Balancing Church and Travel Ball

[JacketVol]

My son has played with a team that did not go far but still would miss church but only for 6 weekends and with him being a pitcher, have not done fall ball. He is going to be a senior next year and he did make a travel team that really travels in the SE but will only play 6 tournaments again. This may be his last year to do it and it’s fun for the family. TELLING HIM TO HAVE FUN and not worry about the rest. This will be a big step up this year competition wise for summer. Now for the brag. Highest level of TN baseball and held opponents to a .130 average against and a .476 OPS. Just gave up 1 extra base hit all year. 1.69 ERA. So just felt for this one year, was the thing to do. He’s always reading his Bible and has good values. Proud of him regardless if next year is his last. Just keep it in the correct perspective and let it be fun.

 

[chuckiepoo]

I think there is an opportunity out there for an overall travel sports ministry. I know so many parents who have kids playing travel baseball, softball, soccer, AAU basketball and others that could use something of that nature. I wonder if that is something FCA could pursue?

Sounds to me that a ministry is already established and well developed.

 

[taylorvol]

This string of posts is one of the reasons I love VN. Lots of substance to be found here.

 

[UT-Rex]

Wonderful, insightful responses, preacherman20!

Offering as someone who enjoyed years as a college campus minister outside the Bible Belt (and I sincerely hope expressed with appropriate sensitivity to the many faith traditions represented within VolNation), another "swing thought" to help parents in determining the right choices for your family is this reminder:

What you want your child to leave home with is a dynamic relationship with God Himself and His people (His body), not simply with an institution or a tradition. Sometimes in the busy-ness of life, we can get focused on the means to a worthy goal instead of the worthy goal itself.

Great thoughts / great topic (parents of earlier Bible Belt generations needed to be reminded to not neglect the house of the Lord) --

Haggai 1: 2that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’ ”

3Then the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet, saying: 4“Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?”
6 ... You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill.

Obviously, the people became too busy / neglected a very important thing / set their own time-table.

Two times, the parents are told "Consider carefully your ways" << this is what the thread is doing, trying to consider the best way.

 

[OL SMOKEY]

Our boys before and after every game!!! 10 years ago. Great Times.

 

[Advol]

Travel Ball is Killing Youth Baseball in the USA> Period
More and More Coaches on the next level of any division are starting to see the decay of talent.........BUTT they ALL have rings and trophies!!!!

 

[Deathandtaxes]

From a Kid that was in “ALL THE THINGS” it was a lot of fun and I got to see a lot of the US that I wouldn’t have other wise and made some friends that I could depend on… however, if your kid isn’t a top athlete there is nothing more damaging you could do for your son then to drag him around to tournaments and not invest in his eternity. Seriously. There are other ways that in can be done without distance from church fellowship. Another thing… don’t treat your pastor as if it’s his job to train up your child… it’s yours and it’s a love gift from God to honor you with it… so don’t take it lightly. He is watching your life not just your church attendance.

 

[UTFanHades]

Preacherman-I was hoping you could provide some insight on this with your role as pastor and obviously having a high level ball player in the home. How did you balance providing Kirby opportunities to excel in ball, which requires being away from home on the weekends, while also keeping him and your family involved in corporate worship?

It starts with not worshiping corporations….

 

[wtmvol]

Right now I’m having a hard time balancing church and watching the Vols on TV haha. Gotta get my tail to church at 7am and I’m still too amped to sleep!

 

[stevenrich2003]

My kids (twins) don't play baseball, but we've struggled for years with our decision to not do travel soccer. It feels at times like we've set them back, but we didn't want them to lose church friends/activities, it's expensive as hell, and from what I see most of the kids are completely burned out by 9th grade. I'm glad to see a plug for rec ball. My kids are by no means superstars, but in rec ball they clearly stand out, whereas in travel ball they would likely disappear.

Some parents legitimately have uber-talented kids where travel makes a lot of sense, but even for them with the college scholly as the carrot, I'm not sure they realize that by the time their child gets to college, they've basically pre-paid for them to get a scholarship with all the money they poured into travel ball for so many years. It just feels like a big scam to me, but I admit there's some sour grapes mixed in to that opinion.

Great point!

 

[SycloneJoe]

Baseball can be a ministry. We pray after every game and practice. Any time we play on Sunday, we have a voluntary devotional before we touch a single baseball. In my 14+ years of coaching, I’ve coached boys and girls from ages 4 to 19. I’ve had many kids whose parents didn’t go to church and those devotionals helped open the door to their own spiritual journey.

This is our first devotional with the 9U All Stars I’m currently coaching. It was early AM so I’m praying that next time we’ll have more participation.

 

[lukeneyland]

Off topic but I just want to say I appreciate your sons effort. I can tell how much he cares about UT and that really means something to me. I hope he knows that he will be remembered as a great contributor to the rise of UT baseball