BHD, I think it's a matter of definition. Around here (I don't live far from ECB), travel teams generally do not play in a local league. There are a couple of "travel leagues" where teams form and play teams from other towns, but they also play in tournaments all over. The "league" games they do play are not on any kind of schedule like a normal LL or Cal Ripken league or even a town sponsored league. The coaches get together and make the schedule on their own. These are independent leagues put together so different "travel teams" can play each other during the week or when they don't have a tournament on the weekends. There are no all-star teams coming out of this since all teams are independent travel teams.
Most of the "travel teams" are formed and participate in tournaments only. You might even classify them as tournament teams. They don't have to be "elite" because there are all level of teams from "elite" to "A" teams. If the rec leagues around here formed all-star teams, they would get whooped because virtually all the more talented kids are playing on the independent travel teams.
Just at ECB alone, there are between 8-10 travel teams per age group. There are probably another 20 (at least) teams per age group available in the Metro Atlanta area. Really, it is not even that special to be playing on a travel team around here anymore - or even at ECB. If you are one of the better players in the area, you have to know which teams are the better teams and try to get on one of them. If you're not careful, an "elite" player could wind up on a very bad travel team. Probably wouldn't happen, but you do have to be selective of where you go. A lot of recruiting going on for the better players in the Metro Atlanta area.
Anyway, I think the definitions of what we are talking about may be different.