travel ball divisions

Travel Baseball’s National Team Classification System

What is divlevel.

DivLevel is travel baseball’s national team division classification system.  Travel baseball teams from across the nation are able to self-classify their team in one of three division classifications: Division 1 ( D1 ), Division 2 ( D2 ) or Division 3 ( D3 ). DivLevel promotes the concept of LEVEL-PLAY in travel baseball, through one unified system of team classification used throughout the industry.

The DivLevel classifications will increasingly be used by travel baseball tournament providers from across the country in an effort to streamline the varying and often confusing terminology currently being used. DivLevel will also be the basis for Baseball Youth’s team ranking system , where teams from all levels of play will be ranked versus others nationwide.

DivLevel was created by the innovative and industry-leading minds at BASEBALL YOUTH – the Nation’s Largest Youth Baseball Network!  The various divisions and levels currently being used and promoted by tourney providers in travel baseball have quickly become confusing to the most important groups it serves… the coaches, players and fans!

The team at Baseball Youth believes it is time to take a proactive step in unifying the classification process, which will drastically benefit both travel baseball teams and tourney providers. The DivLevel system is built around the idea of promoting ONE set of universal division classifications: D1-D2-D3. These three division classifications are extremely easy to explain to parents and players and for coaches to understand as well!

By classifying with DivLevel, you are joining the movement to simplify the tournament process, increasing opportunities for equal and adequate competition during tournament play, and bring the focus back to the GAME! Together we will unify the industry, and enhance the overall EXPERIENCE for our players, coaches, and families.

DivLevel is FREE to classify your team and EASY to navigate. It only takes 1-2 minutes to classify your team for the entire season. If at any point in the season you feel that your team needs to move up or down a level, simply log in and change your classification!

Through your team’s DivLevel classification, you will have the chance to be featured in  Baseball Youth Magazine and on Baseball Youth social media channels! In addition to these national EXPOSURE opportunities, your team will automatically be in the system for future  Baseball Youth team rankings !

DivLevel allows coaches to choose the best division/level for their particular team, based on a candid assessment of their team’s skill level. DivLevel is made up of 3 very easy-to-understand division levels… Division 1 (D1), Division 2 (D2) or Division 3 (D3) as follows:

D1 – Major/All-Levels of AAA, Gold, Elite/Advanced, Competitive Nationally and Super-Competitive Regionally

D2 – Medium AA/High AA, Silver, High-Level Intermediate, Competitive Regionally and Super-Competitive Locally

D3 – Low AA/All-Levels of A, Bronze, Low-Level Intermediate/Beginner, Competitive Locally

Division 1 (abbreviated D1 ) is the highest level of play within Baseball Youth’s DivLevel classification system.  This level is best suited for teams considered as Major/All-Levels of AAA, Gold or Elite/Advanced. Teams classified as D1 should be playing the majority of their games against other regionally strong and/or nationally ranked opponents.

Division 2 (abbreviated D2 ) is the middle level of play within Baseball Youth’s DivLevel classification system.  This level is best suited for teams considered as Medium AA/High AA, Silver or High-Level Intermediate. Teams classified as D2 should be playing the majority of their games against other mid-level local and regionally based opponents of a similar classification.

Division 3 (abbreviated D3 ) is the lowest level of play within Baseball Youth’s DivLevel classification system.  This level is best suited for teams considered as Low AA/All-Levels of A, Bronze or Low-Level Intermediate/Beginner.  Teams classified as D3 should be playing the majority of their games against other local and lower-level regionally based opponents of a similar classification.

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Travel Baseball: A Complete and Updated Guide for 2023

March 11, 2023

James Arnold

Do you want your child to be a great baseball player? 

Are you a youngster who has finally realized that you want to take your baseball skills to the next level?

Or possibly both the parent and the kid are reading together, eager to learn more about improving their baseball skills and turning it into a more serious activity.

If you feel it to be a convenient strategy, participating in travel baseball may provide answers to all of your questions and allow you to accomplish all of your ambitions.

In this article, you will learn all you need to know about travel balls, from the fundamentals to the more advanced aspects.

What Is Travel Baseball?

First and foremost, we must familiarize ourselves with the concept of “travel baseball.”

Typically, when people talk about travel baseball, they’re referring to a squad of elite players who participate in tournaments and train at their own facilities.

You may think of it as a sort of youth baseball in which games are played away from home. 

Teams known as ‘ travel ball teams or travel teams ‘ in this form of baseball may travel to another state or city to compete in baseball travel tournaments.

Structure Of Competition

A tournament system is used for almost all travel baseball games, played on weekends.

Tournaments may potentially take place anywhere, although they are most often conducted in multi-field sites near major transportation hubs.

You can anticipate traveling more if you reside far away from such transit centers.

The final teams for the event are decided after each travel ball team has played several matches.

Depending on how well a team does, they may play somewhere between three to eight games throughout the course of a two-day or three-day tournament.

The number of tournaments a team may enter isn’t set; although two per month is considered normal, higher-level teams may play more regularly. 

Level-Play In Travel Baseball

There are generally three categories of competition in a travel baseball tournament, ranging from the least developed to the most developed level of youth baseball.

This classification is according to Baseball Youth’s DivLevel classification system, which is a travel baseball’s national team division classification system.

1. Division 1 Or D1

Within Baseball Youth’s DivLevel categorization system, Division 1 or D1 is the top level of play.

D1 is better suited for teams considered Major/All-Levels of AAA, Gold, or Elite/Advanced in their respective leagues.

Teams in the D1 division should play the bulk of their games against regionally competitive opponents and/or nationally rated.

2. Division 2 Or D2 

Within Baseball Youth’s DivLevel categorization system, Division 2 or D2 is the intermediate level of play.

Teams graded as Medium AA/High AA, Silver, or High-Level Intermediate are best suited to compete at the D1 level.

Teams in the D2 division should play the bulk of their games against other mid-level regional and local opponents in the same division.

3. Division 3 Or D3

Within Baseball Youth’s DivLevel categorization system, Division 3 or D3 is the weakest level of play.

Low AA/All-Levels of A, Bronze, or Low-Level Intermediate/Beginner teams are the greatest fit for the D1 level.

Teams in the D3 division should play the majority of their games against other domestic and regionally-based opponents in the same division.

Travel Baseball Against Little League

There are several significant parallels and distinctions between travel baseball and little league baseball .

Both aid in developing important life qualities such as a positive work ethic, sportsmanship, cooperation, and the ability to learn from mistakes.

They are, however, significantly different in terms of time investment and competition.

One is recognized for being competitive and raising your skill level, while the other is known for being recreational and a means for youth to learn the rules.

Travel baseball offers a higher competition level than what traditional little leagues provide.

In a single season, roughly 14-20 games are played in both.

There isn’t much difference between these two, other than the amount of seriousness and the fact that you’ll have to travel for a travel ball .

How To Get On A Travel Baseball Team?

As a player, being a member of a travel baseball team is a thrilling experience.

Following are a few pointers that can help you relax and perform at your best, making joining a baseball team much simpler.

1. Be On Time (Or Before Time)

First of all, plan to arrive a few minutes early. If you arrive late, you’ll have to hustle to keep up with everyone.

Arrive early enough to check in, go for a quick jog, play a game of light catch with a buddy, and ease up on your own.

2. If You Are A Baseball Player, Look Like One

Dress appropriately for tryouts; do not show up in jeans or oversized basketball shorts.

The ideal outfit consists of a clean pair of baseball trousers , a decent light sports shirt, and a nice hat worn with the bill facing front.

If you don’t have baseball pants available, a nice pair of sweatpants will do.

3. Practice Makes Perfect

You should play catch even if you only have time to do so twice or three times before the tryout.

If you’ve been to the tryouts previously and are familiar with a few of the activities they’ll be doing; it’s a good idea to put those skills into practice as much as possible.

Practice gaining leads , doing excellent leaps, and anything else you believe you’ll see during the tryout.

4. Play Your Usual

You should just play your game and allow the game to come to you; don’t try to force it.

Simply wait for the right chance to present yourself, and then boldly do your task to the best of your ability.

If you push too hard, you will almost certainly make more errors than you would otherwise.

5. Good Behavior

You’ll be a suitable candidate if you’re willing to work hard and take constructive feedback.

Have a sportsman’s attitude ; if you don’t catch the ball, ask the coach to throw it again instead of pouting.

Don’t be hesitant and hide in places, missing out on the chance to learn what you need to know in travel teams.

Also, remember to be kind to your teammates , motivating them when they make errors and communicating with them regularly while conducting the exercises.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Travel Baseball

There are upsides and downsides to consider when it comes to travel baseball. 

• Strong Competition: Travel baseball lets kids play with and against some of the finest players in their region and even beyond.

The players are more committed to the game and motivated to progress. Your child’s performance will be pushed to the limit by the increased level of competition.

• Improved Coaching: Coaches are frequently ex-players who have gone on to coaching careers in the sport.

There is a higher likelihood that a travel baseball coach will be better educated, more experienced, and more tied to the game.

• Fun Experience: Many weekends will be spent in hotels together, learning about new places and bonding as a group in a travel baseball team. 

It’s one of the best ways for young people to go to new places around their region and the country, and they can do it while having an amazing time with their teammates.

• Easy Exposure: You can get a lot of attention from college and professional scouts by playing travel baseball. 

One of the best things about being on a high-level travel baseball team is meeting other high-level coaches.

• Character Growth: The significance of travel teams about being on time, behaving well, and putting in the most effort makes a child more disciplined.

As young people move from Minor League Baseball (MiLB) to Major League Baseball ( MLB ), they already have the sense of urgency that they need.

Disadvantages

• Very Competitive: Travel teams take their games seriously and strive to win games.

 A travel team must balance the development of its players while still attempting to win matches. This often results in players who aren’t the greatest not having a chance to play.

