Posted by: Rick (socalblackknights@cox.net) on Tue May 11 07:51:07 2004

A question for the forum....What are the keys to success re: travel teams. We have a 10 under team. We are not exclusively travel, our kids all play on diff. LL teams right now.
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> We are batting 15 players per game. 9 fielders usually. So far, it is our discretion as to how many bat. 1:45 minute time limit, 6 inning games. Mercy rules apply.
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> 65 ft. bases, with leadoffs, steals, bunts, etc.
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> We have not had much success, and other teams seem to hit the ball much better than our team.
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> Any ideas how we can improve?

Dave,

There are a few of things to consider. Not to become too philosophical but you need to establish a mission for your team. What I mean by that is what are your goals. Are you just a neighborhood team that wants to play more baseball. Or are you a team that wants to be competitive and develop. That is huge...because whatever you decide your parents must buy into as well. Otherwise they will make your life hell.

Fifteen at that age is too many. Most teams in your age bracket carry no more than twelve. That is much easiler to manage in terms of playing time. Plus it gives you more depth and less liabilities. Another thing to keep in mind...most of your competition is not out to just play games and give out after game treats to their players. Talk to your parents...have them understand that you want to win. not at any cost but you want to be competitive. That means you bat nine, ten(EH) at the most. Never the entire roster.

As far as your team being exclusively a travel team...that really isn't that big of a factor. What is important is what you do during the main travel team season...August-February. PONY players in your age bracket have a big advantage because they play by Official Baseball Rules with a few exceptions. Little Leaguers need constant work on things they are prohibitted from in league play. Pitchers/balks, catchers/drop third strikes. With that said, other position players need to know that throws to bases from the pitcher and catcher reqiure them to back up bases and one other suggestion...work on base running. It is the most neglected area of the game etc...

As for hitting. Your players are seeing some of the best age group pitching around when they play in tournaments. In practice they need to hit often. Try and mimic what you see in tournaments at practice when you throw BP. Work on bunting. Try and build your small game that will help you score runs without big hits.

Maybe some of these suggestions will help.

Good Luck,

Rick