ROSEVILLE AREA YOUTH BASEBALL

TRAVELING BASEBALL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question: What is the time commitment for traveling baseball?
Answer: Typically travel teams will have a combination of games/practices totaling four nights per week (usually two games and two practices). Additionally, travel teams typically take part in three tournaments per summer. For 2018, RAYB is planning on pre-registering teams in tournaments, so families will know before the season starts what weekends are involved, so they can plan ahead.
Question: How far do we have to travel for games?
Answer: Most games are within the metro area. For example, at the 10U AAA level in 2017, the farthest we had to travel was St. Francis, Blaine, and Andover, withother “away” games in White Bear, Oakdale, and Brooklyn Park. Typically, forgames farther away, the game times are scheduled to start slightly later (e.g., 6:15 or 6:30pm).
Question: How long does the travel season last?
Answer: The travel season for players 14 and younger typically starts after teams are formed with games starting around April 23rd and runs through the middle of July. Depending how far a team goes in the playoffs, the season could stretch to the end of July. The travel season for players 15 and older typically starts around June 5th and runs through the end of July. Depending how far a team goes in the playoffs, the season could stretch to the early partof August
Question: Our family has a cabin. Is it OK to join travel baseball and have our child participate only in those tournaments that work out for our family?
Answer:This is not encouraged since the team is typically counting on each player to field a team for each game. During the season there are injuries, illnesses, etc. that can lead to challenges fielding a team. For one player to show less commitment to the team and then expect equal playing time is not encouraged. Remember, often for your childto make a team someone else’s childhas been cut. If you are unwilling or unable to make the commitment, please consider other programs that better fit the schedule of your family. Keep in mind the season is usually over in the middle/lateJuly (for players 14and younger).

Question: How much does travel baseball cost?
Answer:In 2017, registration for travel ranged between $295-$395 depending on the age registered. Additionally, there is an assessment fee (similar to hockey), that covers things like tournaments, additional apparel, and a year-end banquet. If one of the tournaments is out of town, additional financial commitment for hotel rooms may apply. Typically, assessment fees are $125-$225 per player.

Question: How are players selected?
Answer: Potential travel players go through tryouts and are evaluated on selected baseball drills. Each player will graded by up to 5 evaluators at each station (refer to tryout policy for exact evaluation criteria), and are given an averaged, composite number. The top 8 scoring players (or 16, if two teams) per age group are automatic selections to the team. The last 2-4 players selected are coaches decisions, based on need (if a team needs more pitching or catching, for example). Each team (determined by age) is made up of 11-13 players (usually 12).
Question: How are coaches selected?
Answer: Potential travel coaches go through an interview with the executive and travel committees of the RAYB Board. If the head coach'schild is not selected for the team, the coach is then given the option to give up the position. A coach'schild will not be automatically selected for the team only because their parent is the coach.
Question: What does the tryout process involve?
Answer: Please refer to the tryout tab on the website for tryout criteria and evaluation scoresheet. Every effort is made to make this process as objective as possible.
At tryouts, players are assigned numbers and wear those numbers during the entire tryout process. Scores are tabulated utilizing the assigned numbers and players are ranked. Once tryouts have been completed, teams are selected, as described above. Players are notified of their assignment to travel teams by visiting the RAYB.org website on the designated date and seeing how they fared. They must remember their tryout number as results are posted using this method.
Once results are made public, players assigned to travel teams are contacted by their respective coaches to discuss practice schedules, etc. The names of players not assigned to a travel team are then given to the Recreational League Director, who assigns these players to a recreational league team. The RAYB Travel Director then provides an overall analysis of the player’s performance with the hopes of educating the player on improvement opportunities for future tryouts.
Unfortunately, it is very possible that some prospective players will not earn a position and will not be placed on a travel team. We understand the disappointment this may cause and ask you to consider this possibility and discuss the potential outcome with your player prior to tryouts. If your child is not selected for a travel team, you should view the feedback from the Travel Director as a tool for future years and not as an opportunity to debate the merits of the grades assigned or the player’s performance. Results will be final at that time.
NOTE: If your child has not yet reached high school, there is a difference in registration fees between the travel and recreational league. A partial refund check will be issued to you for this difference in a matter of days after roster decisions have been announced. Remember, the only amount to be refunded is the difference between registration fees.
Question: Who evaluates the players?
Answer: RAYB is blessed to have a large and healthy mix of current coaches and board members as well as former coaches and board members. The goal is for each skill to be graded by several “baseball people” to ensure quality and confidence in the scoring.
Question: I signed my child up for the recreation league, now s/he wants to try out for travel, can we do that?
Answer: If your child decides to try-out fora travel team, after you have already signed up for rec league, you can change your registration to travel. You simply have to pay the difference, if any, and the $50 non-refundable tryout fee.
Question: How many players make a travel team from each age group?
Answer: Typically, there are either one or two teams at every age group. However, that answer depends on the number of players who tryout and their ability. RAYB is very careful to place all of its players in a position to learn, play and have fun.
Question: How many tournaments do travel teams play in?
Answer: Typically, travel teams play in 2 - 3 tournaments, plus playoffs at the end of the year. Fewer tournaments are available for high school-aged players. For example, VFW typically plays in only one tournament, plus playoffs. For 2018RAYB plans to pre-register teams in tournaments, so you, as a parent, will know in advance what weekends are committed to baseball, so you can plan ahead.
Question: My daughter would like to try out for travel. Is that OK?
Answer: Yes. RAYB is proud to have participants from both genders.
Question: My child does not attend public schools in Roseville. Is he/shestill eligible to play for a travel team?
Answer: An out-of-district player is allowed to try out for a RAYB travel team if the out-of-district player has played in a RAYB recreational league for two previous years. The travel director may make an exception to this rule if the director determines that additional out-of-district players are necessary to fill out the roster of a RAYB travel team. After an out-of-district player is selected for a RAYB travel team, the out-of-district player is treated as an in-district player for all future travel tryouts.

Question: What should my child expect?
Answer:Your child should expect to play a lot of baseball. S/He should expect to meet new friendsand have a lot of fun. S/He should expect to be challenged by her/hisexpectations andopposing pitchers. S/He should expect to receive instruction and drill on baseballfundamentals. S/He should expect to feel the pain of a tough loss and the exhilaration of acome from behind victory. S/He should expect to learn that baseball isa game,but a challengingone to learn.

Question: What should Iexpect?
Answer:You should expect that your child will learn and develop good baseball skills and willhave fun doing so. You should expect that you will watch a lot of baseball over the season. Youshould expect to be relieved when its over, but that you will soon look back on the season,the people and the fun and want to do it again.

Question: Can I get involved?
Answer:Yes - Please! There are many opportunities to volunteerthroughout the year. Also, RAYB has unfilled positions; if interested, please attend the next Board meeting. Further details are available on the RAYB website or by contacting any of the current Board members. If any of the openings interest you, let us know.

Question: What if I have questions or concerns about the RAYB Travel Program or RAYB Baseball in general? Who can I direct those to?
Answer: Naturally, it depends on the nature of your question or concern. Below is a list of RAYB Board Members, along with their contact information, who can help answer any additional questions you have or guideyou in the right direction:

TRAVEL PROGRAM
Travel Director - Cory Schmitt,
Travel Commissioner -Matt Arntzen,

RECREATIONAL PROGRAM
Recreational Director –Sarah Hammes,