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It's a bit hard to definitively give you advice with the info above. I can tell you my experience.  My 2023 MIF played on the B team of a large travel org.  He liked the coach and org so he just wanted to stay there through HS.  He was admittedly discouraged when he went to some tourneys because there were never any colleges at his fields.  But ultimately as a low D1 but good fit D2/D3 player with good grades, it didn't really matter for him. His org didn't really have anything to do with his placement. We pretty much did it ourselves using the info here.   

Now 2025 P plays for the A team of the same org.  His team has several D1 commits and the phones lit up for half the kids earlier this month.  They get lots of colleges at the big tourneys.  2025 can hit a little but he's been pidgeon holed as a PO.  So the games are kinda boring for me when he's not pitching.  Here's where it's tricky.  I suspect being on this team will be helpful if he ends up going a D1 route.  But he would rather be "over qualified" for the college level of baseball and he's mostly focused on academics so if the right fit D1 doesn't happen, he would go HA D3.  In which case, being on this team did not matter.  In fact, you could argue it hurt him becaus, while he will be a PO in college, extra hitting reps now would have been good for HS ball.

Here's what I think.  At 15U, reps are very important and you already said he wouldn't be a starter on the new team.  You can trust me that if he develops into a 16 year old stud, he will be able to find a spot on this same team the next year.  At the top team level, there is turnover every year as kids leave due to lack of playing time or politely get kicked off.  That all said, getting better as a position player does require facing the best pitching you can.  If the new team allows for that then maybe that is the right step.  But I note that you said he faces similar competition with his current team.

If he has D1 dreams, then as a position player, he will be much more recruitable being on a well known team.  If he doesn't care as much, then I suspect he might be like my 2023 where it didn't really matter (to a point).

heartbreak and failure is a core feature of the game for him and us as parents.  Whatever you decide, it will probably work out.  If he flames out, he might work even harder in the next off season. 

Your response put everything into perspective in a different way. I would add a few things. First off it is just a spot for the fall so things could change very quickly.

I don't believe nor has anyone told me he is D1 material.  However multiple coaches have told me he definitely has the ability to play in college. Local D3/Juco would be our goal so perhaps a quality B team is just fine. However my son turned down that option from other organizations.

I love the idea of him just getting more reps, building skill first before attempting a move like this.

As far as seeing good pitching he has seen some but because his team seldom made it to the playoffs so he missed some opportunities to see the better pitchers. This team will typically go deeper into the playoffs.

Collectively as a family we were so torn. In my eyes there is nothing better than watching my kid play alot, pulling out a slump, hitting well,  continuing to develop baseball IQ, grow and get faster. Last season he was able to do all that and got lots of playing time and guest played alot. He had a successful season.

But I know in my heart that he has the motivation and drive, some talent but he's not a stud. So I always ask myself do I just keep encouraging him to push himself knowing most likely this is a stretch right now or encourage him to stay where he is known, where he will play more. Where it is safe.

You are right if he flames out it may motivate him more.

The only other factor is he just starting HS this year as well so there will be a lot of changes coming up quickly that he may not be ready for all at once.

Please excuse the parent anxiety he is my first.

Your son will likely learn more from some failures and some heartbreak than he will learn staying behind your protective shield. At his age no decision is irreversible. Get him (and you) out of his comfort zone and see how he responds. He may surprise you. Just my opinion.

I think putting him in a position to improve is essential.  If you are always the best on the team, you might not "see" how to get better.  What does your player want to do? If he wants to give it a try, why not?  Good players want to excel, and they look for ways forward.  Wouldn't it be great if he had another terrific player in the infield?  I imagine all those missed throws on the mediocre team would be outs on the better one. My son is a pitcher, but once he found a team where the catcher could actually catch him  -- it was a revelation.  Instead of bases on passed balls, he suddenly had Ks. He became more confident right away.

I'd say give it a shot.  Nothing is irreversible at 14-15 (except overuse injuries).

Son just finished freshman year/15U this year.  We had to find a new travel team for the first time after many, many years heading into this year (old team had no high school travel program).  Son also started high school and had to try out, make, and then earn playing time on one of his high school teams.  He was put on teams with older and extremely talented players and he had to WORK.  He had to discover the weaknesses he had and decide to improve upon them in the offseason.  That will be up to him.  We had no say in his team placement in high school (and most of us do not).    He was not placed on the "easiest" team (there were 2 younger high school teams he could have made), and I fear if he had been, perhaps he could have felt more like a star, but he would not have the motivation he currently has to improve and work on his game.  He faced much older pitchers at times and very talented pitchers, as well (everyone on his new travel team is talented and we faced a great deal of excellent competition).  All in all?  None of it was familiar aside from the game of baseball.  There were highs and lows.  But I think he was put in the right places to both contribute and to understand where he needs to continue to grow.  Hopefully, you can find the same for your son.

Being called a top player and he won’t start doesn’t mesh. Quality instruction and practice reps are important. But the real test of improvement and development is on the field.

It does appear leaving his current situation is the right move. A motivated player shouldn’t be around players who lack motivation and accept losing.

My recommendation would be something in the middle. Leave the existing situation. Get in the best coaching and instruction environment where he can start.

If you can’t find something in the middle take the new situation as long as he will get on the field a reasonable amount of the time. If it doesn’t work out at least it’s competitive and he will get exposure and you will see potential solutions with other competitive programs for the following year.

Good luck.

Being from the Atlanta area, we have teams aplenty at all levels.  Two teams are purely mercenary. Show up and be ready to play. If you perform, you get to stay and play some more. If you fail, you'll be number 45 on the depth chart.  You don't want either team.

Two organizations are known for development. Kids get their chances to play. Teams are very good and very competitive.  Will go deep in most tourneys.  You want these teams.

If the team you are looking at offers better competition and better development, go for it.  Even if there is a little less playing time. At 15, you need development and competition, even if it is against your own teammates.

Find out the reputation of the team and decide from there.

There are so many pieces of advice here. I am grateful.  I really want my son to be exposed to better players then himself so he can emulate them. We played a team recently that was just so much more advanced in every way in the field. Their baseball IQ was just so high. Their base running and infield was amazing. I want my son to play with  more players like that. I think it will help him alot.

Unfortunately my son hasn't had the opportunity to be on a winning team except in school ball for a very short season.

The coach's reputation and the program is very good.  I think my son will learn a ton from him. It seems like at least for the fall he will get a decent amount of opportunity because positionally they need him.

I am going to focus on the positive and be my son's biggest cheerleader and mostly throw lots of bp.

Bittersweet times leaving the familiar and going into the unknown.