Excellent back to back posts! Travel Ball at the highest levels require players that are capable of playing at the highest levels.
Our experience and expense matches TPM's. Many a day goes buy when I look back and wish we could do it all over again. Not because we would change anything, but because we had such a great time.
The key always remains, go where they love you, and properly assess your talent so you can be a contributor right away. I know if my son had been riding the pine, our experience would have been much different.