• Costly: Travel baseball is costly and sometimes extremely costly, which might be a reason for most kids to drop its idea.
• Prioritized Task: Even a reasonably competitive travel squad may consume a summer’s worth of weekends. 

As a result, it is a time-consuming task that you must be able to prioritize.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Baseball

Some common questions about travel baseball are:

1. How Do Baseball Players Travel?

Teams may travel by bus if the shortest path between the two cities is less than 200 miles.

Anything longer than that necessitates plane travel , with all flights being nonstop.

Major airlines, which are generally among the team’s sponsors, charter flights for most MLB clubs.

2. When Does Travel Baseball Season Start?

The travel season is divided into two seasons: Yearly Season (Main) and Fall Season (Optional)

The yearly season starts from around April 1, ends in August , and is compulsory.

While the fall season spans from around September to the late part of October, which is optional.

3. Who Can Play Travel Baseball?

The 8-year-old squad, mostly composed of 2nd and 3rd students, is the first to go.

4. What Age Is Best For Transitioning To Travel Baseball?

Travel baseball would be a logical next step for children aged 11 to 12 (but not younger than that) who want to enhance their talents to the level of a professional player.

5. Is Travel Baseball Worth The Money 

Whether Travel Baseball is worth the money or not depends on how serious you are about getting your skills to higher levels.

It gives extra opportunities for committed baseball players who want to get the most out of each year

6. How Much Does Travel Baseball Cost?

The exact cost of participating in travel baseball differs, but it typically costs somewhere around $500 and $2,500 per year.

Travel baseball is an effective way to enhance your skills and increase your chances of playing in college or as a professional.

But, do not overlook the expense and investment of time that comes along with the benefits travel ball gives.

Only the most costly team doesn’t need to make your kid adequately talented to join a team in college or select baseball as a profession, a fairly priced team may be similarly trained and qualified, so you need to get into a team thoughtfully.

After reading this article, I hope that you have a firm grasp of all of the technicalities surrounding travel baseball .

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Travel Baseball: The Ultimate Guide for Parents and Players

Table of Contents

What is travel baseball, what to look for in a travel baseball team, travel baseball vs. little league, travel baseball pros and cons , criticisms and controversy, is travel baseball worth it.

For many families, the transition from Little League to travel baseball comes with stress, anxiety and questions about what to look for in a team and what to expect from the experience — not to mention the question of whether making the switch from a more laid-back rec ball program to a more competitive (and expensive) travel club is the right decision in the first place.

In this post, we’re going to go over everything you need to know about getting started with youth travel baseball. We’ll help you answer the questions above and determine whether travel baseball is a good fit for your son or daughter. 

If you have a softball player in the family, you may also want to check out our article “ What to Look For in a Travel Softball Team ,” which covers some of the same information from a softball perspective and dives deep into my personal experience as an elite-level amateur player and college recruiting prospect.

Table of Contents :

• How to Choose a Travel Baseball Team
• Travel Baseball Pros and Cons
• Is Travel Baseball Worth It?  

First, it’s important to understand what a travel baseball team is and how travel baseball is organized. 

There are tens of thousands of travel baseball teams around the country, and their popularity has exploded over the past two decades. As recently as the 1990s, travel baseball was a niche experience limited mostly to elite players in baseball-rich areas like Texas and California. Today, participation is seen by many as a near necessity for talented players to develop their skills and hone their game against the best competition they can find. 

Whereas Little League is the dominant organization when it comes to recreational youth baseball, there are multiple organizations throughout the country that host hundreds of travel tournaments each year. Some of the biggest and most popular are USSSA (United States Speciality Sports Association), AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), Triple Crown Sports , and Perfect Game . Travel baseball teams often participate in tournaments organized by more than one of those organizations. 

A team can be started by anyone. Many are formed by parents, but many others are formed by high school and former college coaches. Depending on their organizational goals, some programs have just one team that participates in one age bracket (such as 10 and under), while some are run like businesses and have teams that compete in every age group. 

Some huge organizations, such as California Baseball Academy (CBA), even have multiple teams within the same age group, located in multiple cities. CBA has teams not only in California, but also in Nevada, Texas, Utah and the southeast. High-level programs like that are often known for attracting top talent, for training recruits into elite players, and for feeding those players into nearby colleges and universities. 

Travel Baseball Competition Structure

Virtually all travel baseball games are played on weekends in a tournament format. Those tournaments can theoretically be held anywhere, but are frequently held at multi-field facilities in easily-accessible travel hubs. For example, many Florida tournaments are held in Orlando because it’s in the relative center of the state, it has plenty of hotel rooms, and it’s home to many great baseball facilities. The farther you live away from such a hub, the more you should expect to travel. 

Most tournaments begin with pool play, meaning that teams are guaranteed a number of games before heading into single elimination. A team can expect to play anywhere from three to eight games over the course of a two-day or three-day tournament, depending on how they perform.

There is no set number of tournaments a team must participate in. Each team decides which tournaments to enter on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration factors such as age level, skill level, and cost. In general, two tournaments per month can be seen as about average, although higher-level teams may play more frequently. 

Most organizations run regional and national championships, which are invite-only. For example, USSSA hosts “qualifier” tournaments, where the winner of the championship game (and sometimes the runner up) can earn a bid to the USSSA national tournament.

Additionally, beginning at age 14, some teams start participating in “college exposure tournaments,” where college scouts come from across the country to watch and evaluate prospects. These tournaments are typically more expensive than regular tournaments, and are often farther away.

How to Join a Travel Baseball Team

If you’ve decided to join a travel baseball team and aren’t sure where to find one, there are a number of resources available. 

It may go without saying, but word-of-mouth can be a valuable first reference point. If you’re thinking about switching to travel baseball, chances are that you already know someone in your area who has made the jump. If so, don’t be afraid to ask them questions about the team and their experience. It’s a big commitment — both in terms of time and finances — so it’s important to make sure you find the right club for your son or daughter.

In addition to word of mouth, many organizations offer a list of active teams on their website. For example, USSSA has a tool that lets you filter teams by age level, skill level, and location . There are also many state-based forums and Facebook groups where coaches post their team’s tryouts (and positions needed). As an example, here are Facebook groups for travel baseball teams in Florida and Michigan ⁠— you can find similar groups for every state. 

Another good option is FieldLevel.com , which (like the USSSA site) allows you to filter teams by state and level. While not every team is listed on that website, it does include over 4,000 clubs.

Here are eight things to think about when evaluating teams. These factors will make a big difference when it comes to your overall experience, so take the time to think about them, and don’t be afraid to ask questions of parents and coaches.

1. Coaching  

A coaching staff can make or break a team. How coaches manage players, keep the game fun, instill the fundamentals, and focus on development — not only as athletes, but as young men and women — is extremely important. 

Some travel baseball teams have parents or grandparents serving as the head coach. While that can be fine, it’s important to make sure those coaches don’t make keeping their own child on the field a priority. Before committing to a team, spend some time researching it by watching a practice and talking to current and/or former players and parents. 

What’s the coaching style? Do they have high expectations but still encourage and love their players? Or, on the other hand, are they screaming at players when they make a mistake? 

Additionally, are players treated equitably, or do some get preferential treatment based on their relationship to the coach or their financial contribution to the team?

Ideally, your child will be a part of that team and organization for consecutive years, rather than bouncing from team to team. As such, determining whether the coaching staff is a good fit is a crucial first step.

2. Cost  

For many parents, this is the most terrifying aspect of travel baseball.

Just how much of a toll is this going to take on your bank account? The specific answer varies, but the typical range of cost for participating in travel baseball is between $500 and $2,500 per year. 

That said, you can end up spending a lot more than that. Back in 2011, CBS News reported that one Georgia family paid $4,000 per year for their 9-year-old son’s travel team. You can imagine that older players in elite programs that travel all over the country can spend even more over the course of a season.

Typically, the more intensely focused a program is on developing its players for college baseball, the more money the program is going to cost. On the other hand, teams that are playing more for the fun of it — those looking for just a little more structure and competition than offered by Little League — won’t put as much of a dent in your wallet.

There are a number of specific factors that go into how much it costs to be on a team:

• Where you live . If you live in a baseball hub, like Texas or California, you won’t have to travel as far to get to tournaments. Many teams from rural areas regularly drive across multiple states (or sometimes even fly) to tournaments. As such, where you live will likely be the single biggest variable in your overall travel baseball cost.
• Whether you have to buy your own equipment . Some teams are sponsored by equipment companies like Easton and Rawlings and have their bats, gloves and cleats provided either for free or at a reduced cost. Obviously, this can be a huge savings. Also, keep in mind that (unfortunately) equipment is often viewed as a status symbol in travel baseball. If your child joins a team where every other player has multiple bats and position-specific gloves, he or she is going to press you for similar gear.
• Whether you have to rent facilities . Some teams practice exclusively at public fields. Others have little or no access to such facilities and have to rent fields and/or indoor space (especially for winter workouts). This can have a huge impact on the overall cost of participation.
• Whether or not coaches are paid . Some teams — typically the more competitive ones — pay their coaches small stipends and/or cover their cost of travel. On one hand, this tends to lead to better coaching. On the other hand, families are the ones who will ultimately foot that bill.
• How competitive the team is . Higher-level tournaments typically have higher fees. Lower-level tournaments, operated on a more sub-regional basis, are usually much less expensive to enter. If cost is a concern, make sure you know what types of tournaments the team usually enters over the course of the season. 

3. Location  

As stated earlier, location is a key factor in deciding which travel team to play for. If you’re fortunate enough to live in California, Florida or Texas, you’re going to have a lot of opportunities to play with and against high-level competition right in your backyard. 

But outside of those states, it’s a little bit tougher, and you have to decide how committed you are to playing at the highest possible level. 

