Travel teams are an opportunity for players in our association (MBA) to participate in tournaments and competitive league play. Mars Travel Baseball is built with the understanding that each team is striving for success on the field, while developing the skills of each player through hard work and dedication. Travel Teams players are REQUIRED to go through a selective evaluation process. To help answer questions, please read through the FAQ’s below.

Travel Baseball Information:

When is the Travel Baseball season?

• 8U-12U: There will be winter and spring training followed by on-the-field practices beginning in late April (weather permitting). Tournament and Game schedules are determined by each individual team; however, most games and tournaments will begin in late May, and run through the end of July.

• 7U: Practices will begin late April/ early May (weather permitting). Tournament and Game schedules are determined by each individual team; however, most games and tournaments will begin early-June, and run through the end of July.
  

What is the difference between In-House and Travel Baseball?

• The 9U-12U tournament season is unlike the In-House season because, in the tournament season, there is not guaranteed playing time and players may play a limited number of positions. It is the manager’s duty to provide the team with its best opportunity to win. This will include making discretionary player selections, development of players through practice and instruction, strategy and game decisions and determining lineups. Managers have a duty to assign defensive positions and batting order based on what is best for the TEAM.

• The 7U-8U tournament season is unlike In-House season, because the goal is not only player development, but winning and success is also a big part of Travel ball. We strive to do this while supporting the players’ love for the game of baseball while teaching the basics of fundamental game play, playing multiple positions in the field and increasing their number of repetitions.
  

How much are travel evaluations?

• The fee for evaluation is $40.00

How are players evaluated?

• Each player will be evaluated on Infield, Outfield, Hitting, Speed and Coachability/Attitude.

• 9U - 12U will also be evaluated on Pitching and Catching
  
  • 9U will only be evaluated for Pitching, not Catching

• Player evaluations will be an aggregate of Spring In-House evaluations, Summer Travel evaluations and the traditional evaluation in August/March

• Mars Baseball Board Members, current Mars Travel Head Coaches & Assistant Coaches, and trusted Baseball minded members of the community (ex: Mars High School Head Coaches)

• Once evaluations have been completed, selected Head Coaches will build their teams. Starting with the Blue Team, the top 6 players are automatically placed. The coach then selects the remaining 4-6 players of their choosing. Once the Blue Team has been formed, the Gold Team coach will select their team. Similar to the Blue team, the Top 6 remaining players will be automatically placed. The coach then selects the remaining 5-6 players of their choosing. The White team will then be formed with players yet to be placed or that have requested to play on the White team.  

• 8U - 12U usually has 3 teams per age group (based on the number of kids that registered)
  •  Blue team (A)
  • Gold team (B)
  • White team (C)
• 7U teams will be split evenly into 2 (possibly 3) teams driven by evaluation scores. At 7U, there is no Blue, Gold, White classification. 

Travel Team Rosters

•  Rosters will consists of ~10-15 players, and selected through the above mentioned process led by the head coach of each team. 

• Non-Mars travel players (players who did not take part in Mars Travel evaluations) cannot be used as additions or substitutes for travel teams should they be short players. Only players on existing Mars sanctioned travel teams can be added to rosters for travel team tournaments 
  
  
  How are Travel Coaches selected?
  

• Head coaches need to express interest during the player registration process

• Child evaluates within the top 6 of their age group (Blue and Gold Teams)

•  Approved by MBSA Board

• Agree to and sign Coaching Agreement and Expectations set fourth by the MBSA (coming soon)

What the age groups for Travel teams?

• Travel teams start at 7U and go up to 12U

When are evaluations?

• Evaluation dates vary each year
• 8U-12U usually take place in mid/late August
• 7U usually take place in late March

Do we have to attend evaluations?

• YES, everyone is expected to attend evaluations if they desire to play on a Mars Travel baseball team

• Please stretch and get loose before you arrive as time will be limited to warm up prior to beginning.
• Please wear a jersey or uniform top that DOES NOT have a last name on it.
• USSSA or USA Bats allowed for evaluation. 7U, 8U, 9U is USA Bats Only. 

How much does Travel Baseball usually cost?

• 8U-12U usually runs ~$700 - $800 per player, however amounts may vary depending on the teams choices of number of tournaments they attend and uniform selection(s)

• The cost of 8U-12U Travel Team will be broken up into either 4 or 8 monthly payments, with billing beginning in September.
• This cost covers tournament entry fees, uniforms, winter trainings and other organizational dues (In-House dues)
  
• Note: In-House dues are not covered in the cost to play for 8U. 9U - 12U only

• 7U usually runs between $200-$300
  • This cost covers tournament entry fees, and uniforms. 

If my child plays on a Travel Team, do they have to play on Mars In-House?

• Yes, we do require that all Travel players register and play Spring In-House
• This helps build the Mars Baseball community
• All In-House dues are included in the cost of playing Travel baseball