best travel baseball team in the usa

Travel Baseball: The Ultimate Guide for Parents and Players

Table of Contents

What is travel baseball, what to look for in a travel baseball team, travel baseball vs. little league, travel baseball pros and cons , criticisms and controversy, is travel baseball worth it.

For many families, the transition from Little League to travel baseball comes with stress, anxiety and questions about what to look for in a team and what to expect from the experience — not to mention the question of whether making the switch from a more laid-back rec ball program to a more competitive (and expensive) travel club is the right decision in the first place.

In this post, we’re going to go over everything you need to know about getting started with youth travel baseball. We’ll help you answer the questions above and determine whether travel baseball is a good fit for your son or daughter. 

If you have a softball player in the family, you may also want to check out our article “ What to Look For in a Travel Softball Team ,” which covers some of the same information from a softball perspective and dives deep into my personal experience as an elite-level amateur player and college recruiting prospect.

Table of Contents :

• How to Choose a Travel Baseball Team
• Travel Baseball Pros and Cons
• Is Travel Baseball Worth It?  

First, it’s important to understand what a travel baseball team is and how travel baseball is organized. 

There are tens of thousands of travel baseball teams around the country, and their popularity has exploded over the past two decades. As recently as the 1990s, travel baseball was a niche experience limited mostly to elite players in baseball-rich areas like Texas and California. Today, participation is seen by many as a near necessity for talented players to develop their skills and hone their game against the best competition they can find. 

Whereas Little League is the dominant organization when it comes to recreational youth baseball, there are multiple organizations throughout the country that host hundreds of travel tournaments each year. Some of the biggest and most popular are USSSA (United States Speciality Sports Association), AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), Triple Crown Sports , and Perfect Game . Travel baseball teams often participate in tournaments organized by more than one of those organizations. 

A team can be started by anyone. Many are formed by parents, but many others are formed by high school and former college coaches. Depending on their organizational goals, some programs have just one team that participates in one age bracket (such as 10 and under), while some are run like businesses and have teams that compete in every age group. 

Some huge organizations, such as California Baseball Academy (CBA), even have multiple teams within the same age group, located in multiple cities. CBA has teams not only in California, but also in Nevada, Texas, Utah and the southeast. High-level programs like that are often known for attracting top talent, for training recruits into elite players, and for feeding those players into nearby colleges and universities. 

Travel Baseball Competition Structure

Virtually all travel baseball games are played on weekends in a tournament format. Those tournaments can theoretically be held anywhere, but are frequently held at multi-field facilities in easily-accessible travel hubs. For example, many Florida tournaments are held in Orlando because it’s in the relative center of the state, it has plenty of hotel rooms, and it’s home to many great baseball facilities. The farther you live away from such a hub, the more you should expect to travel. 

Most tournaments begin with pool play, meaning that teams are guaranteed a number of games before heading into single elimination. A team can expect to play anywhere from three to eight games over the course of a two-day or three-day tournament, depending on how they perform.

There is no set number of tournaments a team must participate in. Each team decides which tournaments to enter on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration factors such as age level, skill level, and cost. In general, two tournaments per month can be seen as about average, although higher-level teams may play more frequently. 

Most organizations run regional and national championships, which are invite-only. For example, USSSA hosts “qualifier” tournaments, where the winner of the championship game (and sometimes the runner up) can earn a bid to the USSSA national tournament.

Additionally, beginning at age 14, some teams start participating in “college exposure tournaments,” where college scouts come from across the country to watch and evaluate prospects. These tournaments are typically more expensive than regular tournaments, and are often farther away.

How to Join a Travel Baseball Team

If you’ve decided to join a travel baseball team and aren’t sure where to find one, there are a number of resources available. 

It may go without saying, but word-of-mouth can be a valuable first reference point. If you’re thinking about switching to travel baseball, chances are that you already know someone in your area who has made the jump. If so, don’t be afraid to ask them questions about the team and their experience. It’s a big commitment — both in terms of time and finances — so it’s important to make sure you find the right club for your son or daughter.

In addition to word of mouth, many organizations offer a list of active teams on their website. For example, USSSA has a tool that lets you filter teams by age level, skill level, and location . There are also many state-based forums and Facebook groups where coaches post their team’s tryouts (and positions needed). As an example, here are Facebook groups for travel baseball teams in Florida and Michigan ⁠— you can find similar groups for every state. 

Another good option is FieldLevel.com , which (like the USSSA site) allows you to filter teams by state and level. While not every team is listed on that website, it does include over 4,000 clubs.

Here are eight things to think about when evaluating teams. These factors will make a big difference when it comes to your overall experience, so take the time to think about them, and don’t be afraid to ask questions of parents and coaches.

1. Coaching  

A coaching staff can make or break a team. How coaches manage players, keep the game fun, instill the fundamentals, and focus on development — not only as athletes, but as young men and women — is extremely important. 

Some travel baseball teams have parents or grandparents serving as the head coach. While that can be fine, it’s important to make sure those coaches don’t make keeping their own child on the field a priority. Before committing to a team, spend some time researching it by watching a practice and talking to current and/or former players and parents. 

What’s the coaching style? Do they have high expectations but still encourage and love their players? Or, on the other hand, are they screaming at players when they make a mistake? 

Additionally, are players treated equitably, or do some get preferential treatment based on their relationship to the coach or their financial contribution to the team?

Ideally, your child will be a part of that team and organization for consecutive years, rather than bouncing from team to team. As such, determining whether the coaching staff is a good fit is a crucial first step.

2. Cost  

For many parents, this is the most terrifying aspect of travel baseball.

Just how much of a toll is this going to take on your bank account? The specific answer varies, but the typical range of cost for participating in travel baseball is between $500 and $2,500 per year. 

That said, you can end up spending a lot more than that. Back in 2011, CBS News reported that one Georgia family paid $4,000 per year for their 9-year-old son’s travel team. You can imagine that older players in elite programs that travel all over the country can spend even more over the course of a season.

Typically, the more intensely focused a program is on developing its players for college baseball, the more money the program is going to cost. On the other hand, teams that are playing more for the fun of it — those looking for just a little more structure and competition than offered by Little League — won’t put as much of a dent in your wallet.

There are a number of specific factors that go into how much it costs to be on a team:

• Where you live . If you live in a baseball hub, like Texas or California, you won’t have to travel as far to get to tournaments. Many teams from rural areas regularly drive across multiple states (or sometimes even fly) to tournaments. As such, where you live will likely be the single biggest variable in your overall travel baseball cost.
• Whether you have to buy your own equipment . Some teams are sponsored by equipment companies like Easton and Rawlings and have their bats, gloves and cleats provided either for free or at a reduced cost. Obviously, this can be a huge savings. Also, keep in mind that (unfortunately) equipment is often viewed as a status symbol in travel baseball. If your child joins a team where every other player has multiple bats and position-specific gloves, he or she is going to press you for similar gear.
• Whether you have to rent facilities . Some teams practice exclusively at public fields. Others have little or no access to such facilities and have to rent fields and/or indoor space (especially for winter workouts). This can have a huge impact on the overall cost of participation.
• Whether or not coaches are paid . Some teams — typically the more competitive ones — pay their coaches small stipends and/or cover their cost of travel. On one hand, this tends to lead to better coaching. On the other hand, families are the ones who will ultimately foot that bill.
• How competitive the team is . Higher-level tournaments typically have higher fees. Lower-level tournaments, operated on a more sub-regional basis, are usually much less expensive to enter. If cost is a concern, make sure you know what types of tournaments the team usually enters over the course of the season. 

3. Location  

As stated earlier, location is a key factor in deciding which travel team to play for. If you’re fortunate enough to live in California, Florida or Texas, you’re going to have a lot of opportunities to play with and against high-level competition right in your backyard. 

But outside of those states, it’s a little bit tougher, and you have to decide how committed you are to playing at the highest possible level. 

For example, if you live in a medium-sized town outside of a major baseball hub, chances are you have at least a couple of travel ball options. However, the odds are that those options are not the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to coaching and competitiveness. In order to play for the absolute “best” team possible, you might have to commute from your mid-sized town to the nearest major city. 

So you’ll be faced with the following choice: play on a lower level team that’s closer to home, or drive a hundred miles or more for twice-weekly practices? It may sound crazy, but many families do just that. 

Why would they commit so much time and money to their son or daughter’s athletic pursuits? It comes down to goals. Better teams often provide better coaching and more opportunities for exposure to college and professional scouts. 

What’s the team’s mission? Is the focus on fun, player development, college exposure, or a mix of all there? Teams can have many different goals and missions, and there’s no right or wrong approach.

However, it is possible that a team’s mission does not align with your values and goals, and you need to think about this before committing, as a compatibility mismatch can lead to coach-parent and coach-player tension. 

5. Organization

Consider the reputation of the organization you’re evaluating. When you join a team, you and your son or daughter will essentially be endorsing everything the program stands for. If they’re known for dirty play or being disrespectful to the game, you’ll be associated with that. 

And believe it or not, the baseball world is a small and surprisingly tight-knit community. College coaches tend to know which programs produce bad apples — and they avoid them. In fact, many college coaches will completely write off an entire organization that has a reputation for not playing the game the right way or for having disrespectful players.

6. Playing Time

There’s an important balance between getting enough playing time and being challenged. Before committing, ask the coaching staff what kind of playing time your child can expect — including at what position. 

If there are two returning shortstops, he or she most likely won’t be playing there and might have to learn another position. That’s not a bad thing: college coaches want players that are versatile, and many players change positions as they get older and their bodies develop. 

Still, it’s helpful to know what to expect ahead of time. Getting game reps is important from a development perspective, but also just from a fun perspective: no kid wants to consistently travel to a tournament only to sit on the bench for most of the weekend. 

7. Skill Level

Be realistic about your child’s skill level, and pay attention to the level of competition around him or her at tryouts (i.e., the skill levels of the other players). If your kid has the fight and desire to compete for a spot (like they’ll have to do if they make it to college ball), then putting them on a team where they’ll be challenged is the best option. 

But if he or she is there to have fun and make friends, with no burning desire to be constantly improving, then choosing a travel team that’s more low-key will be the better call.

8. What You’re Giving Up

Travel baseball tournaments are on weekends, and players often have to sacrifice certain things that are part of a normal childhood. 

Is your son or daughter willing to miss out on things like birthdays, sleepovers and school dances, because most of their time is spent doing homework, traveling to and from games and practices, practicing on their own (possibly including private lessons), and spending nearly every summer weekend at the ballpark?

And are they willing to sacrifice the material things that matter to kids — things like clothes, video games, new smartphones, etc. — because so much money is being spent on baseball? 

As I wrote in THV’s guide to travel softball , my family made major sacrifices to support my athletic pursuits. 

For some, their love of the game is so great that giving up these things is a no-brainer. For others, they may regret missing out on these social activities. And that’s perfectly fine! Just be honest with each other and talk about the true costs of travel baseball — because it’s not just the sticker price.

There are some important similarities and differences between competitive travel baseball and recreational baseball. Both can teach many valuable life skills, such as work ethic, good sportsmanship, teamwork and bouncing back from failure. But they are very different when it comes to time commitment and competitiveness.

