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About Baseball U PA - Philly

Baseball U PA - Philly is an affiliate of both Baseball U and Baseball U PA. The Baseball U Organization is known locally and nationally. We offer competitive travel teams that attend the best events in the country as well as elite instruction from our notable list of coaches & trainers. Furthermore, we offer year-round training and Spring/Summer/Fall travel baseball seasons.

Come be part of the premier travel baseball program that is grounded in skill development, personal growth, and a blue collar work-ethic that is consistent across all age levels!

Join Baseball U Philly! Click here to learn about tryouts and joining our organization.

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Baseball U PA-Philly provides opportunities for 13U-18U players in the Greater Philadelphia Area. We offer both Summer and Fall Seasons.

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Welcome To The Philadelphia Reds

The Philadelphia Reds baseball academy training program in King of Prussia, PA 19406 specializes in the development of young men. We provide an elite club travel team and skill development program. We provide an atmosphere in which our members will receive the greatest opportunity to achieve their potential. Our staff will make every effort to provide the resources necessary to realize both team and individual goals. Our program is based on young men with a strong work ethic and exceptional character. Every member of our program is expected to place a high priority on academic, as well as athletic achievement.

The most significant reward of our program is that of opportunity. The opportunity, not only to play baseball, but to acquire all of the fundamentals and skills necessary for success, both on and off the field. Our program endeavors to teach problem solving skills in baseball that can be directly applied to the challenges that one will face in the classroom and in life. In general, characteristics such as responsibility, discipline, preparation, and teamwork, when utilized beneficially in baseball, will foster the same benefits in the classroom. This proficiency at problem solving in a variety of areas will make one not only more qualified, but also more competitive in an interview, and more employable in industry. We provide a roadmap and an environment for serious young men who are passionate about baseball and who want to reach their full potential.

Approximately five hundred thousand young men play high school baseball each year. Of these, approximately two percent, ten thousand, will play Division 1 baseball. Approximately eleven percent, fifty-five thousand, will play baseball at any level. It is our fervent endeavor that each one of our players has the opportunity to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level should he have the desire to do so. To that end, our program stresses the importance of consistent hard work and is for highly motivated young men who possess the desire to excel in the classroom and in the athletic arena.

Welcome To The Philadelphia Reds Baseball Training Academy in King of Prussia, PA 19406

From Gladwyne to Bryn Mawr, from Villanova to Wayne, from Rosemont to Radnor, from St. Davids to Bala Cynwyd, from Lower Merion to Valley Forge, from Royersford to Audubon, we welcome the best of the best in the Greater Philadelphia Area. If you are motivated to excel as a student and possess the desire to make yourself better as an athlete, we welcome you! Our King of Prussia facility has all of the resources to help you succeed in baseball!

Whom do we seek?

• We seek special young men.
• We seek young men of exceptional character.
• We seek young men who are honest.
• We seek young men who possess a strong work ethic.
• We seek young men who desire to strive for high achievement in the classroom.
• We seek young men who take great pride in every endeavor they undertake.
• We seek young men who are enthusiastic about being a participant in their own success.
• We seek young men who desire to be leaders.
• We seek young men who embrace responsibility.
• We seek young men who are willing to be held accountable.
• We seek young men who desire to be better today than they were yesterday.
• We seek young men who realize that to make a difference you must make a commitment.
• We seek exceptional youngsters between the ages of eight and seventeen years.
• As you can see, our program is not for everyone, and we do not seek everyone.

If you believe that you possess the qualities we seek, please contact us to arrange your complimentary personal interview and evaluation session.

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If you are interested in summer baseball teams, club baseball, travel teams, and personalized training and instruction, all under one baseball academy in King of Prussia - our program is for you! Our Elite Baseball Skill Development & Training Program incorporates all of the following:

Training programs with the primary emphasis being placed on injury prevention;

Hitting Instruction with an emphasis on increasing bat speed, consistency & power;

Pitching instruction based around solid principles designed to eliminate elbow and shoulder injuries while increasing velocity and command;

Defensive work focusing on all the fundamental and developmental aspects of each position specific to the individual player;

Extensive Video analysis with the capability of capturing and demonstrating each player’s strong points as well as weaknesses;

Strength, conditioning, agility, flexibility and speed training;

Specialized and versatile equipment in a large indoor facility;

A great environment, a family atmosphere, and a positive approach to learning.

With a twenty-six year history of success, a wealth of experience and an outstanding reputation,

The Philadelphia Reds delivers opportunity, not promises.

Our belief & approach.

The Philadelphia Reds is a College Development Program. We provide student-athletes who aspire to play collegiate baseball with the opportunities for skill and personal development and exposure to reach their goals. We do this by providing devoted instructors and competing against outstanding competition. The program is integrally involved in the recruiting process, guidance, and school placement with players and their families.

We seek highly motivated young men of strong character and work ethic who are serious students striving to excel in the classroom as well as on the baseball field. Together, our staff evaluates and selects players to the program. We do not hold or conduct tryouts. We add new players each year to a solid core of returning players.

Our players are encouraged to prepare most diligently in practice and to hold themselves to a higher standard of excellence both on and off the field. They are successful because of the ways in which they conduct themselves.

Our commitment is to advance the development of our players each year by building on the experiences, skill development, and principles from the previous year. To this end, few programs commit a higher portion of their operating budget on the development of their young men than The Philadelphia Reds. We provide a club travel team, personalized training, and pitching and hitting skill instruction.

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The Ultimate Parent’s Guide to Travel Baseball | Everything You Need to Know

March 14, 2023

49 min read

If you’ve got yourself a youth baseball player, you’ll probably start hearing all about travel ball soon – if you haven’t already. 

Travel baseball can be rewarding and exciting for both you and your ballplayer. 

It’s a chance for your child to substantially develop their baseball skills and passion while having a ton of fun. 

And a chance for you to foster that positive growth and love for the game while joining a new social tribe yourself – that of the travel ball parent, with its fulfilling experiences, camaraderie, and norms, just like any good tribe. 

But, travel ball can also be a huge commitment. It often involves a significant financial and time investment from you and your budding athlete. 

So before deciding to play travel ball, you should carefully consider what your child will get out of it and how it might affect your entire family. 

Several factors should go into this choice of whether or not to play club ball. 

And in this ultimate parent’s guide to travel baseball, you’ll learn how travel ball works, the pros and cons of travel ball vs. recreational baseball, what to look for in a new travel team, and even how to start your own travel team.

Let’s hook-slide in together.

# The Difference Between Travel and Recreational Baseball

# recreational baseball.

Recreational baseball often refers to Little League. Although, there are other organizations around the country, like PONY or Cal Ripken Baseball, that host recreational baseball leagues for their localities. 

Local is a keyword here. That’s usually the main difference between rec and travel ball – recreational ball doesn’t require travel. 

Recreational leagues focus on players learning the basics of the game, especially at the youngest levels. Seasons run from late spring to early summer. And you can expect around two games per week.

# Travel Baseball

Travel ball, on the other hand, refers to teams that travel to other cities or states to play baseball. 

Club teams might be a single team or an entire organization with several teams spanning different age levels. 

Another major difference is that travel ball is often played year-round. Not having extended off-seasons ups the commitment levels for all involved significantly. 

A few of the biggest organizations in the travel ball world are the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), Triple Crown Sports, and Perfect Game. 

These organizations will host most of the tournaments that travel teams compete in.

Traditionally, travel ball has been a higher level of competition than Little League, meant to train elite players who had their eyes set on collegiate opportunities. 

However, as travel ball becomes more ubiquitous, the level of competition can now run the gamut a bit more between extremely high to moderate-low.   

Travel baseball, as you’ll see, is also much more expensive in terms of both cost and time commitment than its recreational variety. 

# The Pros and Cons of Rec Ball Versus Travel Baseball

Both recreational and travel baseball have their merits and drawbacks. You and your child should consider the pros and cons of both before deciding which type of team to play on. 