For example, if you live in a medium-sized town outside of a major baseball hub, chances are you have at least a couple of travel ball options. However, the odds are that those options are not the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to coaching and competitiveness. In order to play for the absolute “best” team possible, you might have to commute from your mid-sized town to the nearest major city. 

So you’ll be faced with the following choice: play on a lower level team that’s closer to home, or drive a hundred miles or more for twice-weekly practices? It may sound crazy, but many families do just that. 

Why would they commit so much time and money to their son or daughter’s athletic pursuits? It comes down to goals. Better teams often provide better coaching and more opportunities for exposure to college and professional scouts. 

What’s the team’s mission? Is the focus on fun, player development, college exposure, or a mix of all there? Teams can have many different goals and missions, and there’s no right or wrong approach.

However, it is possible that a team’s mission does not align with your values and goals, and you need to think about this before committing, as a compatibility mismatch can lead to coach-parent and coach-player tension. 

5. Organization

Consider the reputation of the organization you’re evaluating. When you join a team, you and your son or daughter will essentially be endorsing everything the program stands for. If they’re known for dirty play or being disrespectful to the game, you’ll be associated with that. 

And believe it or not, the baseball world is a small and surprisingly tight-knit community. College coaches tend to know which programs produce bad apples — and they avoid them. In fact, many college coaches will completely write off an entire organization that has a reputation for not playing the game the right way or for having disrespectful players.

6. Playing Time

There’s an important balance between getting enough playing time and being challenged. Before committing, ask the coaching staff what kind of playing time your child can expect — including at what position. 

If there are two returning shortstops, he or she most likely won’t be playing there and might have to learn another position. That’s not a bad thing: college coaches want players that are versatile, and many players change positions as they get older and their bodies develop. 

Still, it’s helpful to know what to expect ahead of time. Getting game reps is important from a development perspective, but also just from a fun perspective: no kid wants to consistently travel to a tournament only to sit on the bench for most of the weekend. 

7. Skill Level

Be realistic about your child’s skill level, and pay attention to the level of competition around him or her at tryouts (i.e., the skill levels of the other players). If your kid has the fight and desire to compete for a spot (like they’ll have to do if they make it to college ball), then putting them on a team where they’ll be challenged is the best option. 

But if he or she is there to have fun and make friends, with no burning desire to be constantly improving, then choosing a travel team that’s more low-key will be the better call.

8. What You’re Giving Up

Travel baseball tournaments are on weekends, and players often have to sacrifice certain things that are part of a normal childhood. 

Is your son or daughter willing to miss out on things like birthdays, sleepovers and school dances, because most of their time is spent doing homework, traveling to and from games and practices, practicing on their own (possibly including private lessons), and spending nearly every summer weekend at the ballpark?

And are they willing to sacrifice the material things that matter to kids — things like clothes, video games, new smartphones, etc. — because so much money is being spent on baseball? 

As I wrote in THV’s guide to travel softball , my family made major sacrifices to support my athletic pursuits. 

For some, their love of the game is so great that giving up these things is a no-brainer. For others, they may regret missing out on these social activities. And that’s perfectly fine! Just be honest with each other and talk about the true costs of travel baseball — because it’s not just the sticker price.

There are some important similarities and differences between competitive travel baseball and recreational baseball. Both can teach many valuable life skills, such as work ethic, good sportsmanship, teamwork and bouncing back from failure. But they are very different when it comes to time commitment and competitiveness.

The Little League schedule usually runs from the late spring through early summer, with teams practicing twice per week and playing two games per week. The total number of games per season varies, but it usually ranges from 10 to 20. It’s a local program, which means travel is either limited or non-existent. In general, Little League coaches are parents.

Little League can be a great place for kids as young as 4-years-old to start playing the game. They’ll learn the rules and the absolute basics of hitting, pitching and fielding in a fun an easy-going environment (except for the occasional parent that takes their coaching position overboard). 

Overall, Little League fits the classic stereotype of youth baseball: kids having fun playing the greatest game in the world, without much pressure or focus on player development. 

Back in the day, Little League would feed into middle school and high school programs, which carried the bulk of the weight when it came to getting payers ready for college and the pros. But today, the reality is that it’s almost impossible to get the coaching and skill development you need by participating only Little league or other rec ball programs. 

That’s especially true when it comes to the gap between “Majors” Little League (12-and-under) and high school. Few middle schools still have baseball programs, and those programs that do exist tend not to be very good. Likewise, while Little League offers both a Junior division (12-14) and a Senior division (14-16), those leagues tend to pale in comparison to the coaching and competition offered by travel ball. 

So, if your son or daughter is serious about playing baseball at a high level, it’s especially important to focus on the transition to travel ball at around the age of 11 or 12.

There are positives and negatives when it comes to travel baseball. Here are a few of each.

• Better competition : Players are more serious about the game and more driven to improve. This higher level of competition will help push your son or daughter to improve their own skills.
• Better coaching : Travel baseball coaches tend to be better qualified, more knowledgeable, and better-connected. At the highest levels of travel ball, teams often employ former professional coaches.
• More exposure : Aside from high school baseball, travel ball is the primary means of exposure to college coaches and pro scouts. Plus, travel teams often attend showcase tournaments and camps.
• More games played : Travel teams play significantly more games per year than rec ball teams.
• Facilitates travel : Sometimes seen as an ancillary benefit, the travel itself can be a valuable and eye-opening experience for players. Many kids don’t have an opportunity to travel out of their own area or state, and travel baseball can provide that. 
• Encourages character development : Because travel teams are more serious, there’s a greater emphasis put on things like being on time, demonstrating maximum effort, and having a good attitude.  
• Cost : Travel baseball is expensive — sometimes absurdly so. Families often spend around $2,500 per year, but the costs can be even higher. 
• Time commitment : Even a moderately competitive travel team can consume an entire summer’s worth of weekends. 
• Ultra-competitive : On most travel teams, there’s a balance between player development and winning. What you won’t often find is an “everybody plays” approach. For the most part, the best players will play the most, which makes for a highly-competitive environment. 
• Tougher workouts : This can be a pro or a con, depending on the player’s perspective and goals. Tougher workouts can lead to better outcomes, but they can also be mentally and physically taxing if the player isn’t fully invested.
• Lack of diversity : Because travel baseball is expensive, it has often been criticized for a lack of socioeconomic and racial diversity. 

Travel baseball provides many benefits and can be a valuable opportunity for players who are serious about the game and committed to playing at the highest possible level. However, it’s not without its share of criticism and controversy. 

In an essay titled “ Left Out ,” MLB superstar Andrew McCutchen wrote about how kids like him, who grow up in low-income families, are often excluded from travel baseball and thus systematically disadvantaged when it comes to development and exposure: 

“When you’re a kid from a low-income family who has talent, how do you get recognized? Now, you have to pay thousands of dollars for the chance to be noticed in showcase tournaments in big cities. My parents loved me, but they had to work hard to put food on the table, and there wasn’t much left over. They didn’t have the option of skipping a shift to take me to a tournament over the weekend. […] That’s the challenge for families today. It’s not about the $100 bat. It’s about the $100-a-night motel room and the $30 gas money and the $300 tournament fee. 

[…] If you’re a poor kid with raw ability, it’s not enough.”

McCutchen was lucky: an AAU coach “discovered” him at the age of 13 and covered his travel ball expenses. But most kids from similar situations aren’t so fortunate. 

Why is this important for you, the parent of a child thinking about joining a travel team? 

On one hand, it’s important to be aware of how the systems we participate in affect our society. But on a much more specific level, you should know that your child will be entering a largely homogenous environment.

On top of that, kids from lower-income families can often feel out of place in travel ball — especially if they don’t come to the ballpark with the latest, top-quality gear like their teammates. This social dynamic can have a powerful impact on your child’s experience. 

Additionally, travel baseball means that both your family and your child will be spending less time within your own community.

There’s been a lot written in recent years about how travel baseball may be contributing to the erosion of communities , because it pulls families out of local baseball programs that once served as important civic institutions.

This is evidenced by the sharply declining participation in Little League. In the organization’s Southeast Region (a hotbed for a travel baseball), the number of Little League players has plunged by nearly 50% since 2007 . 

So we’ve come to the biggest question: Is travel ball worth it?

If you want to improve your skills and have the best chance to play in college or the pros, travel baseball is the way to go. But remember: there is a range of cost and time commitment within travel baseball. Your son or daughter doesn’t necessarily have to opt for the most expensive travel team in order to be sufficiently challenged (and later on, to get noticed by college coaches). 

Your goal in evaluating teams should be to find the right balance of: 

• Financial commitment 
• Time commitment
• Intangible sacrifices (school events, community involvement, etc.) 
• Baseball goals

After reading this article, you should have a very solid understanding of what Little League and travel baseball have in common, their differences, and what you should be looking for in a club. 

Remember, this is your child’s choice to. Help them see the pros and cons of each option. And although we stated it earlier, we cannot stress this enough: you cannot dictate your son or daughter’s commitment to the game of baseball. It’s up to them. So, support them in whatever capacity they want to participate. If you do, they’ll never regret or forget the amazing experiences, friends, and lessons learned playing this great game.

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DivLevel – Travel Baseball’s National Team Classification System

• June 6, 2018

In the interest of supporting a level playing field, Baseball Youth has established the  DivLevel  team self-classification system for travel teams throughout the country. Comprised of three clearly defined divisions,  DivLevel  is designed to clarify the often-confusing terminology associated with classifying travel teams. In addition,  DivLevel will serve as the basis for Baseball Youth’s team ranking system, where teams from all levels of play will be ranked against others throughout the country.

Why should you use DivLevel? By classifying your team with  DivLevel , you are joining the movement to simplify the tournament process, increase opportunities for equal and adequate competition during tournament play, and bring the focus back to the game. Together, we will unify the industry and enhance the overall experience for our players, coaches, and families.

