Why do you keep bringing up the places yur team is playing and or where teams ar from that you are playing as if that makes travel ball better than LL? I have seen teams from just about every state plus Canada. and PR. Your starting to sound like the Heat guys. I have seen teasm from those places that were very good and teams from those places that had no business playing at the level they wee attempting to play. Very very expensive and time consuming for the players and families to do that and that definitely is not for everyone either monetartily or from an aspect of what they want to have their family doing during their summer. A HUGE commitment. Not being involved with it doesn't make it bad for those not involved or mean those kids won't develop like those that are involved.
I know a guy who's kid was involved with the type of travel team you are on now. That team beat teams from all over including Florida, Texas, California, Hawaii, PR , Canada, Washington state, dominated this region, went to Cooperstown,etc. Of the nine year old team there is 4 D-1 players, 1 JUCO player, and 2 Jr. College players. The team was made of players from the entire Cincinnati area. Would that team as 12 year olds play with a very strong LL team. I think it would however that team was made up from kids from the entire area not a particular community. Big difference. GCPRO has posted of the players from a LL team and where they ended up playing in college. It looks to me like very good players who go on to play in high school and college are present in both. So my conclusion is that it really doesn't matter where the player plays. My suspicion is that it depends more on the player, his abilities, the coaching he gets and his ability to take what is taught to him and put it on the field which takes very hard work on the players part.
I was speaking with Mansfield. His team plays in tournaments we play in and I would like to see his team again. I don't care about WSLL and I was not comparing it to anything. Could not care less about you or your league.
I was speaking with Mansfield. His team plays in tournaments we play in and I would like to see his team again. I don't care about WSLL and I was not comparing it to anything. Could not care less about you or your league.
I guess I hit a nerve.
I think you should get off your high horse. I suggest if you want to talk to someone personally you PM them otherwise your comments are open to whoever wants to respond to them. Funny how you guys from the sunshine state like to make it out that you are the greatest players around. Read my post - I am not involved with and never have been involvd with WSLL but it sure was nice seeing those Fla. boys packing up their bags for the long flight home to Fla. from Cooperstown while the team from Cincy that shouldn't be able to compete with you guys that play year round went back the barracks to rest for the next game in the tourney.
In conclusion to you - players get better because they first have god given abilitites, are exposed to good coaching - have the ability to take what they are taught and put it on the field 9i.e. - they can listen) and they work their arses off. No other reasons. Saying it is becasue of travel ball or LL take sit away from who deserves the credit and that is the players.
Woody - it isn't as easy as saying if you play the better players you get better - some players wilt against the pressure - others dig deep to do what they must to get better and stay up with the players that are working to improve as hard as they are. Other players are just blessed with everything and all the measurables that scouts look for and don't have to work as hard. You are looking at a short-term approach of who is better at a given period. Thsi discussion has been about a long-term look at which is better LL or select ball. Bottom line is that is up to the player and has nothing to do with the type of ball he is playing as a 12 year old.
woody-how in the world would you know who could handle our wsll players? i will tell you that any kid throwing 70+ would be a handful for our kids but that hardly tells the entire story. do umpires in youth baseball nowadays clock pitchers speeds?
i could spend another 5 paragraphs telling woody and the mason comet man how many greater cincinnati teams i have personally witnessed beat a southern travel team but whats the point? allow them to believe what they choose. good baseball is played in a number or areas
Why do you keep bringing up the places yur team is playing and or where teams ar from that you are playing as if that makes travel ball better than LL? I have seen teams from just about every state plus Canada. and PR. Your starting to sound like the Heat guys.
Calm down IMHO, i think he was just curious where my team was going to play this summer in case we might see each other. I think you are overthinking it there. As far as the Heat reference that is ridiculous, you are obsessed with that subject and it has no berring here.
We will be :
Battle of the South
Road to Omaha
College Conference
Dublin Memorial
Flames Classic
Michigan Elite?
Columbus super nit
There might be more but it is still fluid right now.