# Little League Pros

• Local – If you don’t fancy traveling around two weekends out of every month, then recreation leagues might be better for your family. Part of this locality is time. The amount of time you and your ballplayer will spend at team practices, games, and individual workouts is significantly less in recreation baseball. 
• Learn a lot – Little League, PONY, or Cal Ripken Baseball teams’ emphasis on learning and having fun lets your kid discover and grow to love the game in a low-pressure environment.  Some children benefit more from this, especially in the beginning, while others thrive only with higher levels of competition.
• Less expensive – The average fee in the U.S. for a season of Little League is $150, but it could vary as low as $30 and as high as $250 in some areas.  Travel ball can easily cost three to four times that. But we’ll get into the details and rough estimates of this cost in just a bit.

# Little League Cons

• Dependent on your area – Having a local baseball league often depends on the interest in your area. No interest could mean no teams. The level of competition also depends on who’s playing and how much talent your area happens to have.
• Not a conduit for playing at the next level – Although it used to be the case, Little League is no longer a safe route to playing high school and college baseball.  Today, kids who want to reach these levels and find success once there, must, in most cases, find a travel team to play on at some point in their journey.  Of course, there are exceptions to this for ballplayers who naturally have top-tier talent. And obvious caveats must also be made to make room for how competitive or noncompetitive a particular high school might be.  But these unique instances aside, the reality for many parents and coaches on the ground is that playing rec ball only these days makes it less likely for a young man to be an impact player in high school or college. 
• Coaches – With recreational baseball, the coach is usually one of the players’ parents. And this person may know little to nothing about baseball, or about managing a youth team. They are exclusively volunteers after all. Sometimes you can get very lucky with elite-experienced parent volunteers and other times not so lucky – it's kinda a crapshoot.  

# Travel Ball Pros

• Better competition and coaches – Travel ball usually affords more competitiveness and more experienced coaches. Travel ball coaches might even be former college and high school coaches who’ve started a travel club. And larger organizations often pay monthly or seasonal paychecks to these professional coaches – many of which will not have a child on the team.
• More games – Instead of the 8 games per month during a short, designated rec season, your child can expect to play much more with travel ball.  It’s year-round, and the most games occur during weekend tournaments in the summer. Though some yearly tournaments are weeklong affairs.  At each tournament, teams play between three and ten games – depending on how well your team does in bracket play. By playing more games, your kid gets more exposure to baseball and is afforded more reps to cultivate their developing skills.
• Nicer facilities, opportunity to travel – Travel ball tournaments are usually held at nice facilities with plenty of room for parents to watch and for teams to hang out when they’re not playing.  Club ball also gives your kid a chance to venture outside their native city or state, which can be a valuable learning experience for them.

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# Travel Ball Cons

Costly – A season of travel ball can run anywhere from $800-$28,000 per year, depending on tons of different variables.

The numbers above may be less common on both the low and high side – but both are certainly possible. 

The second number ($28,000) that’s causing your blood pressure to rise higher than Boston’s Green Monster is meant to reflect a total expenses possibility with everything maxed out. 

You may not find a number that high when you Google travel ball expenses, but the writers of those articles are likely not including every single cost into their calculations. 

Here are some things to truly consider:

You will be expected to pay base starting fees and possibly tournament entry fees for your team or organization. 

And, sometimes, you’ll also be on the hook for monthly team dues along with an annual organizational fee. 

Also, you’ll  purchase all of your ballplayer’s personal baseball equipment and uniforms if your team’s not sponsored. 

And in travel ball, the pressure to get your ballplayer the top of the line equipment in all categories is much stronger than in rec ball. 

Next, many sports complexes that host tournaments charge daily gate fees on top of not allowing outside food or drinks. 

And you and your family need to eat and stay hydrated during these all day tourneys, which leaves the complex’s overpriced snack shack or restaurant as the only option at times. 

Don’t forget the hotels, food, and transportation costs for any and all out-of-town games, too. 

Further expenses include the gas and increased vehicle maintenance that you will surely incur driving to so many practices and games within your county or state. 

Another common expense that sneaks up on parents are weekly private or group lessons that are often expected by competitive programs. 

Besides hitting, pitching, catching, or fielding sessions, many parents also opt for sport performance training and athletic optimization services – i.e. strength and conditioning classes, a physical therapist, a chiropractor, etc. 

Another cost is found by participating in team bonding and fundraising activities, where you might be expected to bring snacks and drinks or buy tickets – such small things add up during the course of the year-long travel season. 

Finally, if your ballplayer is recruiting age, this higher number above includes college camps and showcases throughout the year.

It also includes getting his professional skills video produced, so you have something great to send over to college coaches.

Do not be too alarmed. Many of these expenses are totally avoidable and up to your family's budget. 

But, you should also know there tend to be unspoken expectations and incentives for some of these activities that you might feel are avoidable once you’re actually inside of competitive travel programs.

• Time – Travel ball is a significant time commitment. The two weekends per month out of town for tournaments is only a small part of it. Your child might also have practice or scrimmages against other travel ball teams during the week. And, as mentioned, your ballplayer may still be expected to get professional skill and sports training lessons each week.
• Tough – The level of competition is, again, higher in travel ball. The players are better, and many teams take a “the best players play” rather than an “everybody plays” approach. Club baseball can be intense and challenging. If your ballplayer’s skills aren’t at the right level yet, then they’ll see less playing time and could get discouraged. 

# Should You Switch from Rec Ball to Travel Baseball?

Parents often have mixed opinions when it comes to travel ball. In particular, there’s disagreement over what age to switch. 

Some say you shouldn’t put your child in club ball until he is 13 years old, since many kids drop out of sports altogether by this age. 

The rationale behind this recommendation goes something like: 

Most parents can avoid paying a bunch of fees for travel ball between the ages of 7-12, when your child is statistically likely to give up the sport soon anyway. And if they’re still serious about baseball at 13 years old, then it’s worth the investment.

While some parents echo this sentiment, others strongly advise starting your kid in travel ball much sooner – if they show a real interest. 

As one parent  put it online when asked about starting at the 8U level, “As long as they don’t get burned out I say let em’ play.” 

Another parent disagreed, however, saying that they saw “absolutely no value in travel ball with children that are so young.” 

Most parents polled agree that their decision to switch depended on their circumstances. 

Some said that “it is difficult to make a blanket statement” about when to switch or that decisions “are going to vary based on regions.” 

Again, the latter statement points to the raw fact that certain geographic regions of the country are much more competitive in baseball than others.

Living in a highly competitive region raises the threshold necessary for things like making a high school team to the point that playing travel to gather enough skill is an almost prerequisite.  

Often, the decision to join a travel team does come down to the organizations in your area. You’ll want to find out how many travel organizations there are in your locale and what their quality is. 

If there are no clubs in your town or city and none nearby, you’ll be looking at a bigger time commitment and more expenses to put your kid on a club team – which will include much more driving and the potential for more hotel rentals. 

But when to switch from rec ball to travel is not the most important question facing parents and ballplayers who are still on the fence about switching in the first place. 

So let’s get to the heart of the matter.

# Will Your Child Enjoy Playing Travel Ball?

The most important factor to consider when making the switch to travel ball is your child’s interest in baseball. 

Is your kid a competitor looking to sharpen his or her skills and continue playing as he or she gets older? 

Or does your child like baseball for the fun of it, and enjoy being on the field with his teammates?

Travel baseball is a huge time commitment – but not just for you. Your child has to be willing to put a lot of personal time and energy into it as well.

# Is Your Child Willing to Give Things Up for Club Ball?

Playing travel ball means your kid will miss out on many social events with friends and family.

Birthday parties, holiday celebrations, sleepovers, school events, family reunions, can be all sacrificed to time playing baseball. 

This is not say that there aren't plenty of travel ball players excelling in the classroom, because of course there are.

It's just that they need to be more focused and organized than other kids to get those same high marks, and parents should be aware of these realities. 

Not only are time and special occasions sacrificed, but the money you spend on baseball – fees for the team, equipment, private lessons, etc. – is money you cannot now spend on other things your child might want. 

Depending on your family’s finances, new clothes, video games, gadgets, and other material items for your son could come at the cost of playing baseball.

Whether you switch from recreational to travel baseball is ultimately down to you and your child. There are many factors to consider, some of which, like where you happen to live, are outside of your control. 

