2019Dad posted:I actually disagree with the best 9 approach for travel ball. In travel ball, you're paying, and plus at any given tournament the "best 9" might (1) already be committed, or (2) not have a coach there to see him at that game, whereas 10, 11, or 12 might have a coach there. Etc. A lot of different factors come into play.
In high school, OTOH, you are trying to win a league title and state title. It's a team sport in a way that a lot of travel ball is not. And it's not fair to the team, IMHO, to not play the best 9.
Yep, kind of by default, don't you think? You need a larger roster with arms, of which a lot of position players will pitch as well. With travel you can very easily have how many games in 4 days? 6-9 games depending on size of tourney. Half the team has to give an inning on the mound which offers up opportunities for the needed back up guys. Now it's the challenge of the coach to manage his roster.
I get it why some parents still get ticked, to pay that much for fees and travel, and son doesn't see more than a few innings in a four day tournament. Half the time the player knows his role and he's ok with it, he still wants to be on the team.
This also gets back to the importance of finding teams where your son will see the field (club-travel). Parents have to do due diligence prior to writing a check.