The Little League schedule usually runs from the late spring through early summer, with teams practicing twice per week and playing two games per week. The total number of games per season varies, but it usually ranges from 10 to 20. It’s a local program, which means travel is either limited or non-existent. In general, Little League coaches are parents.

Little League can be a great place for kids as young as 4-years-old to start playing the game. They’ll learn the rules and the absolute basics of hitting, pitching and fielding in a fun an easy-going environment (except for the occasional parent that takes their coaching position overboard). 

Overall, Little League fits the classic stereotype of youth baseball: kids having fun playing the greatest game in the world, without much pressure or focus on player development. 

Back in the day, Little League would feed into middle school and high school programs, which carried the bulk of the weight when it came to getting payers ready for college and the pros. But today, the reality is that it’s almost impossible to get the coaching and skill development you need by participating only Little league or other rec ball programs. 

That’s especially true when it comes to the gap between “Majors” Little League (12-and-under) and high school. Few middle schools still have baseball programs, and those programs that do exist tend not to be very good. Likewise, while Little League offers both a Junior division (12-14) and a Senior division (14-16), those leagues tend to pale in comparison to the coaching and competition offered by travel ball. 

So, if your son or daughter is serious about playing baseball at a high level, it’s especially important to focus on the transition to travel ball at around the age of 11 or 12.

There are positives and negatives when it comes to travel baseball. Here are a few of each.

• Better competition : Players are more serious about the game and more driven to improve. This higher level of competition will help push your son or daughter to improve their own skills.
• Better coaching : Travel baseball coaches tend to be better qualified, more knowledgeable, and better-connected. At the highest levels of travel ball, teams often employ former professional coaches.
• More exposure : Aside from high school baseball, travel ball is the primary means of exposure to college coaches and pro scouts. Plus, travel teams often attend showcase tournaments and camps.
• More games played : Travel teams play significantly more games per year than rec ball teams.
• Facilitates travel : Sometimes seen as an ancillary benefit, the travel itself can be a valuable and eye-opening experience for players. Many kids don’t have an opportunity to travel out of their own area or state, and travel baseball can provide that. 
• Encourages character development : Because travel teams are more serious, there’s a greater emphasis put on things like being on time, demonstrating maximum effort, and having a good attitude.  
• Cost : Travel baseball is expensive — sometimes absurdly so. Families often spend around $2,500 per year, but the costs can be even higher. 
• Time commitment : Even a moderately competitive travel team can consume an entire summer’s worth of weekends. 
• Ultra-competitive : On most travel teams, there’s a balance between player development and winning. What you won’t often find is an “everybody plays” approach. For the most part, the best players will play the most, which makes for a highly-competitive environment. 
• Tougher workouts : This can be a pro or a con, depending on the player’s perspective and goals. Tougher workouts can lead to better outcomes, but they can also be mentally and physically taxing if the player isn’t fully invested.
• Lack of diversity : Because travel baseball is expensive, it has often been criticized for a lack of socioeconomic and racial diversity. 

Travel baseball provides many benefits and can be a valuable opportunity for players who are serious about the game and committed to playing at the highest possible level. However, it’s not without its share of criticism and controversy. 

In an essay titled “ Left Out ,” MLB superstar Andrew McCutchen wrote about how kids like him, who grow up in low-income families, are often excluded from travel baseball and thus systematically disadvantaged when it comes to development and exposure: 

“When you’re a kid from a low-income family who has talent, how do you get recognized? Now, you have to pay thousands of dollars for the chance to be noticed in showcase tournaments in big cities. My parents loved me, but they had to work hard to put food on the table, and there wasn’t much left over. They didn’t have the option of skipping a shift to take me to a tournament over the weekend. […] That’s the challenge for families today. It’s not about the $100 bat. It’s about the $100-a-night motel room and the $30 gas money and the $300 tournament fee. 

[…] If you’re a poor kid with raw ability, it’s not enough.”

McCutchen was lucky: an AAU coach “discovered” him at the age of 13 and covered his travel ball expenses. But most kids from similar situations aren’t so fortunate. 

Why is this important for you, the parent of a child thinking about joining a travel team? 

On one hand, it’s important to be aware of how the systems we participate in affect our society. But on a much more specific level, you should know that your child will be entering a largely homogenous environment.

On top of that, kids from lower-income families can often feel out of place in travel ball — especially if they don’t come to the ballpark with the latest, top-quality gear like their teammates. This social dynamic can have a powerful impact on your child’s experience. 

Additionally, travel baseball means that both your family and your child will be spending less time within your own community.

There’s been a lot written in recent years about how travel baseball may be contributing to the erosion of communities , because it pulls families out of local baseball programs that once served as important civic institutions.

This is evidenced by the sharply declining participation in Little League. In the organization’s Southeast Region (a hotbed for a travel baseball), the number of Little League players has plunged by nearly 50% since 2007 . 

So we’ve come to the biggest question: Is travel ball worth it?

If you want to improve your skills and have the best chance to play in college or the pros, travel baseball is the way to go. But remember: there is a range of cost and time commitment within travel baseball. Your son or daughter doesn’t necessarily have to opt for the most expensive travel team in order to be sufficiently challenged (and later on, to get noticed by college coaches). 

Your goal in evaluating teams should be to find the right balance of: 

• Financial commitment 
• Time commitment
• Intangible sacrifices (school events, community involvement, etc.) 
• Baseball goals

After reading this article, you should have a very solid understanding of what Little League and travel baseball have in common, their differences, and what you should be looking for in a club. 

Remember, this is your child’s choice to. Help them see the pros and cons of each option. And although we stated it earlier, we cannot stress this enough: you cannot dictate your son or daughter’s commitment to the game of baseball. It’s up to them. So, support them in whatever capacity they want to participate. If you do, they’ll never regret or forget the amazing experiences, friends, and lessons learned playing this great game.

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Alexa Peterson

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Travel Baseball Uncovered: A Guide For Parents And Players

Let’s talk about baseball—travel baseball, to be exact.

For many, moving from the Little League to travel baseball feels like catching a curveball. After all, it’s more than just a pace change; it’s about trading Saturday afternoon matches on a grassy field for serious club competitions that come with a higher price tag.

You might be thinking, “Is this the right play for my little slugger?” or “How do I even go about choosing a team?”

Well, here’s our chance at bat. We’ll walk you through everything youth travel baseball has to offer, including answering these questions and more.

Table of Contents

What is Travel Baseball [Explained]

Travel baseball is just what it sounds like. It’s when youth teams have to travel in order to have their games and tournaments. This is usually the next step after traditional recreational or Little League. 

Since the level of competition is much higher, it can help them develop their skills.

But preparation comes at a cost—literally. And all that time on the road can take up your schedule very quickly. But despite all that extra work, they’ll get an exciting adventure out of it. Now, they’ll face off against teams from different cities, states, and sometimes even countries.

The love for Travel Baseball is Growing Fast.

In recent years, travel baseball gained an exponential amount of popularity and saw thousands of teams pop up across the country. 

Before the 90s, it was a relatively niche experience only limited to players nestled in regions like Texas and California.

Nowadays, participation is considered necessary for young players wanting to sharpen their skills and go up against some really tough competition.

Instead of focusing on the local leagues like recreational youth baseball does, travel ball operates under various organizations, hosting hundreds of tournaments each year. 

Some big names include USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association), AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), Triple Crown Sports , and Perfect Game . 

The ambitious goal for any team is to face off against as many different teams as possible to gain experience and test their skills.

Everyone can create a travel baseball team. It doesn’t matter if you’re a parent, high school teacher, or someone who coaches college kids.

The highlight of the season is the travel baseball tournament. Bringing together talented teams from different parts of the world to compete. 

This lets players show their skills to a bigger audience, including scouts and college coaches. These tournaments are organized by many institutions and happen locally, regionally, or even nationally.

There’s nothing cooler than the USSSA World Series, though. Every year, it’s hosted by the United States Specialty Sports Association. 

You’ll find talent from all over America coming here to fight for that top spot. But another epic tournament is the Triple Crown Summer Nationals, where they hold it at Myrtle Beach 

in South Carolina. It attracts teams from everywhere and is known for great competition and vacation vibes.

A unique little competition is held in Cooperstown, New York, known as the Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournament. 

Cooperstown, known as baseball’s birthplace, offers a unique week-long stay in baseball-style barracks. You can visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

These intense and challenging tournaments bring out some of the most talented players young kids have to offer. It’s also a great way to boost your young player’s confidence in playing on those big stages!

Different Levels Of Travel Teams And Their Requirements

It’s not just one level fit all for travel baseball teams. They’re organized into various levels based on skill, experience, and commitment from players. 

Imagine putting someone who only knows how to throw with moderate force into a contest against someone who does it with full force.

The team you choose for yourself should align with your skill level, how much free time you have, and your developmental needs as a player. Here’s an overview of different levels:

1. Local Travel Teams : For beginners starting their journey through travel baseball. The games they play are mostly local or within a close driving distance. Practices only happen a few times a week, and games during the weekend.

2. Regional Travel Teams : For players with more experience and higher skill levels. They go on trips for games and tournaments that will require overnight stays at places. Commitment level is higher, with practices being more frequent along with a longer season.

3. Showcase Travel Teams : The big leagues of young kid baseball players. These teams are made up of highly skilled people who are very serious about baseball. They have college scouts and recruiters present their games. This includes going to different states for showcase tournaments. 

You’ll need to be extremely committed to even think about trying out for this team, and their practices are rigorous and frequent, lasting all year round!

Benefits of Playing in a Travel Baseball Team 

A lot of benefits come from playing travel baseball. 

The biggest one? It can help players get to their goals. It’s not just about playing a game, especially when you want to make it big. It’s actually an experience that provides lifelong skills that can be applied everywhere else.

Competition in recreational leagues is nothing compared to this. It’s way higher. This allows players to grow new and old skills at a faster rate. 

There’s also an intense training schedule that demands discipline, resilience, and focus. These qualities go beyond just sports.

Participating in high-profile tournaments also gets the attention of other coaches and scouts. Which makes it easier for them to open doors for scholarships and professional contracts.

Traveling away from home just for games might seem like a drag, but it builds responsibility and maturity. It is a demanding journey for sure, but very rewarding.

Did MLB Players Play Travel Baseball?

Definitely! A lot of Major League Baseball (MLB) players used travel baseball as their starting point, too. It gives them all the exposure they need, honing skills at such a young age along with fierce competition.

Take Bryce Harper , for example. He’s one of the biggest names in MLB today. His journey started back when he was a child playing for the Southern Nevada Bulldogs 14U travel team. The opportunity came up where he could go against older players who were more experienced than him. This experience helped shape his professional career.

Albert Pujols also played travel baseball when he was younger on his team called Fort Osage Indians Travel Team before sailing into the Hall of Fame.

Clayton Kershaw ? Yeah, him too! Another name you hear often in MLB didn’t start there either — he played for the Dallas Tigers Travel Team where he developed early on gaining crucial skills and discipline that are instrumental in his success today.

How to Find a Travel Baseball Team in Your Region? 

If you’re a young baseball player who wants to take their skills to the next level, then joining a travel team is a great opportunity. If you are a parent and want to make your child the next MLB star, then travel baseball teams are a great place to start with. 

