Our Sophs participate in a 27 team JV league. Most teams are made up of players who just finished playing their Frosh year. This year most teams average around 11 or 12 games, with some such as Lockport playing 17 regular season summer games.
I believe that more important than the level of competition game in and game out, is the philosophy and coaching that occurs. One of things that is done each game is the coaches take the time to COACH. It is not just a group of kids playing, but players are held up to certain expectations. I know for a fact that a good coach spending 17 to 20 days with your son over the course of a summer can do nothing but benefit him as a ballplayer!
On top of the regular season this summer, the JV league has a 27 team, 5 day, single elimination tournament. This tournament gives each team a chance to work for something in the end. It also helps the boys realize the importance of every little thing that effects the outcome of the game. One error, one bad baserunning gaff, a missed sign... can cost you your season. These are lessons that I believe are sometimes missed in a travel setting unless each player is playing at a HIGH LEVEL OF COMPETITION.... which I believe a lot of players do not.