“The team at Baseball Youth believes it is time to take a proactive step in unifying the classification process, which will drastically benefit both travel baseball teams and tourney providers,” said Matt Roberts, President of Baseball Youth. “The  DivLevel  team classification system is built around the idea of promoting  one set of universal division classifications: D1-D2-D3. These three division classifications are extremely easy to explain to parents and players and for coaches to understand as well!”

DivLevel is free to use and easy to navigate. It only takes 1-2 minutes to classify your team for the entire season. If at any point in the season you feel that your team needs to move up or down a level, simply log in and change your classification!

Through your team’s DivLevel classification, you will have the chance to be featured in Baseball Youth Magazine and on Baseball Youth social media channels! In addition to these national exposure opportunities, your team will automatically be in the system for future Baseball Youth team rankings.

What DivLevel classification is your team? DivLevel  allows coaches to choose the most appropriate level for their particular teams based on candid assessments of their teams’ skill levels.  DivLevel is made up of 3 very easy-to-understand division levels: Division 1 (D1), Division 2 (D2) or Division 3 (D3) as follows:

• D1 – Major/All-Levels of AAA, Gold, Elite/Advanced, Competitive Nationally and Super-Competitive Regionally
• D2 – Medium AA/High AA, Silver, High-Level Intermediate, Competitive Regionally and Super-Competitive Locally
• D3 – Low AA/All-Levels of A, Bronze, Low-Level Intermediate/Beginner, Competitive Locally

To learn more and classify your team visit  DivLevel.com.

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Travel Baseball Levels: A Comprehensive Guide

Short answer travel baseball levels:

Travel baseball levels refer to the various competitive divisions or tiers in youth baseball that involve teams traveling to compete against others from different regions. This typically includes age-based divisions, such as 8U, 10U, 12U, etc., and advanced levels like AAA or Major. The skill level and competitiveness increase as players move up the ladder of travel baseball levels.

Understanding Travel Baseball Levels: A Step-by-Step Guide

Travel baseball has become increasingly popular among young athletes, offering a springboard for talented players to showcase their skills and potentially pave their way to college or even professional careers. However, navigating the intricate world of travel baseball can be quite daunting for both players and parents alike. With various levels and divisions, it’s crucial to have an in-depth understanding of what each level entails in order to make informed decisions about participation. In this step-by-step guide, we shall unravel the complexities surrounding travel baseball levels, providing you with a comprehensive overview that will serve as your compass throughout this exhilarating journey.

Step 1: Grassroots – The Foundation of Travel Baseball Before delving into the intricacies of different levels, let’s start at the grassroots level. Here is where most aspiring ballplayers begin their journey. Often comprised of local recreational leagues or community teams, grassroots programs often prioritize participation and learning over intense competition. Skill development and fostering a love for the game are key objectives during this phase.

Step 2: Local Tournaments – Testing Your Mettle As young athletes progress in their skills and experience, they may start participating in local tournaments organized either by leagues or individual teams . These tournaments usually attract other local talent, allowing players to gain exposure beyond just their regular season games. This is a crucial stepping stone towards more competitive levels where they can gauge themselves against similarly skilled opponents within their region.

Step 3: Regional Travel Teams – Expanding Horizons Regional travel teams represent the next tier on the ladder of travel baseball levels. Usually made up of talented players from neighboring towns or counties, these teams compete against each other within a larger geographical area such as a state or several states in close proximity. Players at this level must possess more refined skills and demonstrate consistent performance to secure spots on these sought-after squads.

Step 4: State-Level Competition – Elevating Your Game At this stage, we enter the realm of state-level competition. Players who have proven themselves in regional travel teams can advance to represent their state in tournaments against other states. These competitions often attract college scouts and provide invaluable exposure for players aspiring to pursue baseball at the collegiate level. The intensity of the games and talent pool expands as players go head-to-head with top-tier opponents from different corners of the state.

Step 5: National Showcase Teams – Competing on a Grand Stage National showcase teams are über-competitive programs that assemble elite players from across the country. Often scouted by college recruiters, these teams participate in high-profile tournaments and showcases where players can truly shine on a national stage. Joining a showcase team is a significant achievement, as it signifies recognition amongst the best-of-the-best in youth baseball .

Step 6: Collegiate Scouting and Professional Opportunities For those fortunate enough to make an impression while playing for national showcase teams, opportunities to play baseball at esteemed colleges or universities begin to emerge. College coaches actively seek out talented prospects during these showcase events, enabling players to potentially secure scholarships or spots on collegiate rosters. The ultimate dream for some may even extend beyond college, as exceptional talents catch the attention of professional scouts scouting potential Major League Baseball prospects.

Navigating Through Travel Baseball Levels: Find Your Fit! Understanding travel baseball levels is crucial when deciding which path aligns best with your aspirations and abilities. It is important not only to gauge one’s own skill level realistically but also consider personal ambitions regarding education, commitment levels required, financial considerations, and overall enjoyment of the game.

Remember that regardless of which level you find yourself in today or aspire to reach tomorrow, success in travel baseball ultimately hinges on dedication, love for the sport, continuous growth both on and off the field, as well as enjoying every step of this exhilarating journey that fuels dreams and shapes lifelong passions. So lace up your cleats, swing your bat high with conviction, and embark on this epic adventure that is travel baseball!

How to Navigate the Different Travel Baseball Levels

Whether you’re a young athlete looking to take your baseball skills to the next level or a parent trying to understand the complex world of travel baseball, navigating through the different levels can be both exciting and overwhelming. In this blog post, we will guide you through the various travel baseball levels and help you understand how to make the most informed decisions for your baseball journey.

1. Recreational Leagues: At the base of the travel baseball pyramid are recreational leagues. These leagues focus on providing a fun and introductory experience for young athletes who are new to the sport or simply looking for a less competitive environment. Recreational leagues emphasize participation, skill-building, and sportsmanship over intense competition.

2. Select Teams: Select teams usually form within local little league programs or community organizations. They offer a slightly higher level of competition than recreational leagues while still maintaining an emphasis on player development and enjoyment of the game. Select teams typically participate in tournaments within their region but may also play against other select teams from neighboring states.

3. Competitive Travel Teams: As players progress in their skills and commitment, they might transition into competitive travel teams . These teams participate in more advanced tournaments that often require some travel outside their immediate area . Competitive travel teams focus on developing talent, teamwork, and winning games while still prioritizing player development as they aim for stronger competition at regional or state championships .

4. Showcase Teams: Once players reach high school age, showcase teams become an option worth considering if they aspire to play college baseball or even beyond. Showcase teams compete at highly scouted tournaments where players have opportunities to showcase their abilities in front of college coaches and professional scouts. Getting noticed by these influential figures significantly increases chances of receiving scholarship offers or even being drafted after high school.

5. National Travel Teams: At the pinnacle of travel baseball are national travel teams often sponsored by major sports brands like Nike or Under Armour. These elite-level teams consist of top-tier players from across the country, and they compete in prestigious national tournaments. Being invited to play for a national team is a significant achievement and often serves as a stepping stone towards playing collegiate or professional baseball.

Navigating through these various levels can be challenging, but here are some tips to help you make informed decisions:

1. Assess Player Skill Level: Honest self-assessment of player skills and performance level is crucial. Understanding where your skills currently stand will guide you towards the appropriate level of competition that will challenge you to improve without overwhelming you.

2. Seek Recommendations: Speak with experienced coaches, teammates, or league officials who can offer knowledgeable insights regarding your skill level and potential growth opportunities. Seeking recommendations from trusted sources can help you find the most suitable travel baseball program or team.

3. Attend Tryouts: Taking part in tryouts for different travel teams allows players to showcase their skills while getting a sense of the expectations and competition level within each organization. It’s essential to participate in multiple tryouts to get multiple perspectives on where you might fit best.

4. Consider Cost, Time Commitment, and Travel Requirements: Each travel baseball level requires varying financial investments, time commitments, and travel requirements. Make sure you fully understand these factors before committing yourself or your child to a particular team or program.

In summary, navigating through the different levels of travel baseball requires careful consideration of player skill level, recommendations from trusted sources, participation in tryouts, and understanding the associated costs and commitments. By taking these factors into account, both athletes and parents can make well-informed decisions that will enhance their baseball journey while providing an enjoyable and rewarding experience at any level of play.

Exploring Travel Baseball Levels: FAQs Answered

When it comes to the world of baseball, there are few things as exciting as travel baseball. It’s a whole different ballgame compared to your average little league or high school teams . But what exactly is travel baseball? What are the different levels and how do they work? Don’t worry – we’ve got all your burning questions about exploring travel baseball levels answered right here.

First off, let’s start with the basics. Travel baseball is essentially a competitive level of play where teams from different regions or even states come together to compete against each other. Unlike recreational leagues, where anyone can join regardless of skill level, travel teams require players to go through tryouts in order to secure their spot on the roster. These teams often have more intensive practice schedules and participate in tournaments across the country.

Now, let’s dive into the different levels of travel baseball. The three main tiers you’ll encounter are known as AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association), and AABC (American Amateur Baseball Congress). Each of these organizations has its own set of rules and regulations, which makes for some interesting dynamics on the field.

AAU is perhaps the most well-known and widely recognized organization for travel baseball. With a strong emphasis on player development and college exposure, AAU teams provide aspiring young athletes with an elite-level competition experience. This level usually attracts highly skilled players who have already honed their skills playing at a local or regional level.

Next up is USSSA – an organization that prides itself on inclusivity and versatility. USSSA caters to a wider range of skill levels and offers divisions based on age groups rather than strict talent requirements. This allows players who may be new to travel baseball or still developing their skills to get involved without feeling overwhelmed by top-tier competition.

