Mentor Travel Baseball

Travel baseball is not for every player. It is designed for those who are serious about their development and are willing to fully commit to the demands of the sport. Players considering a spot on the team should be prepared for the level of dedication required.

While playing time is an important part of the experience, it is ultimately at the discretion of the head coach. Players should understand that playing time is not guaranteed to be equal for everyone, as it will be based on factors such as effort, skill level, and team needs.

It’s second nature to always to play the game to the best of our ability, but there are times when circumstances beyond our control can impact the flow of a game. For example, games may be shortened due to inclement weather, the mercy rule, or situations like having a reduced number of players. In these cases, it’s important for both parents and players to understand the context and the challenges the team and coaching staff face. These situations, while occasional, are part of the game.

Our league’s focus is not solely on winning at all costs. While winning is certainly a goal, our primary mission is to develop players into championship-caliber athletes. We believe that by focusing on player development, success on the field will follow. However, in the pursuit of developing players and competing at a high level, playing time is not guaranteed to be equal for all participants. The coaching staff reserves the right to determine how many innings each player will play and in which position(s) they will be placed, based on what’s best for both the individual player and the team as a whole.

What are the field measurements for my age group?

• 8 year old – 60ft bases and 42ft pitcher’s mound
• 9 &10 year old – 60ft bases and a 46ft pitcher’s mound
• 11&12 year old – 70ft bases and 50ft pitcher’s mound
• 13 year old – 80ft bases and 54ft pitcher’s mound
• 14+ year old – 90ft bases and 60ft 6in pitcher’s mound

How much travel is involved?

Approximately half of the league games will be played at our home fields, while the other half will be away. Most, if not all, tournaments will be held at away locations. The locations of away games will vary depending on the league and team, as teams have flexibility in determining where they play. The total number of games for the season will depend on the specific league and team.

What the commitment to the team?

Once a player is selected for a travel team, they are required to commit to the full “season,” which runs from January through July. While off-season workouts are encouraged to help maintain and improve skills, they are not mandatory.

A player who makes the team is expected to remain on that team for the entire season and cannot be removed until the following year’s tryouts, except in cases of extenuating circumstances. This includes situations such as severe behavioral issues on the part of the player or parent, which could lead to the player’s removal from the team.