Opinions on playing Pony while also playing with a travel team (or at least were).
My son has had an interesting 25-26 season. We left a travel team I started up, was the best due to the status of that team. Transitioned to a new team, son had a rough few months but got back to playing comfortably wherever and whenever he had a chance. It was definitely a tough adjustment for him, but he’s made the best out of it.
We signed him up to play Pony this past spring, was in the Bronco division and the travel team was and had always been priority number one. Never missed a practice or tournament in favor of the Pony team. My son was one of the better kids on the team and he was very content with his results there and how they translated over with the travel team.
Pony season just wrapped up, team got eliminated in the semis, but overall a really fun productive season for both my son and his team. Due to his play, he was encouraged to try out for the All-Star team, he made the team, coach is excited to have him on the team.
Recently, the travel team sent out a contract if you may that players cannot be double rostered, or fill in/guest play on other baseball teams, this is all within the last few weeks, season well underway. This was the first time I had my son doing double duty with a rec league and travel. We had completely left little league 2 years ago in favor of travel ball and better overall competition.
Our Pony League isn’t that big, so we got to play about half the games with teams from other local Pony leagues, a lot of good competition, a lot of good reps. So, I mentioned to the head coach of the travel team that my son was asked to try out, and eventually made the all star team. I was greeted with an, “if that’s the case then he can’t play for me till all stars is done.” So far, we are the first family to openly inform that we are still finishing the season with that league, but nothing in terms of dedication or priority will change. Still was not good enough so I sat my son down and explained their contract and left the decision up to him. He either plays the travel team, or bows out of playoffs. He chose to not continue with the travel team.
Travel team has a good group of kids, only one team at two age groups, they are ranked pretty high in USSSA state and nation but… Rely heavily on a few kids who openly play on other teams and consistently guest play when the team doesn’t have a tournament I get their angle about not wanting to burn out kids and waste their arms, but for a kid like mine who is essentially a utility player and hasn’t gotten serious playing time? My son loves the team and accepts his role. He’s been grinding and working hard to earn regular playing time, he’s going to lessons, working out a bit, but so far nothing much has changed with his playing time. He’s been a great teammate and whole heartedly cheers for his friends.
I’m a little dumbfounded by the instant backlash, we had time to sign the contract if we chose to, but was told don’t even bother to sign it cause he won’t play. They cite “elite level training” and although they run a heck of a practice, no one of that coaching staff balled past a JUCO or local adult leagues. I was approached by the manager to be the full time pitching coach for both their teams, and was happy to do it because I can say with no ego that I have helped kids get positive effects from my training in regards to arm care, pre and post game plans, mechanics, and pitch repertoire. But all that was tossed out the window because my son made the all star team.
I know we’re not the only family that has a kid who is “dual rostered” but the timing of implementing a new rule 2/3rds into the season is dog piss IMHO. If it was me, I would of made the announcement that a dual rostered rule would be going into effect once the rec season or whatever is done. Just my opinion, anyone else go though the same situation? Just trying to do what’s best for my son. It’s not about wins and rings for us, it’s about him going out there and giving it his all while smiling.