So you’ve finally taken the leap from rec ball to select. First of all, congrats—and welcome to the chaos. You’re officially a Baseball Parent now. Your weekends will never be the same, your trunk is about to become a mobile locker room, and your kid is going to learn more about teamwork, pressure, and dirt than they ever did in a classroom.

While coaches and team websites will tell you about schedules and fees, there’s a whole other side to select baseball no one really prepares you for. We’re here to give you the real scoop—from gear costs to sideline politics.

Here’s everything no one tells you before your first year in North Texas Select Baseball.

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1. ⚾ It’s Not Just Baseball—It’s a Lifestyle Now

You thought you were signing up for a “competitive team.” What you really signed up for is a second full-time job.

You’ll spend your Friday nights packing coolers and your Saturdays hopping from ballpark to hotel lobby to Whataburger drive-thru. Sundays? You’ll be checking bracket schedules like it’s March Madness.

Pro Tip: Tournament schedules can change last minute. Download GameChanger and get used to living by your phone.

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2. 📱 The Team Group Chat Will Rule Your Life

If you’re not already in 47 group texts, congrats! You will be soon.

Expect game time changes, uniform assignments, snack signups, and those 10pm “Is anyone else bringing Gatorade?” messages. It’s chaotic—but necessary.

What they don’t tell you: Silence your notifications at your own risk. Miss one message and you’ll show up to the game in the wrong jersey at the wrong field with the wrong snacks.

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3. 💸 Yes, It’s That Expensive—and Then Some

You’ve probably budgeted for team dues, uniforms, and travel. But let’s break down what’s actually coming:

• Bat: $300–$500

• Glove: $150–$300

• Cleats: $60–$150 (and they’ll outgrow them mid-season)

• Bag: $80+

• Helmet: $60–$100

• Practice gear, warm-ups, and team swag: $$∞

And then there’s tournament travel, meals, hotels, hitting lessons, and cage time. Oh, and gate fees. Yes, you’ll be paying to watch your own child play.

Check out our favorite baseball gear guides.

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4. 🧠 Coaches Are Different in Select—and So Are the Expectations

In rec ball, it was all about fun. In select, coaches are developing players for the long haul. That means tough love, feedback on mechanics, and not always batting every kid every game.

It can be hard watching your kid ride the bench or get moved in the lineup—but remember, it’s part of the process.

What no one tells you: The best coaches aren’t the ones who coddle—they’re the ones who teach your kid how to handle failure and success.

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5. 😅 Your Kid Will Be Tested—And So Will You

They’ll cry in the car. You might, too.

There will be days your kid feels unstoppable… and days they strike out three times and want to quit. Select baseball builds resilience, but it’s not always pretty getting there.

Your job? Be their rock, not their coach. Let the dugout handle the baseball. You handle the hugs, the hydration, and the after-game heart-to-hearts.

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6. 👀 “Daddy Ball” Is a Thing—But It’s Not Always Bad

Ah, the age-old drama: Why is the coach’s kid always pitching or playing shortstop?

Sometimes it’s favoritism. Other times, the coach’s kid is just really freaking good. You’ll learn quickly how to spot the difference—and how to politely keep your opinions to yourself unless it actually affects your kid’s experience.

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7. 🚗 Your Car Will Become a Locker Room on Wheels

Hope you didn’t love that new car smell.

Between dirty cleats, wet socks, and mystery seed shells, your backseat will soon be a mobile clubhouse. Get a big gear bag, stash Febreze everywhere, and invest in a trunk organizer yesterday.

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8. 🏆 Tournaments Are Long. Really Long.

A typical Saturday looks like:

• Game 1 at 8:00am

• Game 2 at 2:45pm

• Pool play ends

• Bracket play starts (Sunday morning)

• Game 1 at 8:00am (if you lost both games)

• Championship game under the lights at 9pm

And that’s if there’s no rain delay, lightning, or coin toss shenanigans.

What they don’t tell you: Bring chairs, fans, shade tents, and maybe a Crockpot. Veteran parents have this down to a science.

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9. 🧃 Snack Bars, Sunscreen & Sanity: Your New Holy Trinity

You’ll forget your wallet, your hat, and your charger—but never the snacks. A well-fed kid is a happy player.

Also: North Texas sun hits different. Stock up on SPF, cooling towels, and game day chairs with cup holders that actually work.

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10. 🧍‍♂️ You’ll Gain a Baseball Family—But You Might Lose a Friend or Two

Baseball parents bond fast. You’re spending weekends together, sharing Gatorades, victories, and vent sessions. But sometimes… people clash. And that’s okay.

Your baseball circle will evolve, and not everyone makes it to next season. Choose positivity, avoid drama, and always cheer loud—no matter whose kid is up to bat.

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11. ❤️ You’ll See Your Kid Grow—Fast

Not just in skills. In maturity. In grit. In emotional intelligence. Baseball is a game of failure and comeback stories—and your kid is living one every weekend.

By season’s end, you’ll notice how they’ve changed: more confident, more focused, more resilient. And you’ll know it was all worth it.

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12. 😭 One Day, You’ll Miss All of This

The early mornings. The ugly hotel carpet. The walk-off hits. The car ride breakdowns. All of it.

Because eventually, the cleats will get smaller. The tournaments will slow down. And that dugout door will close behind them for the last time.

Take the pictures. Cheer too loud. Pack the snacks. Be there.

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⚾ Final Thoughts

Your first year in select baseball will test your patience, your budget, your GPS, and sometimes your sanity. But it’ll also give you a front-row seat to your child becoming something pretty amazing.

No one tells you how fast it all goes. But now you know.

So breathe deep. Bring shade. And welcome to the family.