Why Travel Baseball Matters—And Why We Started This Newsletter

If you’re a parent, you feel it firsthand—the early mornings, the long drives, the weekends spent at the ballpark, all in the name of a game that means a lot more than just wins and losses. You watch your kid navigate the highs and lows, from walk-off hits to tough strikeouts. Maybe you’re wondering: Is all of this worth it? Are we making the right decisions?

Travel baseball can open the door to endless opportunities, but it’s also filled with big choices and unknowns. Which team is the right fit? How do you balance competition and development? What’s the best path for your kid’s future? It can be intense, and it’s hard to navigate on your own.

That’s why we started Travel Baseball Guy—because we’ve lived it. We’ve had the conversations in the stands, at the team dinners, and on the drives home. We know what it’s like to have more questions than answers—and we know there aren’t enough reliable resources out there to help navigate the world of travel ball.

So we decided to create what we wished we had.

We’ll start by reminding you that, yes, the competition is fierce and the schedules are demanding—but the rewards of travel baseball extend far beyond the field. It’s not about the wins and losses or the stats and scholarships. It’s about the teammates who become family, the coaches who shape players on and off the field, and the memories that stick with you long after the last out.

And don’t just take our word for it. We’re bringing you real experiences from the players, parents, and coaches who live and breathe this game.

Learning to Compete, Grow, and Succeed

Travel baseball pushes players in ways few other experiences can. The game itself forces them to develop discipline and accountability—but more than that, it shapes who they are beyond the diamond.

Blake Dincman, now a senior catcher at Emory University, reflects on how travel baseball changed him, both as a player and as a person.

The sacrifices, the long weekends, the relentless grind—it all adds up to something bigger.

"I have spent countless hours practicing and playing and lost countless weekends, spring breaks, and summers to travel baseball," he shared. "Baseball has brought me friends who will be my groomsmen at my wedding and coaches whose funerals I will attend. It taught me how to stay organized, how to work in a team, and how to better myself more than any business school ever could have. I know that I will look back on my time with the sport and face no regrets."

The Lessons Go Beyond the Game

The impact of travel baseball isn’t limited to the players. Coaches and parents see the transformation, too. 

Brad Schwind, a longtime travel ball coach in Deerfield, IL, recognizes that athletes who succeed aren’t necessarily the most talented. They’re the ones who learn how to deal with adversity and keep going.

Baseball mirrors life that way. It teaches the importance of committing to a goal and pushing through setbacks. Ask any coach, player, or parent, and they’ll tell you—the lessons from travel ball don’t just apply between the lines. They stay with you forever.

Corey Hart, a former MLB right fielder, saw this in his son’s journey through travel baseball.

"Travel ball kinda became our family," he said. "You're together 10 months out of the year. My teams became best friends. Team get-togethers, birthdays, and holiday parties were normal. My kids are in college playing now, and the best response I’ve gotten from my families was, 'Thank you, Coach—college ball isn’t overwhelming because of the preparation playing high-level travel provides us.'"

Join the Travel Baseball Community

The travel baseball journey is an opportunity for unimaginable growth, and it can present a lot of unknowns, challenges, and questions—but you don’t have to figure it out alone.

We’re building a community of parents, players, and coaches who have been there, asked the same questions, and learned from the experience. Whether you’re looking for advice, insight, or just a place to connect, we’re here to bring you real stories, real answers, and real perspectives from those who know the game best.

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