[bizaro86]

My son played spring baseball this year for the first time, and it turns out he's pretty good at it for a 10 year old. A number of the other coaches/parents have suggested he play travel ball. This summer would be out due to pre-existing vacation plans, but we could conceivably make next year work.

I'm not naive enough to think MLB is realistic (I'm a 6'1" white guy and he projects to be the same, plus he's Canadian) so any baseball future isn't part of the decision.

Biggest concerns to me are not having time for vacations/school friends/other activities, potentially high pressure environment, and potential for overuse (he threw 75 pitches in their recent championship game and definitely had shoulder soreness - I wouldn't want that constantly repeated). I'm also a bit concerned about my younger son (who isn't athletic to a similar degree) feeling left out.

Biggest upsides are being part of a team, better coaching/skills, baseball friends, potentially good way to keep busy during teen years.

Anyway - what say you CP hive mind? Tell me the stories of you/your kids playing competitive hockey/baseball/soccer/badminton/swimming etc. Also open to advice on whether this is awesome and a great experience, or whether trading summers in Europe for driving to baseball tournaments in Taber is crazy.