Lastly, we have AABC – an organization that focuses on traditional values while maintaining high standards of play. It promotes a more old-school approach to the game, with an emphasis on fundamentals and sportsmanship. AABC teams often participate in local or regional leagues and work their way up through different tournaments to showcase their skills on a larger stage.

Now that you have a better understanding of the different levels, you may be wondering how players move from one level to another. Generally, it’s based on skill level and performance. As players gain experience and refine their abilities on the field, they might catch the attention of coaches or scouts at higher levels who offer them opportunities to elevate their game .

Ultimately, choosing which level of travel baseball is right for you or your child depends on various factors such as skill level, commitment level, and personal goals. It’s essential to consider your own abilities and aspirations before making a decision. Remember that regardless of the level you choose, travel baseball can provide invaluable experiences, lifelong friendships, and opportunities for growth both on and off the field.

In conclusion, exploring travel baseball levels can be an exciting endeavor for any aspiring ballplayer. From AAU to USSSA and AABC, each organization offers its unique take on the sport while providing players with valuable opportunities to hone their skills and compete against top-tier talent. So lace up those cleats, grab your glove, and get ready for an unforgettable journey in travel baseball!

Unraveling the Mystery of Travel Baseball Levels

In the realms of youth sports, few things generate as much mystery and intrigue as travel baseball levels. Parents and players alike find themselves navigating a complex web of teams, divisions, and confusing terminology. Is it AAA or Majors? A or AA? What does it all mean? Today, we’re unraveling the mystery of travel baseball levels to shed light on this enigmatic world.

At first glance, one might assume that travel baseball simply refers to any team that travels to compete against other teams outside their local area. While this is somewhat true, there’s much more to it than meets the eye. Travel baseball is a highly competitive branch that goes beyond recreational leagues and aims to provide skilled young athletes with enhanced opportunities for growth and exposure.

So, let’s dive into this intricate world by dissecting some common terms associated with travel baseball levels:

1. Recreational Leagues: These are usually where kids start their baseball journeys – casual games played within local towns or neighborhoods. The focus here is more on fun than competition, and players of all skill levels can participate.

2. Select Baseball: The first step up from recreational leagues, select baseball involves tryouts and slightly more advanced gameplay compared to traditional community-centered leagues. However, select teams typically only compete locally without extensive traveling .

3. Travel Baseball: Here’s where things start to get serious! Travel baseball encompasses teams that go beyond playing within their immediate vicinity. These teams often represent specific regions but may occasionally venture further afield for tournaments or higher-level competitions.

4. Division Levels: Within travel baseball, you’ll come across different division levels denoted by letters such as A, AA, AAA, and sometimes even Majors or Elite categories. Think of these as escalating tiers within the sport. Each level signifies increasing skill requirements and competitiveness.

5. A Level: This represents the introductory stage in travel baseball where aspiring players gain experience at a beginner level of competition. It’s important to note that even at this level, players have usually honed their skills beyond what’s typically seen in recreational leagues.

6. AA Level: Consider this the intermediate stage of travel baseball, where players showcase a higher skill set and are exposed to more challenging gameplay. Competition intensifies as teams face off against other AA-level opponents.

7. AAA Level: AAA signifies a highly competitive stage of travel baseball, close to the pinnacle of achievement for many aspiring young athletes. At this level, players have typically demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication, making it a stepping stone towards even higher divisions or elite levels.

8. Majors or Elite Levels: These are the top echelons within travel baseball, reserved for truly exceptional talent and commitment levels. Players competing at these levels are often scouted by college recruiters or professional organizations since it serves as an avenue for exposure and future advancement in their baseball careers.

So there you have it – the mystery of travel baseball levels unraveled! As parents and players navigate through these different tiers, it’s crucial to remember that growth and development should always take precedence over sheer competitiveness. Each level offers unique opportunities for young athletes to refine their skills, forge lasting friendships, and create memories that will last a lifetime. So go ahead, step onto the field of dreams, embrace the challenge, and enjoy every moment on your travel baseball journey!

From Beginners to Elite Players: A Breakdown of Travel Baseball Levels

Are you a baseball enthusiast looking to take your game to the next level? If so, you may have heard about travel baseball and its various levels. Whether you’re just starting out or consider yourself an elite player, understanding these levels is crucial in determining the right fit for your skills and aspirations. In this blog post, we will delve into the different travel baseball levels, from beginners to elite players.

1. Beginners Level: For those embarking on their journey into travel baseball, the beginner’s level is where it all begins. This is typically suited for young players with minimal experience in competitive play but possess a love for the game and a desire to improve. Coaches at this level focus on developing fundamental skills such as throwing, catching, hitting, and baserunning while emphasizing teamwork and sportsmanship.

2. Intermediate Level: Moving up the ladder, intermediate-level travel teams attract players who have acquired some experience in competitive leagues or previous seasons of travel ball. Here, players are expected to demonstrate more advanced techniques and refine their skills. Coaches concentrate on tactical aspects of the game like situational awareness, positioning strategies, defensive schemes as well as introducing complex offensive plays.

3. Advanced Level: Aspiring athletes aiming for higher competition join advanced-level travel teams where proficiency meets ambition. Skill sets here are honed to a finer degree with rigorous training programs aimed at preparing players for demanding game scenarios. At this level, practices become more focused on position-specific drills, intricate offensive strategies such as hit-and-runs or steal signs while placing importance on pitching accuracy and velocity.

4. Elite Level: The pinnacle of travel baseball lies within elite-level teams where only the finest talents showcase their skills alongside individuals equally driven towards reaching their maximum potential. Elite-level players possess exceptional athleticism matched with high-level technical proficiency encompassing all facets of the game – fielding expertise unmatched raw speed, hitting consistency, and pitching dominance. In addition to demanding practices, players at this level often participate in high-profile tournaments and receive exposure to scouts for college and professional teams.

It’s essential to note that while each level represents a distinct progression in skill and commitment, the journey does not have a definitive ceiling. Continuous improvement is the foundation of travel baseball, allowing players to constantly push their limits and strive for higher levels of competition.

Travel baseball provides an excellent platform for players with aspirations to pursue collegiate or professional careers in the sport. However, it’s crucial to find the right fit for your skills and goals. Consult with coaches, attend tryouts, and assess your abilities objectively to determine which level will provide the best opportunity for growth and advancement.

In conclusion, travel baseball offers a path for beginners to transform into elite players through progressive levels of skill development and competitive play. Whether you’re just starting out or have dreams of standing on the mound as a future MLB star, understanding the breakdown of these travel baseball levels empowers you to make informed decisions about your athletic journey. So lace up those cleats, grab your bat, and get ready to take on the challenge – no matter what level you belong to!

Everything You Need to Know About Travel Baseball Levels

Introduction: Travel baseball has become one of the most popular forms of youth sports in recent years. With countless parents and players investing their time, money, and energy into this high-level competition, it’s essential to comprehend the various levels within travel baseball. In this blog post, we will provide you with a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know about travel baseball levels.

1. Recreational Level: The first level in the travel baseball hierarchy is the recreational level. This level is perfect for beginners who want to enjoy the game without a heavy commitment or intense competitiveness. At this stage, emphasis is placed on skill development, teamwork, and having fun rather than winning championships. Oftentimes referred to as “Sunday Leagues,” recreational teams typically play games on weekends while still providing a glimpse into organized competition.

2. Select Level: Moving up the ladder, we find ourselves at the select level of travel baseball. These teams are more competitive than recreational leagues and usually require tryouts or invitations to join. Select teams offer players an opportunity to take their skills and commitment to the next level while maintaining a somewhat flexible schedule compared to higher tiers.

3. Elite Level: Once players have mastered the select level, they may aspire to reach the elite level of travel baseball – where things get serious! Elite teams consist of highly skilled athletes who possess above-average abilities at all aspects of the game – hitting, fielding, pitching, and base-running alike. Players at this stage typically participate in numerous tournaments throughout their season against top competition from various regions.

4. Showcase Level: Next comes the showcase level – a platform specifically designed for college recruiters and professional scouts to observe talent firsthand. Showcase events attract high school-aged players who aim to earn scholarships or even get drafted by professional organizations. At showcases, athletes showcase their individual skills through standardized drills like running 60-yard dashes or demonstrating accuracy from different positions.

5. National Level: At the top of the travel baseball pyramid, we have the national level. This tier is reserved for the crème de la crème of youth baseball who compete on a national scale. National teams frequently travel long distances to partake in prestigious tournaments against other elite players from across the country. Being selected for a national team is an impressive accomplishment that brings recognition and opens doors to future opportunities.

Conclusion: As travel baseball continues gaining popularity, understanding its different levels becomes essential for parents and players looking to navigate this competitive landscape. Whether your child is just starting or aiming for a future in college or professional baseball, knowing these levels allows you to set realistic goals and make informed decisions along their journey. So, take this knowledge and explore what travel baseball has to offer – whether at recreational, select, elite, showcase, or even national level – while keeping fun and personal growth as your primary motivations.

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Divisions / Classifications

We understand there are many different levels of travel ball teams. Further, we know the classification systems used by tournament providers can be confusing. Our goal is to ensure we provide a clear understanding of what tournaments are best suited for your team.

Here is a breakdown of how our tournaments are set up:

Open - This division is open to any team at any level. We use this division for younger age groups as well as early spring tournaments and fall tournaments. We do this as we typically get a wider range of talent at the younger ages and during spring and fall.

D1 - This level is geared towards stronger travel teams. This level would be similar to the MAJORS or AAA level in USSSA or the Division 1 level with several other tournament providers.  

D2 - This level is geared towards community based travel programs and the "Second / B" teams in academy programs. This level would be similar to the AA level in USSSA or a Divisions 2 or 3 level with several other tournament providers. Teams must be registered as D2 team in our system to participate and may preclude your team from larger D1 events such as our joint PBR events, etc...