I think you should get off your high horse. I suggest if you want to talk to someone personally you PM them otherwise your comments are open to whoever wants to respond to them. Funny how you guys from the sunshine state like to make it out that you are the greatest players around. Read my post - I am not involved with and never have been involvd with WSLL but it sure was nice seeing those Fla. boys packing up their bags for the long flight home to Fla. from Cooperstown while the team from Cincy that shouldn't be able to compete with you guys that play year round went back the barracks to rest for the next game in the tourney.
In conclusion to you - players get better because they first have god given abilitites, are exposed to good coaching - have the ability to take what they are taught and put it on the field 9i.e. - they can listen) and they work their arses off. No other reasons. Saying it is becasue of travel ball or LL take sit away from who deserves the credit and that is the players.
Woody - it isn't as easy as saying if you play the better players you get better - some players wilt against the pressure - others dig deep to do what they must to get better and stay up with the players that are working to improve as hard as they are. Other players are just blessed with everything and all the measurables that scouts look for and don't have to work as hard. You are looking at a short-term approach of who is better at a given period. Thsi discussion has been about a long-term look at which is better LL or select ball. Bottom line is that is up to the player and has nothing to do with the type of ball he is playing as a 12 year old.
Yes you did. Not on a high horse, our team pulls from Sarasota to Miami and are an excellent team. I have tried to civil and some of you just keep banging away. Mansfield has a great team that I admire and all I wanted to know was where he was playing. Nothing more, but you take it as a hit on LL? How does that work? I think LL has its place and it is not for my son. No problem if it is for yours.
For heavens sakes look at the other thread in the Baseball about the WSLL Fall Meeting...What a freaking mess! They are one of the best LLs anywhere and based on that thread, they have more politics issues than we ever have. Yes, thats what I would want to be involved with...Not.
As for Cooperstown, teams of all skill sets go to Coopertown for the experience. Not just to win it. So your argument runs on deaf ears.
But for the sake of the argument...
Cooperstown Weekly Champs History:
2009 - 11 winners from West & South, 1 from the Midwest & North.
2008 - 9 winners from West & South, 3 from the Midwest & North.
2007 - 11 winners from West & South, 1 from the Midwest & North.
2006 - 9 winners from West & South, 2 from the Midwest & North.
Most every year looks the same.....
FWIW: There was a really good team from Middletown that won one week July in 2005. Not sure if it was made up of LL kids, but it was a really good team.
We play BB 48 weeks a year down here. The kids should be better at 12, based soley on reps alone. But the bottom line is EVERY kid is different and matures at a different pace. My son was 5'3" 130 at 10. Hair on his legs and biceps. (No lifting allowed) He has continually progressed every year in Select ball. He does not throw a curve ball yet (I won't let him). He throws plenty of other pitches. Gas and location works just fine. Not on a high horse, just know it works for him and us.
Our rec expereince was fine, but just not where HE wanted to be. Do you think we really want to fundraise every week for a team with a 60k budget? No, but that is what it takes to do this. IN MY FAMILY travel ball is the best option. You decide what is best for yours.
Can we please just agree to disagree and move on?
Last edited by Mason Comets : 11-06-09 at 10:06 AM.
Yes you did. Not on a high horse, our team pulls from Sarasota to Miami and are an excellent team. I have tried to civil and some of you just keep banging away. Mansfield has a great team that I admire and all I wanted to know was where he was playing. Nothing more, but you take it as a hit on LL? How does that work? I think LL has its place and it is not for my son. No problem if it is for yours.
For heavens sakes look at the other thread in the Baseball about the WSLL Fall Meeting...What a freaking mess! They are one of the best LLs anywhere and based on that thread, they have more politics issues than we ever have. Yes, thats what I would want to be involved with...Not.
As for Cooperstown, teams of all skill sets go to Coopertown for the experience. Not just to win it. So your argument runs on deaf ears.
But for the sake of the argument...
Cooperstown Weekly Champs History:
2009 - 11 winners from West & South, 1 from the Midwest & North.
2008 - 9 winners from West & South, 3 from the Midwest & North.
2007 - 11 winners from West & South, 1 from the Midwest & North.
2006 - 9 winners from West & South, 2 from the Midwest & North.
Most every year looks the same.....
FWIW: There was a really good team from Middletown that won one week July in 2005. Not sure if it was made up of LL kids, but it was a really good team.