These teams play across the country and allow players to show their talents against top-tier competition. But how do you find one of these teams? 

Here’s a guide on how you can join a travel baseball team in the USA.

Check your local youth baseball organization.

Your first step should be checking with your local youth baseball organization. Chances are they have travel teams that play in leagues and tournaments outside of the regular season. If they don’t, then it’s likely they know someone who does.

Drop by showcases and camps.

In-person events like showcases and camps are great places to meet coaches and scouts from travel baseball teams. They’re designed specifically so players can showcase their skills and get noticed by recruiters.

The internet holds many answers, including finding a travel baseball team. Websites like USSSA Baseball, Perfect Game USA, and Travel Ball Select list lots of travel baseball teams based on state, age group, and skill level — all at a click away.

Talk to other parents and players.

If you want first-hand experience, then talk to other parents or players who have been through this process before. They can give useful insight into which teams are reputable, well-run, and competitive.

For example, if you live in Texas, then one option could be the Texas Bombers Baseball Club — an organization that has multiple teams at different age levels and is known for developing young talent. You can learn more about them by visiting their website or attending one of their tryouts.

How to Find the Perfect Travel Baseball Team? 

Identify the skill level and commitment of the player.

First thing first, you need to figure out how committed your child is to the sport and their skill level.  If he is naturally gifted athlete then you should help him to follow his dream. 

Research Local and Regional Teams

Begin by looking at teams that are close by. These teams usually have varying levels of skill and serve as great entry points for most players. 

You can check their websites and social media pages to learn more about them such as philosophy, coaches, players, and game schedule.

Attend Local Games and Practices 

Sitting in on local games and practices allows you to get a firsthand look at how they run things. You’ll be able to see their coaching style, how they interact with the players, and the overall team dynamic. With this insight, it’ll be easier to make a decision.

Speak with Coaches and Parents

While observing is good, it isn’t enough. Take some time out of your day or week to speak with coaches. 

This allows you to gain an understanding of their training methods, the expectations they have for your child, and the goals they want them to reach. It’s also good practice to talk to other parents so you can get a general idea of what people think about the team.

Consider Logistics

Logistical factors are important, too, so don’t forget about them. Make sure that the team’s practice location is suitable for you and your family’s schedule since it may be far away from where you currently live or work. 

The game schedule should be looked at as well because there could be conflicts in dates that would keep you from attending games.

Tryouts & Evaluations

Most teams hold tryouts or evaluations for people who are interested in joining. If this is offered, take advantage of it because it gives your child the chance to showcase their skills and for you to see if the team would be a good fit. 

A player’s evaluation is also helpful because it gives you insight into how strong the team itself is.

Travel Baseball Season Preparations 

Preparations before the pre-season.

Before the baseball season starts, you’ll want to make sure that your child is mentally and physically ready for the long days ahead. 

So, let’s start with an off-season workout routine to help build strength and agility. But don’t forget about eating well and getting enough sleep. Plus, practicing regularly can take their fielding, pitching, and hitting skills way up.

During the season

Once the season starts, it’s important to stay fit and perform at your best. You’ll want to communicate with their coach to keep track of your child’s progress as well as any areas they need improvement in. 

Another thing you should do is show up to their games and practices. It helps you stay in tune with how the team is performing and also supports your child. And finally, always keep their lines of communication open, whether it’s about pressure or their anxiety.

Post-Season

After a long season, it’s important to take a break. Reflect on the games you had together. Acknowledge all the good things they did but also focus on areas they can improve in. 

Give them some downtime so they can rest and recover. Even though they’re chilling around, don’t let them become bums — physical activity is still important for them during this time.

Travel Baseball vs. Little League

Both types of baseball have their own unique experience and benefits that come along with it. The choice of which one to put your kid into mostly depends on what they want out of it.

For example, travel baseball is more competitive. It attracts players who are committed to sports no matter what and are willing to travel around just for a game against top talent in various regions. Not only does this provide intense competition but also high-level coaching.

It does require a lot of time, as seasons are much longer than in little leagues with more games and practices.

If you want your child exposed more, then this would be a good option, as you can see from Bryce Harper, Albert Pujols, and Clayton Kershaw.

Now, little league baseball is less demanding. It’s generally more focused on the community and not so much on traveling and time. 

It’s actually a great option for kids who still love the sport but aren’t ready to commit to such a demanding schedule. They focus on learning fundamental skills, enjoying the game, and fostering a sense of community.

You can learn more here: Travel Baseball Vs Little League

The Cost of Playing Travel Baseball

If your kid has a future in baseball, you might want to consider enrolling them in travel baseball. The only problem is that this option is much more expensive than local leagues. 

Local leagues tend to have low costs because they don’t do as much traveling as travel teams have to do. On top of paying for the actual games themselves, there’s also the top-of-the-line coaching and amazing facilities that the team needs to cover. 

You’ll be hit with fees like equipment, uniform, tournament, travel (like gas and airfare), and a team fee.

The team fee alone can include things like league fees, practice facility rentals, and salaries for the coaches. 

And let’s not forget about any extra training or lessons they need in order to take their skills up a notch.

It’s always good to ask the people organizing the league what you’re paying for specifically because then maybe it won’t seem so bad (it probably will still seem bad, though). 

But it really does come down to where you live. 

Depending on that, it could cost you anywhere from $1,500-$3,000 per season. And if you’re on one of those elite teams competing at national tournaments, then I’m sorry, but it’ll probably cost way more.

Find Out How To Choose A Coach

A good coach doesn’t just teach how to play sports but also builds discipline and confidence, along with fostering a love for the game. Here are some tips on picking a coach:

Experience And Certification : A coach should always have some kind of experience coaching youth sports, but having proof that they passed some coaching program can give you peace of mind, knowing they know what they’re doing.

Coaching Style : Every coach is different and will treat their athletes differently, too. Some will be very intense in trying to push their players, while others are more relaxed yet inspiring. Pick what works best with your child’s personality.

Communication Skills : A good coach knows how to explain things in a way that’s easy for their athletes to understand. They should also be great at talking to you and other parents.

Focus On Development : It’s better for your kid to improve their skills rather than just win all the time. Look for coaches that will work with them on that.

Reputation : Finally, look into what other people say about the coach. Not only other players but parents, too. It doesn’t hurt to ask around or even watch them during practice if you can. 

Things to Know About Uniforms and Equipment in Travel Baseball

Uniforms and equipment are a necessary investment in travel baseball. It can be beyond what you expect from Little League. Here’s a quick rundown of what your child might need:

Uniforms : Most travel baseball teams have their own custom jerseys that come with pants, caps, belts, and socks. Some teams may even have home and away uniforms, so check with the manager first.

Gloves/Mitts : Get your child a good quality glove or mitt that suits the position they play. For example, catchers and first basemen have their own special mitts, while outfielders use bigger gloves compared to infielders. Check out the Best Youth Infield Gloves 

Bats : Bat rules can get very specific, depending on the league. Before you buy one, make sure you understand what kind is allowed. Also, consider their height, weight, and hitting strength when selecting the right bat size . 

You can check out my list of Best Youth Baseball Bats

Helmets : No matter how old or young your child is, they need a batting helmet. Some leagues even require faceguards as well. Check out the Best Youth Baseball Helmet

Cleats : Running on grass and dirt requires traction, which is why cleats are used in baseball. However, be aware that some leagues don’t allow metal spikes, so again, you should always check if there are any shoe restrictions.

Protective gear : Depending on the position they’re playing at, your kid may need extra protection such as shin guards for their legs or a chest protector for their torso

What is a good age range for travel baseball?

Travel baseball typically starts around 7 or 8 years old and goes through high school. However, the age that you can join may differ depending on the league or team.

How much does it cost to play travel baseball? 

The price of playing travel baseball could be greatly different depending on things like where you live, what team you’re on, and at what level you play. You’ll have to pay for league fees, uniforms, equipment, and even the costs of traveling and staying in other cities for away games.

How often would we need to practice? 

Usually, travel teams practice more often than recreational ones. It’s common for them to meet several times each week. But it will depend on the time and dedication your child’s coach expects.

How far do they have to go? 

Again, that’ll depend on what league your child signs up for. Some teams only need to go a couple of miles, while others will have to cross city lines.

Can my child also play another sport? 

It all depends on how much time both sports require. Understandably, travel baseball takes up quite a bit of time and energy, so consider if they have enough for both.

Overall Worth of Travel Baseball 

Traveling with a baseball team is no joke. For players and families alike, it’s considered a big commitment that takes up lots of time, money, and energy. 

And while it opens up new opportunities, the best reward for joining one is amazing! The skills learned, and knowledge gained from playing at higher levels is priceless. 

Plus, it builds character, helping to teach important lessons like teamwork, dedication, success handling, and, most importantly, failure handling. And let’s not forget about the friendships built along the way from spending hours with teammates in different places across the country. 

Even though some costs and sacrifices come with this commitment, most families say joining a traveling baseball team was totally worth every bit of it. 

Just remember, the end goal is to love the sport and grow as a person.

Hello everyone. My name is  Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player.  I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego. 

I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit. 

Travel Baseball Rankings – The Best of The Best

Travel baseball teams contain a high level of talent and allow players to compete against other top teams in the area. With a reputation of consistently producing the top players, elite travel teams provide select players with an opportunity to compete at a national level. These top organizations have several players on a yearly basis that commit to the best college baseball programs in the country. With this premier level of talent, it is no surprise that these teams regularly sit at the top of national travel baseball rankings.

Travel teams participate in a variety of competitive tournaments. The tournaments are mostly held throughout the Summer months to limit interference with high school baseball schedules. Having said that, there are some that still take place throughout the Spring and Fall.

Tournaments and Exposure Events

Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report are probably two of the more recognizable organizations that operate tournaments for travel ball teams. Over the past 20 years, these organizations have built an immense network of high level travel teams, which ensures that every event they operate is extremely competitive.

The hundreds of tournament events that these organizations run are often highlighted by a premier national event. For instance, Perfect game’s version of this is the WWBA World Championship . This event features a collection of the top travel teams across the country and the winner is essential deemed the best travel team in the nation. With a high concentration of the top prospective college baseball players, the tournament attracts over 700 college baseball coaches and scouts. For players that are interested in playing at the next level, this is one of the highest exposure events in all of amateur baseball.

Scouting organizations and a variety of other websites publish travel baseball rankings on a yearly basis. While a team’s performance at these national events are heavily weighted, other tournaments at the regional level are still factored in. With strong performances at some of these events, a team will have a legitimate shot of making the top 50 national ranking.

Here are the top 10 travel teams from 16U through 18U. To find the full rankings from 10U through 18U, you can check out Perfect Game’s ranking page .

