FAQs

Worthington “Travel” baseball is a program for young people who demonstrate the skills and commitment to develop as players in a competitive setting.  “Travel” baseball requires a significant time, energy and financial expense from players, parents, and coaches.  Typically, this includes a year-round commitment to team and practice.

Each age group, 8U through 14U, will have a first team called the Nationals Red.  This team will compete at the highest possible level commensurate with the talent and experience of the players on that team.  When appropriate, based on the number and quality of eligible players at tryouts, WYB will field a second team, which will be called the Nationals Blue. 

Schedules vary by team; however, most Worthington teams play a 25 – 35 game schedule including tournaments.  As the name implies, the schedule includes travel in and around the greater Columbus area, often during weekday afternoon and evenings.  Weekends may include tournaments and double-headers.

Game schedules largely are influenced by our parent organizations, Nations Baseball and COYBL.  Most of these organizations require that games be played between April 1 – July 31.  Typically, Worthington teams begin game play after the first week of April and end game play in early July.  Practices are scheduled year-round.

Travel fees vary by team.  Fees are determined by the number of games, tournaments, and outside events that each coach schedules.  Typically, most team fees range from $350 - $500.  This includes a non-refundable $150 deposit.

It is important to note that uniforms are not included with this fee.  Typically, uniforms are an additional $150 - $200 depending on choice. 

Additionally, personal player equipment such as bats, glove, and cleats are not provided.  Some teams may provide bat bags and helmets as part of their initial fee; however, this is not mandated by the program.

It is a misconception that players should “play up” at their grade level.  The Worthington Select Baseball charter strongly encourages players to play on age appropriate teams, not grade appropriate teams.  “Playing up” is discouraged.  Generally, a player will be permitted to “play up” only when he will be playing with his classmates and, even then, only upon approval of the director. 

It is important to note that Worthington Select Baseball is a community program, utilizing local resources.  It is not a regional or “elite” program.  Generally, only Worthington School residents are eligible for the Worthington Select Baseball program.  In rare instances, the charter allows for up to two out of district players with Travel Director approval.  Approving players from outside the district is rare, particularly, if it results in cutting players from Worthington. 

Any player currently on a Worthington Select Baseball team roster that successfully completes the tryout process and is offered a roster spot for their returning team, may return to that team regardless if he is out of district or “playing up.” 

The 13U and 14U travel baseball season formally will begin after the conclusion of the middle school 7th/8th grade baseball season.  This schedule provides the option for players to participate in both programs if they choose.  If the teams scheduled games during the same calendar period, players would not be eligible to be active participants on both rosters simultaneously (7thor 8th grade and 13U or 14U).

Under the current structure in Worthington, players will have the following options:

1. Players may participate in both middle school baseball and 13U or 14U travel baseball teams, if they wish.
2. Players do NOT have to participate in both middle school baseball and 13U or 14U travel baseball.  They may choose to participate in one baseball program, or neither, or both. 

Similarly, 13U and 14U travel baseball players have the option to participate in other spring sports (middle school or otherwise) such as lacrosse, track, and club soccer.

Under the current structure, players who are age appropriate for 2019 12U travel baseball and grade appropriate 2019 7th grade baseball are not eligible to be active players on both rosters (7th grade and 12U).

These players may choose to participate in both middle school baseball and choose to “play up” with their grade appropriate 13U travel baseball teams, if they wish.

Or, these players have the option to participate in other spring sports (middle school or otherwise) such as lacrosse, track, and club soccer and may choose to “play up” with their grade appropriate 13U travel baseball teams, if they wish.

Or, these players may choose to play 12U travel baseball.  In this case, these players are not eligible to play middle school baseball.

The travel director must approve any other option on a case-by-case basis.