We play BB 48 weeks a year down here. The kids should be better at 12, based soley on reps alone. But the bottom line is EVERY kid is different and matures at a different pace. My son was 5'3" 130 at 10. Hair on his legs and biceps. (No lifting allowed) He has continually progressed every year in Select ball. He does not throw a curve ball yet (I won't let him). He throws plenty of other pitches. Gas and location works just fine. Not on a high horse, just know it works for him and us.
Our rec expereince was fine, but just not where HE wanted to be. Do you think we really want to fundraise every week for a team with a 60k budget? No, but that is what it takes to do this. IN MY FAMILY travel ball is the best option. You decide what is best for yours.
Can we please just agree to disagree and move on?
Funny thing this thread is about travel ball -vs- LL not a discussion of what is best for your son or mine. You keep posting responses to me like I am involved in LL. Again - I am not and never have been involved with or anyone in my family playing in a LL organization.
Your 5'3" 130 lb 10 year old sounds like he has begun ( or even completed) the maturation process earlier than other kids.
A 60k budget for a kids baseball team in these economic times when people are losing thier homes and having trouble finding jobs. One question I have is what happens to the kids that can not afford to play on your team. I am sure there are some very good players that are in situations where they simply can not afford to be involved in that type of travel. Do you think those kids because they can not play on a team like yours are doomed to play another sport or can they catch up in the long run with your super men? I have been posting on this topic with a long term approach in mind. I really don't care who the better player is at 12 years old I want to see players develop so that they are good high school and college players.
Sadly, something is wrong when parents have to practically bankrupt themselves in order to get their kids on a "good" team in the hopes they get noticed. This will discourage those kids who are good players but who can't afford the high price to play. The whole sport will suffer because ultimately only the players from the well-to-do families get to play at the highest level, and not always will this be the best players.
Since when did baseball become so elitist? Not a good thing for ANY sport.
Funny thing this thread is about travel ball -vs- LL not a discussion of what is best for your son or mine. You keep posting responses to me like I am involved in LL. Again - I am not and never have been involved with or anyone in my family playing in a LL organization.
Your 5'3" 130 lb 10 year old sounds like he has begun ( or even completed) the maturation process earlier than other kids.
A 60k budget for a kids baseball team in these economic times when people are losing thier homes and having trouble finding jobs. One question I have is what happens to the kids that can not afford to play on your team. I am sure there are some very good players that are in situations where they simply can not afford to be involved in that type of travel. Do you think those kids because they can not play on a team like yours are doomed to play another sport or can they catch up in the long run with your super men? I have been posting on this topic with a long term approach in mind. I really don't care who the better player is at 12 years old I want to see players develop so that they are good high school and college players.
I can understands the longterm approach and there are plenty of supporting devices out there going both way on burn out. We really don't know about that with our son. He is still having fun and I never have to push him to get ready for practice. He did mature early, but is still growing. Eating us out of house and home....
Naples is a different kind of animal. More money than sense in most cases.. Sponsorship is tough, but not insurmountable down here. I think that there is some unreal number od CEO's that live here. (I am not one of those for sure!) But the money is here. We also do allot of inservice with other programs away from SWFL to help them as well. Some of our money goes to help clubs that cannot raise funds.
As for kids that do not have it (I don't) is one reason we fundraise so hard. To my knowledge those cases have not have to come up. We spend every weekend that we are not playing, doing fundraising. The kids bond even more and they learn the value of earning their own way.
Funny you mention the other sports. I am a Lacrosse coach. It is a spring sport and indirect competiton with BB. Ironically the fastest growing sport in the US is Lacrosse. Unreal how many kid are giving up BB for Lax down here. I know that Lax is growing by leaps and bouunds in SWO also. With the weather like it is down here (75 through the winter) the opportunity to play year round is really great. You can just go to the park and find a pickup game anytime. When SWO teams are fighting for indoor space.
The florida minset is another thing I cannot really comment on. Kids seem to be either driven to play or driven to the beach type life...I am not looking forward to those years...
Sadly, something is wrong when parents have to practically bankrupt themselves in order to get their kids on a "good" team in the hopes they get noticed. This will discourage those kids who are good players but who can't afford the high price to play. The whole sport will suffer because ultimately only the players from the well-to-do families get to play at the highest level, and not always will this be the best players.
