In my younger years, I played at the high school level but injuries eventually caught up to me and I wasn't able to play at higher levels. But its not. If youre looking for a team to root for or support, these are definitely ones to keep an eye on. If youre looking for 16U softball teams near you, there are a few things to keep in mind. 14u Texas Glory (Naudin) and 2K26 Texas Glory are 2022 Top Club National Co-Champs. Other important considerations are coaching style, character and overall attitude. Coaching: Are the coaches experienced? Here are a few tips: You get PREMIUM PAGE PLACEMENT, LARGE Custom graphic, your LOGO, and your message BIG AND BOLD right here! If youre not in one of those states, expect to be travelling far and often. The Birmingham Thunderbolts is a top-ranked travel softball team based in Alabama. 15 to 20 tournaments per year (with tournament fees), Knows the rules surrounding college recruiting, Will help educate players and parents about those rules, Will be advocates for them during the recruiting process. Well break the costs down in more detail later. And while its obviously better to find a coaching staff that believes in you and is committed to nurturing your talent, I was able to learn important lessons and grow in both types of environments. As you can see there are many factors to consider! However, many people who have played travel softball generally find it to be more difficult than recreational softball. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | FUTURESLASH CORP. Get two articles delivered to your inbox each week. See if carpooling is an option for getting to and from tournaments. Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, Texas Ambush 12u These can benefit the entire team and can develop unity as the players get to spend time together learning about the game they love. These teams typically compete in tournaments around the state and sometimes even out of state. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Some teams will have tryouts, but how will you advertise the events? Your IP: The Gulf Coast Hurricanes is a competitive team based in Mobile, Alabama. So what are you waiting for? Copyright 2022 by BusyPlayingSoftball.com. The age cutoff was recently changed to August 31, which was a change based on Little League rules because there were so many boys who were 13 playing in the Little League World Series. Third, consider your budget. For a softball team, you should have 11 or 12 players. The Dynamite has been one of the most successful teams in recent years, winning multiple championships at different levels. Finally, what location do you prefer? High school and club teams use it to help their athletes get recruited. The team is open to girls aged 10-18 and competes in tournaments across the southeastern United States. Looking for a softball travel team near you? When I was playing travel softball as a teenager in Oregon, I had a teammate from Montana who flew in once a month for our team practices. Many programs are run as a tight ship, with the goal of teaching and preparing their athletes for what college ball will be like: fast paced practices and a strong emphasis on execution. There may also be youth sports leagues in your area that have teams for girls of all ages. Many weekend tournaments begin on Thursdays or Fridays, so parents usually have to miss work to attend their childrens events. Heres a rundown of some of the top teams in the area: Video Share Link. Are you a team looking for more players? Fees are $600 per player. If youre a parent who never played a sport competitively, you might not understand her desire to spend every waking hour at the ballpark. More recently, won a national title in 1999 and was runner-up in 2001 and 2004. Get LISTED! (New Jersey), https://www.firstchoicesoftball.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Explosion18u-gold-2022_690.jpg, Explosion 18u Gold. Nevertheless, everyone should realize that, fast-pitch softball is only a game and is the forum we use to help our athletes mature into responsible adults. Major Impact. Ideally, you dont want to have parents serving as coaches. Perfect Game's baseball travel team rankings: 2020 Preseason Rankings 12u or 2026. First, what level of competition are you looking for? If you stumble across a high level program that does, most likely the coach has been around for a long time and is trusted to look after the best interests of the whole roster (not just their own child). How much does it cost to play travel baseball? If there arent any teams in your area, try searching online. Additionally, the time commitment required to play travel ball can be demanding, as games and practices are often scheduled during weekends and holidays. Get a bucket of balls or two, a few bownets, screens, bases (if the fields you are using don't come with them), find out what your team has to do to maintain the fields, buy a scorebook, find a parent who can score (this shouldn't be a problem), then come up with a set of team rules that everyone has to follow. However, there are a few travel softball teams that stand out from the rest. For families with multiple children in different sports, managing schedules can be especially challenging. Competitiveness: Make sure you understand what level of competition you daughter wants. If youre looking for a softball travel team in the San Antonio area, there are a few options to choose from. How knowledgeable are they, and will they be able to facilitate the proper degree of skill development for their athletes? Are you looking for a travel softball team near you? Copyright 2023 All content is copyright protected by GearAre.com. Plus, many pro players have played in travel teams. Still, I wouldnt trade those times for anything and I wouldnt be where I am today without those experiences. A few coaches who work for franchised organizations will get paid and actually make a small profit for their time. University of Houston. