va,
I agree that all those kids have God given talent. But at least in Tidewater before AAU you got 16 - 18 Rec league games & maybe half a dozen All Star games if you were lucky. Not much of an opportunity to improve your game or level of competition. Something that you & Local 8SS both mentioned was the $$$$$$$. Things must have really changed if the AAU coaches are getting paid. Hearing that makes me wish I'd have stayed with it longer. Again things must have changed, but the AAU coaches I've known, sons' are all playing college baseball currently. I guess someone else saw something special besides "daddy". That can't be it. Must mean "daddy" is either an alumni or big "program" contributor.
This debate is surely a topic that could be debated on another thread. But, like I said, its not perfect, & the travel expenses & fund raising can be a pain in the neck but it is the best option around for high level competition for players thru age 16.