quote:You have changed your stance which is encouraging.
I think not. But perhaps I did not expand enough.
There are some things to be gained through small diamond travel ball at any age but they are not deal breakers in making the HS team. However, they are attributes with value, especially pushing the kid who hasn't had to work to succeed in rec ball. Travel ball for gifted players is essential once they are playing on the full sized diamond.
The mental side and passion comes from a good coach which can be found, or not, in any venue. I have interpreted your position to be that small diamond travel is essential for future success which I do not believe. We will have to agree to disagree on that point.
If I knew that a given munchkin (age 12 or less) was the next coming I would encourage his parents to get him with the best coaching they could, regardless of team orientation. But I cannot tell how good a player is going to be until about age 16 so I prefer to wait until getting a peek at his performance on the full sized diamond before recommending travel ball. Save the money until then.
I cannot answer issues that you raised about Canadian baseball or hockey since I have no knowledge on which to base an informed decision. I could guess that in Russia etc. that hockey is the sport of preference in the cold months whereas in warmner climes it is basketball. More numbers playing equates to higher numbers of players with the necessary innate ability. Or perhaps it is the genes thing. All guessing on my part.
Perhaps it you who is changing his stance on the roles of innate ability and learned skills. Then again....