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please note: Teams listed on this site must provide and maintain a link to a verifiable website with softball related TEAM content. Before diving into the specific specifics of what to look for, its important to understand why you should consider playing travel softball (and why its not the right choice for every player in every situation). Traditional Naming Ideas for Softball Team Black Ice. 5. coaching staff: Its important to find a team with experienced and knowledgeable coaches who can help your child improve their skills. Travel baseball costs average around $3,700 annually. But if you live in a smaller area, you may end up putting a lot of miles on your car. When it comes to travel softball teams in Texas, there are a few that stand out above the rest. They compete in tournaments across the country and their season runs from February to October. Travel Softball Series, What You Need To Know. When it comes to uniforms, it is important to have ones that are durable and good looking. The organization was founded in 2007 and offers softball teams for girls aged 8-18 years old. Ask former or current players and parents to describe the coaching staff, and see if they would be a good fit for your daughter. 1. Exactly how much depends on the level of competition your daughter is looking for. Youll usually stay within a 30 minute radius for games and practices. If they dont, dont worry there are plenty of other options available. North Richland Hills, TX, X-Plosion Fastpitch 05-10u Therefore, many softball teams look for softball fundraisers to earn extra money to support their sport. (Sometimes youll find an assistant coach who is a parent, but rarely a head coach.) Katy/Fort Bend/Houston, TX, Texas Fusion 12u It is common for travel ball fees to be $1000 or more per player and this is before any traveling is taken into consideration. Prior she played six years professionally, and was 1st Team All-American at the University of Oregon, helping the Ducks reach the Women's College World Series twice. My name is Alexa Peterson. There are plenty of places to find affordable, high-quality uniforms for travel ball teams. Second, think about what kind of environment youre looking for. There is no doubt that playing travel softball can be expensive. Some teams will also invite photographers to come to tournaments to capture their players in action. See Full Roster. Talk to other parents, coaches, and players in your area to get recommendations for travel teams. The Express has been very successful over the years, winning multiple championships at different levels. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. While thats not very common, driving three hours one way for a practice is totally commonplace. 14 Best Fastpitch Softball Cleats (2023 Buyers Guide), 12 Best Fastpitch Softball Gloves in 2023 (Buyers guide), 5 Best Softball Gloves for Outfielders in 2023 (Big LIST), How many Players on a Softball team? Here at Travel Softball Leagues, we provide leagues for girls aged 10-18. The cost for a year of travel softball can range from $500 to $5,000 and up, which includes a full uniform, and sometimes includes equipment. 1), Grace Lyons (No. If all goes well and your program begins to grow, you might consider investing in an indoor or outdoor facility. 2024 - Derek Curiel. And when you have the right product, you're alittle bit happier which affects the people around you! Looking for a travel softball team near you? Here are a few questions that many travel softball players and parents ask when joining or switching teams. 1. Furthermore, the team should provide opportunities for its players to be seen by college coaches and scouts. There are many travel softball teams in the Austin, Texas area. With returning players who account for fully 10 percent of the D1Softball Top 100, led by Tiare Jennings (No. Some teams give their coaches a discount on player fees, but that means that some players end up paying more than others. Texas is a thriving state with a rich youth Softball history. Ask your coach if the team has any discounts for certain tournaments or if they offer early registration discounts. But, if you plan to pay your coaches, you will have to figure out where that money will come from. In this case, normally businesses will request to be advertised somewhere such as a team banner or on the uniform. Overall, travel softball can be expensive but it doesnt have to break the bank. If your daughter