How Often Should My Select Team Practice?

(And Why Playing Other Sports in the Fall Might Be the Best Move)

One of the biggest questions select baseball parents ask is:

“How much is enough?”

It’s a fair question—select ball isn’t rec ball. The competition is stronger, the schedule is fuller, and development expectations are higher. But even with all that, balance still matters.

So let’s talk about how often your player should practice during the season, what off-season really means, and why multi-sport athletes win in the long run.

⚾ In-Season: 2–3 Practices Per Week (Plus Games)

During the spring/summer select season, your team is likely playing tournaments most weekends. That means your player is already getting live reps, mental stress, and game-speed decision making.

Here’s a healthy in-season rhythm:

• 2 team practices per week (field work, live reps, team drills)

• Optional skill work at home (short, focused sessions—hitting tee, wall ball, speed/agility)

• 1–2 rest days to recover mentally and physically

🧢 Coach T Tip: More is not always better. Practice with purpose, not just time.

Why it works:
This keeps your player sharp, growing, and game-ready without burning them out or overloading their week. You want them excited to compete on weekends—not drained from Wednesday overloads.

🧊 Off-Season: 1–2 Practices Per Week (Development > Competition)

The fall and winter months are prime time for skill development—without the pressure of box scores or trophies.

A smart off-season schedule might look like:

• 1 team practice/week (focus on fundamentals and mechanics)

• 1 individual or small group session/week (hitting, throwing, strength, etc.)

• Optional speed/agility work or mental training

🧢 Coach T Tip: Off-season isn’t about getting “ready to play” — it’s about getting better.

Why it works:
This lighter schedule gives kids time to recover from the season while still making meaningful gains in technique, strength, and confidence. Less stress = more growth.

🏀⚽ Why It’s Good to Play Other Sports in the Fall

Here’s a secret many parents don’t hear enough: playing other sports actually makes your baseball player better.

Whether it’s football, basketball, soccer, wrestling, or even swimming—multi-sport athletes develop:

• Better overall athleticism (balance, speed, coordination)

• Stronger mental adaptability

• Fewer overuse injuries (less stress on baseball-specific joints)

• Reduced burnout (fresh competition and new challenges)

In fact, most high-level baseball coaches (even at the college and pro level) prefer multi-sport athletes because they’re more coachable, more durable, and more mentally versatile.

🧢 Coach T Tip: The fall is a great time to be an athlete, not just a baseball player.

🚦Putting It All Together

📝 TL;DR

• During the season: 2–3 team practices a week is plenty. Add light work at home, and protect rest days.

• Off-season: Dial it back to 1–2 days/week of smart, focused development.

• Fall bonus: Playing other sports builds better ballplayers and better kids. Encourage it!