18U Travel Baseball Rankings

• Next Level Baseball 18u  |  FL
• Midland Redskins  |  OH
• Okotoks Dawgs 18U Black  |  AB
• Nelson Baseball School  |  GA
• East Cobb Yankees  |  GA
• NEB National  |  MA
• 643 DP Cougars 18U Beasley  |  GA
• eXposure 18U Prime  |  TN
• Mississippi Rays 18u  |  MS
• So Cal Renegades 18U  |  CA

17U Rankings

• Canes National 17  |  VA
• Florida Burn 2020 Platinum  |  FL
• East Cobb Astros 17U Navy  |  GA
• Dirtbags 17U Skrap Pak  |  NC
• Team Elite 17U Scout Team  |  GA
• Rawlings Arkansas Prospects-Menard  |  AR
• Scorpions 2020 Founders Club  |  FL
• San DIego Show  |  CA
• Dallas Patriots 17u Stout  |  TX
• NorCal Baseball Prime  |  CA

16U Rankings

• Team Elite 16U Scout Team  |  GA
• Scorpions 2021 Founders Club  |  FL
• East Cobb Astros 16u  |  GA
• Canes National 16U  |  VA
• Dulins Dodgers 16U Ince  |  TN
• Elite Squad 16U National  |  FL
• Academy Select 16U Ingram  |  TX
• Dulins Dodgers 16U Godwin  |  TX
• Hit Factory PRO  |  FL
• Cangelosi Sparks 2021 Black  |  IL

Is Travel Baseball Right For You?

Players will have to try out or receive an invitation to play for one of these teams As mentioned before, travel baseball teams contain the top talent in the area, which means that every player won’t make the team. Before joining a travel baseball team, a player should understand the level of commitment that is required.

First and foremost, it is a commitment of your time. Travel baseball teams spend a majority of their weekends participating in tournaments, especially during the summer months. Travel and overnight stays are required for some of these events, as they can span across several states. In addition to actual games, these teams practice and train regularly to prepare for the upcoming events.

There is also a significant financial commitment. With travel, tournament fees, practice facilities, and coaching staff salaries, the expenses can stack up pretty quickly. It’s not uncommon for travel baseball costs to be in the thousands of dollars for a single season. The top level organizations are even more expensive. Seeking the best competition in the region/country, these teams require more frequent and longer distance travel. These organizations also have more experienced coaching staffs and higher quality practice facilities, both of which come at additional costs.

Travel Baseball Timeline

You might need to decide to join a travel ball team earlier than you think. Most organizations start offering travel baseball teams for players that are turning ten (10U). 18U is the last age segment for travel baseball. Players that turn 19 are typically in their freshman year of college, and at that point will have different opportunities for summer baseball.

To close things out, travel baseball is not only a great opportunity for players to development their skills but it also provides for a high level of exposure to college coaches and professional scouts. Being a part of a travel organization can definitely payoff. A lot of highly recruited D1 players and MLB draft picks will tell you that their travel baseball organizations were a big reason why they were able to become some of the best players in the country..

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Travel Baseball 101: Everything You Need To Know

• By Chris F.
• On July 29, 2022
• Travel Ball

Table of Contents

Most popular organizations

Tournament travel, how is travel baseball organized, additional costs:, what’s a good age to start playing travel ball, other parents, organization websites, what to look for in a team, travel baseball pros and cons, travel baseball vs little league, what is the best travel baseball team, when should i leave a travel baseball team, fundraising ideas for travel baseball.

If you are an engaged baseball parent and have a child with decent skills, you’ve probably grown frustrated with the level of play in the laid-back rec leagues in your towns. I mean, how is your kid going to get better if the other players on the team don’t understand the game and don’t have the desire to improve? This is probably the most significant reason we’ve seen explosive growth in the travel baseball leagues and tournaments. 

The transition from Little League to AAU comes with many questions, but the good news is that these travel leagues will provide a support system and structure to help your child succeed in highly competitive baseball. 

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about travel baseball and help answer any questions that will help you determine whether or not these types of leagues make sense for your child. 

Travel Organizations

Let’s not beat around the bush. Travel baseball is a business. This market has exploded over the past decade, and the youth sports industry expects to grow more as travel teams become more popular.

This $15b youth sports market in the US rivals that of the $14 billion NFL, so you know we are talking about big business.

However, this business presents kids as young as eight with opportunities to team with other skilled players to play against better competition in their area. Teams will compete with other travel teams within the state and participate in regular tournaments. 

When people hear “travel baseball,” they immediately think the team goes all over the country every weekend to participate in different tournaments. In some cases, that may be true, but when I think of travel baseball, I think of some of the better local players coming from all over and trying out for the team. If you are on more of a showcase team, you will often have players come from all over the country. 

.stk-2b1a187{margin-bottom:0px !important}.stk-2b1a187-container{background-color:#96caf9 !important}.stk-2b1a187-container:before{background-color:#96caf9 !important} There are thousands of travel baseball teams throughout the country, and most play in tournaments or leagues organized by AAU, USSSA, and Perfect Game.

Playing in one of these leagues is almost a requirement if you are a talented ballplayer and are serious about your baseball career. While expensive, these leagues will help players develop their skills and play against some of the area’s best competition.  

If your child is on the younger side and is just getting started with travel baseball, most of the games will be local, with a few longer-distance tournaments mixed in. Once you get to that 16u-18u range, the tournaments become more about exposure and getting recruited by colleges so that you might travel to Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, etc.

You won’t go to all these travel baseball tournaments every year, but the WWBA, for instance, is one of the biggest tournaments in youth baseball and is located in Georgia. Many college coaches attend this tournament, so it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills and gain exposure. 

If you are a player from one of the colder states and are interested in playing down south , these tournaments provide a great platform for you to make some new connections and show some of these coaches what you can do. 

When I think about travel baseball, I don’t think of it as being seasonal. Some teams will have their regular season in the spring, and some even play in the fall.

During the winter, especially in the Northeast, my son’s team had bi-weekly practices in one of the local indoor facilities where they could train. This allowed the team to build chemistry while also keeping them fresh. Travel baseball will allow you to practice all year round if you want to while you play other sports. 

All the travel league games my son has played in have taken place on the weekends. We typically have a doubleheader against the same team to squeeze in more games with a short break in between.

The tournaments usually consist of the top 8 teams in the League and are set up in a pool format. Those tournaments can be held anywhere, but we’ve traditionally hosted them at a local sports complex with multiple fields.

Suppose your tournaments are made up of more than ten non-local teams. In that case, they will usually take place in a central location with the infrastructure to accommodate traveling families for the weekend.  

With pool play, teams are guaranteed a certain amount of games before moving into the single-elimination games. Depending on the size of the tournament, a team may play between 2-8 games during the weekend. 

When signing up for travel ball, part of what you are paying for could include participation in a certain amount of tournaments. I know we were guaranteed at least one tournament, and everything else would be at an additional cost.

Each team will decide which tournaments to participate in and how many they’d like to do. The coach will need to look at age level, skillsets, and how many families can afford the additional cost.  

When the players enter high school, they may start participating in player showcases or tournaments where coaches and scouts come to watch and evaluate players. 

How Much Does Travel Ball Cost?

I’m not going to lie, when I first saw the cost of playing travel AAU baseball, there was definitely sticker shock. Our League tries to keep it affordable for families, so we were apparently on the lower end at $1700.

When you break it down, though, it wasn’t too bad. The kids got home and away uniforms, sweatshirts with their names, two sets of hats, helmets, Easton bags, and a batting warmup jacket.

The team had access to an indoor baseball training facility twice a week starting in the fall through April to practice. The fee also included a spot in a local tournament.

Other travel teams near us were upwards of $4k for the season. When I heard that, I stopped complaining about our price. Many of these travel baseball teams come with exorbitant prices that, unfortunately, eliminate many families and kids who can compete at this level.

.stk-110d1c6{margin-bottom:0px !important}.stk-110d1c6-container{background-color:#96caf9 !important}.stk-110d1c6-container:before{background-color:#96caf9 !important} When it comes down to travel baseball teams, the price can be pretty shocking to most parents, so you must decide how big of a financial impact this will have on your family. The League’s overall cost will differ but typically ranges from $500-$5,000 a year.

That amount is only the fee to play on the team. When you put together a potential budget, there are many additional costs to factor in. 

• Equipment – New bat rules may require you to buy your child a new bat. There are USSSA leagues that require USSSA bats, USA bats , BBCOR bats, and wood bats only. If you are lucky enough to be on a sponsored team, sometimes equipment such as bats, gloves, and other baseball gear is included.
• Travel costs – Even if you aren’t flying to a tournament, you will most likely be driving considerable distances, so be sure to factor in the price of gas. 
• Are the coaches being paid? Most likely not if you are on a younger team, but some older, more competitive travel teams pay their coaches.
• Facilities – We lucked out because practice time was included in our league fees. Teams who may not have access to public fields and practice off-season will have to rent space.

These are all the costs associated with your player and the League. Now, what about the stuff you will need as a baseball parent? Team gear, comfortable camping chairs , coolers, wagons, heaters , and fans.

Over the past twenty years, travel baseball’s popularity has exploded. Initially designed for teenagers, younger age groups have also taken over the sport.

Our first taste of travel ball was when our son was eight years old, playing on our town’s summer travel team. We didn’t have to travel far, but it was a fantastic experience.

It was a little more competitive than rec ball, so it gave us a good idea of where our kids stacked up compared to other towns. While eight sounds young, the kids improved during the month-long season. They knew who to back up, where to take the cut-off throws, and when to tag up on the bases.

It was so nice to see them begin to understand the little intricacies of the game, and they would not have received this type of instruction in town ball. While we had a great experience with our eight-year-old’s summer travel team, it is still pretty young.

I’d say the best time to start competitive travel baseball is around 9-10. It’s sad, but any later, you and your child will fall behind. Many kids have played years of competitive ball by then. 

How Do I Find A Travel Team Near Me?

If you have decided that travel baseball could be a good fit for your son or daughter, it’s time to start looking for a team. If you think your child would benefit from joining a travel baseball team but have no idea where to start, there are many resources to help you find some squads in your area. 

Facebook is a great place to start. In the search box, type in travel baseball near me or travel baseball ga for example. You will see a feed of many local teams advertising for upcoming tryouts or even established teams looking for a player to fill in for a tournament.  

After watching rec ball for a season, you will recognize who the best players are. Talk to their parents and ask them if their child is doing travel ball. If they are, ask them what their experience has been. Talking to other parents can also be helpful because if their child isn’t already in travel ball, they may know someone else who is. Word of mouth is huge. 

Many organizations, like USSSA, provide a list of active teams on their website. You can filter by age, location, and overall skill level to find potential groups that might be a good match for your child.  

A few other helpful resources for finding a travel team are Select Baseball Teams ,  AAU , and Field Level .

• Does the program win?
• What is the team’s location, and how far do they need to travel?
• Do they develop their players? What is their team mission?
• What is their facility like?
• Who are the coaches – read their bios on the website 
• How many games/tournaments do they play each season?
• How often do they practice
• What is the total cost for the season?
• What does the offseason training schedule look like
• Do they encourage multi-sport athletes?
• Do other players enjoy being on the team?
• What’s the reputation of the organization?
• What’s the skill level of the kids?
• How is playing time determined?
• Do they protect the pitcher’s arm by adhering to pitch counts?
• How many kids are on the team

When it costs thousands of dollars, money will always be an issue but try not to make your decision solely based on cost. Pick the program where your child will have fun and where they will develop the most. 

