Iowamom23 posted:Seems to me we'd all be better off if we just worry about finding the best experience possible for our own child.....
I am very thankful that we live in a time where there are other options to choose besides High School Baseball. Here in Wisconsin, High School Baseball is essentially a 5 week season because of weather related issues.
In response to other comments: I have coached, both at the high school level & travel ball. I've coached kids in multiple high schools across our region and talk to coaches, parents, players & former players on a regular basis and have a pretty good idea of what goes on.
I've seen coaches violate rules as they have their "winter workouts" be team practices and essentially extended tryout times. I've seen coaches (at high school's other than my kid's) start players who are the sons of their biggest boosters and have losing season after losing season and seemingly not care. I've heard coaches at parents meetings say that they like coaching because it "keeps them young" and then schedule 5 day road trips in preseason for their team where they play 1 game and the rest of the time it is rock climbing and go cart racing etc (all on the parents dime) when meanwhile back at home the program can't afford one decent batting tee.
I've seen kid's arms destroyed. I've seen kid's mentality destroyed. I've seen antiquated mechanics "taught". I've seen weeks of practices go by where kids don't get ground balls hit to them. I've seen dozens of games where kids don't get pregame BP. I've seen coaches threaten kids with never playing Varsity if they don't play summer legion with the school.
I could go on & on. I've been on the inside and seen so much.
I'm very, very glad there are other options.