Podcast: Ruffnecks founder Steve August talks travel ball problems

The New England Ruffnecks are in their 20th year of existence. (Kelly Graber Photo)

Our latest guest on The Base Path Podcast is one of the most influential people on the New England baseball scene over the last 30 years. Steve August is a former Red Sox assistant general manager, and also the founder of the New England Ruffnecks travel ball program. Along with his business partner Stu Porter, August also funded the construction of the New England Baseball Complex in Northborough, Mass.

August shared his thoughts on the problems with the rise of travel ball programs across the country.

“No. 1, it’s turned into an industry and a money grab,” August said. “I think there are a number of red flags out there for the consumer — parents and kids. It’s terribly watered down, and it’s veered away from teaching baseball.”

August feels that most travel programs have deemphasized development in pursuit of getting players looks from college recruiters at showcase events.

“What happens in the travel ball mindset now is it’s, ‘Hurry up and play,'” August said. “Somebody from the tournament is coming down to your dugout and saying, ‘Hey, you’ve got 15 minutes to get your pitchers ready.’ There’s no infield or outfield. We didn’t practice yesterday. We’re probably not going to practice tomorrow. And if I didn’t get my offer today, I’m going to just go to another game or another showcase.”

August feels the trend of college coaches offering scholarships to recruits when the players are younger and younger is bad for the game.

“I do think it’s a problem,” August said. “The NCAA can address a lot of this stuff — the early commitments, the early talking to people, the transfer portal. But they have to have the will to change it, and, and all we’re doing with a lot of this stuff is robbing kids of their youth. There’s no reason for a ’26 or ’25 to be committed to a Division 1 school. Enjoy your life. Go play a couple of different sports. We’re all part of the problem.

“If you could put the genie back in the bottle, we’d be back into Legion Baseball and just kids playing and getting better. Guys still got to the major leagues, but travel baseball probably started because it’s exciting to go challenge yourself if you’re from Massachusetts against kids from Florida.”

Listen to the entire podcast with Steve August.

The New England Baseball Journal podcast is brought to you by the University of Nebraska High School.

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