| A World Series for tee ball, really? Every summer | | | | three or four time a week, maybe more. If the |
| my home town hosts a world series for tee ball | | | | weather is bad, recreational teams cancel practice. |
| teams. I do not think tee ball is the age to start | | | | Competitive teams find an indoor facility. More |
| playing travel baseball. So when is the best time | | | | practice time, and more cost. |
| to leave the comfort of recreational baseball and | | | | The last big concern, and this should be your |
| move on to competitive baseball? You know the | | | | biggest concern, is the increase pressure on your |
| cost, the time commitment, and the pressure is | | | | son to perform. It starts with tryouts. Players are |
| going to greatly increase. When should you and | | | | put thru certain drills, and then some make the |
| your son make that leap? | | | | team and some get cut. It is a pressure cooker |
| You are only going to become better by playing | | | | for a young boy. Recreational teams usually have |
| better competition. So why not jump to a | | | | playing time rules. Not so much with competitive |
| competitive team at the first chance? Well, first | | | | teams. Everybody will get some playing time, but |
| off, the cost is going to go through the roof. | | | | it is no way equal. Remember, they want to win. |
| Competitive teams travel a lot. And that right | | | | So if your son makes the team, then there is |
| there is a big cost. The price to play in these | | | | always the pressure to play well, or be riding the |
| tournaments is also very expensive. And a lot of | | | | bench. |
| teams have paid coaches. That comes from you. | | | | If your son is good enough, then at some point |
| Most teams have fund raisers, but they are no | | | | he will need to play competitive ball to get better. |
| fun and usually do not cover a third of the cost. | | | | When depends on you and your son. Consider the |
| Competitive baseball is a financial drain. | | | | above three points before deciding. Talk it over |
| Next is time commitment. After investing all this | | | | with your son. |
| money, the team wants to perform well, and | | | | My rule of thumb is not before ten, and at least |
| that means practice, practice, and more practice. | | | | by thirteen if you hope to play high school |
| Maybe year around. Recreational teams practice | | | | baseball. |
| once a week, maybe twice. Competitive teams | | | | |