Our fastpitch tournaments are sanctioned by USSSA. We follow the USSSA levels for fastpitch softball.

A - This division is for highly competitive travel ball teams looking for the best competition. At the older age, this division features athletes aspiring to play collegiately.

B - This division is for teams who are looking for good competition but not at the highest level within USSSA. Reserved for teams who have progressed beyond our C level of play. Teams in B generally play a limited to moderate travel schedule

C - This division is reserved for teams looking to play competitively and some limited travel ball and often an introduction to tournament play. Teams cannot self-register C. They must register B and contact their respective State Director and request to be moved to this classification.

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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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• Travel Ball

Welcome to Future Star Baseball

Future Star Baseball is where young players can find their love for the game and develop their passion! Our baseball travel ball team is a powerful combination of talent, commitment, and good sportsmanship. We are dedicated to supporting players’ character and talent development by offering a fast-paced environment where they may thrive.

We provide cutting-edge facilities and expert coaching to help players succeed both on and off the pitch. We value resilience and teamwork, and perfection in each and every practice, match, and game. Join us as we develop the next wave of baseball stars.

Benefits of Joining Our Travel Team

• Expert guidance from experienced mentors
• Access to first-rate facilities and equipment
• Opportunities to participate in tournaments competitively
• Exposure to recruiters and scouts from colleges
• Development of necessary abilities and methods
• Fostering sportsmanship and teamwork

Our Travel Baseball Programs

• Age Groups and Divisions: We offer travel baseball programs for students in elementary school through high school. We provide suitable age divisions so that participants face off against competitors of similar levels.
• Competitive Schedule: Our schedule has plenty of growth and competitive opportunities. Players engage in a wide variety of leagues, showcases, and tournaments that help them to showcase the diversity of playing styles and competition levels.
• Skill Development: Future Star Baseball focuses on skill development. Our skilled coaches concentrate on developing players’ skills, raising their baseball IQ, and developing their talents to enable players to realise their greatest potential.
• Teamwork: We prioritise communication, collaboration, and camaraderie with our athletes, teaching them the significance of teamwork. Our East Bay travel baseball teams form deep ties through shared experiences and teamwork, which is a key factor in their success.

Advantages of Travel Baseball

• Tough Competition

Kids can play travel baseball alongside and against the top players in the area, state, or nation. This can significantly raise their level of play.

• Opportunities for Travel

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to travel to places and enjoy both baseball and vacation activities. Families can enjoy travelling together while also participating in competitive baseball.

• Increased Exposure

Travel baseball provides greater exposure chances for baseball players who aspire to play in college. Entering tournaments is an excellent method to catch the attention of a college coach or scout.

• Improved Performance Development

Compared to recreational teams, travel baseball clubs often provide better player development. Travel coaches are more seasoned, more connected, and more serious than recreational teams.

How to Join a Travel Baseball Team?

Get recommendations from friends, family, or area coaches before joining a travel baseball team. They can provide you with information about respectable teams in your neighbourhood. Look online, like youth sports websites, social media groups, and neighbourhood forums. Watch various teams play live at local games or competitions to evaluate coaching style and player dynamics.

Contact the teams you’ve selected directly to find out more about try-outs, registration procedures, and any obligations that may be necessary. Always keep in mind that finding the correct fit is essential, and don’t be afraid to inquire before making your choice.

Meet Our Experienced and Dedicated Coaching Team

• Coach Ben Mangan

Coach Ben Mangan is an excellent teacher of baseball basics with a focus on hitting, pitching, and game strategy. His knowledge of injury prevention and kid fitness includes developing confident, well-rounded athletes with leadership abilities.

• Coach Jeremy Cohen 

Coach Jeremy Cohen is an experienced mentor whose love of baseball was ingrained in him from an early age. Players such as Jason Young and Jon Baker have had success under his supervision, whether they are coaching the NOLL Seniors or high school teams like Tumwater.

Travel Baseball Rankings and Stats

Just like college baseball RPI but for travel ball.  

Five Star Carolina Bombers 9U

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swanson 10u, carolina rockies 10u purple marucci, athletes lab white 10u, carolina vipers 10u black, carolina elite of clayton 10u, lake norman scrappers 10u, garner generals 10u, wf coastal mantz 10u 2023, on deck o’s black - juez 10u, 10u on deck o’s - ramirez, carolina yellow jackets 10u, bandits 10u, 10u carolina sluggers navy 10u, north lincoln destroyers 10u, c35 pinehurst 10u, stanly county crushers 10u, wow factor 10u snell - blue, carolina pirates 10u, diamond thieves 2032 10u, surry county sliders 10u, riptide 10u-blues, wilson pirates select 10u, east coast baseball-pigford 10u, gf sandlot johnson 10u, nc rogue 10u, oc crushers spring 10u, mission saints 11u, sba los rayos national 11u, extreme performance kluttz 11u, sba bolts national 11u, dirtbags of wnc 11u, oct outlaws 11u, diamond life athletics 11u, sba zt stars 11u - theodore, canes nc land 11u, sba futures 11u, wow factor atlantic 11u foxtrot, oc crushers-orange 11u, canes charlotte 11u, salem select 11u, whitecaps 11u, vipers baseball 11u, c35 fuquay-varina white 11u, sba nc east 2031 11u, dry pond 11u, gbi express white 11u, nc rogue 11u, carolina diamonds 11u- spring 2024, gunners 11u, concord athletics 11u, ravens finest 11u, sandhills select 11u, copperheads red 11u, lkn thunder - fury 11u, nwnc elite mash 11u, sandlot gragg 11u, durham owls somers 11u, fs bulldogs (dane) 11u, summerfield stars 11u, park sharon nationals 11u, lkn lightning 11u, ondeck uc 11u, union co. crush spring 11u, riptide 11u gold, sanford spartans 11u, usa prime - hansen 11u, carolina freedom smith 11u, carolina wolfpack 11u, mocksville 39ers, riptide 11u-blue 11u, carolina bagboys 11u, river rats 11u, rawlings tigers raleigh 11u, sox baseball 11u, south charlotte revolution 11u, east coast bandits (blue) 11u, concord screamin eagles 11u, carolina rockies 11u marucci, pfafftown raiders elite 11u, gewbc nighthawks 11u, carolina clovers 11u, carolina reapers 11u, nc force 11u, sba havoc 11u, sba dallas 11u, tri county bombers 11u- simmon 11u, copperheads black 11u, hrs baseball 11u, north lincoln destroyers 11u, clinton colts 11u, wow factor atlantic 11u alpha, on deck charlotte 11u, carolina bulls 11u, sc revolution ferreira 11u, couloak diesel 11u, c35 fuquay-varina argyle 11u, granite city bulls 2031 11u, carolina shockers 11u, garner generals 11u, gbc prospects 11u - perry, red clay black 11u, wcwaa bulldogs 11u 11u, c35 fuquay-varina 11u blue 11u, rowan rangers 11u, wow factor carolina 11u, sba prospects 11u, mooresville biscuits 11u, carolina diamond thieves 11u, carolina mavericks 11u, wow factor atlantic tango 11u, mcdowell militia baseball 11u, morehead city makos 11u, 11u port city baseball academy, 5 star heat craig 11u, tlp navy 11u, dirt dynasty 11u, carolina white sox 11u, 5 star heat bowman 11u, nlb mfba 11u, carolina armor 11u, tlp white 11u, sba bolts national 12u, canes nation 12u, gbc prospects - matthews 12u, wow factor atlantic national 12u, scp black 12u, 5 star powerhouse 12u, neuse river crawdads 12u, pfafftown raiders elite 2030 12u, dirtbags carolina 12u, dirtbags elite gold 12u, fury baseball 12u, ravens baseball 12u, gbc prospects baker 12u, orange county crushers orange 12u, copperheads black 12u, athletes lab red 12u, asheville as 12u, wnc warhawks 12u, riptide 12u 12u, carolina united 12u, mara bolts 12u, gametime prospects central 12u, ultimate gryphons diamond elite 12u, dry pond blue sox 12u, canes carolina 12u, fs bulldogs 12u black, carolina clippers orange 12u, carolina evo 12u, carolina ghost 12u, copperheads red 12u, colts national 12u, scp cardinal 12u, carolina mavericks 12u, nsa atta boyz 12u, cc cardinals 12u, funky monkeys 12u, copperheads 12u - gray, on deck o’s 12u pennell, diamond boys baseball gold 12u, carolina dark horses white 12u, sc braves 12u, slb navy 12u, carolina bearcats 12u, c35 pinehurst 12u (smith), morehead city makos 12u, colts american 12u, outkast 12u, roadrunners baseball 12u, mission monarchs 12u, walkoff regulators 12u, redclay 12u - muzroll, belmont bandits 2030, south charlotte revolution 12u, ballantyne bombers 12u, red clay drury 12u, usa prime blue chips 12u, dirtbags charlotte 12u, venom stars 12u, diamond dreams xtreme 12u, concord athletics 12u, sba futures 12u, lonestar hippos 12u, 5 star heat 12u black 12u, carolina rampage 12u, destroyers baseball 12u, boys on fire laws 12u, durham owls 12u, river rats 12u jamesville, nc, dirtbags platinum 12u, seahawks 12u, carolina crush 12u, mission gold 12u, carolina river rats 12u, wow factor carolina nation 12u, tpa nationals 12u elite, on deck os - hockensmith 12u, cleveland wildcats 12u, c35 12u neese, wilmington breakers 12u, gbi express 12u, sc panthers 12u, lexington flying pigs 12u, sotg storm 12u, piedmont aces 12u, dilworth 12u, wow factor atlantic tango 12u, summerfield stars red 12u, canes nc - danko 12u, mountain fire 12u, obx whitecaps 12u, wilson patriots 12u, park sharon nationals 12u, wahoo baseball 12u, moneybag bandits 12u, fs bulldogs red 12u, carolina vipers 12u, zt prospects carolina 12u.

