This is for 2018, So my 12u (will be 13u next year) may have the opportunity to join one of, if not the most elite team in the state. The coach really likes my son, sees potential, but also knows he is not quite the caliber of his current players. While no decision has been made by the coach, the coach did advise me, as of right now my son would not start. He would have the opportunity to play in every game, he may get in 3 or so innings a game. They play a lot of games, so his playing time would be equal if he played on another team that plays less games. The coaching is done by some of the top coaches around. The team plays the toughest competition around. The group of kids and parents are wonderful. The coach did say my son would have the opportunity to earn more playing time, he wants to see my son succeed. They practice 3 times a week, which does not include personal training. The cost of the team is only travel expenses. The only other options that we have found so far (and my son is on this team) are other aau teams, but what we have found is that they only practice 1x per week. While the coaches are good, they are limited on time and I feel the practices aren't what I was really looking for. They had their first games this week and while they play well together, the competition isn't that great, they only do 4 tournaments, the season ends mid June (where most seasons go to end of July). There is a charge for this team (fairly reasonable), with no overnight traveling required for tournaments. There are other aau teams available (that go until and of july)and some are good (not as good as the elite team), but they are also significantly more expensive (so we would possibly need to stop getting private lessons). Plus they travel as well - so we would incur travel expenses, plus they are located father away, so travel to practices would be an hour or hour and 15. The elite team coach believes in pitch counts, doesnt want them throwing curves, believes in them having a high baseball IQ - all the items that matter. I spoke to my son and he is OK with not starting and sitting out a few innings every game and possibly only playing 2-4 innings.
Any thoughts, anyone go through this? Again - the coach has not made up his mind just yet, so there is no decision to be made just yet, but I would like to be ready to make a decision should one be offered. I know the coach and his family and they are good people.
Thanks