Not only in Pleasant Hill, Oregon but in our surrounding communities of Creswell, Cottage Grove, Oakridge, Eugene, Springfield and Lowell youth sports are very popular. Our kids have teams like Babe Ruth, Little League and Kidsports baseball, basketball, Pop Warner football, soccer and much more. Traveling to games in one community or another is almost a must. As our children enter high school extended travel with their teams comes into play. Even before high school there are traveling sports teams for baseball, basketball, football, soccer and more for aspiring young athletes. If you are considering letting your child try out for a traveling sports team, you will need to keep the following points in mind.
Does your child want to participate at this level?
As parents we sometimes want to push our children into a sport or other activity that he or she may have no interest in. As an example my 10 year old grandson loves baseball and prefers playing Babe Ruth baseball as it is more competitive than some of the other leagues in the Pleasant Hill, Eugene, Springfield area. He also enjoys martial arts and wrestling. While I would like to see him take an interest in soccer, football and basketball he only likes playing these other games with his friends and not as a member of a competitive team. As parents and grandparents we need to understand that if his or her interest is only lukewarm or nonexistent we should not be pushing them too hard towards a competitive team even when we believe it is in their best interest. Kids need to be the primary driver in extracurricular activity decisions. There are times when a less competitive recreational league or even a different activity may more suitable for a child.
Does your child have the ability to succeed at the sport?
When a child really enjoys a sport and wants to play it he or she is more likely to succeed than the child that is being pushed into the sport. My personal opinion is that if a child is one of the better players on a recreational or less competitive team, then they should play on a more competitive team. To expand ones skills a child or adult needs challenge. On the other hand, a kid that barely makes the team especially at the middle school and high school level may experience friction from team mates over skill levels. On teams that do not have the rule that all children play the child may be spending a lot of time on the bench. In competitive sports a winning team cannot be expected to play at the level of the least skilled players. While mastering challenges is good for children, getting a youngster in over his or her head at a young age is not a good idea and may even kill their enthusiasm for the sport or worse, destroy their self-esteem.
Can you handle the financial commitment?
While playing on teams such as Babe Ruth Baseball, Little League or Pop Warner usually requires travel within about a 30 mile radius and the fees are usually reasonable this is not the same as playing on a traveling sports team. Traveling sports team may travel long distances and the fees for participating on the team can be prohibitive for some of us. While some teams have fundraisers and donors that cover many of the expenses of a traveling sports team others do not. For some teams especially those that are not connected with your school parents are expected to foot the entire bill for hotels, meals, and transportation along with uniforms. Many teams have a fee that must be paid each season that could be hundreds of dollars, or you may have to pick up your share of tournament fees. These expenses can add up quickly. This information should always be available to you in advance so you can check it out and determine if it fits within your budget. If the cost is prohibitive and your child really wants to participate also check on the availability of scholarships.
Can you and your child handle the time commitment?
For many children and parents participation in sports is extremely important to them. This participation though needs to be a family commitment. Usually, at least two practices are held per week along with games and tournaments on the weekends. Tournaments can involve multiple games on both Saturdays and Sundays. Especially when there are multiple children in the family a family needs to determine what is best for them. Will the activities of the other children in the family still be possible or does the team or sport that one child is participating in require you to neglect the activities of your other kids. Will your child be able to participate with his or her team and travel while still completing homework and school projects on time?
While traveling sports teams have a lot to offer an aspiring young athlete, make sure that you make the best choice for your child and family. Family commitment is highly important to the success of your child and the team.
