Ok, this statement is for everybody... Ask your kids in 15 years if it was worth it, then ask them if they will steer their kid, if talented enough, toward a club team. When you're at your next tournament, look around, see if everybody is really having fun. When was the last time you took your son camping, fishing, biking, or something else he likes to do? Or does he do anything else? Commitment is a valuable lesson, but so is being well-rounded.In America we put everything on steroids. Literally, look at steroids in HS sports. If I build a 500hp hot rod, you build one with 800hp... We're obsessed with how many gold medals we win at the Olympics. It's not healthy. But that's just my opinion, and you now what they say about those...
Actually took him fishing last Saturday. He didn't catch anything.
I think most people are having fun at the tournaments. And a lot of the fun is after the games. He'll think it is worth it. At his young age, he has accomplished more than a lot of his friends.
I think many of the players in rec ball aren't having fun. Many are there because mom/dad force them to be there. They drop them off and maybe they come back (been there waiting for dad to pick up little Johnny). The players who are "serous" get upset because their first baseman can't catch (but has to play there) or the kid who never shows up for practice gets to play equal time. The parents are upset because the dad "coach" knows nothing about baseball and the kid umpire can't get anything right. And then there is the 25-20 game with only 1 hit that left the infield. Most of the runs are scored on walks and "steals" of home. Where do I sign up! 