibilities right now. Then you come over and give him something else to think about.

He may have had a bad at bat, but he wasn’t thinking about it. Then you came over to remind him that it could have been better.

Time interacting with you is time that could have been spent interacting with teammates and coaches. It’s an unnecessary distraction.

Give Him What He Needs

Many of the times that a parent comes to the dugout, it’s for a rather innocent reason. Their son needs a water, snack, or some piece of equipment.

That’s understandable. But make sure your son has everything he needs when you drop him off.

He’s Going to Be Fine

This is the most difficult part for parents. It’s like dropping them off for the first day of school and not seeing them again until they come home. You trust that the teachers will take care of them. That they’ll do what they’re supposed to do.

They need some independence right now. They need to fail, succeed, and try on their own. They need to sort through the mental roller coaster of a game without you.

The more he learns to do these things without you, the better off he’ll be. Otherwise, he will rely on you. The more you inject yourself into his experience, the more he’ll need your advice.

Let go. He’s going to be fine.

Try to Stay Out of Immediate View

I know. You just like to watch the game right behind the dugout. Or right beside it when there’s a chain-link fence or no fence at all.

When you get that eye contact, you’ll want to say something. And if he sees you there, he may say something first. At that point, you have to talk to him, right? Eh eh.

Do yourself a favor and move further away. Take a seat in the stands. Cheer him on nice and loud, but you don’t need to have conversations with him during the game.

Just remember: You’re Superman. That dugout is Kryptonite. The safety of the planet is at stake!

Is He Hurt?

Hey, there’s actually a chance you’ll be needed if he’s hurt. Maybe we need ice. Maybe he has an illness or injury that you need to help with.

If he’s seriously hurt, it’s completely understandable that you’ll be there and be needed.

There are obvious exceptions to this rule.

Ask the Coach First

Maybe there’s a really good reason you want to come to the dugout. Maybe he forgot his water and it’s 98 degrees out.

No problem! Ask the coach, and he’ll give the water to your son for you.

Maybe you noticed that he’s hurt or not feeling well and the coach doesn’t see it. Instead of going to the dugout to talk to your son, mention it to the coach.

When in doubt, simply ask your coach about whatever it is that you want to communicate. He’ll either help you out or tell you it’s a bad time.

Coaches Will Be Less Understanding Later

I don’t know how old your son is. But some coaches are very strict about this. They’ll likely be stricter as your son gets older.

My older son plays for a team that is extremely strict about this. They do not communicate with the parents. They only communicate with the players. If a parent comes to the dugout, the player is benched.

My son knows this. As a result, he doesn’t want me there. I went over to give him a drink or sandwich or something once, and he ran away.

The sooner you and your son learn this, the better.

Your Turn

What are your thoughts about parents coming to the dugout?

Let me know in the comments below!