How to Start a Little League Baseball Travel Team

Starting a Little League baseball travel team is easy to do, as most every neighborhood has Little League-aged kids (9-12) who are interested in playing on a travel team. The biggest concern for coaches and administrators of such a team is finding a time and a place to practice. In the summer months, acceptable fields are hard to come by--they are usually booked solid. The biggest concern for parents is the cost. Little League travel teams have to pay for their own equipment, possibly rent field time, and pay entry fees into tournaments. These costs can add up quickly.

Instructions

1

Secure a field for the travel season. The travel season for Little League would be June, July and August. One of the biggest challenges is finding an acceptable venue for tryouts and practice. Some communities will donate time on one of their fields if they have it available. Also, some school districts may donate their field if there are kids from their district on the team. If a field can not be secured through donation, one can be rented. Renting a field will drive up the expense of playing, as this is a cost that must be covered by the parents.

2

Advertise for an open tryout for anyone between the ages of 9-12 who is interested in playing on a travel baseball team. The tryout could be a one-day thing or two-day process. It depends on the availability of the field as well as the number of kids trying out. The best places to advertise are in the local community newspaper, middle schools and the YMCA. Start advertising for tryouts about four weeks before the scheduled tryout date. At the tryout, be upfront with parents regarding cost of being on the team. The cost of being on the team should cover cost of renting a field (if necessary), entry fees for tournaments and equipment (uniforms, baseballs, etc.)

3

Select the members of the team after the tryout. A full Little League travel team will have between 15 and 18 kids. The kids should be selected by skill level, not by age. If a 9-year-old is better than a 12-year-old, the 9-year-old deserves to be selected for the team. Be sure to call all the kids who did not make the team to thank them for their time.

4

Collect the previously discussed participation fee from the parents of the kids and go purchase equipment. Purchase enough uniforms to outfit the whole team, including a few extras. Buy several dozen baseballs for practice as well as six batting helmets. Most kids will have their own bats.

5

Enter your Little League baseball travel team into local and regional tournaments. Tournaments are posted in the newspapers of bigger cities as well as online. Some research and networking may be necessary. A great way to learn about other travel team tournaments is to hold your own tournament. You will meet other coaches, umpires and parents who have experience with Little League travel baseball around the area.