• Competition  – Competition tends to be better. Players take the game more seriously and seem to want to improve. It’s not cheap, so unless the parents have money to throw away, they will only pay the fees if their child is serious about the game.
• Development  – There’s a bigger focus on skill building. You practice much more than Little League, so your child will likely improve. 
• Coaching  – Travel teams will often have multiple talented baseball coaches who are more qualified and have more knowledge of the game and how it should be taught.
• More exposure  for the kids when they play in regional tournaments.
• More games played  
• Travel  – more opportunities to travel as a family and see different parts of the country
• Cost –  The price of playing travel can be high, sometimes up to $5k per year. 
• Time – Playing travel ball takes up a lot of time, so hopefully, you don’t like your weekends free in the summer.  
• Competitive – Travel ball can also be a lot of fun, but it’s way more competitive .  There is more of a focus on winning and advancing in tournaments. 
• Playing time  – The best players will rarely come off the field, so if your child is average, there might be a lack of playing time. 
• Lack of diversity – Aside from the high cost, many argue that the lack of ethnic and socioeconomic diversity is what is wrong with travel baseball.
• Overdoing it . Is all of this playing too much too soon? There’s been an enormous increase in Tommy John procedures over the past decade amongst young pitchers.

The debate about travel baseball vs. Little League has been a popular topic in US youth baseball for some time. The two organizations have different philosophies on the game and how it should be played. 

We all came to love the game of baseball by playing Little League. For that reason, it’s easy to be biased toward the more laid-back rec leagues where the mission is to foster community, volunteerism, sportsmanship, and fair play. With Little League, whether you win or lose, each ballplayer should have fun, make lifelong friends and grow their love for this beautiful game. 

Travel ball is much more competitive, and fans of these types of leagues prefer the more “advanced” brand of baseball that comes along with it. In AAU and other travel ball associations, these leagues provide a level of instruction, coaching, and competition that Little League cannot match. 

If your child has shown true talent on the ballfield, considering “travel” should be an option. Many high school players and beyond have played in some competitive travel leagues.

I don’t want to give off the impression that these leagues have no similarities because they do. In any league, the kids should learn about teamwork, sportsmanship, respect for their opponent, work ethic, and dealing with and bouncing back from failure. These are excellent life lessons that extend well beyond the baseball field. 

The differences are around the competition level and the time commitment. Little League doesn’t always offer the type of coaching that will take your game to the next level. That is why many families are supplementing with travel ball.  

So, if your child is serious about playing at a high level, you should transition to travel ball at around 11-12 years old, if not earlier. 

Take a look at travel baseball rankings to see who the best performing teams were this year. This site is an excellent resource because it lets you filter by age and either state or national rankings. It even allows you to see historical data to see who consistently ranks at the top.  

Some of the top 16u national teams for this past year are listed below. You will see that most originate from the baseball hotbed states of Texas, Florida, California, and Georgia.

16u Rankings

• USA Prime National(TX)
• Top Tier Roos National(FL)
• Exposure Under Church(TN)
• TBT National(FL)
• Power Baseball Marucci(FL)
• East Cobb Astros(GA)
• Knights Nation Baseball (LA)
• Alpha Prime National(CA)
• MCBC Hit Dogs(MI)
• 5 Star National Black(GA)
• Burn Scout Team(FL)
• Top Tier Roos American(FL)
• Canes National(VA)
• CBU United(FL)

Let’s face it; every child will not have a fantastic experience with their travel team. There are so many different factors that go into whether or not a kid has a positive experience. 

• Are they getting enough playing time?
• Are they developing their skills?
• Is the team winning?
• Do they get along with the other kids on the team?
• Is it getting too expensive for the family?
• Are they mad about the time commitment, missing birthday parties, sleepovers, etc.? 
• Are the coaches compassionate and caring about you as a person, or are they only worried about winning a cheap plastic trophy?

It won’t be the same experience for everyone, so chances are, you and your child will know when it’s the right time to leave. It may be one of the reasons listed above or something completely different. Still, the bottom line is that if your child is not enjoying the experience and is not improving, why continue wasting money? 

• Super Bowl squares
• Yeti Cooler raffle – 1 ticket for $10 or 3 for $20
• Lottery ticket basket raffle
• Stand in front of Dunkin Donuts or the grocery store with signs and helmets to collect the money. Have a sign that says we take Venmo!! Do it in 3 hours shifts and watch the money roll in. 
• Golf tournament – although more complex to plan
• Solicit donations from local businesses
• Hit-A-Thon – They hit 15 (or whatever # of balls you choose). Each ball has a number on it. You sell each number for $10-20. The ball he hits the farthest wins a GC. The rest of the money you keep! Stream it live on Facebook for everyone to watch. Use the 99 Pledges site to set it up. I read about one League that raised $44k in one season. 
• Purse bingo
• Meat raffles
• Wreaths at Christmas
• Popcornmania
• Pampered chef

Final Thoughts

Baseball should still be fun. As good as it might feel, do not try to relive the glory days if you even had them in the first place.

Many parents see baseball or any other sport their kid is playing as the only realistic path to college, and these youth games are treated as training grounds for an athletic scholarship. No wonder why you have adults screaming at umps and other kids. Unfortunately for some folks, every game feels like life or death. 

So, is travel baseball worth it? It can be a rewarding experience for your player and the entire family. You must select the right travel team to ensure you have that fulfilling experience.

Depending on when you start, you will be with this coach and these players and their families for the next few years. Committing to a travel team will turn your life into absolute chaos, but you will learn to love it. If you are lucky enough, you will join a team where you click with the other parents, and your kid becomes lifelong friends with his teammates.

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Best Travel Baseball Tournaments in the US

Posted on March 2nd, 2023 to Tournaments by Admin

Here are some of the best travel baseball tournaments across the US. These tournaments were picked based on hosting organization, level of competition, and various other tournament specs.

Perfect Game

Wwba national championships.

The WWBA National Championship is held at the East Cobb Complex and various ballparks in the Greater Atlanta Area.

• Age: 13u-18u
• Entry Fee: $2,650
• Games Guaranteed: 6 games (weather permitting)
• Bat Restrictions: Wood only
• Event Lodging: Required
• Coolers: Not Allowed

BCS National Championships

The BCS Finals is held on MLB Spring Training fields in Fort Myers, Florida.

• Entry Fee: $2,250
• Games Guaranteed: 5 games (weather permitting)
• Bat Restrictions: None

Perfect Game Tournaments: Full Guide

Prep baseball report, national championships.

The National Championships are a series of events set to take place across the US.

• Age: 13u-17u
• Cost: $2,750
• Games Guaranteed: 4 games (weather permitting)
• Bat Restrictions: Wood

Summer Championships

The Summer Championships are a strict invite-only series of events set to take place across the US.

• Cost: $1,795

There are some key differences between Perfect Game and PBR , but both organizations are top-notch and the best teams often show up at events put on by both of them.

You may also like: Best Youth Baseball Tournaments

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Top Youth Sports Tournament Destinations

It’s no secret that after a year of staying at home and placing vacation getaways on hold, people were ready for a trip … and youth travel sports tournaments came back strong too! Over this past summer, Americans were expected to spend $153.7 billion on summer vacations (50% increase from the summer of 2019) including to many top youth tournament destinations.

Sports, and youth tournaments alike are back and running full-steam ahead. CollegeWeekends.com highlights some of the hottest and most travelled to youth travel sports destinations in the country (for all seasons) and take a dive into some great options for you to consider while you are there. Time to play ball!

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Located in one of South Carolina’s premier vacation hubs, Myrtle Beach has no shortage of family fun. Don’t be surprised if you or your childrens’ travel team makes plans for a tournament here (especially if you are on the East Coast!). Myrtle Beach hosts baseball, soccer, basketball,  gymnastics, wrestling, volleyball and as well as tennis events throughout the year. The Myrtle Beach Sports Center , a massive 100,000 square foot facility, has also become host for top tournaments such as cheerleading nationals, gymnastics championships, national travel basketball tournaments, and volleyball tournaments. The Ripken Experience hosts the top baseball and softball tournaments, and has nine fields that contain synthetic turf in both the infield and outfield. Other popular tournament hosts include the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex, which is home to a diverse set of outdoor sports including soccer, lacrosse, and even quidditch!

When travelling for a tournament to this beach haven, there is plenty to do nearby in Myrtle Beach. For those looking for fun options in between games, check out Broadway at the Beach . The district is home to a variety of activities for all ages including Ripley’s Aquarium , Gridiron Glory Football Hall of Fame , WonderWorks, helicopter tours, Hollywood Wax Museum, Top Golf, and more! Grab a bite at one of the top dining districts in the country, home to more than twenty beachside restaurants. The food varies from seafood to southern cuisine, and there are a number of bars for adults ( American Tap House and Carolina Ale House ) and arcades for kids (Dave and Buster’s and Backstage Epic Games). Tuesday and Friday nights starting at 10pm a firework show kicks off at 10pm!

Looking for a relaxing day at the beach? Head to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk for a day of fun. The 60-mile oceanfront will take your breath away, and teams can bond while jumping waves, surfing, snorkeling, boating or fishing. Major festivals also frequently take place at the boardwalk, such as the Carolina Country Music Fest and Myrtle Beach Seafood Festival .

Cooperstown, New York

Located in upstate New York at the tip of Otsego Lake and not too far from Niagara Falls, Cooperstown is known for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Cooperstown Dream Park , which hosts over 100 teams from around the country for 13 weeks each summer. If your team has a chance to play amongst the baseball legends, consider it a trip of a lifetime … some consider the Cooperstown experience the “Disney of baseball”!

The Road to Cooperstown Tournament Series is also a weeklong event that features the top teams from across the United States and Canada. The tournament is held at Legends Fields in Oswego, NY. Each team is guaranteed a six game minimum with playoffs, and the event includes an opening day team parade and concludes with an R2 skills competition.  Finally, Cooperstown is also home to several softball tournaments.

While in Cooperstown, take advantage of history. Aside from the aforementioned Baseball Hall of Fame, check out the Fenimore Art Museum, Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum, or the Farmers Museum. Have an extra day to spend? Go caving at the world-renowned Howe Caverns . The best eats in the area include Mel’s at 22, Doubleday Cafe, Cooperstown Diner, Origins Cafe, and Upstate Bar and Grill. Locals love to go beer tasting at Ommegang Brewery and witness cider-making at the Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard.

Ft. Myers, Florida

Another popular youth travel baseball tournament destination is Ft. Myers, Florida. The 2021 Perfect Game Summer Select Tournament amongst 15-18 year olds features some of the best up and coming players in the nation. The event occurs from July 28th-31st. Ft. Myers also proudly hosts the “American 2 the top” Baseball Academy Travel program , offered to travel teams ages 9-14. The program is run and coached by some of the top professional and collegiate coaches and former players.

Aside from baseball, Ft. Myers offers a wide array of fun for all ages. Found in Lee County, Florida, the beaches are a can’t miss spot. Lynn Hall Memorial Park Beach is the most popular and family oriented beach full of shopping, fishing, and exciting street performers. Looking for a less crowded beach? Try Lover’s Key State Park, known for its tranquility and secluded beaches.