is interested in playing softball at a higher level, then joining a travel team is a great option. These teams will unite Blaze players from all around the state of Texas and will compete at the very highest level possible. Income disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn affiliate commissions when you buy via links found on GearAre.com:If you find a good deal on our site, you click to the retailer and you buy the product, we get a commission of the sale. The regular season typically runs from March to May, with single games twice per week, and one or two practices per week. The Imperials. Conroe, Texas Website hotshotsnation.com/ Teams 18U Hotshots National Nelson AN Aspyn Nelson, 2023 #20, OF 18U Hotshots National Jones RH RONI HARRISON, 2023 1B, 3B PT Peyton Tanner, 2024 #4, 1B, 3B, P, UTL 18U Hotshots Premier Pemberton BB Bailey Boetjer, 2023 1B, OF, UTL, 3B AG Aubrey Graham, 2023 #66, 1B, 3B, P RH River Hulsey, 2023 C, 3B AP Our Oklahoma Teams provide a starting point for players ready to work hard and develop their skills and love of the game, or players who prefer a less extensive travel schedule. If youre looking for the best travel softball teams near you, there are a few things to keep in mind. Conclusion on Starting a Travel Softball team, differences between baseball and softball fields, Paper or online scorebook with a volunteer, Softball team 11 girls (at least 3 pitchers and 2 catchers). The Dallas Dynamite is another excellent choice for travel softball in Texas. She has been ranked as Flo Softball and Extra Innings Softball as one of the top 100 players in the country. Florida Gold Coast Hurricanes 16U: The Hurricanes are based out of Miami, Florida and compete in the Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) league. White Sox Hitting Coach Matt Lisle is Giving Away Tickets to the Most Valuable Hour of Hitting Instruction, All content 2016-2023 The Hitting Vault. The Portland Sports Complex offers four softball fields that also are suitable for baseball and soccer, while Municipal Park (located about a mile away) has five baseball fields that also can host softball and soccer. For them, it was a matter of priorities. I made the switch from Little League/rec ball to travel ball when I was ten years old, and from then on I consistently played at the highest levels possible. Blast . First, consult with your local recreation department or league officials to see what teams they have available. This is something that should be determined prior to inviting players to your team, as hotel and travel expenses can be incredibly expensive.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'busyplayingsoftball_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-busyplayingsoftball_com-banner-1-0'); That brings up another important factor when starting a team how you will get your players? These coaches have years of experience, and often played many years themselves. They have won multiple state and national championships, including the ASA National Championship in 2015. Iron Spartans. Some teams will find ways to offset the costs of travel ball. 51.75.204.26 Links to only email addresses, will not be posted. Prior to choosing your coaches, you will need to decide how you will compensate them, if at all. But come bracket play on Championship Sunday, the goal is to win and the best players will be on the field with the expectation of dominating the competition. Travel softball is expensive and time consuming. Some travel teams also like their players to wear the same cleats and have practice uniforms, too. In those cases, your club fees might include two or three uniforms, matching bat bags, visors and bats (some teams exclusively swing one brand). These teams expect you to take the game seriously: 15 minutes early is on time; you walk into a tournament in an orderly fashion; and you recognize that while theres a time and place to be goofy, youre there to get better at softball. There are typically four or five tournaments during October and November. Competitive Travel Softball: Key Considerations When Picking a Team, Top 7 Things to Look For in a Travel Softball Team, Picking a Travel Softball Team Final Thoughts. Today, softball has grown so much that while there are still teams dedicated to providing elite players the absolute best competition to facilitate skill development, there are actually more and more girls playing travel softball primarily for the fun of it often because they want to play more than the standard 20-game schedule offered by rec ball. Copyright 2023 All content is copyright protected by GearAre.com. This is how we pay ourselves. You as a parent cannot choose the level your daughter wants to play at. Website and Social Media presence There are a few additional things that travel teams use. Take the 59 second "Unlock Your Power" Analysis Tool, and find out exactly how your athlete can add 30-50 feet to their line drives (instead of ground outs). This means that the head coach usually has a few extra uniforms that subs can wear. Filled with talent, and numerous awards and championships; the Texas Travelers haveput together teams which promotes the game of fast-pitch softball while creating an environment in which players can reach their full potential and achieve the self-confidence and positive self-esteem necessary to be successful both on and off the field. 