Is a Travel League Right for You?

As the president and owner of Empire Financial Partners in Westbury, New York, Michael Arteca assists clients in achieving their goals through various financial and insurance vehicles. Outside of work, Michael Arteca enjoys working out, playing sports, and coaching his son's traveling baseball team.

Unlike the less-competitive recreational teams in youth sports leagues, travel teams typically play at an elite level and place more emphasis on competition. Joining a travel team often requires that players pass a tryout. Once on the team, there is no guarantee of equal playing time among those on the roster.

Of course, another major difference between travel teams and your standard recreational club is obvious from the name. In many cases, these teams will travel long distances, even out of state, to participate in games and tournaments with other elite teams. The focus on travel exposes young players to better competition and gives them the chance to develop their skills against the best-of-the-best.

While travel teams are great for many well-developed players, they are not the right choice for everyone. Young athletes who have become bored with rec league play can thrive in a travel environment, but other players may find the more competitive leagues overly stressful. Playing on a travel team can also be expensive, making it difficult for some families to participate.

Ultimately, a family's decision to join a traveling ball club should only come after careful consideration. For many, the benefits that come with healthy challenges, improved competition, and the chance to hone one's athletic abilities are more than enough to justify the leap into a travel league.