The best thing you can do is educate yourself and your child as much as possible about the pros and cons of travel ball, and then make an informed decision together. 

And this guide is a great start. But it should be supplemented by talking to local parents in your area and possibly finding Facebook Groups or other communities to learn from parents who have been there and done that when it comes to making the travel ball switch. 

If you do decide travel ball is the way to go for your family, then your next task is to find the best team for your ballplayer’s development. 

# How to Get Started on a Travel Baseball Team

# what to look for in a travel team.

If you and your child do decide to join a club baseball team, then you have five main things to look for when choosing a team.

# 1. Coaching

Here are few questions about any travel ball coach that you, as parents, will want answered right off the bat before joining their team:

• Who is the coach, and what is this person’s experience? 
• Is the coach someone who knows what they’re doing in terms of baseball skills and leadership?
• Even if they know the game, are they new to the travel ball scene?

Note: this last question can become more important once your ballplayer gets into the college recruitable ages. 

If it’s your ballplayer's goal to play in college, you will want to join an established program that plays in the right tournaments to get noticed, and a coach that has built a trusted relationship with college coaches and recruiters over the years. 

But, if the current goal is just to improve your son’s skill set, then the coach’s knowledge and ability to articulate it might be more important to you than he or she being a travel ball insider.  

Some additional, related questions to ask both the travel coach directly and to ask parents whose child is already playing under he or she are:

• What kind of coaching style is most commonly used? 
• Does the coach emphasize skill development or college recruitment? 
• Is the coach more like an instructor, or is the team playing to win nearly all of the time? 
• Would the coach yell at a player for making a mistake on the field or pull them aside afterward to discuss the error privately?

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As we’ve explored, cost is a big factor for travel ball because it’s not cheap. Make sure you get all the anticipated, known costs for the season upfront from the coach or their team administrator.

If the coach can’t give you exact figures of what things cost on their end – monthly team dues, organization fees, uniform costs, and any additional tournaments costs – before you sign on, be wary. 

The coach may not be organized or experienced enough to help your ballplayer and you might end up paying more than you expected to. 

Some club teams have sponsors who provide equipment and uniforms, but others will ask parents to pay for these in addition to registration fees. 

You might also have to hand over a fee to help fund the coach’s stipend if they are paid for their expertise. 

For some elite organizations, coaching is a full-time job, plus the coach has to travel with the team too.

# 3. Location

Here’s some questions on this front that you’d want answered:

• Do you live near a big urban center where the team plays most of its tournaments, eliminating long travel times? 
• Or does the team regularly travel out of state for their games? 
• It’s a travel baseball team, but exactly how much travel is involved on this particular team?

Think carefully about how much you and your kid are willing to travel and factor those expenses into the cost.

# 4. Structure

Structure-related questions might include:

• How does the team operate? 
• Will your child get to see significant playing time? 
• Will the team have regular practices and training sessions to attend as well?

Another important question about structure is if your kid will get to pick their position. 

Meaning, will the coach let kids play where they want, or try to rotate everyone around to different positions during practices or practice games? 

Of course, this last line of questioning applies almost exclusively to the youngest levels of play. From about 14U up, there is more positional specialization and team roles are established and sustained more based on the talent and performance of the individual ballplayers. 

# 5. Values

Value question to get clarity on:

• What is the mission of this travel team? 
• Are they helping players get noticed by college recruiters? 
• Do they just try to offer more playing time and a fun environment? 

Make sure their objectives line up with yours. Ask yourself as well how your child will develop as a baseball player by joining this particular travel team.

# 6. Team Chemistry

Before joining a club team you should try to gauge the team’s chemistry. 

Once you commit, your child will be spending a lot of time with these teammates, so if they don’t get along or your kid doesn’t feel like he or she fits in, it could be a problem.

Similarly, look at how the parents interact with the players and each other. Are the other parents promoting a supportive environment for everyone by being encouraging?

Or are they the types to yell at umpires, coach from the stands, or take the game to unhealthy levels? 

Not only will your kids be spending a lot of time with their teammates, but you’ll also spend time with the other parents. 

So choosing a travel team is in a way choosing friends and peers for both you and your child. 

Team chemistry should also extend to how players and coaches relate to each other. Do the coaches work hard to bolster the kids’ confidence, or are they constantly tearing them down for the sake of winning?

# Where To Look for Travel Baseball Teams

Reading up on how travel baseball works in helpful guides – like this one – is again a great start. 

Don’t be afraid to ask around in your area about club baseball, either. Word-of-mouth is often one of the best ways to understand travel ball, especially how it operates in your specific city or town. 

You can also look up registered teams in your area on the USSSA website or FieldLevel.com . 

Again, Facebook Groups are also a great way to find local travel teams, since many teams might not have their own website. 

These groups are filled with parents like yourself and coaches who relish in helping with your travel ball journey. 

But maybe you have lots of playing or coaching experience and want to spearhead your own travel ball team. We’ve got you covered on exactly how to do it below. 

# How to Start Your Own Travel Baseball Team

Choosing to join an existing club team is one thing; starting your own is another entirely. 

Maybe you have some playing or coaching experience and you’d like to put together a team for your son or daughter. Maybe there aren’t any club teams in your area, so you’ll be starting the first. 

Whatever your reasons, starting a travel baseball team is a rewarding endeavor, albeit a daunting one. You are basically starting an entirely non-profit business. 

And you’ll see below that you must do many of the same steps that new entrepreneurs must do when beginning an enterprise, so make sure you have the time and skills for this undertaking before you even start.  

The steps to creating a travel ball team can be broken down into four main phases. 

We’ll look at each of these in detail. 

# Travel Ball Team Building Phase 1 - Finding Volunteers

Before doing anything else, you should recruit some other parents or outside volunteers to lend you a hand. 

Whether you’re planning to coach the team or to have someone else do it, committing to running all aspects of a team as a single individual for an entire season isn’t feasible. 

To make a strong team, the internal team of coaches, team managers, or recruiters needs to be strong first. 

Call on parents you know and trust, former coaches, former teammates from your playing days, or current older players to help you out. 

As you’ll see in future steps below, it’s highly recommended these days to have at least one person on your team who knows marketing, graphic design, or website creation. You’ll save a lot of time and money this way.

And instead of having 2-3 full-time volunteers, it can be helpful to eventually amass a network of people who are willing to pitch in semi-frequently. 

That way, you’ll have coverage if one of your coaches or volunteers can’t make it.

# Travel Ball Team Building Phase 2 - Planning Your Budget

After you have a group of people to help out, you should focus on the financial planning for the team. 

Make a list of the expenses that you’ll have to cover, along with sources of funding. 

Next, you should approach local sponsors about paying for some of the things you need, like uniforms and equipment. 

Now’s the time to think about fundraisers as well. Any the money you raise helps lower your player fees. 

Fundraisers are an important aspect of many teams, especially those without established sponsors. 

Raffles, silent auctions, casino nights, bingo nights, trivia nights, and paid dinners can all make great fundraising events. 

Look around at your volunteers and support staff. Do they have any skills, jobs, or relationships that can help raise funds to send your boys to the best tournaments? 

Company tickets to sporting events, like box seats or concerts, make great raffle or silent auction items. And if someone owns a restaurant, a paid dinner fundraiser is a no-brainer. 

Take this budget phase seriously, and it’ll save you a lot of headaches down the road. 

# Travel Ball Team Building Phase 3 - Getting Your Players

Once you have some people to help and a balanced budget, you need to find some players. 

It’s possible you already have a group of interested players and that’s why you’re starting the team in the first place. 

But your initial seed group may not be big enough to field an entire team. So you’ll likely need more. 

There are two slightly different journeys at this point in the process. One for people wanting to start a travel team by joining an already established organization and another for those starting a new team completely from scratch.

Of course, joining something that already exists is a bit easier, because they'll hopefully have team processes and even recruiting relationships in place that'll allow you to hit the ground running. 

If you are joining an already established travel ball organization, then you'll want to leverage their name, social media accounts, website, and email list to help you recruit your new squad of ballplayers. 