2. 1. 10u Teams Alamo City No Fear 10u San Antonio, TX Austin Stars-10u Austin, TX Dallas Tigers 10u Lewisville, TX Diamond Sports Hot Shots 10u Houston, TX North Texas Vipers Wylie 10u Wylie, TX Stingers Softball-10u 4. Baseball pitch counts will vary by age and are closely monitored by organizers, but softball tournaments generally do not have any pitch count rules. Tia Warsop Named to Great Britain's 18u National Team. Asking around at your local fields is a great way to get connected with the travel softball community in your area. team building topics for presentation. She might have all the natural talent in the world, but if she wants to spend her summers going to birthday parties, having sleepovers and just living life, then let her! Velociraptors. Teams that do not maintain a working link to a team website address will be removed. However, there are also ways to save money and make the most of your travel softball experience. There are teams at all levels, from recreational to competitive. What to Bring: Ask the coaching staff their thoughts on this, and what they do to help foster this type of development. I imagine that we could have lived a little more comfortably had I not been playing softball. Add a LOGO to your TEAM LISTING find out how. Fees are $200 per player. Click to reveal Water will also be provided. Most travel team coaches will have a few players that they can call if a substitute player is needed. GearAre.com was founded in 2020 by the two brothers Patrick and Alex. Location: Youll want to find a team thats located near you so that practices and games arent too far away. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. If youre in Texas, be sure to check out the 14U Texas Tornados. ), and providing players on your team with ample playing time. 4. If you are planning on traveling for long weekends, it is helpful to have a clean uniform to wear each day so your players will need at least three pairs of pants, three jerseys, three sets of socks, a hat, and a helmet. With that, the cost to play increases. Softball Travel Teams near San Antonio, Tx. I love finding and reviewing the latest in outdoor gear and apparel. Icebreakers. This blog will be packed with tips on how to make the most of your time outside whether you are out for a weekend or an extended family vacation. The University of Texas at Austin. #6. This is very normal! Contact. 5. Wake up at 5 a.m., get in the car and fall asleep for the whole drive there. Texas Elite Softball is a competitive softball organization based in the state of Texas. The cost is typically around $100, which includes a uniform top. Here you will find team listings for 10u-12u in all areas of TEXAS. If youre looking for a 14U softball team near you, there are a few things to keep in mind. This is a great way to get started with a team and start developing your skills. GearAre is reader supported. The best softball travel team is the one that provides the most opportunity for success for its players. If you dont put in this extra work, you will quickly fall behind your teammates and ride the pine (plus risk being cut at the end of season). But players should walk away from their travel ball experience not only prepared for college athletics, but also for life in general. This team is consistently ranked among the top travel softball teams in the state, and theyve won numerous championships. Team Dues: Talk to your coach about payment options for team dues. Team State Age Group 1 2 3 Im embarrassed to admit this, but I accidentally conditioned myself to fall asleep every time I was in a car for more than 45 minutes. Texas Travelers will compete in some of the most prestigious events in the country, and have been one of the most talked about select softball teams in the United States. This number of players represents the perfect balance in case of absences (injuries, vacations, sickness, etc. But if youre dedicated to the sport and want to compete at a higher level, playing on a 16U team is definitely worth considering. Responsible coaches also have insurance for their teams. Waco, Texas. There is no definitive answer to this question as it largely depends on personal opinion. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you search for the right team: Every year, most teams host an open tryout, where anyone interested in joining has an opportunity to be evaluated by the coaching staff. If youre looking for a travel softball team in the 16U age group, there are plenty of options to choose from. On the other hand, dont force her to join a competitive travel ball team if she just wants to have fun. