These articles get very tiring. He doesn't agree that kids should seek higher level competition on travel teams, but somehow Little League on TV is ok - seems inconsistent. Also, would he write the same thing about kids taking Honors or AP classes, or hiring a tutor for the SATs (or something else he might deem worthy)? I doubt it. As far as travel ball being a status symbol - give me a break. Maybe 10 or 20 years ago, but not today. I don't know if the author's kid played youth travel ball or not, but my experience was not like he described at all. He seems out of touch. We had great family fun, visited some great places, and yes spent a ton of money (our choice, no regrets whatsoever). One of our sons moved on and is doing other things (again, no regrets and no one is "screaming and yelling that coach ruined baseball for him" as he suggests) and one son is still playing and loving it. Why look for something bad in that?