Since when did baseball become so elitist? Not a good thing for ANY sport.
I agree with what you are saying. Playing on a team that wants to travel and experience other states is a challenge, but not elitest. In our case, if the parents don't get involved with fundraising, the kids suffer in terms of where they go play. So we fundraise very hard to get them the opportunity to go to those tournaments. I think I have paid out a total of $500 this year. Granted the travel costs can get high, but our fundraising covers the families too. If we didn't try so hard to cover all the families, our budget would probably be around 30k for the boys alone. That would cover all the tournaments and travel. Around $2500 per kid.
That is not unrealistic for a team that doesn't play in a league, but plays tournaments to pay that much per kid.
I can understands the longterm approach and there are plenty of supporting devices out there going both way on burn out. We really don't know about that with our son. He is still having fun and I never have to push him to get ready for practice. He did mature early, but is still growing. Eating us out of house and home....
Naples is a different kind of animal. More money than sense in most cases.. Sponsorship is tough, but not insurmountable down here. I think that there is some unreal number od CEO's that live here. (I am not one of those for sure!) But the money is here. We also do allot of inservice with other programs away from SWFL to help them as well. Some of our money goes to help clubs that cannot raise funds.
As for kids that do not have it (I don't) is one reason we fundraise so hard. To my knowledge those cases have not have to come up. We spend every weekend that we are not playing, doing fundraising. The kids bond even more and they learn the value of earning their own way.
Funny you mention the other sports. I am a Lacrosse coach. It is a spring sport and indirect competiton with BB. Ironically the fastest growing sport in the US is Lacrosse. Unreal how many kid are giving up BB for Lax down here. I know that Lax is growing by leaps and bouunds in SWO also. With the weather like it is down here (75 through the winter) the opportunity to play year round is really great. You can just go to the park and find a pickup game anytime. When SWO teams are fighting for indoor space.
The florida minset is another thing I cannot really comment on. Kids seem to be either driven to play or driven to the beach type life...I am not looking forward to those years...
LaCrosse is the biggest growing sport in America but it is starting from relatively nothing as compared to the other major sports that have a large base in which it is being compared for growth.
I experienced some guilt pains for being so involved with a travel team thru practice, games and of course the countless hours of fundraising as compared to hours with my other kids not involved in the travel baseball. Do you have any other kids?
You are beginning to touch on some reasons why I have come to the conclusion that LL is not a bad way to go before joining up on a travel team as far as the long term development of a baseball player is concerned.
Why is it that these teams are travel only teams and not affiliated with some type of league in order to play some local games?
Reading this thread is a great reminder why I like LL to age 13. IMO it is ridiculous to spend that money at any age. To travel like that is a huge commitment, good luck to the both of you.
My sons were very fortunate to play on very good teams with little or no cost. From the ages of 14-18 I do not think I paid over 150.00 for either one of them. Teams they were on captured World Series titles in NABF,USSSA and NSA. Pretty much played everywhere east of the Mississippi. I guess we were just fortunate
Reading this thread is a great reminder why I like LL to age 13. IMO it is ridiculous to spend that money at any age. To travel like that is a huge commitment, good luck to the both of you.
My sons were very fortunate to play on very good teams with little or no cost. From the ages of 14-18 I do not think I paid over 150.00 for either one of them. Teams they were on captured World Series titles in NABF,USSSA and NSA. Pretty much played everywhere east of the Mississippi. I guess we were just fortunate
Interestingly enough the costs actually go down for some families as the kids get to the ages that college scouts are looking at them because the bigger organiztions are looking for ways to compete with Midland to keep the players they have developed over the years. One of the ways is to fund the 16-18 year old teams internally to provide no cost to the player as Midland does in those years. Additionally since high school takes over around 14 years of age for approximately the January thru May time frame - the real decision in my eyes for whether to have your son involved in travel baseball is the 13 and 14 year old ages. After that the only baseball is travel baseball so there is no decision. Some will say you need to be involved for exposure purposes but there are so many showcases and college camps available now I am not sure that is needed.