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Heres a look at some of the top teams in the country: The most elite tournament teams (especially at the high school level) travel the farthest and play the most. Finding the right travel softball team can be a challenge. Learn More Our Location 3100 Five Forks Trickum Road | Suite 101 | Lilburn, GA 30047 Softball Insurance Coverage Customer Feedback "Our Softball program currently has 1,100 players. It is commonplace for coaches to hear all of the bad stuff, and very little good. First, check with your local parks and recreation department to see if they offer any youth softball leagues. Consider your budget. Then, another tournament every weekend from late spring through July or August. Harker Heights, Bell County, Central Texas. Travel softball teams are a great way for kids to get started in the sport. Check out our TRAVEL TEAM LISTINGS choose your state, and choose your age divisionit's that easy! General liability and accident coverage are included in softball tournament insurance, USA softball insurance products as well as insurance programs from other companies or organizations. Venom. Players should bring their own softball equipment (bat, glove, etc. Watch and listen to how players respond to the coaches. We supply wholesale bags variety selection of monogram duffle bags for girls, monogram duffle bag dance, monogram duffle bags for kids, monogram gift bags, and monogram gifts for teens. Teams-Travelball, Girls Fastpitch Travel Team Listings and Fastpitch softball Travel Team Tryouts! Finally, many travel teams require tryouts or invitations to join, so its important to do your research before committing to any one team. 1. If youre looking for a travel softball team near you, there are a few things to keep in mind. , you may end up putting a lot of miles on your car if a player... Could have lived a little more comfortably had I not been playing softball a few additional things travel... Not choose the level of competition you daughter wants consult with your fields... Of environment youre looking for a travel softball teams are a few things to keep in mind week and... A substitute player is needed looking for all goes well and your program to... Rarely a head coach usually has a few things to keep in mind have teams girls. Page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom this. All ages seen by college coaches and scouts, coaches, you compensate... Kids to get connected with the travel softball teams that stand out the... Around you outdoor gear and apparel players respond to the coaches, another tournament every from. Heres a rundown of some of the D1Softball top 100, led by Jennings! If carpooling is an option for getting to and from tournaments to October Media presence there are many factors consider! Travel softball leagues, we provide leagues for girls of all ages for its to. Represents the perfect balance in case of absences ( injuries, vacations, sickness,.... Your state, and providing players on your car area to get in. A LOGO to your coach about payment options for team Dues today without those experiences as Flo and... To join a competitive travel ball team if she just wants to play travel baseball skill development their..., high-quality uniforms for travel teams also like their players in your area to get with! Program begins to grow, you will Need to know most of your softball. Then joining a travel team rankings: 2020 Preseason rankings 12u or 2026 your local fields is a can. In Mobile, Alabama, managing schedules can be expensive, including the ASA National in! On player fees, but also for life in general to choosing your coaches, you will Need to.... A LOGO to your inbox each week somewhere such as a parent not... Played in travel teams prepared for college athletics, but that means that the head.... 100 players in the sport teams-travelball, girls Fastpitch travel team in the Austin, Texas.! $ 100, led by Tiare Jennings ( no baseball travel team coaches will a. Team near you, there are many travel softball players and parents ask when joining or switching teams three. Able to facilitate the proper degree of skill development for their time asking around at your local is... And maintain a link to a team website address will be removed areas! Trade those times for anything and I wouldnt trade those times for anything and I wouldnt trade times! Perfect balance in case of absences ( injuries, vacations, sickness, etc with returning who. Like their players to wear the same cleats and have practice uniforms, too (,. Expect to be more difficult than recreational softball more comfortably had I been! To play at to may, with single games twice per week when this.... Is interested in playing softball at a higher level, then joining a travel softball can be especially....: //www.firstchoicesoftball.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Explosion18u-gold-2022_690.jpg, Explosion 18u Gold your inbox each week times for anything and I wouldnt be where I today! Officials to see if carpooling is an option for getting to and from tournaments and scouts cost typically. Softball in Texas, there are a few additional things that travel teams also like players! Were blocked, with single games twice per week, and players in your area, will! And fall asleep for the whole drive there by GearAre.com few things keep. Games twice per week, and choose your age divisionit & # x27 ; s baseball travel team for... The very highest level possible attend their childrens events aged 8-18 years old age group, there plenty... Brothers Patrick and Alex coaches a discount on player fees, but that means that the head.! Are also ways to save money and make the most of your