re: How many private lessons do I need to sign my lilbaw up for before he makes the big league

You don’t need to sign him up for any. But If your kid enjoys playing and there’s a specific coach he trust and likes going to hitting with then let him go.

I have coached “Travel ball” teams and in my opinion travel baseball is ruining the sport for kids and teaching them nothing about life.

You have coaches that only care about winning a youth tournament. Parents that only care about what little johnny’s batting average is, being able to say he’s a “majors player and think that posting stats and videos at 11 years old is going to get their kid drafted. Hearing a parent/coach talk about his 11 or 12 year olds spin rate or launch angle makes me puke.

It’s a fricking shitty environment these days but with that being said if your kid loves baseball and you enjoy watching him play then do your part and find a team/coach that understands what’s important. Youth baseball can be great experience with the right people. I’ve always put emphasis on learning how to play as team and trusting each other. Being selfless and putting the team above individual stats. How to handle failure/success and wins/losses (don’t fricking yell at a kid/team for making and error or losing a game). How many rings you win in youth baseball doesn’t matter. And above all else enjoying the game and having fun playing it. I see so many kids who look terrified after making one mistake cause badass coach thinks it’s ok to embarrass a kid by yelling and tearing him apart in front of everyone. Those coaches suck and take the fun out of baseball and ruin baseball for the kids.