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TRAVEL PROGRAM OVERVIEW - 2010
Travel Overview:
The mission of the travel program is to provide a competitive playing experience for the more advanced players in the league. Each team will consist of approximately 12 players. These players are selected following a try-out process. FRB will attempt to field competitive teams at age groups: U8 through U14.
Travel teams will play in tournaments or leagues in Central New Jersey. In addition to the summer tournament season, some age groups will have opportunities for training activities during the winter and spring months.
Playing on a travel team is a major commitment for the player and family. The season begins during the spring when teams practice on Sundays, and runs through the end of July. Plan on a game or practice every day to every other day during the June/July tournament season. All players are expected to attend all games and practices as scheduled by the team head coach. Vacation plans should be delayed until after the travel season has concluded. For that reason, players who miss games due to non bereavement or illness reasons, are only allowed to play the mandatory minimums outlined below for the number of games that the child missed.
Playing Time:
This is travel and as such we try to be as successful as possible on the field and in the development of all the travel players. While it’s not a requirement to have completely equal playing time every player should have a fair opportunity to play and show what he or she can do.
All players have a minimum of 2 innings in the field and 1 at bat in every tournament game. FRB teams must bat all players in tournaments that allow all rostered players to bat. In the District, States and Regional Cal Ripken tournaments, every player must have at least 1 inning in the field and 1 at bat. It should be noted that these are not targets, these are the mandatory minimums. Each coach should strive to get all players as much playing time as possible, targeting a minimum of 50%.
Communication:
It’s absolutely imperative that the head coach and assistant coaches are communicating with the parents and players of each team. One of the biggest complaints we get is from parents is communication, that they are not sure about schedule, practice, games, playing time, etc… This is especially important for the 12 year old teams that are going to participate in out of state tournaments. Letting the parents know what’s going on and level setting expectations is very important. Whatever policies/team rules you put in place make sure to communicate them with your parents. If you have enough coaches delegate some of the other activities so that you can talk with the players parents and let them know what’s going on.
REC First Policy:
Sundays during Rec are designated as travel practice days. You can reserve a field and hold practice on Sundays during the REC season. Travel practice should essentially be limited to Sundays during the REC season. If a REC game gets rained out or postponed until Sunday the travel team will have to cancel practice. REC comes first.
Practice Fields:
Due to the limited number of fields during the REC season Sundays are made available for travel teams practices. Once the REC season is over regular practices may be held. To reserve a field contact Sam Sperrazza to schedule it.
Tournaments:
It is the responsibility of the head coach to register for tournaments. Teams should play in no more than 4 tournaments plus Districts (B-teams may elect to play in an additional tournament in lieu of Districts).
If you have any questions or concerns about travel baseball, please contact the travel coordinator at brianm@frb.com.
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