Even if this is the case, you will likely still want to create your own social media accounts that use the established organization's name alongside either the age group or grad years of your team and your last name as the username.

Here's a template for what we mean when applied to an Instagram account name:

{Established Organization Name} {The Age Group: 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16, 18U or Graduation Years} {Your Last Name}

Example: LA Pioneers 12U d'Aranud

But, if you're starting a new team or organization from scratch, there will be some additional steps. To make people aware of your team, you'll want to do the following:

• Pick a name
• Create a logo
• Set up all of your social media profiles
• If possible, create a simple website. 

A website can be a major differentiator between your travel team and others, as most teams still only have social media presences and no official site in the current year.

For social media, you need Facebook and Instagram profiles at minimum, because these are the first places interested potential parents in the current year will check you out. 

If your logo design and website developer skills are not where you’d like, we recommend outsourcing these things to freelancers on Fiverr, UpWork, or 99 Designs. 

You can find incredibly talented people who are reasonably priced and can do whatever you require quickly. 

But always first look into your new network of trusted team helpers and see what skills they possess before outsourcing anything. 

Once these fundamental online presences are established, you will want to make some social posts that give parents looking into your program feelings of trust. 

Post about your playing or coaching experience and about everyone on the awesome team of helpers that you’ve assembled. Seek to post images or videos that convey your values as a new team. 

Tell everyone you know about these new profiles, so you can build a bit of social proof for your team and encourage all of your helpers to do the same. This step alone can get you your first one hundred to a thousand followers. 

Once people in your community know your team exists, you can hold tryouts for skilled players. 

Seek out travel baseball message boards and Facebook groups, and post all the details of your tryouts – making sure to include a link to your shiny new website or social media profiles. 

There are even Instagram profiles dedicated exclusively to posting the details of travel ball tryouts, so take advantage of these as well.

However, if you’re still not getting enough interest through these free methods, you might consider setting up paid Facebook or Instagram ads. Just make sure that the video or graphics you use for your ads are top-notch. 

Again, if you’ve never created such assets or set up Facebook ads before – and they can be overwhelming to the uninitiated – lean on outside professional help in the beginning. Experts in paid media creation and management can be found all over the web.

Next, you run your awesome baseball tryouts. These we’ll leave to you, coach. 

When putting together your roster though, hedge toward a  bigger team rather than a small one . 

Summer is an active time for kids – they have family vacations and other sports or activities to do in addition to baseball. You may not have your full roster attending every tournament at the start. 

So having a team with at least 14 or more players covers you for when other commitments come up. 

# Travel Ball Team Building Phase 4 - Registering Your Team

Once you have your team put together, you’ll need to register your players with at least one of the major travel ball associations in the country. 

Again, these are USSSA, AAU, Triple Crown, Nations, Perfect Game, but there are others. 

These associations host the travel ball tournaments that you’ll be competing in. Make sure you follow the regulations and register your team properly. Each organization has their own unique guidelines for registering.

Once this phase is complete, you still have all the practices, travel logistics, and dues collections to worry about – but you will have laid an amazing foundation for your new travel team. 

Now you can enjoy the honor of helping the next generation of ballplayers find success in the game you love. 

# Wrapping Up Our Ultimate Parent’s Guide to Travel Ball

As you’ve undoubtedly realized – because we repeated it more than once – travel baseball is a big commitment. 

Switching from recreational baseball to travel ball shouldn’t be done lightly. 

It should also be a joint decision between you, your ballplayer, and the rest of your family. If you or your kid is interested in club baseball, then make sure you both understand the impact it’ll have on your lives. 

Once you know what you’re getting into, you can make the best decision together.

About the Authors

Courtney Withrow

Professional Writer

Originally from the U.S., Courtney is a Brussels-based freelance writer with a Master’s degree in International Relations. She grew up playing softball and still loves the game.

Chase d'Arnaud

Chief Talent Acquisition Officer & Baseball Business Ops

Chase d'Arnaud is a 7-year veteran of Major League Baseball. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants.

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About philadelphia phillies travel packages, philadelphia phillies travel packages - tickets, hotels and flights.

Visit a new ballpark for a Philadelphia Phillies game. Elite Sports Tours has Philadelphia Phillies vacation packages including guaranteed tickets to the game for your group.

Search for hotel accommodations with one of our preferred hotel partners close to the ballpark for your baseball travel package.

Find the perfect flight to include in your Philadelphia Phillies package in the city of your choice.

Work with a sports travel expert!

Our staff at Elite Sports Tours are here to help you plan your Philadelphia Phillies travel package for your group. Planning a baseball trip to a city you aren’t familiar with just got easier with Elite Sports Tours. You can search our online booking engine yourself or work directly with an experienced sports travel expert to plan your Philadelphia Phillies travel package. Our online booking engine allows you to package Philadelphia Phillies tickets, hotel accommodations and flights in any combination.

You can search a wide range of tickets to Philadelphia Phillies games so you can travel to see your team in every ballpark. Our team can help assist in booking a hotel in close proximity to the ballpark that is in an area that is close to all the attractions the city has to offer. Find a flight that works for your schedule and budget leaving from a city near you.

Plan a Philadelphia Phillies Travel Package group trip

Planning a group trip can be difficult to organize. The easiest way to plan your group Philadelphia Phillies travel package is to work with our team of experienced sports travel experts. We have experience working directly with hotels close to the venues to ensure your travel experience isn’t spent in cabs or outside of the city you are visiting.

Our team of sports travel experts can help you organize your next group outing no matter how large or small your group is. Let our team know all the details of your trip and they will help you plan the best Philadelphia Phillies travel package to see your team. We make it easy for your group to book your trip to a Philadelphia Phillies game in an unfamiliar city by packaging your entire experience into one simple price!

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Finding Philadelphia Phillies Tickets to the big game for your group can be difficult with so many different tickets to choose from. Our team can help you find the best seats based on your requirements. Our goal is to find you the best value Philadelphia Phillies Baseball Tickets for your group without compromising the experience at the game. We work with trusted ticket partners to ensure our clients get the seats they want for any Philadelphia Phillies baseball game. Never worry about finding tickets to an event even if it’s sold out. Find tickets to the game in any ballpark in any city with our large ticket inventory.

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Top Picks: Pennsylvania’s Best Travel Baseball Teams Ranked

How are pa travel baseball rankings determined.

As the baseball season heats up, players around Pennsylvania are gearing up for some intense competition. With so many talented teams across the state, it’s important for coaches and fans alike to stay updated on the latest PA travel baseball rankings.

But how exactly are these rankings determined? Well, it turns out that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The methodology used can vary depending on who you ask or where you look.

One popular approach involves a point system based on wins and losses against opponents of varying strength. Teams earn more points for beating tougher opponents and lose more points for losing to weaker ones. This method is often used by websites such as TravelBall Select or Perfect Game USA.

Another common method is a simple vote-based ranking system like MaxPreps’ annual high school football poll. Coaches from around the state submit their votes each week, resulting in a list of top-ranked teams based on consensus opinion rather than statistical data.

Of course, there are critics of both approaches. Some argue that relying solely on wins and losses doesn’t take into account factors such as injuries or tough schedules, while others see voting systems as subjective and prone to bias.

Ultimately, though, regardless of which methodology is used – it takes hard work from all sides – including parents; we must remember that any  team ranked  among Pennsylvania’s best has surely earned its place through exceptional skill and dedication.

So next time you check out those PA travel baseball rankings online – remember the process behind them but also never forget what truly counts: passion for the game!

Frequently Asked Questions About PA Travel Baseball Rankings

Are you a parent, coach or player interested in travel baseball? Then you must have heard about PA Travel Baseball Rankings! It’s one of the best ways to keep track of your team’s progress and compare against other teams. But as with any ranking system, there is bound to be some confusion. In this blog post, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about PA Travel Baseball Rankings.

1) What are PA Travel Baseball Rankings?

PA Travel Baseball Rankings are rankings that show how different travel baseball teams from across Pennsylvania fare against each other. These rankings take into account various factors such as win-loss records, strength of schedule, run differential and more.

2) Who creates these rankings?

