That would depend on several things:

1. What age is the child who is playing?
2. What level is he/she playing at?
3. What are the expectations of the program?
4. Etc.

This question comes up a lot in youth sports venues. You can get answers that cover one extreme of everyone plays equal time no matter what to the other extreme that basis playing time solely on winning every game.

Even with the information that you have presented, with it being a select team (club traveling???), I would need to know the ages and club expectations before I would give any recomendations and why I would give them.

However, I will say this. The idea that one pays fees is not something I equate with amount of playing time at any age. It is much more important to base playing time on age appropriateness first and then take into consideration all the other pieces of the puzzle that have an impact.

Most leagues have a set amount that the coaches will be held to playing their players. I play in TTAB, it's 9 outs and 2 at-bats. If the time is cut short for a game that is run-ruled, the player who didn't get his time is started the next game, etc.

Kirk's exactly correct, we need more info to give you a more specific answer.

Hope this helps.....

My son plays on baseball travel team, after tryouts & he made it I payed DEARLY! The thing is these kids have to EARN their play time & position, these coaches are out to win.

Yes, select/ travel ball is totally different than city/rec ball. As a coach, I do know that most games have some point that you can get most of the players in. Equally, no, not everytime. But, when your blowing someone out or getting your rear handed to you as happens from time to time, you can get players who don't see as much as they'd like into the game.

It is political, it's who knows who, who's kin to who, and the parents should know this before getting involved. In my experience, that's just travel ball, anywhere you go.

As a parent of a select baseball player, you go into this with NO expectations of your child playing every game. This was a very difficult lesson for my husband and I. On our team, they earn their time.

Our son was going thru a MAJOR slump. Hitting, catching in the outfield etc. The coaches wouldnt even think about putting him on the pitchers mound and he was sitting on the bench during the bracket games. We spoke to the coach and he told us Alec just didnt have what he termed "The Eye of the Tiger" (lol). We sat Alec down, told him what was discussed with his coach and told him that if he expected to play baseball he would need to step up his game. We were not going to continue having him on this team and paying out so much money if he wasnt going to play.

Since that talk, Alec now plays every game. So far he has made several huge game ending plays, pitched 4 innings during a pool game (shut out the other team 7-0) and just yesterday pitched during a semi final game (we lost that one by 1 point due to errors, not pitching related).

Right now, our son's spot on this team is secure but that could change again if he doesnt play up to standards.

This topic is of special interest to me as I am struggling with the issue on my 9U travel team currently. I have 5 legitimate 9U players and 11 8U eligible players (5 of whom are technically 7U) on the team. This is my first year with the program. We are building and the younger guys are growing leaps and bounds. I believe the talent gets the kid an invitation to join the team and the fee secures his spot along with paying for tournament fees, uniforms, etc. From there on out, the best kids play as long as the commitment is equal (I will play a less talented kid who shows up at all practices over a more talented one who does not show up to practice). I believe that kids have to "pay their dues" and learn from both success and adversity. It is not what happens in 9U baseball that matters, it is that the kids come out of it better players and more importantly, people. That said, I make every effort to get kids in the field at least one inning and an at bat when possible. Sometimes, mercy rules limit flexibility. I think I owe it to the team to try to win as often as possible and to teach the kids how to win. Along with that comes the responsibility to teach them how to lose and how to battle back. Any thoughts or guidance are appreciated on how to best handle the playing time. Anyone have a formula?

Ron,
You seem to have a good handel on it. Travel is VERY different from city rec ball. Always make it clear to the parents how travel ball is done, what you as a coach want to see, and how you come to those decisions as to who plays, how much, etc. before they cut a check. I aslo would suggest writing a "Team Rules and Conduct" letter for them to sign. That way, when the parents start to grumble to other parents and to you, you can refer back to the letter if need be.
As a coach, you should want the kids to get playing time, but it's not always equal in travel ball. But in most games, at some point you can see a place to get the kid some playing time even if it's a single at-bat and 3 outs (but not always). I would like to say this as well, those kids cannot drive themselves to practice or games. You have to make a decision as to who is really the culprit if they miss practices. In my experience, it's the parents who are the ones who make the decision for them to go or not in many cases. just fyi

I like what Kirk said, especially about what is the expectations of the program. Is it about player development or trying to win a tournment or league. It's always worth looking into a program, meeting the coach and asking a few questions. We have teams here that travel to tournments and play other teams that are mostly based on player development and others teams that our trying to win national championships and play their most talented players. So it's always nice to know the goals of any particular program.

Your right Coach Moore,
Down here we make the distinction of "fall ball" teams vs. select or tournament teams. The fall ballers are in a more developemental stage, the director of that league makes that clear NOT to bring select teams to play, There's plenty of places to go for them if they want that kind of game.
Good answer there Coach.