travel softball teams that do not best travel softball teams in texas link... An option for getting to and from tournaments 10 percent of the most teams. Break the bank you daughter wants to play at team has any discounts for certain tournaments or if they early. Group, there are a few things to keep in mind ample playing.. Team based in Mobile, Alabama do not maintain a working link to a team thats located near you there! That money will come from typically compete in tournaments across the southeastern United states do to help their get! Birmingham Thunderbolts is a parent, but that means that the head coach has... Fastpitch softball travel team listings choose your state, and players in the of! That have teams for girls aged 10-18 and competes in tournaments around the state, what! Two practices per week, and choose your state, and players in the 16U age group, there a... If there arent any teams in your area and was runner-up in 2001 and 2004 an eye on uniforms. Will you advertise the events the San Antonio area, there are few. And what they do to help their athletes definitive answer to this question as it largely depends the. 100 players in your area that have teams for girls aged 10-18 and competes in tournaments the! Sure you understand what level of competition you daughter wants to have ones are... Twice per week, and choose your age divisionit & # x27 ; 18u! Players and parents ask when joining or switching teams consider investing in an or! The people around you 5 a.m., get in the state of Texas that practices and arent! Verifiable website with softball related team content dont, dont worry there are a things. Leagues, we provide leagues for girls of all ages within a 30 minute radius for games and practices softball. Perfect balance in case of absences ( injuries, vacations, sickness, etc at travel softball team you... In general and scouts s baseball travel team in the sport the people around you an assistant who... ( injuries, vacations, sickness, best travel softball teams in texas games arent too far.... United states in recent years, winning multiple championships at different levels to how players to! Also invite photographers to come to tournaments to capture their players in action within a minute. 1999 and was runner-up in 2001 and 2004 your inbox each week area, searching... Totally commonplace, vacations, sickness, etc call if a substitute player is needed provide and maintain a to. Austin, Texas area team to root for or support, these are definitely to. Warsop Named to great Britain & # x27 ; s baseball travel team is a competitive team in! Can see there are a few coaches who can help your child improve their skills often played years. Represents the perfect balance in case of absences ( injuries, vacations, sickness, etc (... Competitive team based in Alabama and make the most of your travel teams! Include what you were doing when this page love finding and reviewing the latest in gear! Dynamite is another excellent choice for travel softball teams near you, are... Coach. are they, and theyve won numerous championships protected by GearAre.com successful over the years winning! Competition your daughter is looking for the cost is typically around $ 100, led by Jennings. Factors to consider, normally businesses will request to be travelling far and often for team:... Balance in case of absences ( injuries, vacations, sickness, etc thoughts on this, choose. Or five tournaments during October and November this is a parent can not the. Many people who have played travel softball experience country and their season from! Or switching teams discount on player fees, but that means that some players end up putting lot! She just wants to have parents serving as coaches runs from March to may, with single twice... She has been very successful over the years, winning multiple championships at different levels I... Outdoor facility to facilitate the proper degree of skill development for their athletes recruited... Another excellent choice for travel softball teams in the country choose from respond to the coaches not a!, vacations, sickness, etc softball players and parents ask when joining or teams! With single games twice per week, and will they be able to facilitate proper! Of Texas and will they be able to facilitate the proper degree of skill development for their time softball! Actually make a small profit for their athletes twice per week the area Video... Video Share link the top travel softball team based in Mobile, Alabama get paid and make! Location: youll want to find a team thats located near you so that practices games. That provides the most successful teams in the 16U age group, best travel softball teams in texas plenty. Number of players represents the perfect balance in case of absences ( injuries vacations! The regular season typically runs from February to October team Dues play travel baseball player is needed heres a of... Means that some players end up paying more than others see what teams they have available that... Own softball equipment ( bat, glove, etc a LOGO to team. The perfect balance in case of absences ( injuries, vacations, sickness,.!

How Does The Northern Snakehead Affect The Economy, John Barry Net Worth At Death, Articles B