The founder and creator of PA Travel Baseball Ranking is Mark Solomon. He has been involved with youth sports in Pennsylvania for over 20 years; coaching a variety of basketball, football and baseball teams in his community including Mohnton AA (baseball), which offers travel ball opportunities.

3) How often are these rankings updated?

Rankings are typically updated weekly during the travel baseball season – from April through August or September depending on league play-offs/scheduling etc.

4) Why should I care about my team’s rank?

There are many reasons why being ranked can be important for your team: it allows players to see where they stand relative to their competition; lets parents know if their child/team is performing well compared to others at similar levels/skill sets across the state; provides coaches with insight regarding strengths/weaknesses within their program so they may make adjustments accordingly.

5) Is there any cost associated with using these rankings?

No! Mark Solomon wanted the information offered by these  rankings easily accessible without breaking  anyone’s budget – hence all information available FREE OF CHARGE!

6) Can anyone submit scores/results for inclusion in the standings/rankings update process?

Absolutely! Coaches (or another designated team representative should contact Mark directly via email to submit updated scores/standings for incorporation.

7) What other information can I find on the PA Travel Baseball Rankings website?

In addition to rankings, the website offers schedules and results from games throughout Pennsylvania – so you can keep track of which teams are playing when/where. There is also a helpful message board where interested parties can share stories, ask questions or start up conversations about all things related to Pennsylvania travel baseball (and beyond).

In conclusion, PA Travel Baseball Rankings provide an excellent resource for anyone looking to stay informed about their team’s performance relative to others within the state‘s competitive youth leagues. It’s easy-to-use interface provides weekly updates during seasons that feature detailed standings, helpful resources (such as game schedules) – but most importantly these rankings give everyone involved in youth  baseball a better understanding  of which programs are achieving success along with showing areas needing improvement.

Top 5 Facts You Need to Know About PA Travel Baseball Rankings

Baseball is undoubtedly one of America’s most loved and revered sports, and for good reason. It requires skill, precision, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. For young aspiring baseball players in Pennsylvania or any other state, travel baseball is a compelling option that can provide invaluable opportunities for growth as an athlete.

Travel baseball rankings are essential information that coaches, parents, and players use to gauge the success of their teams against others across different leagues. Here are five top facts you need to know about PA travel baseball rankings:

1) Rankings determine how teams qualify for tournaments

PA travel baseball tournaments may have varying requirements on which ranked groups can participate in them. That said, it would be critical to keep track of where your  team ranks among others since those standings  will dictate if you get invited to some high-level competitions! Do not underestimate the impact a strong ranking can have on your  future decision-making process when considering tournament  participation opportunities.

2) They offer credibility

Parents tend to take pride in seeing their child playing at higher skill levels than another child who isn’t quite there yet or has not made it onto an elite team. A fluid ranking system rewards excellent play by displaying all active traveling rosters’ standings accurately; this way families gain ample insight into whether their kids’ skills improve over time.

3) Placement matters more than overall record

It’s crucial for athletes (of all ages!) and coaching staff alike not solely targeting earning wins but striving towards placing above competitors regardless of games actually played throughout the season or stretch of competition they partook in during the period surveyed.

4) Changes occur regularly

The best part about PA  travel ball rankings ? They’re dynamic – constantly fluctuating based on several factors such as win-loss records versus opponents within certain age brackets/skill tiers/ geographic areas along with strength-of-schedule metrics & average margin-of-victory/per-game scores comparison stats affecting both local/regional/national rankings. By keeping track of these ever-changing leaderboard levers, parents and  coaches can gain valuable insight into how their team  stacks up against the rest of the field.

5) Network your way to a strong rank

One significant factor that determines where you fall in PA travel baseball rankings is participation – being involved with tournaments regularly means increased exposure (more chances for wins against high caliber opponents). In other words: “play often, play better,” which will increase visibility amongst scouts & recruiters actively monitoring who rises through ranks quickly over time. Plus, teams’ social media presence creates digital breadcrumbs-like recruiting firms specializing in tracking down premier talent pool prospects across various age brackets/skill tiers/ geographies scouting trip logs by playing at more venues within different event circuits=more opportunities for effective networking!

Overall, paying attention to travels baller rankings is imperative if one needs recognition as an excellent player or wants to join prestigious leagues. It offers useful intel on several key indicators heavily influencing decision-making regarding eligibility criteria set forth for numerous regional/national organizations hosting exclusive invite-only tournaments each year alongside recording artists who may not show up in consistent daily game-stats only review evaluation sheets used accordingly when hiring staff observes training sessions combining practice/performance instead both individual/team measured goal-oriented assessment. PA travel baseballs ranking system adds prestige going beyond winning streak statistics displaying intricate details necessary consideration reviewing before applying among desired higher-level league memberships throughout country-wide viewscapes!

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A comprehensive guide to sports in philadelphia, philadelphia sports teams and philly fans are a winning combo....

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Through experience or reputation, Philadelphia is known to fans as one of the best sports cities in the nation.

Baseball’s Phillies and football’s Eagles date back to the origins of their leagues. Basketball’s 76ers and hockey’s Flyers achieved marquee status through early and continued success. And soccer’s Union seamlessly joined just this century.

Uniforms with “Philadelphia” on the front have featured names of the best to ever play on the back like Schmidt, Chamberlain, Clarke, Bednarik, Carlton, Dawkins and Iverson.

The history and prestige of Philadelphia’s teams are exceeded only by the passion and fervor of their ardent fans. A connection exists deeper than mere fandom, more a true investment in the teams, “we” win or lose, not “they.” That bond can best be summed up in the words of former Flyers coach Fred Shero, “Win today and walk together forever.”

Those fans congregate at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex , where the four top major teams all play. (The Union play in nearby Chester.) Citizens Bank Park is one of the most beautiful in baseball, intimidating Lincoln Financial Field has sold out every game for the last 25 years and Wells Fargo Center echoes the intensity transferred from the legendary Spectrum. Each venue has its own character, and is a perfect place to cheer (or boo, when warranted) while enjoying great food, beer, friendships and an unmatched atmosphere.

Major leagues are just the start. Philadelphia also is a college basketball hotspot, a hotbed for boxing , golf and running and where many smaller leagues have found success. And spectators from across the nation converge on Philly for annual events like the Penn Relays , the Army–Navy Game and the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta .

Here is a primer on everything you need to know about sports in Greater Philadelphia.

Major League Sports

Philadelphia Phillies (Major League Baseball)

The oldest pro sports franchise in the city is the Philadelphia Phillies , founded in 1883.

The team has captured two World Series titles — in 1980 and 2008 — and eight National League pennants.

Some of baseball’s greatest have taken the field for “The Fightin’ Phils,” including Robin Roberts and Rich Ashburn from the 1950s era, Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton from the ’70s and ’80s, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley from the 2000s, and recent stars like Bryce Harper and Aaron Nola.

Citizens Bank Park   — Photo courtesy Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies have played at gorgeous Citizens Bank Park since 2004, moving from iconic Veterans Stadium.

The cozy ballpark holds 43,000 fans with views of the Center City skyline over the outfield wall. Ashburn Alley, a concessions corridor behind centerfield, features numerous food stands (check out Bull’s BBQ, Chickie’s & Pete’s, Federal Donuts and plenty of cheesesteaks ), an interactive kids play area, the Phillies Wall of Fame, a merch store, rooftop bleachers and an intimate view directly into the visiting bullpen. Full-service restaurant pubs include Harry The K’s and Pass & Stow.

Phillie Phanatic   — Photo courtesy the Philadelphia Phillies

The fans, attired in red or maroon, are among the most impassioned and involved in sports. The atmosphere at “The Bank” is loud, enthusiastic and intimidating to opponents, and many players choose to come play for the Phillies because of it.

The team also features arguably the best mascot in baseball, the Phillie Phanatic , a large friendly green birdlike creature designed by an alumni of Jim Henson’s Muppet shop.

Philadelphia Eagles (National Football League)

Whether clad in midnight or Kelly green, the Philadelphia Eagles are one of the most recognized football franchises in the world.

Founded in 1933, the team owns 15 division titles, five conference championships, three NFL titles and a Super Bowl victory in 2017.

