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Know What You Need: Choose a Travel Team That Matches Your Development Goals

This blog helps parents and athletes ask the right questions before selecting a travel or summer baseball program. Coach Leo Young explains why development—not branding or tournament schedules—should guide your decision. You’ll learn how to assess field time, coaching quality, and the actual opportunity to improve specific skills through repetition and real reps. Whether it’s defense, pitching, or hitting, choosing the right team starts with knowing what you need to get better.

SUMMER BASEBALL

Coach Leo Young

6/2/20252 min read

Know What You Need: Choose a Travel Team That Matches Your Development Goals

Every summer, families are bombarded with options: elite teams, showcase squads, invite-only programs. But the real question isn’t who wants you—it’s what do you need to improve?

What’s one specific skill you need to develop this summer to earn a spot in the fall?
Post your answer in the comments on the video.

Step 1: Identify the Skill You Want to Improve

Before you choose a team, figure out where you need to grow:

  • Are you trying to improve your defense?

  • Is your outfield positioning holding you back?

  • Are you missing opportunities at the plate or on the mound?

Once you’re clear on what needs to improve, you can start asking better questions.

Step 2: Prioritize Field Time and Reps

Development is built on repetition and frequency. Without consistent field time, you’re just filling out a schedule—not building skills.

  • Ask: How often are we on the field each week?

  • How many ground balls, innings, or live reps will I get?

  • Are we developing fundamentals or just playing games?

The cage doesn't count. The cage is a liar.
Live defense, real reads, in-game pitching sequences—that's how improvement happens.

Step 3: Ask Who’s Actually Doing the Coaching

A coach’s playing resume doesn’t mean they can teach.

Big league experience only proves they could play—not that they can help you improve.

So ask:

  • Who is teaching me my position?

  • Do they break down mechanics or just tell me to “figure it out”?

  • Is this a learning environment or just a travel schedule?

If your goal is development, you need a teacher—not just someone who used to play.

Want a Real Plan for Hitting Development?

If hitting is where you need to improve, Coach Leo’s book gives you a system for building repeatable, powerful mechanics through high-rep training and real-world drills.

BASS: Barrel Accuracy and Swing Strength – The Path to Elite Level Hitting
Visit: www.luposbaseball.com

Disclaimer:

The content shared is for informational purposes only. This is not a judgment of any person or program mentioned. All names and events are discussed from personal memory and are not meant to accuse or endorse. The goal is to share insight from lived experience.

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