Here is another longtime poster's comment on Marcel and he saw him at ASU>.
Are you talking about SS Marcel Champagnie? That kid plays his position very well too, and he can flat out fly. Best I've seen in college for awhile.
My opening comment was.
My son's friend is hitting .431 and has a slugging % of 756 in his 1st season with ARS. Kid was always a tough out.
Great job.
Not sure you saw the same guy.
BHD every area is different I am sure. Your experience tells you that it is critical. But that is based solely on your experience. Others base their opinions on their experiences.
I have a kid in the Majors that never played travel baseball. He played local rec league and then HS. He was drafted out of HS and reached the Majors. I have another that did not play travel he only played local rec ball. He was also drafted and has done very well and I expect one day to see him in the majors. I have had guys that played travel ball that have done very well also.
I have had several come into hs very well schooled in the fundementals of the game and advanced for their age. But their talent only took them as far as solid hs players. I have had guys come in very raw in their baseball skills but developed into outstanding baseball players and played at a high level after hs.
The most important years are the HS years when kids begin to develop physically and mentally. This is where the instruction , coaching , desire , work ethic come into play. Everything prior to these years is all well and good. But in the end the kids with the ability are going to win out , period.
That is my experience. Yours tells you something different. That means your right in your experience. My experiences tell me something totally different.
I have a kid in the Majors that never played travel baseball. He played local rec league and then HS. He was drafted out of HS and reached the Majors. I have another that did not play travel he only played local rec ball. He was also drafted and has done very well and I expect one day to see him in the majors. I have had guys that played travel ball that have done very well also.
I have had several come into hs very well schooled in the fundementals of the game and advanced for their age. But their talent only took them as far as solid hs players. I have had guys come in very raw in their baseball skills but developed into outstanding baseball players and played at a high level after hs.
The most important years are the HS years when kids begin to develop physically and mentally. This is where the instruction , coaching , desire , work ethic come into play. Everything prior to these years is all well and good. But in the end the kids with the ability are going to win out , period.
That is my experience. Yours tells you something different. That means your right in your experience. My experiences tell me something totally different.
Every team we played from NC was a travel team. I am sure some areas call it rec but they have great players. Our area the great players play travel and the rec guys are not even HS level. I think I was clear on that. I also understand the regional difference in the US I have been through many of the states over the years and have relatives in Atlanta, Marblehead with cousins who have attended colleges in several states. Have traveled extensively through Texas California, New York, PA Jersey and many other states.
We have played US teams for years from an early age. We never played a rec team. They were all travel and Legion teams.
If rec is so wonderful in some areas what do the kids play that just want to play for fun ? Ours play rec.
I suppose you are going to tell me the Dirt Bags are a rec team.
Is this what you look for ?
Understand that our team competes against the top teams in the country. We are only looking for top-shelf players who can compete at a very high level to be a part of our team. By filling out and sending in this form, you are expressing a genuine interest in playing for The Dirtbags and you are requesting our staff to consider you for our team. Please understand, with the volume of requests we receive, we are unable to answer each questionnaire individually. Thank you for your interest in DIRTBAG BASEBALL!
We have played US teams for years from an early age. We never played a rec team. They were all travel and Legion teams.
If rec is so wonderful in some areas what do the kids play that just want to play for fun ? Ours play rec.
I suppose you are going to tell me the Dirt Bags are a rec team.
Is this what you look for ?
Understand that our team competes against the top teams in the country. We are only looking for top-shelf players who can compete at a very high level to be a part of our team. By filling out and sending in this form, you are expressing a genuine interest in playing for The Dirtbags and you are requesting our staff to consider you for our team. Please understand, with the volume of requests we receive, we are unable to answer each questionnaire individually. Thank you for your interest in DIRTBAG BASEBALL!
Yes we look for players that we feel can compete at a very high level. We invite them to tryout and we evaluate them. We scout HS games etc and we try to find the best we can find.
These are HS aged kids. These are not youth players.
These are HS aged kids. These are not youth players.
I have seen many travel "youth" and showcase "hs" teams that were nothing more than rec teams. And I am seeing more and more of them.
Its not where your at as much as it is what your doing where you are.
Its not where your at as much as it is what your doing where you are.
What age do you recruit ?
My point is that you have to start early to be able to play at at a high level.
My point is that you have to start early to be able to play at at a high level.
Adam Loewen got a 7.2 million dollar deal right out of HS at 17. Do you think he pitched rec ball ?
Bobble we used to field a rising jr team and a rising sr team. Now we field a rising fr and soph team as well. I coach one of the teams and move around at times filling in for other coaches. I evaluate and scout for players as well.
I am not a big fan of showcase for these younger guys. I think they would be much better served getting more instruction at an earlier age and play some. Vs getting tons of games and very little instruction time. But thats just me.
There are two things I think are critical for young baseball players. Throwing mechanics and hitting mechanics. I have seen kids that I believe could have been very good but they were taught some things that they could not unlearn. They just never could recover from it. I have also seen some kids that got good solid coaching in hitting and throwing mechanics at a young age and it really helped them down the road. I would much rather have a kid that was never taught one thing about hitting or throwing coming into hs than get a kid that was taught very well how to do it very wrong.