Downtown Ft. Myers or the “River District” is home to a variety of restaurants and is one of the top rated cities in Florida. The most popular dining spots are El Gaucho Inca, The Veranda, Downtown House of Pizza, Mel’s Diner, and McGregor Cafe.

Orlando, Florida

This one comes as truly no surprise. If you’ve made the trip out to Orlando, surely you have come across the countless youth sports teams looking to make a name for themselves in a local tournament. ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex  plays host for several youth baseball tournaments, most notably the International Salute to baseball and Memorial Day Baseball clinic kickoff. The events are hosted at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando , Florida. AAU basketball makes its mark in Orlando, with the Battle at the Big House tournament already sold out for both boys and girls. The AAU 14U & 8th grade boys world championships and the Hard2Guard Olympic games both take place in Orlando.

Be sure to make a stop at Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios while in Orlando, both are full-day trips that teams will not want to miss! Aside from theme parks, Orlando offers a huge variety of restaurants and sightseeing opportunities. Some of the top golf courses in the world find themselves in Orlando, including Orange County National, Celebration Golf Club, and Shingle Creek Golf Club. Gatorland and Discovery Cove are two local wildlife favorites, with the former offering gator wrestling and snake shows while the latter is a fun spot to swim with dolphins and snorkeling. Santiago’s Bodega, Kres Chophouse, Café Tu Tu Tango, Border Grill Fresh-Mex, and Domu encompass some of the best restaurants in all of Orlando that are worth checking out.

Las Vegas, Nevada

One of the most vibrant locations in America, Las Vegas is a top spot for youth sports tournaments. Did you know that Las Vegas ranks towards the top of the most popular destinations for youth sports travel tournaments? Volleyball, basketball, and baseball all have some of their biggest events here. The Las Vegas Classic is one of the largest volleyball tournaments in the country and hosts some of the best volleyball squads around. As for basketball, the 2021 Las Vegas Tournament Series includes the West Coast Junior Olympic Games (July 9-11), the West Coast National Championship (July 15-18), the Las Vegas Classic (July 20-22), and the Grand Finale (July 23-25). For kids baseball, Back to School Brawl (Sep.4), Diamond Duel (Sep.18), and October Slugfest (Oct.2) headline the long list of events for top players to participate in.

While in Vegas, Must hit spots include Las Vegas Boulevard or “ The Strip ” … home of the Bellagio Fountains & Casino, the Eiffel Tower at Paris, and a plethora of shops, restaurants, and performance venues. The Venetian Casino and Grand Canal are America’s version of Italy, as close to the real thing as you can get! Gondola rides, stilt walkers, and singers help to recreate the scene. Adults will enjoy the Mirage Casino and Volcano, one of the three establishments found in the famous film, “Ocean’s Eleven”. After a day of sports, be sure to watch a show from world-famous Cirque du Soleil , an acrobatic and circus masterpiece.

Branson, Missouri

Ballparks of America , an organization created by three baseball dads provides 10 to 13 year old baseball players the opportunity of a lifetime. The youth baseball tournaments amongst varying state headliners are played on mini replicas of legendary stadiums, equipped with clubhouses for each team. Branson, Missouri also hosts the famous Branson Shows and is located in the Ozarks Mountain country and is consistently ranked one of the top vacation towns in America.

Silver Dollar City , an amusement park with a retro Ozarks theme, is a must-see … as is the Titanic Museum which contains a full display of the ship’s history and artifacts. Country lovers will want to check out Dolly Parton’s Stampede , a family dinner-theater adventure. Must try restaurants include Gettin’ Basted, Pickin Porch Grill, Farmhouse Restaurant, Danna’s BBQ and Burger shop, and Rocco’s Pizza. You surely won’t be disappointed with your trip to Branson!

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Youth basketball, baseball, and soccer teams and families make their presence known at Pigeon Forge , located in Eastern Tennessee. The Ripken Experience , containing six turf fields that replicate the best in the big leagues, is a can’t miss tournament for kids baseball. Add in a backdrop of the Smoky Mountains from the field, the icing on the cake. Rocky Top Sports World offers a youth sports venue that includes Astroturf fields along with basketball courts, and plays host to many of the big tournaments. Top tournaments and events here include the 10-17 year olds basketball Big Shots Rocky Top finale (July 31-Aug 1), Rocky Mountain basketball showcase tournament (Sept 3-5), and the Smoky Mountain Soccer Cup (Aug 19-22 and Aug 26-29).

When not at a sporting event, be sure to stop at some of the best spots in the surrounding area! Top picks include Dollywood , Dolly Parton’s theme park full of rides, a water park, and a museum depicting her long and treasured journey to stardom. The Alcatraz East Crime Museum provides an exclusive look at the crime history in America through exhibits and displays. Looking for a relaxing meal and post game stroll? Head to The Island in Pigeon Forge which has all kinds of restaurants, rides, and shops. Top restaurant picks in the area include The Old Mill for some authentic Appalachian flavors and Southern hospitality as well as the wildly entertaining Hartfield & McCoy Dinner Feud .

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis is a top youth sports destination in the Midwest, particularly for basketball, baseball and soccer. Prep Hoops 2K21 is hosted by Prep hoops network (Jul 23-25) and is a tournament open to 15-17 year old boys. Cream of the Crop (Jul 23-25) is another marquee basketball event hosted by RecruitLook Hoops for elite boys in 9th-12th grade, while Summer Heat is a tournament offered to boys and girls 3rd-12th grade hosted by Vision Elite Events.  In baseball, there are several PBR marquee baseball showcase events held near Indianapolis.  As for soccer, Indiana’s top youth tournament is the Grand Park Cup (Sept 3-5) for 9-15 year old girls and boys.

Indianapolis is a true sports town but also offers a wide variety of must hit attractions and great restaurants. The Indianapolis Zoo is home to one of the nation’s only in-water dolphin programs that you have to see! Sports fans will find themselves in awe over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway , home to the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400. In addition, Lucas Oil Stadium which hosts the Indianapolis Colts along with concerts and conventions, is a must see. Even when the Colts are out of town, fans can receive an all inclusive stadium tour! History lovers will want to head to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument which celebrates the Hoosiers which battled in the Civil War, the War Of 1812 and the Revolutionary war, and is located in the heart of the city.

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Hotels Where Baseball Fans Can Score Cool Perks, Save Some Money

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

With baseball season in full swing, it’s time for fans to make their game-day plans. For those traveling to the game, that can require finding a hotel to serve as a home base.

After all, sports and travel go together like peanuts and Cracker Jack. According to an American Express survey conducted in early 2024 of people who travel at least once a year, 58% of respondents said they were interested in traveling for sporting events in 2024, with 67% of millennial and Generation Z respondents citing interest.

When it comes to lodging, the best hotels for baseball fans include memorabilia tied to local teams or views of the stadiums. Some offer discounts or promotions centered around the team’s performance. Here are five hotels that are a home run for baseball fans.

1. Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor - Baltimore Orioles

(Photo courtesy of Hilton)

Located next to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, this hotel makes it easy to get inside the ballpark. But you might not even need to buy a ticket to watch the game, as many of the hotel rooms overlook the stadium.

If you intend to watch from your room, request a higher floor for a better view.

2. Hotel Commonwealth - Boston Red Sox

(Photo courtesy of the Hotel Commonwealth)

Multiple rooms within Boston’s Hotel Commonwealth embody the spirit of baseball. For example, the Fenway Park Suite patio features original ballpark seats. Inside, there’s Red Sox memorabilia, including vintage baseball cards and the “6” from the Green Monster scoreboard.

The hotel also sells game packages, which include an overnight stay and game tickets. Depending on the package, you’ll get extras such as a signed baseball or a personalized message on the scoreboard during the game.

» Learn more: How to travel to Boston on points and miles

3. Hyatt Regency San Francisco - San Francisco Giants

(Photo courtesy of Hyatt)

The Hyatt Regency San Francisco embraces not just the Giants, but also all the city’s sports teams. Through the end of 2024, the hotel is running a promotion for free valet parking and a room upgrade. Plus, if a San Francisco home team wins, you’ll be treated to two complimentary drinks from the bar in the hotel’s iconic brutalist-style atrium.

» Learn more: How to travel to San Francisco on points and miles

4. Live! By Lowes - St. Louis - St. Louis Cardinals

(Photo courtesy of Loews Hotels)

Located across the street from Busch Stadium and in the heart of Ballpark Village, the Live! by Loews - St. Louis is not only convenient, but its particular location also holds serious Cardinals history. The 216-room hotel sits on the former site of Busch Stadium II, which operated until 2005.

5. Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel - Toronto Blue Jays

(Photo courtesy of Marriott)

Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel, located within the Rogers Centre, offers a unique viewing experience for Blue Jays fans. Book one of the field-view guest rooms for floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the field and stadium.

You can also watch from the hotel’s restaurant, the Sportsnet Grill, which has giant windows overlooking the field, while the restaurant’s speakers stream the game’s audio. Baseball-inspired menu items include the 24-inch Slugger hot dog.

» Learn more: The best award flights to book to Toronto

How to save on hotels during baseball season

The hotel for your next baseball pilgrimage might cost more this year than in previous seasons. According to Hotel Monitor 2024, a forecast from American Express Global Business Travel, a post-pandemic return to in-person meetings and ongoing inflation have contributed to higher hotel prices.

Some baseball-centric cities are set to see especially notable price hikes, including Boston, where room rates will jump by 11.3% year over year, the Hotel Monitor report found.

If your schedule is flexible, travel later in the baseball season so you’re not competing with summer vacation crowds. Or, consider being flexible in terms of the day of the week. According to a 2023 analysis of MLB ticket sales by ticket reseller TicketCity, midweek games offer the best deals.

The report, which looked at ticket sales from 20,000 MLB games from 2014-2022, found that Saturday ticket prices are the most in-demand and the priciest, averaging $78.61. Meanwhile, Wednesday MLB games are the least expensive, averaging $56.19 per ticket. Lower ticket demand may translate to lower rates at nearby hotels catering to sports fans.

» Learn more: The best days to book a flight and when to fly

To save further, consider joining the hotel’s loyalty program (if they have one). These programs can offer an easy way to accrue points toward future stays and sometimes net discounted rates. Higher levels of hotel elite status can unlock room upgrades or free meals.

You might also roll the dice with prepaid room rates. Though typically nonrefundable, these rates can lock in lower prices.

This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

Everything Baseball, No Fluff

Top Travel Baseball Tournaments In America: The Ultimate Guide

While there are plenty of much-beloved sports in the United States, there might not be one that is quite as synonymous with us as good old-fashioned baseball.

And, whether you’re a newcomer to the sport or someone that has been a fan for their entire life.

Watching this game performed at a professional level is something to behold, and is a surefire way to see if this sport is for you or not.

And with the worst of the pandemic behind us, many major tournaments that were unfortunately postponed finally now have a chance to get underway again.

If you’ve perhaps lost track of some of the events and tournaments going in, then this might be just the guide for you!

We’re going to show you some of the best baseball tournaments in the United States, and when exactly they’re taking place, as well as for all age groups and ranges.

Cooperstown Dreams Park

Starting this list with an amazing Youth Baseball league, Cooperstown Dreams Park is home to one of the most popular youth baseball tournaments in New York state.

