Every year, I hear from parents in other programs mid-season… "Practice is canceled again." "Coach didn't show up." "They want another $500 for 'additional training.'"
I wish this was rare, but I see it every year. Families invest thousands of dollars in travel baseball programs that fall apart, burn out kids, or worse – damage their love of the game.
Here's how to spot the warning signs before you're stuck.
Red Flag #1: They Can't Answer Basic Questions
I spent every day in July on the phone with potential Gorilla families. Great conversations. Lots of detailed questions about our approach, philosophy, and development plans.
You know what I love about those calls? Parents who ask tough questions usually find programs that have good answers.
If a program can't clearly explain their coaching philosophy, player development approach, or season structure, run.
Good programs love talking about this stuff. Bad programs give you vague answers like "we focus on fundamentals" or "we teach the right way to play."
Red Flag #2: The Financial Shell Game
Watch out for programs that:
Quote you one price, then add "required" expenses throughout the season
Can't give you a complete financial breakdown upfront
Require you to use specific instructors for additional lessons
Have "mandatory" equipment purchases from preferred vendors
Keep adding tournament fees without explanation
Legitimate programs give you the total investment upfront. Yes, it might seem like a lot, but at least you know what you're signing up for.
Red Flag #3: Winning is Everything (At 10U)
I’ve seen a kid throw 50 pitches on a Saturday and another 70 on a Sunday to try to keep a team in a tournament.
They were 10 years old.
Programs obsessed with winning at young ages usually sacrifice development for short-term results. Your kid might win some tournaments, but they won't become better players.
Look for programs that talk about improvement, effort, and long-term development before they mention wins and losses.
Red Flag #4: One-Size-Fits-All Development
Every kid is different. Different skill levels, different learning styles, different physical development. Programs that treat all players exactly the same aren't actually developing anyone.
Ask these questions:
How do you handle players at different skill levels?
What happens if my child is struggling with something specific?
Do you have individual development plans for players?
How do you track improvement throughout the season?
If they can't give you specific answers, they probably don't have specific plans.
Red Flag #5: The "Dad Coach" Problem
Here's something that sets good travel programs apart: coaching decisions based on baseball knowledge, not family dynamics.
You know what I'm talking about. The team where little Johnny plays shortstop and bats cleanup because his dad is the head coach. Where coaching decisions are influenced by who's married to whom, or which family donated the most to the team, or who pays for private lessons the most.
Travel baseball should have coaching based on expertise, not family trees.
Look for programs that:
Separate coaching from parenting – Coaches can be objective about all players
Make decisions based on development – Not family politics
Have qualified coaching staff – People chosen for their knowledge, not their availability
Maintain professional boundaries – Clear separation between team decisions and family relationships
Some of our best coaches are volunteers who genuinely love the game and know how to teach it. But they're chosen for their coaching ability, not because their kid is on the team.
Red Flag #6: No Clear Communication Structure
How does the organization communicate with families? If the answer is "the coach will text you," that's not a communication plan.
Look for programs with:
Regular update schedules
Clear policies on practice/game changes
Structured ways to address concerns
Multiple communication channels
Red Flag #7: They Don't Want You Asking Questions
This is the biggest red flag of all. Good programs welcome questions. Great programs encourage them.
If a program makes you feel like you're being difficult for asking about their approach, costs, or policies, imagine how they'll handle your concerns during the season.
What Good Programs Look Like
They're out there. I promise. Good travel baseball programs:
Answer questions thoroughly and enthusiastically
Have clear financial policies and communication structures
Focus on development over winning at young ages
Treat players as individuals with different needs
Have qualified, paid coaching staffs
Welcome parent involvement and feedback
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off during your initial conversations, it probably is. Don't ignore red flags because you're desperate to find a team or because they have fancy uniforms and a nice website.
Your kid deserves better than a program that's going to waste their time and your money.
We've been having honest conversations with families for since we started putting teams on the field. If you want to know how we avoid these red flags in our program, give me a call. I'll tell you exactly how we do things and why.