@RJM is on point with all that. Not all programs are about development either. Some in our area just collect checks. You need to go to an appropriate leveled team with the appropriate training and events.
Just this week we (17s) were at 18U WWBA. Team came in from CO and brought 13 guys. It was 13-0 after 3. They didn't want to invoke the run rule to let their guys keep "playing". I sort of get that, given the cost and time commitment of the tourney, but we scored 11 in the next inning and that was with holding guys back on base. Won 24-0. That was an expensive trip for that team and parents. But WHY? They didn't get any "good" looks at an event like that. All the scouts would return to the stands and talk amongst themselves when they would take the field and/or they would film our guys batting. I felt bad for them.
If you travel to big events you have to come prepared. We were on another regional travel team last summer and we came to 16U WWBA with 13 guys and not enough pitchers to go deep. The parents were talking about playing to win vs playing to show. We were there to "show" and not to win. You can't with 13 guys in a huge tournament like that. The program did what it said it would do, "get your son to be seen and in front of college scouts". Which was helpful for a lot of our boys. We were competitive, just didn't have the pitching depth to survive. A lot of the guys started conversations with schools because of that event. Mission accomplished.
Just because you're paying money for a travel team doesn't mean they're going to develop, maybe they just travel. Private instruction is key, if you can afford it and keep up with it or be lucky enough to find a team that does both. They're aren't many. We have a lot of programs in our area that prey on Parent's Hope, don't develop, and collect checks. We know to avoid those places.
HS ball is different in different parts of the country and states. TX for example has good HS ball in some areas and bad in others. HS Ball in our area is meh and we don't get much if any instruction at our HS. (and that is OK as we know that and plan accordingly). Our coach doesn't get involved in recruiting much (which is OK, and we know that up front). Not fair to put that kind of pressure on someone that doesn't do that or want to. So we found a travel team that did a little instruction, but was competitive and traveled. We utilized HS for what it is for us which is Reps not development. Reps to get in shape and stay healthy but prepare for summer ball.
Our local travel team doesn't travel much out of state and my son wanted to get East to be seen by more schools than TX and surrounding states. So in the Fall when they weren't going to Ft. Meyers for the 2021 WWBA and Jupiter for the 2020 we asked around and sent videos and metrics to the national travel teams and are VERY HAPPY on East Cobb Astros. Great organization and great coaching and they travel and show very well. Have lots of exposure and great relationships with Coaches and scouts. It couldn't have worked out better. They guys all get along and are having a lot of fun playing great baseball.
Hopefully everyone behaves and we can keep playing. PG is going gang busters in GA, FL, and AL and plans to continue. If school goes virtual again, they're going to keep hosting tourneys, as long as they're allowed.
Yes they make money but they also put out a good product.
Find a good team that is a good fit for your son and best of luck. Everyone has a shot at playing at lots of levels and all those coaches are hungry for players for their teams. k