What is difference between WWBA and BCS?

Is there a coaches check-in/meeting prior to tournament, is there a player check-in prior to the tournament, are teams required to have birth certificates for each player, when will games start, how do i get my roster listed online, what is the tournament format, how do i get into the wwba world championship in jupiter, how are invitations processed for the 16u and 17u wwba championships, my player information for a tournament is not correct, how do i fix it, i am having trouble signing the participant and media releases. how do i do this.

• Sign into your account on www.perfectgame.org , . If you do not have an account, please create one by clicking "Create Account" in the upper right corner.
• Click My Account . On the "My Account" page, click the red Associate Player to your account button, or click here . Fill out the form.
• Once the association request is approved, you will receive an email notifying you that it has been approved. Sign into your account on the Perfect Game website and there will be a red notification box with two links to sign the releases.

Who to contact if you need further help with tournaments?

What age division is my player eligible for.

ILTBL 2024 Baseball

ILLINOIS TRAVEL BASEBALL LEAGUE

• Welcome to Illinois Travel Baseball League
• Providing Travel Baseball for more than 3500 local kids!

2024 Season Ends:

• 2025 Baseball Season Registration is Open
• Register early and save!!!

Thanks to all the Contributed 2023 ILTBL Teams!!!

• Sponsor Information is Below

Game Day USA

Team Exposure

Premier Sports

Greater Midwest Baseball 2

Rock Tournaments

The BOMC Tournaments

Illinois Baseball Tournaments

• 2023 ILTBL Achievements / Coming 2023
• Previous ILTBL Achievements listed below:

The Illinois Travel Baseball League is home to some of the most competitive local teams in Travel Baseball!

As many of you know the illinois travel baseball league was started in december 2014 by a group of volunteers who put a three year plan into place to ensure the future success of the iltbl.  our goal was and still is to provide full-time travel baseball teams a league that allows them to play against other local travel teams in a competitive format., our volunteer efforts allow us to do this at the lowest possible price point in the area while affording our members various benefits of playing in the iltbl.  since the beginning we have made adjustments to the league always keeping in mind fairness and the best interest of our players, coaches, and teams that make up the illinois travel baseball league., more information here.

About ILTBL

• Overall Total $

Playing rules not covered in the Travelball Select Internet version on www.travelballselect.com revert to the Official Rules of Major League Baseball by Triumph Books or the online MLB rules at  http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/foreword.jsp .

Local and State Directors have the right to adjust rules for local and state play with the approval from Travelball Select.

• THE PLAYING FIELD

Table 1 describes the recommended mound height, rubber-to-plate, base-to-base, and fence distances for each age division. The rubber-to-plate distance is measured from the rear of home plate to the front of the pitching rubber or coach’s pitching plate.

Table 1. Recommended playing field dimensions Age Division Mound Height Rubber-to- Plate Distance Base-to-Base Distance Recommended Fence Distance

8U Kid Pitch 40’ 60’ 9U 46’ 65’  10U 46’ 65’  11U 50’ 70’  12U 50’ 70’   13U 60’ 90’  13U 54’ 80’  14U 60’ 90’ 

• UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
• Players must be uniformed with proper baseball attire. It is recommended that the numbers are at least 4” in height on all jerseys. Only the director can make rulings on uniform legality. No one can protest uniforms.
• All offensive players participating in a TbS Baseball event must wear a double ear flapped helmet while on the playing field. This includes bat boys and bat girls while performing their duties. Youth coaches under 18 years of age must adhere to this standard.
• If the umpire observes any violation of these rules, he or she directs the violation to be corrected.
• The catcher must wear a head protector, body protector, protective cup, shin guards, and a mask with a throat protector. The throat protector, which is part of or attached to the mask, must adequately protect him. The helmet must have full ear protection. The head, face, dual ear flaps, and throat protector can be one piece.
• No Metal Cleats are allowed at Elizabethtown or The Shipyard.
• Bats must be made of an approved material, and they must be smooth and round.
• Bats must be certified by the manufacturer to meet a Bat Performance Factor of 1.15 or less.
• BBCOR bats will be required in the 14u division.
• For 13U bats will be restricted to a -5 ratio or heavier. (The weight of the bat in ounces as compared to its length in inches, must be no greater than 5).
• Penalty – the bat will be removed from the playing field by the umpire and the manager of the team will be warned against further use. If the illegal bat is discovered after the end of the play, and the play results in the batter/runner safely reaching first base, the batter/runner will be declared out and all runners must return to the last base legally occupied prior to the play. No run may score on this play. Any out that results on the play will stand. On a second offense, the above penalties will apply and the manager of the offending team will be removed from the field and will be prohibited from managing for the remainder of the game.
• A batter using an altered bat is declared out, and all runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. A batter is deemed to have used or attempted to use an illegal bat if the player brings such a bat into the batter’s box. Any out or outs made during the play stand.
• Name will supersede number with regards to the official lineup.
• A flip of a coin between the two teams determines the home team for each pool play game. For bracket play games, the highest seed is home team.
•  Age clarification 

*9U Division Players who turn 10 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 3rd grade. Also, any player turning 11 prior to May 1 will not be eligible. Players who are 9U eligible are eligible for this division regardless of grade.

*10U Division Players who turn 11 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 4th grade. Also, any player turning 12 prior to May 1 will not be eligible. Players who are 10U eligible are eligible for this division regardless of grade.

*11U Division Players who turn 12 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 5th grade. Also, any player turning 13 prior to May 1 will not be eligible. Players who are 11U eligible are eligible for this division regardless of grade.

*12U Division Players who turn 13 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 6th grade. Also, any player turning 14 prior to May 1 will not be eligible. Players who are 12U eligible are eligible for this division regardless of grade.

*13U Division Players who turn 14 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 7th grade. Also, any player turning 15 prior to May 1 will not be eligible. Players who are 13U eligible are eligible for this division regardless of grade.

*14U Division Players who turn 15 prior to May 1 of the current season are not eligible unless they are in the 8th grade. Also, any player turning 16 prior to May 1 will not be eligible. Players who are 14U eligible are eligible for this division regardless of grade.

• Time Limits
• All 8u games will be six (6) innings with a 1:30 time limit. No inning will start after this time. 2:05 time limit in the championship game.
• All 9u thru 12u games will be six (6) innings with a 1:45 time limit. No inning will start after this time. 2:20 time limit in the championship round. 
• All 13u games will be seven (7) innings with a 2 hour time limit. No inning will start after this time. 2:30 time limit in the championship round. 
• If a team uses a lineup that contains 10 players, the player in the EH position, while not actually playing a defensive position, is treated as such for substitution purposes.
• Any team that is not roster batting should declare all eligible substitutes by noting them as such on the official lineup that is exchanged with the opposing team and/or home plate umpire at the beginning of the game. Players not listed as eligible substitutes but appear legally on the online roster will be considered legal substitutes.
• If a team chooses to roster bat, then all players other than the nine defensive position players are extra hitters and can move freely in defensive positions.
• If a team is batting all present, uniformed players, with no eligible substitutes listed on the lineup card, and the number of players is nine or 10, that team is considered to be roster batting for the purposes of defensive substitutions and courtesy runners, unless the coach has specifically declared otherwise at the pregame plate conference.
• If additional players arrive after the game has started, those players are placed at the end of the batting order. If the coach declares at the pregame plate conference that he is not roster batting, the late players are listed on the lineup as eligible substitutes. (See Rule C.7)
• For teams that are not roster batting, starting players can withdraw and re-enter once (including designated hitters, for age divisions that allow them), provided that the players re-enter in their original position in the batting lineup.
• Teams can start a game with eight players provided they take an out for the ninth player. Teams must have a minimum of eight players to start a game. If the lineup drops below eight players, the game is declared a suspended game and is not rescheduled. The suspended game is then ruled a forfeit by the tournament or league director. Umpires have no authority to forfeit a game.
• Teams having eight players to start a game are automatically the visiting team.
• If a team’s ninth player arrives late to the game, the manager of that team must make an announcement at the plate conference before the game begins and advise both the plate umpire and the opposing team that he or she has a player that will be arriving late. When the player arrives, the player is announced to both the plate umpire and the opposing team and is placed in the ninth position in the batting order. The game resumes as if he or she was there at the start of the game. Until the player arrives, an out is recorded in the ninth position.
• If roster batting, players arriving after the game has started are added to the bottom of the batting lineup. If batting nine, or ten with an EH, players arriving after the game has started are legal substitutes as provided in rule C.2 above.
• If a player is removed from the game for illness or injury there will be an out recorded for his spot in the batting order (subject to rule 9).
• If a team drops below nine players due to illness or injury, an automatic out is recorded.
• If a team drops below nine eligible players due to an ejection or any reason other than illness or injury and leaves the game, an automatic out is declared in the batting order position of the player that left the game unless there is an eligible substitute.
• If a team drops below eight players for any reason, the game is ruled a forfeit by the tournament or league director and is not rescheduled.
• If roster batting, the ejected player’s position in the lineup shall be declared an out
• If batting 9 or 10 with EH, the ejected player may be replaced by an eligible substitute. If there are no eligible substitutes available, the position in the order shall be declared out.
• . A player that has left the game for any reason by missing an at bat cannot return to the game, except under rule C.12.
• Any player, coach, or umpire who is visibly bleeding must leave the field of play to stop the bleeding. When the bleeding has stopped and the injury is bandaged (if necessary), the player may return. 
• A hitter can be designated (not mandatory) for any one starting player and all subsequent substitutes for that player.
• A starting defensive player cannot be listed as the designated hitter in the starting lineup.
• Failure to declare a designated hitter prior to the game precludes the use of the designated hitter during the game.
• The defensive player or any previous defensive player for whom the designated hitter subsequently bats, pinch-hits or pinch-runs for the designated hitter.
• The designated hitter or any previous designated hitter assumes a defensive position.
• A regulation game consists of six innings for age divisions 12U and below and seven innings for age divisions 13U and over, unless the game is shortened due to time limit, mercy rule, or field conditions or extended by extra innings due to tie.  Game clock starts after home-plate meeting.
• 15 runs after three innings, or two-and-one-half innings (if the home team is ahead).
• 10 runs after four innings, or three-and–one-half innings (if the home team is ahead).
• 8 runs after five innings, or four-and-one-half innings (if the home team is ahead).
• If the home team has run-ruled the visiting team, the game is declared complete, and the winner is named.
• If eligible, a courtesy runner can be used any time for the pitcher or catcher of record only. A courtesy runner is defined as a player not currently active in the lineup. If roster batting, the courtesy runner is the player with last the recorded out. The courtesy runner does not have to be a legal substitute, but must be on the online roster and should be listed on the lineup card. The courtesy runner can only run for one player per inning. If batting 9 or 10, a pinch runner is defined as a LEGAL substitution for any runner other than the pitcher or catcher of record. If roster batting, pinch running is not legal as there are no legal substitutes and all players are in the active lineup.
• In all live pitch divisions, an intentional walk is granted upon request.
• Any outs recorded during a game once it is ruled a forfeit count toward the pitcher’s recorded outs.
• If a runner slides, he or she must slide directly into the bag.
• Runners are never required to slide, but if a runner elects to slide, the slide must be legal.
• If a tag play is imminent, the runner should slide or seek to avoid contact. Jumping over a player is not considered avoiding contact.
• PENALTY: The player initiating malicious contact is removed from the game. Note: There can be a collision where both players go head over heels that is not malicious contact. The key for malicious contact is intent. Umpires must ask themselves when making the call, “Did the runner deliberately or intentionally run into the fielder to break up the play or cause harm to the fielder?” If the answer is yes, then you have malicious contact, if the answer is no, then it is a clean play and you have nothing. Umpires must be careful when making this call to avoid ejecting players if the intent is not there. Keep in mind that the younger ages are just learning the game, and sometimes there is contact by the runner not sliding and running into the catcher. Remember, the key word is intent.
• If a defensive player is obstructing the runner (judgment call by the umpire), contact by the runner is not illegal unless it is malicious.
• If a game is called due to weather or other hazardous conditions, it is ruled an official game provided three and one half innings have been completed if the home team is ahead or four innings if the home team is behind for seven-inning games. It is ruled an official game provided two and one half innings have been completed if the home team is ahead or three innings if the home team is behind for six-inning games.
• Slashing is NOT ALLOWED. The batter will be declared out on the attempt. The ball will become dead immediately, the batter declared out and all runners will return to original base.
• All games stopped by an event official for weather or other reasons before the game is declared official are suspended games.
•   Should a championship game be interrupted by weather conditions, darkness or unusual conditions and is not an official game as described above, then the championship game will be determined by the score at the end of the last full inning of play, regardless of length. If the score is tied after the last completed inning or the 1st inning of the game is not completed, the higher seed shall be named champion.
• PITCHING RULES AND LIMITATIONS

