The merger between the Yankees and the NY Nine was posted on the NY Nine web site dated for 2/24. There is no question that the number of local travel teams has skyrocketed. I don’t think it is just the dilution of the players through an increase in teams but the overall cost of the programs to attend various tournaments (the cost of the team itself plus travel expenses) which absent substantial fundraising is a high bar to participate in Baseball. Join that with the cost of showcases /camps to gain exposure and I can see why many parents in our area chose local teams and then attend showcases/camps on which to spend their money as opposed to high level travel teams. We try to strike a balance with our son because absent playing against the best players he can on a regular basis he just does not feel he can be competitive to develop his own skills and later on hopefully at college level. The high level travel tournaments whether localized in the Northeast where we are or further south joined with select showcases like the PG and others seem to be the balance he desires. I will add that he is lucky to have HS coaches in modified, freshman and JV that he respected and gave him all the opportunity to earn the field time he has, had travel coaches that clearly love the sport and want nothing but the best for the players and continue to push them to be the best they can be, and off season coaches and trainers that simply and clearly would take whatever time a devoted player wants to keep developing and learning. All of this provided life lessons on teamwork, getting along with people, respect, winning, losing and other matters far beyond just baseball. Given all of this, the overall cost of the travel and participation at tournaments along with the showcases in which he will participate are a small sacrifice for the experiences he is gaining. Lets face it, he is only young once and these days are never going to come again. We do whatever is necessary financially and through fundraising to afford him the choices to participate or not and make the most of his abilities and opportunities while they exist.