Here's another thing that should be considered. My former neighbor put two sons through travel ball. Thinking that by playing the better competition it would give his sons a leg up on those who did not and it would benefit them when they got into HS baseball. Here's what he told me after it all shook out. His sons got into HS baseball and ended up not being good enough to start. They were second string players their entire HS baseball career. Not getting one scholarship offer etc. But here's the kicker. A lot of the guys who started ahead of them did not play travel ball. Some played in the local leagues and at that particular time weren't very good players themselves. But as they grew and developed they got better.
His conclusion was this (and to some degree I agree with him). When it comes to elite athletes and those who go on to play college and then go onto play pro ball. It is God given. You can't coach it, teach it etc. They either have the natural born talent or they don't. As it pertained to his sons, he got the most out of their talent. They "peaked" at the age of 12 and their development came to a halt. Because their physical abilities had reached their maximum output. The players who played in the lessor leagues, who his son was better than through 12 years old but eventually passed his son in HS. They were simply born with more natural talent and when his sons' physical talent had peaked theirs were just starting to develop.
He's basically saying what I think you are alluding to as well. Playing travel ball will not guarantee a scholarship to a major college. Heck, it can't even promise you a starting spot on your local HS team. So put athletics into perspective and use as an avenue for enjoyment for the kid. Not as a tool to turn them into a professional baseball player.
His conclusion was this (and to some degree I agree with him). When it comes to elite athletes and those who go on to play college and then go onto play pro ball. It is God given. You can't coach it, teach it etc. They either have the natural born talent or they don't. As it pertained to his sons, he got the most out of their talent. They "peaked" at the age of 12 and their development came to a halt. Because their physical abilities had reached their maximum output. The players who played in the lessor leagues, who his son was better than through 12 years old but eventually passed his son in HS. They were simply born with more natural talent and when his sons' physical talent had peaked theirs were just starting to develop.
He's basically saying what I think you are alluding to as well. Playing travel ball will not guarantee a scholarship to a major college. Heck, it can't even promise you a starting spot on your local HS team. So put athletics into perspective and use as an avenue for enjoyment for the kid. Not as a tool to turn them into a professional baseball player.