LaCrosse is the biggest growing sport in America but it is starting from relatively nothing as compared to the other major sports that have a large base in which it is being compared for growth.
I experienced some guilt pains for being so involved with a travel team thru practice, games and of course the countless hours of fundraising as compared to hours with my other kids not involved in the travel baseball. Do you have any other kids?
You are beginning to touch on some reasons why I have come to the conclusion that LL is not a bad way to go before joining up on a travel team as far as the long term development of a baseball player is concerned.
Why is it that these teams are travel only teams and not affiliated with some type of league in order to play some local games?
With lacrosse, cost is still a factor. The equipment can run you 300 to 400 without a helmet. I do like coaching it, because it is an inclusive sport from a capabilities standpoint. I can find a place for any kind of athlete. They just need the heart. I enjoy coaching it more because most parents haven't figured out the game just yet!
I have a daugter with Austism (we are blessed, she is high functioning) and she really enjoys the aspects of going to tournaments and hanging out. It has helped with her socialization and has helped us as well to see that she is comfortable in a social setting. Because of his travel, we have also gotten to see alot of the US and meet great baseball people across the country.
I have often asked why his team doesn't get into a local league down here, but never really gotten a good answer. For a team that thrives on reps, it makes sense to do that. They practice two nights (Tu/Thu) a week on tourney weeks, with pitchers throwing on Tues. Non Tourney weeks, its 3 times a week. Maybe the coaches feel that it is better to work situations, vs games. But it is a good point.
Sorry Woody, your baseball philosophy is as tired as your "three yards and a cloud of dust" offense. Kids can play Little League through 12 years old and not miss a beat. Not sure what happens in the Lone Star state but our boys back here in Ohio catch up quite nicely (with the proper coaching of course). In about one week of tournament competition and a couple of weeks of practice, kids pick up the lead offs, holding runners etc.
Nothing worse than watching a track meet at age 10 because kids can't make throws and teams just steal on every pitch. A single becomes a triple two pitches later, just stupid. Not sure that is how the game is supposed to be played. Plenty of time for the kids to play "real" baseball when they are mentally and physically prepared to do so.
The theory that it hampers their baseball growth in some way is just ignorant. Don't care what direction kids choose, but saying that kids are two years behind is nonsense.
Lived it in Ohio.
You are completely wrong. I played for select teams through age 14. At age 10 NO ONE stole bases on us because our catcher threw anyone out that tried. In tournaments with LL and knothole teams, even champion LL teams, the scoreboard would have to be turned off... actually, vs some select teams we would have to turn the scoreboard off.
Kentucky Kids (Villa Hills, KY) 49-7, winners of the NBC WS in Harrison, Arkansas. You might have heard of the catcher, Luke Maile, is playing now for UK.
Most of the better players play travel ball. thus experience playing against better competion gaining experience at a higher level. Although in the past few years some so called travel teams are really teams put together buy Dads or organizations ( if you have the money you can play teams ). If teams can not compete with teams like Columbus Cobras, Cincinati Midland, or teams of this caliber they should not be referred to as Travel teams
The influx of teams leaving rec and going to travel has greatly increased. Many dads like what they see in travel but for one reason or another dont play on a travel team. Therefore they start their own. This is common and not necessarily bad. Those boys deserve to play baseball and they get to do it under one sanctioning body or another. But it has diluted the opinion of what Travel ball originally was and is. The only way this is bad is if people in travel baseball have an ego trip and dont like travel baseball getting watered down talent wise. But it doesnt really matter, those boys are playing whether anyone likes it or not. I think it is good for baseball. The more teams the merrier. I support travel baseball rules, dimensions, and passion to develop kids in baseball. I dont really care about the argument of who is best LL vs Travel, play it on the field. AGain, LL changes some rules and we have a winner.
Reading this thread is a great reminder why I like LL to age 13. IMO it is ridiculous to spend that money at any age. To travel like that is a huge commitment, good luck to the both of you.
My sons were very fortunate to play on very good teams with little or no cost. From the ages of 14-18 I do not think I paid over 150.00 for either one of them. Teams they were on captured World Series titles in NABF,USSSA and NSA. Pretty much played everywhere east of the Mississippi. I guess we were just fortunate
Was there more exposure to college and pro scouts in summer ball or school ball ?