Teams are strongly encouraged to follow the USA Pitch Smart guidelines that are displayed below. 

TbS Tournaments officials will not police these, they are simply guidelines to take care of your pitchers’ arms.

• A second trip to the same pitcher in the same inning causes the pitcher’s automatic removal from the mound (not the game).
• When a pitcher takes his or her position at the beginning of each inning, or when he or she relieves another pitcher, he or she is permitted warm-up pitches, not to exceed eight preparatory pitches to the catcher or coach.
• A pitcher removed from the pitching position cannot return to the pitching position during a game, but can re-enter to any other position
• Balks are enforced in all divisions where there are no restrictions on stealing.
• The balk will be a dead ball.
• A new rule that MLB posted in their 2013 MLB Rule book will be enforced by TbS. If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when—

The pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw; A pitcher is to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base and is required to throw (except to second base) because he steps. It is a balk if, with runners on first and third, the pitcher steps toward third and does not throw, merely to bluff the runner back to third; then seeing the runner on first start for second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. It is legal for a pitcher to feint a throw to second base.

• 8U PLAYER PITCH GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS
• There are nine defensive players on the field.
• There are no lead-offs until the ball crosses the plate.
• No balks are enforced or called.
• Runners must stay on the base when the pitcher is in the pitching position and the catcher is in the catching position. If the runner leaves the base early, the umpire places the runner back on the last base occupied unless the runner was put out. This is not an appealable play. If forced, the runner advances one base ahead of the batter-runner. If the ball is put into play, the defense has the option of taking the play or placing the runner or runners back on base and the batter back in the batter’s box.
• The infield fly rule applies
• There is no advancement on dropped third strikes.
• The runner cannot steal home. The only way the runner can advance from third to home is if batted or forced home. If the defense fields the ball and attempts a play on a runner, the runner MAY attempt to advance home.
• Guidelines for Participants

The umpires handle unsportsmanlike conduct if the unsportsmanlike conduct is on the field of play. If an umpire has a problem with a fan or parent, the umpire should see the manager of the offending team and have the manager handle the situation. If the manager fails to handle the situation, then the umpire addresses the tournament official. TbS Baseball expresses the need for sportsmanship before, during, and after all events.

• Guidelines for Protest

If a team protests, the manager must notify the home plate umpire, and the umpire summons the tournament director to the field to address the protest. The protest fee is $100 in cash. The fee is returned if the protest is ruled in favor of the protesting team. Judgment calls cannot be protested. All protests MUST be done at time of alleged infraction or if it’s the last play of the game it MUST be done BEFORE the umpires leave the field.

• Guidelines for Ejections
• When a manager, player, coach, or trainer is ejected from the game, he or she can take no further part of that game.
• All ejections from games mandate that the individual(s) ejected must exit the park directly after the ejection is made.
• If an individual is ejected, that person must serve a 1-game suspension. 

TbS Baseball expresses good sportsmanship first and foremost.

• Guidelines for Suspension and Dismissal

Any member of a TbS Baseball Event behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner can be subject to dismissal or suspension.

• Any verbal or physical attack on any TbS Baseball participant or member during a TbS Baseball event or following a TbS Baseball event can result in suspension or dismissal.
• Any player of TbS Baseball receiving compensation for playing in any TbS Baseball event is subject to suspension or dismissal.
• Any player competing under an assumed name or illegal birth certificate or ID card could result in suspension or permanent dismissal. This rule also applies to coaches and managers who have previous knowledge of such infraction.
• Submitting an insufficient check to an event director or league official can result in suspension or dismissal of the team if payment cannot be settled within a reasonable time frame.
• Any suspended member of TbS Baseball is not allowed to participate in any TbS Baseball event until such suspension is lifted. This rule applies to players, umpires, coaches, and directors.
• All records of suspension must be submitted to all parties involved including TbS Baseball in a timely manner.
• All suspended or dismissed parties have the right to present evidence and information on the reported infraction on their behalf within 7 days of notification of the suspension or dismissal. This evidence must be reviewed within thirty days by TbS Baseball.
• Extra-Inning/Pool Tie Breakers

If a game is tied after all regular innings are complete or at the end of the time-limit, teams will start the additional innings with the last batted out on second base, with no outs and a 0-0 count. Teams will continue to do this, each inning, until a winner is declared. 

Tie breakers go as follows:

• Head-to-head
• Runs Allows
• Run Differential (8 run max per game)

The following bats have been banned for play in  TBS events beginning June 1, 2017. This will also include the “re-tooled” versions as well.

WTDXCBR 2129-17 2017 CF Zen Balanced 2 5/8″ (-8) – 29″/21 oz

WTDXCBR 2230-17 2017 CF Zen Balanced 2 5/8″ (-8)  – 30″/22 oz

WTDXCBR 2331-17 2017 CF Zen Balanced 2 5/8″ (-8)  – 31″/23 oz

WTDXCBR 2432-17 2017 CF Zen Balanced 2 5/8″ (-8)  – 32″/24 oz

WTDXCBZ 1828-17 2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 28″ /18 oz

WTDXCBZ 1929-17 2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 29″ /19 oz

WTDXCBZ 2030-17 2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 30″ /20 oz

WTDXCBZ 2131-17 2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 31″ /21 oz

WTDXCBZ 2232-17 2017 CF Zen SL 2 3/4″ (-10) – 32″ /22 oz

WTDXCBZ 1929-17F1 2017 CF Zen Zero Dark  2 3/4″ (-10) – 29″ /19 oz

WTDXCBZ 2030-17F1 2017 CF Zen Zero Dark 2 3/4″ (-10) – 30″ /20 oz

WTDCCBZ17V Custom 2017 CF Zen 2 3/4″ (-10)

WTDCCBR17V Custom 2017 CF Zen Balanced (-8) 2020 Meta (-3) Louisville Slugger

PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT THE SHIPYARD OR THE ELIZABETHTOWN SPORTS PARK. PLEASE LEAVE THEM HOME!

SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE SHIPYARD OR THE ELIZABETHTOWN SPORTS PARK.

Inclement Weather Policy

3 game guarantee 

0 games played 100% credit to a future Athletx Sports Group event. 1 game played 50% credit to a future Athletx Sports Group event. 2 games played, NO credit will be issued.

4 game guarantee

0 games played 100% credit to a future Athletx Sports Group event. 1 game played 66% credit to a future Athletx Sports Group event. 2 games played 50% credit to a future Athletx Sports Group event credit will be issued. 3 games or more, NO credit will be issued.

The tournament reserves the right to reformat the event if necessary. The tournament also reserves the right to deem any game that has been suspended, a complete game as long as it meets the complete game requirements