When I talk about LL I'm discussing the preteen years. Once thirteen a kid should be looking for the highest level of ball he can compete. The pecking order here is travel, Junior Legion, Connie Mack and LL Juniors/Babe Ruth. My son was placed on a Connie Mack roster as an emergency player at thirteen and fourteen. He called the few games he played mid week BP.quote:JR's is about dead and I have never seen the next level play in LL.
LL is still strong here. But all the good programs have their potential all-stars playing in the USSSA Sunday doubleheader league now. It became very popular in our district after I formed the travel team and the all-stars proceeded to win two districts (lost sections to the state champion twice). It became very popular on this side of the state since the team that went to the LLWS when my son was twelve played travel ball on Sundays.
At 13U I reorganized the travel team with four players from our all-star team and added nine of the best former LL players from the district. The following year the team was merged with another team. To watch the evolution of teams from 13U to 15U was interesting. Many teams folded by 15U when daddy discovered his kid couldn't play the game couldn't make the high school freshman team.