With a season that runs for 13 weeks, and with plenty of incredible 12u, this tournament might not always be the top pick when it comes to the highest level of competition.

However, it is a great place to see potential up-and-coming talent, which is why it so often ends up coming in the top recommendations for 12u youth baseball tournaments.

It has even been home to some incredible championship matches too.

This year’s season ran from May through to August, so keep your eyes peeled as the season rolls around next year!

Atlantic Coast Baseball Cap Classic

When it comes to sports tournaments on the East Coast, there’s nothing quite like the Atlantic Coast Baseball Cap Classic tournament.

The tournament wrapped up its 12th annual event this year in Pittsburgh in 2022, with a 5-game guarantee at every tournament, promising top-quality talent at its best from its teams.

Plus, with sites all across the Atlantic coast, from the aforementioned Pittsburgh to Elizabethtown in Kentucky, to Oxford in Mississippi, to Orlando In Florida.

This tournament regularly attracts upwards of 200 teams to take part in this East-Cast extravaganza, with leagues and games covering a massive range of ages and experience levels, from the 9-15-year-old leagues to plenty of adult competition levels to see this sport performed at it its best.

2022’s season took place in June, so keep your eye out for tickets for next year’s event, wherever on the Atlantic Coast it may land for you!

2022 WWBA World Championships

It wouldn’t exactly be a list of the best baseball games in America without at least one mention of a World Series on this list, would it?

This year’s event takes place in Jupiter, Florida, in the Roger Dean Complex, the only stadium in the United States to host 4 minor leagues!

Of course, you’ll only be seeing the finest level of skill in this tournament, with this 24th annual event hosting some of the most prestigious talents in this sport.

So, prestigious that you need an invite to be able to go to this event that runs from the 6th to the 10th of October!

If you’re worried that you’ll miss your chance to go to this kind of event, don’t worry.

This particular tournament may be the first, but it certainly won’t be the last on this handy guide!

National Youth Baseball Championships

If we’re looking at the top 12u baseball tournaments out there, we have to at least give a shoutout to one of the most competitive and highly regarded out there, the NYBC.

This televised tournament gives a little bit of something for the whole family to watch, from the kids watching people their age play at the highest level with their parents, as well as coaches to see some of the up-and-coming talents that are out there right now.

Probably one of the most prestigious events in the North East when it comes to 12u baseball events, this event took place around late July this year.

If you missed it, make sure that you have the rough date penciled in for when it rolls around next year!

USSSA Elite World Series

Told you that we weren’t done with World Series tournaments yet on this list!

Like one of the previous tournaments that we mentioned, the United States Specialty Sports Association Elite series is a 5 game event guarantee for those people that have their tickets ready for this particular event!

With plenty of talent on display from the 8u up through to the 14&u events, this is a great display of talent at work right here!

This year’s event took place in the Space Coast Complex in Viera Florida in early July, so make sure that you’ve got your eye on those tickets when the time rolls around next year!

Perfect Game Coastal Super Regional

For another league that showcases young talent at the highest level, we need to take a look at this series of tournaments that take place in and around North Carolina.

Probably one of the bigger events that take place when it comes to North Carolina youth baseball, this is an event that attracts some of the most ambitious young teams in the sport.

Considering that a team allegedly needs to win a regional NIT tournament in a Super Regional tournament, it certainly sounds like an exclusive club, that’s for sure!

While the event can take place in a range of locations across the North East, the event usually takes place towards the end of May, so have your diaries ready for spring 2023!

2022 PG Fall World Series

Perfect Game is more than a one-shot pony when it comes to series across the country.

This 4th annual tournament is a series of games that take place at, you guessed it, fall, with the first games of this season set to open in the PG National Headquarters in Greater Memphis Tennessee.

Like many of the other tournaments we have covered, this one is an incredible showcase of 12 and under talent across the country’s best, with almost 170 teams set to compete in just the October events alone!

That’s not even counting the two series happening in September or December.

These events take place in states across the country, so make sure you check out venues near you in Sanford, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada, alongside the Greater Memphis games.

Super Select Grand Park, Indiana

This tournament is often one that slips under people’s radars when it comes to Youth Baseball leagues and events, and that’s a damn shame!

With many incredible games scheduled for the event when it falls around Spring (it took place in May this year), there is plenty of exciting talent on display here.

And when we say plenty, we MEAN plenty!

Over 200 teams took part in the Super Select in 2021 from teams of 8u up to 14u, this is one to watch out for next year!

Top Gun Summer World Series

Now, if you’re looking for variety when it comes to the experience levels and skills on display in Youth Baseball.

This world series event covers virtually any age range that you can think of when it comes to younger baseball talent. From the 8u, all the way up to high school kids, you can bet that this is the prime location for teens and teams to show off their up-and-coming talent pool.

While the 2022 series has come and passed at this point, the registry for 2023 is well underway for the next season.

This event takes place in locations across Ohio, and around mid-to-late June as well, so keep that timeframe in mind if you’re planning to attend or register for next year’s series!

2023 PG Gulf Coast World Series

Now, time for an event that you can be ready to put on your calendar!

Situated in the South East United States, as the name would suggest, the Gulf Coast World Series is guaranteed to be a packed event for the whole summer.

With games planned for Late May running through June and into the end of July, this is a World Series that you’re not going to want to miss out on! 

Plus, with teams ranging from 8u up to 15u, you’ll get a huge range of talent and skill here in this series.

If you’re looking to plan something for late spring and summer for you or your team as a coach, this is the World Series to shoot for!

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it!

While the pandemic may have put a stop to baseball tournaments for a while, 2022 and 2023 are set to make up for this deficit in spades!

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MLB power rankings: The best five young cores in baseball

Every Monday throughout the 2024 MLB season, Yardbarker will unveil a list devoted to a particular baseball-related topic. This week, we're ranking the MLB teams with the brightest young cores.

Considering the term "young core" is rather ambiguous, let's set a few parameters before diving into our rankings.

For this list, we'll define a young core member as someone who is under 26 before the 2024 season began. Additionally, we'll not only account for current major leaguers with promising career trajectories, but also prospects who are expected to make an impact on their teams in the coming years.

With that in mind, here are the five teams with the brightest young cores. (Statistics and records through Sunday's games.)

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

Notable building blocks: RHPs Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and Bubba Chandler, LHP Anthony Solometo, 2B Termarr Johnson, C Henry Davis

The Pirates are one of the best stories of the early season, as they're 8-2 for the first time since 2018 despite ranking 29th in payroll ( $84.69M ). Although it remains to be seen what Pittsburgh's ceiling will be this season, the team has shown encouraging signs for the future, and it will only continue to inject the 26-man roster with exciting young talent.

While Pittsburgh might have missed the mark on Davis, the first overall selection in the 2021 MLB Draft, it has some of the top arm talent in baseball. Skenes, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, is the crown jewel, but Jones has shined through his first two career starts, striking out 17 across 11.2 innings. Additionally, Johnson, the fourth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, should pair well in Pittsburgh's middle infield alongside 26-year-old shortstop Oneil Cruz, who appears to finally be breaking out. 

4. Arizona Diamondbacks

Notable building blocks: OFs Corbin Carroll and Alek Thomas, INFs Geraldo Perdomo, Blaze Alexander and Jordan Lawlar, catcher Gabriel Moreno, RHP Brandon Pfaadt

The Diamondbacks and several members of their young core have experienced sluggish starts to 2024, resulting in the team posting a 4-6 record through 10 games. Even so, this is still a group that showed considerable potential during the 2023 regular season and throughout Arizona's surprising run to the World Series.

Carroll –  last season's National League Rookie of the Year – is the best of the bunch and could ultimately develop into a perennial MVP candidate. However, his supporting cast composed of a fellow All-Star in Perdomo and a Gold Glover in Moreno is already quite formidable, giving Arizona a fairly high floor for the foreseeable future. Lawlar , the sixth overall pick in 2021, only slashed .129/.206/.129 over 31 at-bats at the end of last season, but he still has Gold Glove potential and upside to hit 20 home runs a year. 

3.  Cincinnati Reds

Notable building blocks: INFs Elly De La Cruz, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Matt McLain and Noelvi Marte, OF Spencer Steer, RHP Hunter Greene

The emergence of De La Cruz, Encarnacion-Strand, McClain and Marte helped make Cincinnati's core one of the most compelling storylines of the 2023 season, which has only led to heightened expectations for 2024. While the Reds are just 5-4, some of their struggles can be attributed to McClain, a future multiple-time All-Star, being out with a shoulder injury and Marte's PED suspension.

Cincinnati has as exciting a group of young position players as any organization, but its pitching is lacking and could limit the team's overall potential. Greene (4.53 career ERA) has improved this season, though he hasn't looked close to the future ace he was touted to be upon his selection second overall in the 2017 MLB Draft. Yet, if two of RHPs Rhett Lowder , Connor Phillips and Chase Petty pan out, Cincinnati's outlook will continue to brighten.

2.  Seattle Mariners

Notable building blocks: OF Julio Rodriguez, RHPs Matt Brash, Bryce Miller, Andres Munoz and Bryan Woo, C Harry Ford

Even though George Kirby and Logan Gilbert don't qualify for this list, Seattle still boasts one of the most impressive stables of young arms, including Miller (3.00 ERA this season) and Woo, who is on the IL. The hard-throwing Munoz has shown enough upside over the past two seasons to suggest he'll be one of MLB's top bullpen arms for some time, and when healthy, Brash could emerge as a high-end setup man.

Nevertheless, Rodriguez, 23, is the reason why Seattle's young core firmly holds the No. 2 spot in our rankings. Since debuting in 2022, the former American League Rookie of the Year has been named an All-Star and Silver Slugger Award recipient twice, posted a 134 OPS+ and flashed elite defense in center field.

1. Baltimore Orioles

Notable building blocks: SS Gunnar Henderson, RHP Grayson Rodriguez, INFs Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg and Coby Mayo, OFs Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad 

Was there really any other choice? Baltimore's young core propelled it to a 101-win season in 2023, its best record since 1980 . Henderson and Rodriguez have already established themselves as All-Stars-in-the-making, but with the deepest farm system among teams, the Orioles are only going to continue promoting future stars.

Of course, many are eagerly anticipating the arrival of MLB Pipeline's No. 1 prospect Holliday, especially since he should've had a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Holliday is off to a blistering start for Triple-A Norfolk, slashing .342/.490/.605 with two HRs and nine RBI, so a promotion could be on the way fairly soon.

Meanwhile, Mayo and Kjerstad should be productive after they get to the majors, though it'll be interesting to see if Baltimore flips one or both of them to make a splash at the trade deadline.

More must-reads:

• MLB rookie check-in: Brewers' Oliver Dunn overtakes Jackson Chourio for top spot
• Yankees coach opens up about Juan Soto-Aaron Judge relationship
• The 'Every NBA MVP runner-up from the lottery era' quiz

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Preview: no. 3 texas a&m baseball team boasts nation's best pitching staff ahead of utsa matchup, share this article.

After taking two of three games during an SEC set in South Carolina over the weekend, the Texas A&M baseball team returns home to Blue Bell Park on Tuesday night to play the University of Texas at San Antonio.