With a lengthy list of greats including Chuck Bednarik, Reggie White, Donovan McNabb, Brian Dawkins, Steve Van Buren, Jason Kelce and Brandon Graham, “the Birds” have been consistently successful over much of their existence.

Eagles’ fans have earned a reputation that exceeds the reality (but only a little), best described as fervently loyal. (See: the tired story of targeting a raggedy Santa with snowballs.)

“Go Birds” is as common a greeting in Philly as hey or “yo.” The atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field (opened in 2003) is raucous, but all in good fun. Each home game weekend, there are few better experiences in the NFL (even when boos ring out from time to time). Arrive in Eagles gear and cheer along. Arrive in a Cowboys or Giants jersey and prepare for friendly ribbing and razzing.

Lincoln Financial Field   — Photo courtesy Philadelphia Eagles

Experiencing an Eagles game at “The Linc” is overwhelming in the best way. The stadium holds nearly 68,000 fans, and has sold out every home game since 1999. Among over 60 concession stands are Zac’s Burgers, Tony Luke’s, Chickie’s & Pete’s, and the Quick & Carmichael.

Two recent major motion pictures have featured the Eagles, Invincible , the story of walk-on Vince Papale, and Silver Linings Playbook starring Philly’s own Bradley Cooper.

Philadelphia 76ers (National Basketball Association)

1-2-3-4-5-76ers. Play the song when the Sixers post a win.

The 76ers moved to Philadelphia in 1963 after two decades as the Syracuse Nationals. It didn’t take long to win their first title in Philly in 1967, adding a second in 1983, along with four more Eastern Conference championships.

Wells Fargo Center   — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

Over the years, many of the league’s best have called Philly home, like Wilt Chamberlain, Charles Barkley, Moses Malone, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Allen Iverson and Joel Embiid.

Sixers’ fans are passionate and knowledgeable in a positive and celebratory atmosphere. Games at the Wells Fargo Center are always full of entertainment, from the tradition of having a local celebrity or newsmaker ring a replica Liberty Bell for luck before games to the playing of that funky theme song after a victory and everything in-between, like post-game concerts and the Sixers Dream Team Dancers. Famous superfans — Meek Mill and Kevin Hart to M. Night Shyamalan and Will & Jada Pinkett Smith — sit regularly at courtside, high-fiving with “regular” fans.

Check out some of Wells Fargo Center’s top amenities in the section about their Flyers co-tenants below.

Philadelphia Flyers (National Hockey League)

The iconic Flying-P logo of the Philadelphia Flyers has remained unchanged since the team’s expansion debut in 1967.

It took just seven seasons for Bobby Clarke, Bernie Parent and the “Broad Street Bullies” to capture their first Stanley Cup in 1974, repeating a year later. The team reached the Final six more times over the next four decades, including three appearances in the 1980s, again in 1997 led by Hall of Famer Eric Lindros and a Cinderella run in 2010.

The team even nudged the course of the Cold War with an underdog victory over the Soviet Central Red Army team in 1976.

  — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

The environment at the Wells Fargo Center is loud and persistent. The crowd, many decked in orange and black jerseys bearing their favorite childhood skater on the reverse, is known for its high “hockey IQ.” Fans are ready to erupt the moment a goal is scored (or a scrum breaks out), but just as pumped for a great pass or monster save.

The team’s profile was raised exponentially in 2018 with the introduction of their now-world-famous giant orange mascot, Gritty , who has become a media (and internet) darling.

For both Flyers and 76ers games, there’s plenty of fun and food available throughout Wells Fargo Center before and during games. The arena, opened in 1996, boasts over 40 options for food and drink, including Federal Donuts, Shake Shack, Chickie’s & Pete’s and Marc Vetri’s MVP, plus restaurants such as Garces Eats, Launch Test Kitchen and Stephen Starr’s Adrian, and full-service bars like Clarkie’s & Chamberlain’s, The Center Bar and whiskey spot Showplace Bar.

Other features include a 6,600-square-foot 4K LED center-hung scoreboard (that can spout fire), the Gritty C.O.M.M.A.N.D Center for kids and a rage room known as the Disassembly Room.

Philadelphia Union (Major League Soccer)

The Philadelphia Union have been thrilling soccer fans since 2010, including capturing the 2020 Supporters’ Shield for best regular season record, three U.S. Open Cup finals appearances and a run to the MLS championship match in 2022.

Subaru Park   — Photo courtesy the Philadelphia Union

Some of the sport’s top players have taken the pitch for the Union, including Andre Blake, Sébastien Le Toux, Alejandro Bedoya, Dániel Gazdag and Ilsinho.

Stunning soccer-specific Subaru Park in Chester has hosted matches since the Union’s debut season. The crowd brings together the liveliness of European soccer and the ardor of Philly fans. The stadium holds nearly 20,000, led by the friendly but rowdy Sons of Ben supporters’ group who enjoy their own private entrance leading to a 2,000-seat dedicated cheering section known as The River End.

The marquee feature of the stadium is the impressive views of the Commodore Barry Bridge, which soars above the site, and the Delaware River below. Sideline stands are covered by cantilevered roofs designed to protect fans from the elements without obstructing the view.

Concessions include favorites like cheesesteaks from Philip’s Steaks, soft pretzels shaped like the Union’s logo and local craft beer. Fans gather outside in Subaru Plaza for pregame parties, pet adoption events, a pop-up bar and a community produce garden.

College Sports

NCAA College Basketball

For a century, Philadelphia has been a hotbed for college basketball, led by its seven-decade old informal league of area college programs known as the Big 5.

Founded in 1955, the association consists of the city’s six Division I-A schools — the Villanova Wildcats, Temple Owls, Penn Quakers, LaSalle Explorers, St. Joseph’s Hawks and Drexel Dragons — who compete for the annual title of Big 5 champions based on head-to-head matchups.

In all, the six schools have garnered four NCAA National Championships and four NIT titles while producing stars like Kyle Lowry, Jameer Nelson, Aaron McKie, Malik Rose, Tom Gola, Jerome Allen, Guy Rodgers, Lionel Simmons and Mark Macon.

The Big 5 has also awarded a women’s champion since 1980. Three more area schools compete in NCAA Division II basketball: the Thomas Jefferson Rams, Holy Family Tigers and Chestnut Hill Griffins.

  — Photo by G. Carroccio

The Palestra in West Philadelphia, which dates back to 1927, is known as the “Cathedral of College Basketball.” It’s Penn’s home arena (and was the traditional home to the Big 5), as well as the site of the first-ever NCAA Tournament Final, and has hosted more regular season men’s games than any arena in America.

St. Joe’s plays at Hagan Arena, with LaSalle at Tom Gola Arena, Temple at The Liacouras Center and Drexel at Daskalakis Athletic Center. Villanova hosts most games on campus at Finneran Pavilion, with bigger matchups at the Wells Fargo Center (which also hosts a new annual Big 5 tournament).

Smaller Leagues and Sports

As big sports leagues take center stage, Philadelphia has long been friendly to smaller leagues and lesser-known sports. Tickets are affordable with better seats, a family-friendly atmosphere and non-stop action.

Philadelphia Wings (National Lacrosse League)

Indoor lacrosse teams named the Philadelphia Wings date back to the 1970s, including the version that captured six championships between 1989 and 2001.

The current Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League have played at Wells Fargo Center since 2018. Games are filled with continuous play, tons of scoring, non-stop music and hype, kid-friendly activities, and tons of giveaways.

  — Photo courtesy Philadelphia Wings

Philadelphia Waterdogs, Premier Lacrosse League

The city’s newest team is the Philadelphia Waterdogs of the Premier Lacrosse League, professional college-style field lacrosse.

Founded in 2020, the team was awarded to Philly in 2024, playing select home games at Villanova Stadium and Subaru Park, where the team won the league title in 2022 and reached the semifinals in 2023.

Philadelphia Phoenix, Ultimate Frisbee Association

The Philadelphia Phoenix play in the Ultimate Frisbee Association. Informally known as Frisbee football, the sport is similar to football in that teams toss a disc player to player downfield with the goal of scoring in an endzone. The Phoenix, founded in 2013, will split their home games between Turf Field at Neumann University in Aston and the James Ramp Memorial Recreation Center in Pennypack Park starting in 2024.

