#baseball hitting

Travel baseball opens the door to a world of opportunities for young athletes serious about the sport. It’s a step up from the Little League, which is seen by many as more recreational than competitive. But is it worth it to make the switch from rec ball to travel ball? In this blog, we tell you everything you need to know about travel baseball. Read on!

What is travel baseball?

As the name suggests, the travel ball format involves teams traveling out of their home turf to different cities and states to participate in tournaments. It gives young baseball players a taste of the competitive nature of the game. Most professional baseball coaches look at travel ball as an intermediate step between rec ball and high school or collegiate baseball leagues, and thus, the perfect platform for young athletes to hone their skills.

The popularity of travel baseball has exploded in the last few decades, with several teams coming up nationwide. Organizations like the United States Speciality Sports Association (USSSA) and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) are at the forefront of travel tournament hosting. Independent promoters like Perfect Game are doing their part in popularizing travel baseball with activities like collaborating with MLB, fan engagement, hosting events for youth baseball players, and fostering talent.

Travel baseball teams are established by eager parents as well as professional institutions like Vaughn Sports Academy Florida(VSA). For instance, the VSA Lions, VSA’s homegrown travel ball team, is known for being one of the most competitive teams in the country, with many feathers to their cap.

Travel Baseball vs. Little League: what's the difference

Travel ball and Little League (LL) are similar in many ways. Both instill qualities such as sportsmanship, athleticism, and teamwork in young ball players from a very early age. The Little League gives a great platform to kids as young as 4 to get a taste of the sport. But nothing beats travel baseball when it comes to teaching important life skills such as leadership, initiative, a strong work ethic, a positive mental attitude, and the ability to bounce back from failure. Thus, the travel ball functions as the perfect learning platform for kids, 11 years or older.

Travel baseball tournaments involve many more games than LL. This means young baseball players must perform consistently over extended periods in new environments. This regime prepares them for unexpected and long-term challenges they might face as adults.

Now, let’s look at the pros and cons of travel ball.

Travel Baseball Pros

• Competitive environment: As we said, travel ball is essential for kids in their formative years because it tests them in a competitive environment. The world they would step into as adults is riddled with challenges. And what's better than competitive baseball to teach them how to survive in a challenging environment?

• Professional coaching: While rec ball tends to be more amateur in baseball coaching, travel baseball leaves no room for error in the coaching department. You can find some of the best baseball coaches operating in the travel ball circuits. VSA Lions, for instance, has baseball legends such as Mo Vaughn, Mike Easler, and Omar Moreno mentoring young athletes on the path to MLB glory.

• More exposure: Travel baseball team players play many more games than LL players. This means they get more exposure in the sport and in front of college baseball scouts looking for new talent to replenish their team ranks.

• Positive mindset building: Like MLB legend Mo Vaughn says baseball is all about mindset. Young players serious about making a name for themselves in the game must work on building a positive mindset. Travel baseball, with its long and grueling schedule and competitive environment, prepares kids for challenges on and off the field. It forges a strong bond among teammates and teaches values such as integrity, passion, and commitment. Since travel ball involves playing matches in ballparks other than the home turf, players get to experience new environments and overcome unexpected challenges.

It goes without saying that travel baseball helps build a young ball player’s character.

Travel Baseball Cons

• Cost: Travel baseball can be expensive. The cost of travel, professional coaching, and better accessories can prove to be challenging for the parents of young ball players. Thankfully, premier institutions like Vaughn Sports Academy have programs designed keeping young athletes and their parents in mind. Players also have the advantage of playing for the institution's baseball teams, leading to better exposure and skill development.

• Time commitment: As we said, travel ball tournaments feature many more games than Little League baseball. While these games are mostly played on weekends, the schedule can be tough on the kids and their parents. But there’s a positive side to it too. Young athletes participating in the travel baseball tournaments learn essential life skills like time management and discipline. And life skills learned on the diamond make well-rounded individuals out of kids.

Why you should choose travel baseball for your kid

If your kid is serious about baseball, you need to give them a platform to hone their skills and get noticed. And what’s a better platform to achieve all that than travel baseball? No one said baseball was easy. Remember, tough environments breed strong individuals. And you want your kid to grow into a strong and motivated individual.

Are you ready to step up to the plate and unlock your full hitting potential? Join us on a journey toward the batting drills at Vaughn Sports Academy in Florida.

What Are The Most Effective Strategies In Baseball? Part 1: Hitting

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