The Aggies (28-4, 8-4 SEC) remained at No. 3 in the country on Monday in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll. Texas A&M had its eight-game winning streak snapped on Sunday in the series finale against the Gamecocks.

Pitching has been the Aggies’ biggest strength thus far. Texas A&M ranks in the top 10 of several national categories with six shutouts (1st), 3.27 ERA (2nd), 3.65 strikeout-to-walk ratio (2nd), 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings (5th), and 1.19 WHIP (7th).

The elite pitching staff is going to get even stronger soon as junior left-handed starter Troy Wansing is “close” to returning from injury according to coach Jim Schlossnagle.

. @CoachSchloss told @TexAgsRadio this morning that @TroyWansing is “close” to being back and is “supposed” to throw during Tuesday’s game vs. UTSA. — TexAgs (@TexAgs) April 8, 2024

The Aggies host the Roadrunners (19-13) at Olsen Field on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. CST.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire  on X and like our page on  Facebook  to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter:  @Shaun_Holkko .

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Ranking all 30 MLB teams by most pressure to win 2024 World Series: Do Dodgers have highest expectations ever?

Whose contention cycle is just opening and whose is creaking shut.

The 2024 Major League Baseball regular season is almost a week old. Spring training games are fun in their own way, though the novelty wears off quickly and I think we were all ready for meaningful MLB baseball. Shohei Ohtani is in Los Angeles, Juan Soto is in New York, Matt Chapman and Blake Snell are in San Francisco ... there are a lot of faces in new places this season.

As always, each MLB team will face a different amount of pressure in 2024. Pressure is unquantifiable but you know it when you see it, and you definitely know it when you feel it. Some teams feel pressure to win. Others feel pressure to simply make progress and get out of the rebuilding phase. And other teams feel a different kind of pressure entirely.

With the 2024 season underway, let's rank the 30 MLB teams based on the amount of pressure they feel to win this year's World Series. Come with me, won't you?

No pressure at all

30. Chicago White Sox 29. Oakland Athletics 28. Washington Nationals 27. Colorado Rockies 26. Pittsburgh Pirates

No pressure to win the World Series, I should say. The A's and owner John Fisher surely feel pressure to move the Las Vegas relocation plan along. It's no closer to being a reality now than it was six months ago. The Nationals and Pirates should feel pressure to advance their rebuilds, and take steps toward contention. Are they expected to contend for the World Series? No. Are they expected to be more competitive than they have been the last few years? Absolutely.

What happened to you guys?

25. Los Angeles Angels 24. Boston Red Sox

For much of the last 25 years, the Angels and Red Sox were perennial contenders who rostered some of the very best players in the game. The Halos have not been to the postseason since 2014 or even won a postseason game since 2009, however, and now they don't even have Shohei Ohtani. I mean seriously, how do you not post a single winning record in six years with Ohtani? The Red Sox were in the ALCS as recently as 2021, though they've finished in last place the last two years, and ownership seems disinterested (and that's putting it nicely). These two teams should be expected to contend for a World Series title, but they're not entering 2024.

Small markets, moderate dreams

23. Miami Marlins 22. Kansas City Royals 21. Cleveland Guardians

The Marlins won 84 games and snuck into the postseason last year, though they lost GM Kim Ng (to a power struggle), ace Sandy Alcantara (to Tommy John surgery), and 36-homer man Jorge Soler (to free agency) over the winter. The Royals committed more than $100 million to free agents this offseason. Good for them. They lost 106 games last year and don't want to do that again. The Guardians are perpetually trying to remain competitive while being hamstrung by one the sport's smallest payrolls. These three teams all want to contend in 2024. Whether their rosters are strong enough to do so remains to be seen. This is the first tier in which the organizations have honest-to-goodness intentions of winning this season.

Young teams ready to make noise

20. Detroit Tigers 19. Cincinnati Reds 18. Tampa Bay Rays 17. Minnesota Twins

The Rays don't really fit the theme here because they've been very good and in contention for several years now. They don't operate in the most high-pressure environment though. The other three clubs have very young rosters and are looking to establish themselves as bona fide contenders. Yes, the Twins won the AL Central and a postseason round last year. They also won 87 games and played in the sport's weakest division. For them, 2023 should merely be a stepping stone to bigger and better things. This tier features teams looking to show they belong among the sport's elite.

The Mets tier

16. New York Mets

It was difficult to place the Mets in these rankings. On one hand, their projected $324 million payroll is the largest in baseball, and running the sport's largest payroll should come with the expectation of winning. On the other hand, new president of baseball operations David Stearns is treating this as something of a transition year. They want to contend, hence the recent J.D. Martinez signing, but development and building the next core are the priority. If the Mets are competitive this season, great. If not, they'll lean into the development year thing, and tout 2025 as the year they return to prominence.

The mushy middle

15. Milwaukee Brewers 14. San Francisco Giants 13. St. Louis Cardinals 12. Chicago Cubs 11. Arizona Diamondbacks

Do these clubs want to contend for the 2024 World Series? Of course. The D-backs won the National League pennant just last year, the Giants spent heavily in free agency (eventually), and the Brewers have won the NL Central twice in the last three years. At the same time, they all have built-in excuses if they don't take home a ring. The Brewers traded Corbin Burnes and lost manager Craig Counsell to the Cubs. The Giants are waiting on a wave of young pitching to arrive. The Cardinals have an aging roster and are coming off a 71-91 season. The D-backs are facing an uphill battle in the NL West. The Cubs are up against the most pressure here after poaching Counsell from the Brewers and re-signing Cody Bellinger . Their very best prospects ( Pete Crow-Armstrong , Cade Horton , Matt Shaw , etc.) are not yet ready to assume full-time roles, however, so you can talk yourself into believing 2025 is the year the Cubbies fully arrive. Definitely though, these clubs are in position to contend in 2024 and want to do so.

The teams most under pressure

10. Baltimore Orioles

Few teams in baseball are set up as well long-term as the O's. They won 101 games last season, have a roster loaded with young talent, and have the game's best farm system and No. 1 prospect in Jackson Holliday . The future is bright and a new ownership group is taking over, so if they don't win the World Series in 2024, there is every reason to believe the Orioles will contend again in 2025, 2026, and beyond. That said, winning the World Series only gets more difficult with each passing year as players start to get expensive ( Adley Rutschman is a year away from arbitration, for example). The O's don't want to find themselves in 3-4 years wondering when the rebuild will pay off, you know?

9. Texas Rangers

In a way, the defending World Series champions should feel little pressure entering the new season. They're the champs and the rest of the league has to come take it from them. Clearly though, the Rangers want to win again. Texas put top prospect Wyatt Langford on the Opening Day roster, they expect Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer back later this season, and Corey Seager and Marcus Semien are still in their primes. The Rangers are not resting on their laurels. Still, being the defending champs does take a little pressure off this year.

8. San Diego Padres

The Padres were arguably the biggest disappointment in baseball last season, going 82-80 despite a franchise record $291 million payroll for competitive balance tax purposes. This offseason they scaled back on spending -- their projected CBT payroll is down to $230 million, below the $237 million threshold -- and traded away Juan Soto, yet there are reasons to believe they'll be a better team that they were last year . Bottom line, you should expect to contend for a championship when you have Xander Bogaerts , Dylan Cease , Manny Machado , and Fernando Tatis Jr . The Padres went to the NLCS in 2022 and are out to prove 2023 was a blip.

7. Seattle Mariners

After Cal Raleigh's postseason drought-ending walk-off homer and Wild Card Series win in 2022, the Mariners took a step back and missed the postseason by one stinkin' game in 2023. Rather than load up in the offseason, payroll was slightly reduced from $137 million last Opening Day to a projected $135 million this year. Uncertainty regarding ROOT Sports and local television revenue has been cited as the reason for not upping payroll. Regardless, the Mariners have a superstar in Julio Rodríguez and a powerful rotation led by Luis Castillo , Logan Gilbert , and George Kirby . Returning to the postseason this year should be viewed as the bare minimum, not some sort of achievement.

6. Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto is still looking for its first postseason win of the Bo Bichette / Vladimir Guerrero Jr. era. Not series win, single game win. Those two are two years away from free agency and other important players like Chris Bassitt , Kevin Gausman , and George Springer are well into their 30s. The fan base is restless after an offseason that was spent finishing second or third for the biggest names, and ultimately resulted in a weakened roster compared to last year. The Blue Jays might be too low in our rankings. There is real pressure on this club to contend for a championship in 2024.

5. Houston Astros

The Astros were one win away from a third straight American League pennant last year and there is every reason to believe they will be in contention in 2024. We can start to see the window closing, however. Justin Verlander is 41, Jose Altuve turns 34 in May, Alex Bregman will be a free agent after the season, Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez will be free agents after next season, and the farm system ranks among the worst in baseball. Houston may not get many more bites at the apple with this group, and they want to add to the trophy case before players start aging out and/or hitting free agency.

4. Atlanta Braves

Six straight NL East titles is nice. Two straight NLDS defeats is not. The Braves won the World Series in 2021, so it's not like this core is still trying to get over the hump, but Atlanta is set up very well to win another title or three in the near future. For my money, no team is set up better for the next 4-5 years. Almost all their foundational players are in their 20s and signed to affordable long-term contracts. Atlanta is perhaps best positioned to be a dynasty as any team since the late-90s Yankees. Now they just have to go out and win that second title before the dynasty talk can begin. 

3. Philadelphia Phillies

Needles to say, the Phillies do not want losing the 2022 World Series to be the high point of the Bryce Harper era. Just about the entire core is in its prime -- Harper, Aaron Nola , J.T. Realmuto , Trea Turner , Zack Wheeler , etc. -- and the supporting cast is as strong as its ever been. Players like Brandon Marsh , Ranger Suárez , and Bryson Stott are high-end complementary players who would be centerpieces on more than a few other clubs. This group is talented and postseason battle-tested. Now they just have to break through and actually win the World Series.

2. New York Yankees

The Yankees responded to their worst season in three decades by trading for Juan Soto and only one year of Juan Soto. Soto will be a free agent after the season and the Yankees made the trade while being fully aware he and Scott Boras intend to test the market. This is New York's one guaranteed year with Soto, plus Gerrit Cole (turned 33 in September) and Aaron Judge (turns 32 later this month) are closer to the end of their prime than the beginning. The window is closing on the incumbent core and Soto may not be around beyond 2024. Simply put, you don't make that Soto trade unless your goal is winning the World Series this year. The pressure's on in the Bronx.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

The No. 1 spot is an easy call this year. You don't give Shohei Ohtani a record $700 million contract and Yoshinobu Yamamoto the largest pitching contract in history and not expect to win the World Series. The Dodgers won 111 games in 2022 and 100 games in 2023, then went a combined 1-6 in the NLDS. As successful as this franchise has been the last decade -- 10 NL West titles in the last 11 years -- Los Angeles has won one World Series since 1988, and it was during the shortened 60-game pandemic season in 2020. They invested heavily in Ohtani and Yamamoto to win it all in 2024, not at some undetermined point in the future. Anything short of a World Series championship this season will be viewed as a failure. I don't think it's unfair to say that.

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