Travel Baseball

Our travel program has teams that complete in 8U-14U divisions of a local travel baseball league and tournaments. Most tournaments are within or near the Chicagoland area but each team will generally enter one destination tournament each season. Our 12U teams have been attending Cooperstown All-Star Village each year since 2014. Our 8U players are required to play in our house baseball league to encourage more repetitions for those players.

What aged players are appropriate for this program?

Our teams complete in divisions based on their age and grade level. Age levels: 8U through 14U. 6 and 7 year old players may tryout for 8U. High school freshman may qualify for 14U baseball depending on the league the team will play.

How much time should I anticipate for the seasons?

• Winter time (January-March): Teams will have 2 practices each week. These are voluntary but strongly encouraged.
• In-season baseball (April-July): Teams can expect 3-4 baseball events per week. These may be games and/or practices.

Teams will play 15-30 games over the course of the season which will be split up between league play and tournaments. Games may fall on any day of the week.

Where are practices and games typically held?

• Indoor trainings are held at "The Den" our exclusive indoor training facility.
• Outdoor home games and practices are held at Vernon Hills Athletic Complex (VHAC). Away games are played around Chicagoland, but mostly in Lake and Northern-Cook Counties.

Uniforms are purchased separately at Sports11 in Libertyville. Each player is required to have wear our designated uniform. Our uniform set includes 3 jerseys (home-white, away-royal blue, patriotic), white pants w/royal blue piping, gray pants w/royal blue piping, and the VH hat.

For the 2026 season, total travel fees are $800. Cost breakdown:

• $25 tryout fee,
• $275 roster acceptance deposit,
• $500 travel fee

Teams with paid coaches will have an additional fee of $400-$600 per player.

These fees cover:

• Indoor team trainings at our exclusive indoor facility,
• Outdoor practices at VHAC
• League play
• 3-4 tournaments
• Umpire for league games

REFUND POLICY: All payments are non-refundable. This includes, but is not limited to, cancellations, changes, or any unforeseen circumstances.

What costs beyond registration fees should be expected?

• Uniforms are purchased separately.
• Teams may chose to compete in out of town tournaments which may require a hotel stay.
• Teams with a paid coach are responsible for their paid coach’s hotel accommodations.

Vernon Hills Travel Baseball conducts travel tryouts in July for 9U-14U and in the fall for 8U. Players are evaluated on their hitting, fielding, throwing, and running skills. These evaluations are used to determine team placement or roster selection. The goal is to identify players who show strong fundamentals, potential, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Tryouts will be held at the Vernon Hills Athletic Complex (VHAC).

There will be a $25 non-refundable tryout fee. If a spot is not offered to one of our teams, the fee may be applied towards your registration fee for our recreational baseball fees.

What is included in the tryout process?

Players should arrive 30 minutes early to check in and get ready at the appropriate field. Players are escorted around our fields to run through infield, outfield, pitching, running and other position specialty drills.

Are spectators allow in the tryout area?

No, our tryouts are closed sessions. Parents/guardians/spectators will not be allowed in the field area.

When are tryout results communicated?

Tryouts results are typically communicated within 2-3 days after the primary tryout date.

What if my player can't make the primary tryout date?

You can email travel_baseball@vhcbs.com with the conflict and we can discuss an alternate date and time that will occur prior to the primary tryout date.

Where can I find more information around Vernon Hills Travel Baseball?

More details are noted under the Travel Baseball tab on this website. Additionally, email travel_baseball@vhcbs.com with any questions.

REFUND POLICY: All payments are non-refundable. This includes, but is not limited to, cancellations, changes, or any unforeseen circumstances. If you have any questions, please contact us at travel_baseball@vhcbs.com.