Individual Sports

The Philadelphia area is also an important stronghold for fans of individual (non-team) sports from tennis to billiards to skating, but is most well-known for its golf and boxing history, events and figures.

PGA and LPGA Golf Tournaments

The Philadelphia region is home to two of golf’s premier professional courses.

Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square and Ardmore’s Merion Golf Club (both in Delaware County ) have both held numerous PGA and LPGA championship events over their histories.

Aronimink Golf Club , founded in 1896, has hosted many prestigious events including the 1962 PGA Championship, the 2020 Women’s PGA Championship, and the 2023 Senior PGA Championship, and will be site of the 2026 PGA Championship, in conjunction with the nation’s semiquincentennial .

Merion Golf Club opened the same year as Aronimink, with a resume just as impressive. The course hosted the U.S. Open on five occasions (including 1930, when Bobby Jones’ victory clinched the first-ever Grand Slam), with three more scheduled in 2030, 2040 and 2050, along with the U.S. Women’s Open in 2034 and 2046.

Philly Boxing History

The most famous boxer from Philadelphia, Rocky Balboa , didn’t exist off the silver screen, but the city has a long and significant history of producing real-life champions and holding prominent events.

Any discussion about boxing in Philly starts with “Smokin’ Joe” Frazier. One of the greatest of all time, Frazier took heavyweight gold at the 1964 Olympics, held the heavyweight title from 1968 to 1973 and defeated by Muhammad Ali in “The Fight of the Century” in 1971. The building from which he ran his gym from 1975 until his death in 2011 can still be seen North Philly.

Other prominent Philadelphia-born or bred boxers include former world champions Bernard Hopkins, Danny Garcia, Meldrick Taylor, Buster Drayton and Tyrell Biggs.

The nearly 40-year-old sports hall in South Philly now known as 2300 Arena had been named “Venue of the Year” by ESPN2 boxing. Several boxing events are also contested at Parx Casino & Racing in Bensalem, Temple’s Liacouras Center and other sites.

Annual Sporting Events

Philadelphia is also home to a number of key national events and tournaments which return annually.

These events bring nationwide attention to Philly and create a deep connection between the city, the athletes who travel to compete and the fans who make the pilgrimage.

College Football: Army–Navy Game

About halfway between West Point and Annapolis, Philadelphia was a natural choice to host the college football’s annual Army–Navy Game , which it has done 90 out of 125 times.

The rivalry matchup between the U.S. Military Academy Black Knights and U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen has been hosted at JFK Stadium, Franklin Field, Veterans Stadium and now Lincoln Financial Field.

Spectators experience constant cheers of “Beat Navy” and “Beat Army,” traditions like the friendly “prisoner exchange,” the National Anthem and alma maters performed by academy choirs and bands and regular attendance by the President of the United States. (The Army–Navy Game is currently rotating sites and returns to Philadelphia in 2027.)

Thoroughbred Racing: Pennsylvania Derby and Cotillion Handicap

There are only about 100 Grade 1 thoroughbred races contested in the U.S. each year, and two are held at Bensalem’s Parx Casino & Racing .

Run since 1969 and 1979 respectively, the million-dollar-each Cotillion Handicap and Pennsylvania Derby (“The Kentucky Derby of the North”) are important Breeders’ Cup preludes. Top jockeys including Mike Smith, Gary Stevens, Ángel Cordero Jr. and Edgar Prado have graced the track’s winner’s circle.

Rowing: Head of the Schuylkill Regatta

There may be no sport as historically tied to Philadelphia as rowing, specifically sculling on the Schuylkill River, which is home to the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta first held in 1874.

One of the sport’s three “Fall Classics,” the last-weekend-in-October event (known as “America’s favorite regatta”) features over 8,000 entries from nearly 300 rowing clubs racing from Strawberry Mansion Bridge to Boathouse Row , and is considered one of the world’s premier rowing events.

  — Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

The regatta features scholastic, collegiate, masters and open divisions, and is headlined by the Philadelphia Gold Cup Challenge, first won by John B. Kelly Sr., father to late actor and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly.

Track & Field: Penn Relays

The renowned Penn Relays , which debuted in 1895, is the oldest and largest track and field meet in the country.

Competed annually at Penn’s Franklin Field (built to hold the event) during the last full week in April, the Relays feature over 15,000 athletes from a dozen nations participating in more than 300 track and field events in high school, college, Olympic and masters level competitions in front of 110,000 spectators.

True to its name, the Penn Relays were the first to popularize the 4x400m relay, and featured the first-ever use of a stadium scoreboard.

  — Photo courtesy Penn Relays

Distance Running: Philadelphia Marathon, Philadelphia Distance Run and Broad Street Run

Philadelphia is a runners’ city as well, with a handful of annual long-distance events open to both professional racers and the general public.

Philadelphia Marathon

The city’s oldest distance race is the Philadelphia Marathon , first run in 1954.

Held the third Sunday of November, it ranks among the 10 largest in the nation with over 30,000 runners from over 40 countries, beginning and ending at the Philadelphia Museum of Art . It attracts 60,000 spectators and is a key qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Philadelphia Distance Run 

At half the distance, the Philadelphia Distance Run (PDR) half marathon has been held annually since 1978 on the third Sunday of each September.

The top-level international race features over 2,500 runners completing a lap from the Barnes Foundation to Eakins Oval.

The current records for men and women are both the fastest ever recorded for a half marathon in the U.S. And in 2021, the PDR became the first American road race to offer a non-binary division up to elite level.

Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run

Possibly the most popular Philly public road race is the 10-mile Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run .

Each first Sunday in May, upwards of 35,000 to 40,000 race down Broad Street from Einstein Medical Center to the Philadelphia Navy Yard in what has become the largest 10-miler in the nation. Interested runners enter a lottery to gain a bib and a starting spot.

Stadium Tours

While very few of us will ever suit up in uniform for our favorite teams, each of the professional sports venues at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex offer behind-the-scenes tours.

All three professional stadiums in Philly offer behind-the-scenes tours for fans.

Citizens Bank Park

Citizens Bank Park offers public tours year-round. The tour runs approximately 75 minutes and includes access to the Phillies’ dugout, broadcasting booth, Hall of Fame Club, press club and media room, plus a special audiovisual presentation.

Tours are available during the season Monday through Friday and the offseason Tuesdays and Thursdays, and tickets can be purchased directly from the team .

Lincoln Financial Field

Tours of Lincoln Financial Field are offered both as guided with a group and self-guided.

Untimed self-guided tours can be completed in around 30 minutes and include a visit to the field, the Eagles’ locker room, team tunnel, interview room and the chance to take photos with the Lombardi Trophy.

Group tours run 90 minutes and include all locations from the self-tour plus the sideline lockers, press box, broadcast booth, sensory room and solar energy facilities.

Tours are offered all year on non-event days. Self-guided tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster and group tours through the team .

Wells Fargo Center

Flyers, Sixers and Wings fans can tour the Wells Fargo Center on weekdays, with tours running 60 to 90 minutes.

Tour highlights include views from the premium club box level and balcony, the New City Terrace, press box row and Gritty C.O.M.M.A.N.D. Center, plus details about the arena’s day-to-day operations and the history of Philadelphia sports and entertainment.

Bonus: All guests receive a commemorative photo and frame and group tours include a ticket to a Wings game.

Philadelphia’s Best Sports Bars

With fans this passionate and dedicated, you don’t need to go to the game to enjoy the game.

McGillins Old Ale House   — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

Philadelphia offers some of the top sports bars in the nation, with great food, beer and cocktails to enjoy while watching a game on big screens nearly every night, whether it’s a random early regular season game or a tough and tense playoff game.

From famous local chains like Chickie’s & Pete’s and P.J. Whelihan’s to historic spots like McGillin’s Old Ale House to giant entertainment halls like XFINITY Live! Philadelphia, there are great sports bars in every corner of the city, including the 22 highlighted here .

• Center City
• Philadelphia Neighborhoods

Come for Philadelphia. Stay (Over) for Philly.