Most of the better players play travel ball. thus experience playing against better competion gaining experience at a higher level. Although in the past few years some so called travel teams are really teams put together buy Dads or organizations ( if you have the money you can play teams ). If teams can not compete with teams like Columbus Cobras, Cincinati Midland, or teams of this caliber they should not be referred to as Travel teams
Let's face it - there's not many travel teams around the country that can compete with Midland - many of their kids aren't even from Ohio. But I agree with you - there's tons of travel teams out there - some good, some not-so-good.
Summer ball definitely gives kids more exposure to scouts than h.s. ball does; however, there's so many travel teams that have sprung up, it's tough trying to sort through to determine which one is the best one for your kid. Before committing to a team, I'd ask which tournaments they play in first. If they play in the Connie Mack, Black Swamp, etc. then you know your kid might be seen because a lot of college scouts come to those tournaments. However, when scouts come to these tournaments, often they have particular kids in mind that they are coming to see. If your kid is interested in playing for a particular college, e-mail the coach of that college first (before the tournament) so that college can be aware of your son. Also (and here's where the "it's-who-you-know" part comes in, unfortunately) - if you can have a coach or someone with a baseball link put in a good word for your son, this seems to help a lot.
Whichever travel team you choose, make sure your kid is able to get significant playing time. This is the only way he'll improve, the only way he'll remain enthusiastic about baseball, and the only way he'll be seen by scouts.
Let's face it - there's not many travel teams around the country that can compete with Midland - many of their kids aren't even from Ohio. But I agree with you - there's tons of travel teams out there - some good, some not-so-good.
Summer ball definitely gives kids more exposure to scouts than h.s. ball does; however, there's so many travel teams that have sprung up, it's tough trying to sort through to determine which one is the best one for your kid. Before committing to a team, I'd ask which tournaments they play in first. If they play in the Connie Mack, Black Swamp, etc. then you know your kid might be seen because a lot of college scouts come to those tournaments. However, when scouts come to these tournaments, often they have particular kids in mind that they are coming to see. If your kid is interested in playing for a particular college, e-mail the coach of that college first (before the tournament) so that college can be aware of your son. Also (and here's where the "it's-who-you-know" part comes in, unfortunately) - if you can have a coach or someone with a baseball link put in a good word for your son, this seems to help a lot.
Whichever travel team you choose, make sure your kid is able to get significant playing time. This is the only way he'll improve, the only way he'll remain enthusiastic about baseball, and the only way he'll be seen by scouts.
Totally agree, my comparision using Midland was to illustrate what a real Travel Team should strive to be, In Ohio there is some very good teams and each year they strive to become better they also should be considered Travel Teams. Some so called Travel Teams will campare differently to LL than some of the better Teams, Short list may include Cin Flames. LE Bulldogs,Warhawks, Sharks,Ind Prospects, Ohio Heat,Ect
To all-there is Midland and then there is the rest. There is no comparison, no matter what anyone else will tell you. Having said that, there is plenty of other great places to play in southwest Ohio. If there is a large price tag attached, run like heck. Money will not help you in any form. Just play, they will find you if you can.
To all-there is Midland and then there is the rest. There is no comparison, no matter what anyone else will tell you. Having said that, there is plenty of other great places to play in southwest Ohio. If there is a large price tag attached, run like heck. Money will not help you in any form. Just play, they will find you if you can.
GC...Can I ask when you think Midland, what comes to mind? Before we moved there seemed to be many teams calling themsleves "Midland" at the lower levels. I had always thought of THE Midland teams to be the ones that played near the Midland Corp offices. Whats your thoughts?
Yes you did. Not on a high horse, our team pulls from Sarasota to Miami and are an excellent team. I have tried to civil and some of you just keep banging away. Mansfield has a great team that I admire and all I wanted to know was where he was playing. Nothing more, but you take it as a hit on LL? How does that work? I think LL has its place and it is not for my son. No problem if it is for yours.
For heavens sakes look at the other thread in the Baseball about the WSLL Fall Meeting...What a freaking mess! They are one of the best LLs anywhere and based on that thread, they have more politics issues than we ever have. Yes, thats what I would want to be involved with...Not.
