Im not sure why we are bashing travel ball. I feel like im in a wayback machine. Travel ball is the main process getting kids noticed these days. Yes, its expensive, but i don't think most if any of the teams are making any money and of all the teams i know of, the coaches don't pay themselves. If any thing, they are reaching into their own pockets to keep the teams going. Not to mention all the time they spend away from their families coaching, but also doing the administrative work. Filling out paperwork for each tourney, insurance, finding fields, tourneys, communications, etc. I did it...its a thankless job.
Besides getting noticed, travel ball is mostly for fun...and the thrill of going on the road. Playing on different fields, in different places. In some cases going to these bigger national tourneys and playing against some of the best kids in the country. A lot of teams include a "vacation" tourney where they go to a vacation spot like florida, virginia beach, myrtle beach. A lot of the younger teams go to cooperstown or basball heaven or other great baseball facilities.
Another great aspect of travel ball for high school kidsl is TRAINING DURING THE OFFSEASON. The travel teams are training all winter long getting the kids ready for school ball. It is very hard, if not impossible, to do training on your own. Remember that most dads are just dads, not baseball experts. High school teams can't "practice" with the kids in the off season and i don't think any legion teams do any off season training.
If you notice i'm not bashing legion. I love baseball and i think the kids and young men should play as much as possible for fun. Whether its travel, legion, little leage, school ball...WHATEVER. If i had my way i would love to see all the organizations work together so that the kids CAN do some or ALL if possible. That way they don't have to choose. Little leagues are falling apart because they are losing kids to travel. Some of the smarter little leagues are trying to be flexible to allow the kids to do little league and travel by trying not to schedule as many weekend games so kids can do both. I think legion teams are pretty flexible allowing kids to be on the roster but a lot of times miss weekend games.
I just think the bigger picture is that Delaware needs to work together on getting more kids noticed and playing by allowing a streamlined process of training, developement and playing to give the kids the full experience. Not by doing one or the other. But by organizations like little league, school ball, travel and legion working together.