The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.

Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, or the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution.

Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.

Which will you choose?

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The Biggest Sporting Events in Greater Philadelphia in Spring 2021

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THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REGISTERED FOR SPRING 2024 IN-HOUSE BASEBALL!!!

Most of our levels are full. We still have room at PeeWee and Teeball. To be placed on the Waitlist for another level, please contact [email protected].

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PAYSA is an all-volunteer non-profit organization so we are looking for people willing to share their time & talents in any manner from coaching, umpiring, field maintenance, fundraising & general support efforts.  All volunteers will be required to pass a background check and possibly be fingerprinted in  accordance  with new  Pennsylvania  State Law.  Please review the volunteer requirements on our Volunteer Info page under the Information tab.

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High School Sports | Lehigh Valley baseball: Northwestern Lehigh…

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High school sports | lehigh valley baseball: northwestern lehigh rallies from big deficit to edge salisbury in battle of the colonial league’s best.

Don’t be surprised if Salisbury and Northwestern Lehigh are the two finalists in the upcoming Colonial League tournament and play for the championship on May 16 at DeSales University.

And if that matchup transpires, don’t plan on leaving early.

The streaking Falcons and Tigers, the hottest teams in local baseball, hooked up in one of the most-anticipated games of the 2024 scholastic season early Monday night in Heidelberg Township and the game didn’t disappoint.

Salisbury led 4-0 and 5-3 but Northwestern Lehigh fought back with a run in the fifth and three in the bottom of the sixth and held on for a 7-6 victory that puts the Tigers in position to grab the top seed for the Colonial League tournament set to begin May 10.

Cannon Fitch’s RBI single tied the game at 5 and then the Tigers got the go-ahead run and what proved to be the deciding run on wild pitches.

The Falcons, who got a three-run home run from Tommy Lovelidge earlier to go up 4-0, got another longball from Jacob Bucchin to pull within one.

Northwestern Lehigh’s Robert Croneberger III throws to first against Salisbury on Monday, April 29, 2024, during a baseball game at Northwestern Lehigh High School. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Salisbury’s Owen Fogel looks for a hit against Northwestern Lehigh on Monday, April 29, 2024, during a baseball game at Northwestern Lehigh High School. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Northwestern Lehigh’s Eli Zimmerman steals second base against Salisbury’s Markus Jones on Monday, April 29, 2024, during a baseball game at Northwestern Lehigh High School. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Salisbury’s Austin Spisszak pitches to Northwestern Lehigh on Monday, April 29, 2024, during a baseball game at Northwestern Lehigh High School. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Northwestern Lehigh’s Shaun O'Donnell pitches to Salisbury on Monday, April 29, 2024, during a baseball game at Northwestern Lehigh High School. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Salisbury plays against Northwestern Lehigh on Monday, April 29, 2024, during a baseball game at Northwestern Lehigh High School. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Northwestern Lehigh’s Joshua Lichman makes an out at first against Salisbury’s Thomas Lovelidge on Monday, April 29, 2024, during a baseball game at Northwestern Lehigh High School. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Northwestern Lehigh plays against Salisbury on Monday, April 29, 2024, during a baseball game at Northwestern Lehigh High School. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Northwestern Lehigh’s Robert Croneberger III runs towards first base against Salisbury on Monday, April 29, 2024, during a baseball game at Northwestern Lehigh High School. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Salisbury’s Jake Bucchim makes a play in the outfield against Northwestern Lehigh on Monday, April 29, 2024, during a baseball game at Northwestern Lehigh High School. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Northwestern Lehigh’s Joshua Farber looks for a hit against Salisbury on Monday, April 29, 2024, during a baseball game at Northwestern Lehigh High School. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

However, Josh Farber, who worked three sterling innings in relief, got the final out without drama.

It ended Salisbury’s winning streak at 13 games and was the Falcons’ first loss of the spring since their only previous loss — a 15-7 defeat to Pen Arygl — came on March 18, which was officially still winter.

The Falcons are now 14-2 overall, 12-2 league with league games the next three days. The Tigers are 14-3, 12-1 with three games left.

“It was a good one,” said first-year Tiger coach Brian Polaha, whose team avenged a 3-1 loss at Salisbury on March 22. “We had a 12-game win streak, they were on a 13-game win streak so we knew something had to give. They’re a really good team and they got out on us 4-0. We also know we’re a good team. We have a lot of confidence and we didn’t flinch.”

Northwestern began its comeback with three in the bottom of the third after Salisbury scored four in the top half of the inning when Lovelidge hit his three-run homer.

A run scored on an error and then Justin Augustus delivered a two-run double to make it 4-3.

The Falcons extended the lead to 5-3 in the fourth on Matt Nunez’s RBI single, but Austin Spisszak and the Salisbury defense couldn’t hold on. Spisszak worked 6.1 stellar innings against Northwestern on March 22, tossing a five-hitter with no earned runs and five strikeouts.

But this time, the Tigers couldn’t be caged.

“We figured Spisszak would pitch against us again, but this time we were kind of ready for him,” Polaha said. “We grinded out some walks and got some clutch hits when we needed them. The first time through the order we hit a lot of balls hard that were right at them. But we kept battling.”

And that has been the story of the Northwestern season so far.

“This team has been great all year in terms of attitude and a never-say-die approach,” Polaha said. “We have a lot of veterans and they believe in each other. To be honest, we expected to win.”

Augustus, who is headed to Kutztown to continue his baseball career, agreed with Polaha.

“We knew we had the better team here today and we just had to show it,” Augustus said. “We’re never out of a game. We’re always competing. The last time we played them we couldn’t hit. But today we brought our bats. Today we brought everything.”

After Robert Croneberger sacrifice fly got the Tigers within 5-4 in the fifth, Cole Dynda’s one-out single started the winning rally in the sixth. An Eli Zimmerman walk was followed by Fitch’s game-tying single. Zimmerman and Fitch eventually came around to score on wild pitches.

Farber then finished it up with just the Bucchin home run preventing him from a hitless three innings. The junior walked two and struck out two.

Salisbury coach Justin Aungst took the defeat, his team’s first in more than a month, in stride.

“We had the 4-0 lead but I knew that wasn’t necessarily going to be enough,” he said. “Credit to them. They executed a little better than us today. I don’t think either team was dominant. It was a good game and we knew it was going to be. We have to get back after it tomorrow. We just have to learn from what we did today and come back and execute tomorrow.”

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Red-Hot Philadelphia Phillies Star Wins Award After Monster Week

Philadelphia Phillies star Trea Turner won an award during his latest hot streak.

• Author: Tyler Maher

In this story:

Last season, Trea Turner got off to a terrible start with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Fresh off signing an 11-year, $300 million contract, he struggled in his first season with the Phillies and didn't get going until August, finishing the season strong but seeing his rate stats suffer as a result.

This year, Turner has enjoyed a much faster start , picking up where he left off last season.

After going 1-for-5 against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, he's batting .340 with an .881 OPS. He's also riding an 11-game hitting streak.

That includes Turner's torrid six-game stretch last week that earned him NL Player of the Week honors on Monday alongside Baltimore Orioles rookie Jordan Westburg, who took home the AL award .

Jordan Westburg: .478/.500/.913, 2 HR, 8 RBI Trea Turner: .462/.481/.769, 12 H, 6 XBH Your @Chevrolet AL and NL Players of the Week! pic.twitter.com/ZeyHJfXQLS — MLB (@MLB) April 22, 2024

All Turner did was go 12-for-26 with five doubles and a homer last week, helping Philadelphia go 6-0 during its homestand against the Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox .

The star shortstop slashed .462/.482/.769 with 10 runs, four RBIs and a stolen base, hitting safely and scoring at least one run in all six contests.

Granted, Turner feasted on two of the worst pitching staffs in baseball, but his hot streak was impressive nevertheless.

That marks his third career Player of the Week award, and his second with the Phillies. It's also by far the earliest in the season that he's ever won the award, as his previous wins came in September and October.

While many of his teammates like Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber have slumped to start the season, Turner has helped pick up the slack and deserves much of the credit (along with the starting rotation , of course) for the team's early success.

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