As for Cooperstown, teams of all skill sets go to Coopertown for the experience. Not just to win it. So your argument runs on deaf ears.
But for the sake of the argument...
Cooperstown Weekly Champs History:
2009 - 11 winners from West & South, 1 from the Midwest & North.
2008 - 9 winners from West & South, 3 from the Midwest & North.
2007 - 11 winners from West & South, 1 from the Midwest & North.
2006 - 9 winners from West & South, 2 from the Midwest & North.
Most every year looks the same.....
FWIW: There was a really good team from Middletown that won one week July in 2005. Not sure if it was made up of LL kids, but it was a really good team.
We play BB 48 weeks a year down here. The kids should be better at 12, based soley on reps alone. But the bottom line is EVERY kid is different and matures at a different pace. My son was 5'3" 130 at 10. Hair on his legs and biceps. (No lifting allowed) He has continually progressed every year in Select ball. He does not throw a curve ball yet (I won't let him). He throws plenty of other pitches. Gas and location works just fine. Not on a high horse, just know it works for him and us.
Our rec expereince was fine, but just not where HE wanted to be. Do you think we really want to fundraise every week for a team with a 60k budget? No, but that is what it takes to do this. IN MY FAMILY travel ball is the best option. You decide what is best for yours.
Can we please just agree to disagree and move on?
Interesting you would mention the Middletown team from 2005--that was a AABC select team from the SWOL National League. Indeed, they were a good team. They had a couple of stud players but the rest of the squad was solid too. They were well coached and played real baseball. The rest of the league caught up to them too over the past few years. The select teams in the Cincinnati area are very good and feared in any tournament in the country--all age groups. Most of the top teams belong there but some do not and are there just because their check cleared. AABC was started to provide the better kids a chance to play better ball more consistently. It has gotten watered down a bit with all the teams. You need to have fewer, better teams so the players can improve. Nothing is learned by a 15-1 run rule game. I have seen both select and LL/knothole teams and it is not even close--select is superior.
MasonComets-Midland is now 16-18. At one time there was a 15-16 team, a 16 team, 17 team, an 18 team and a combined 17-18. Now for the most part it is 16, a combined 17-18 and then the Redskins. Most of the younger teams I believe just get some money along the way. As was stated the Redskins are the cream of the crop in this area but have very few local kids. The Indians and the Braves are more likely to have a number of local kids but still throw in some tranfers from other places.
Interesting you would mention the Middletown team from 2005--that was a AABC select team from the SWOL National League. Indeed, they were a good team. They had a couple of stud players but the rest of the squad was solid too. They were well coached and played real baseball. The rest of the league caught up to them too over the past few years. The select teams in the Cincinnati area are very good and feared in any tournament in the country--all age groups. Most of the top teams belong there but some do not and are there just because their check cleared. AABC was started to provide the better kids a chance to play better ball more consistently. It has gotten watered down a bit with all the teams. You need to have fewer, better teams so the players can improve. Nothing is learned by a 15-1 run rule game. I have seen both select and LL/knothole teams and it is not even close--select is superior.
The rest of the league caught up to them too over the past few years.
I find this to be an interesting statement. The Middie Pride team was playing a large number of games starting at age 9. I am thinking they played 80 or more games at age 12. In the long run, that early lead doesn't mean that much. Is select superior? Of course it is. In the long run though kids can catch up just like they do in select.
The rest of the league caught up to them too over the past few years.
I find this to be an interesting statement. The Middie Pride team was playing a large number of games starting at age 9. I am thinking they played 80 or more games at age 12. In the long run, that early lead doesn't mean that much. Is select superior? Of course it is. In the long run though kids can catch up just like they do in select.
This is exactly the point being made. The discussion of select -vs- LL is about whether it is better for the development of a player to play LL or select which takes them to 12/13 years old. Nothing to do with the Midland Redskins, high school age teams, etc.
Sponsorship is tough, but not insurmountable down here. I think that there is some unreal number od CEO's that live here. (I am not one of those for sure!) But the money is here. We also do allot of inservice with other programs away from SWFL to help them as well. Some of our money goes to help clubs that cannot raise funds. 
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