There is no doubt that a kid that gets good coaching and instruction at a young age and plays against good competition at young age has a big advantage over their competition when they get in HS. But I have seen travel coaches that were clowns. All they did was pick the best players at 10 and roll out the bats and balls and kick the s@it out of everyone. Then every year they "upgraded" by picking up the next stud and dropping the guys that didnt improve. By the time the kids go to HS none of them were at an advantage.
Your right in my opinion that good coaching and competition at a younger age helps a great deal. But there are many that over come poor baseball situations when they get to HS. And there are many that find themselves in a bad HS situation and are doomed.
Parents that take a role when they see their kid loves the game at a young age and help guide them in the right direction and situation help their kids alot. But in the end they still have to develop , work hard , develop a work ethic and have talent.
I have always been one that believed I could take a poor player and help him become average. An average player and help him become good. A good player and help him become very good. And a great player was just a great player. I do all I can not to mess that kid up.
I am not a big fan of showcase for these younger guys. I think they would be much better served getting more instruction at an earlier age and play some. Vs getting tons of games and very little instruction time. But thats just me.
There are two things I think are critical for young baseball players. Throwing mechanics and hitting mechanics. I have seen kids that I believe could have been very good but they were taught some things that they could not unlearn. They just never could recover from it. I have also seen some kids that got good solid coaching in hitting and throwing mechanics at a young age and it really helped them down the road. I would much rather have a kid that was never taught one thing about hitting or throwing coming into hs than get a kid that was taught very well how to do it very wrong.
There is no doubt that a kid that gets good coaching and instruction at a young age and plays against good competition at young age has a big advantage over their competition when they get in HS. But I have seen travel coaches that were clowns. All they did was pick the best players at 10 and roll out the bats and balls and kick the s@it out of everyone. Then every year they "upgraded" by picking up the next stud and dropping the guys that didnt improve. By the time the kids go to HS none of them were at an advantage.
Your right in my opinion that good coaching and competition at a younger age helps a great deal. But there are many that over come poor baseball situations when they get to HS. And there are many that find themselves in a bad HS situation and are doomed.
Parents that take a role when they see their kid loves the game at a young age and help guide them in the right direction and situation help their kids alot. But in the end they still have to develop , work hard , develop a work ethic and have talent.
I have always been one that believed I could take a poor player and help him become average. An average player and help him become good. A good player and help him become very good. And a great player was just a great player. I do all I can not to mess that kid up.
Bobble do you think that travel baseball makes the kids talented? Or could it be they were selected to play because they were already more talented than the others?
quote:Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
You can banter this about all you like but the fact is the sooner you learn the better your odds are.
My question regarding this statement would be...
The sooner you start learning what?
quote:
Is there any parent here who's kid played their 15 games of spring rec ball, did noting else baseball related until next spring, play more rec ball and then went on to play HS baseball?
I get the sense there isn't anyone here that has a kid who went this route. Is it possible? I suppose so but I doubt it.
I would like to read a post from somebody who's kid did make their HS varsity team that played strictly rec ball.
This is exactly what Zack has done.
I wouldn't say he did nothing else baseball related as he works year round. But he has never played travel ball.
quote:There are two things I think are critical for young baseball players. Throwing mechanics and hitting mechanics. I have seen kids that I believe could have been very good but they were taught some things that they could not unlearn. They just never could recover from it. I have also seen some kids that got good solid coaching in hitting and throwing mechanics at a young age and it really helped them down the road. I would much rather have a kid that was never taught one thing about hitting or throwing coming into hs than get a kid that was taught very well how to do it very wrong.
This is exactly what I was saying. My son never showcased and received several offers off a DVD I made of him mostly at 17.
I would add footwork and balance which I think are the most important things. I have also seen kids who can't un learn bad habits.
We used to get high level fast ball players who really struggled to convert to BB.
The original post was about good and bad in travel ball and not travel vs rec and the early development being unnecessary.
quote:Bobble do you think that travel baseball makes the kids talented? Or could it be they were selected to play because they were already more talented than the others?
Coaches need the talented players who he can they can teach to play and execute properly.
I used my son's BKTB coach as an example.
For a few years his HS team traveled to Vegas to play a couple tournaments in Arizona. It was a 4A school and we beat the regularly. The coach retired here and was hired by the team in Arizona. They had the same players as it was his 1st year there. He coached the team to their 1st state championship in 50 years. They held a ticker tape parade for him and the team.
So a great coach can take a bunch of talented team and turn them into a great team.
I once saw a hockey player when I was at college. He was from Boston. He had more natural talent than almost any hockey player I ever saw. He was exciting to watch. He failed because he couldn't be coach at the JR A level. He was the product of poor coaching. I saw him do things you wouldn't believe. He scored 2 goals against the Russian Nats while he was upside down after leaping over the 2 defense men. I saw him score 9 goals in a JR A game to break Sil Apps record the OHA. He also broke every rule and was passed around from team to team. Always suspended. He was so good they gave him a shot in the NHL and he was unable to play as a team player. He only lasted a few games.
A good coach can bring out the best in a player but they need something to work with.
quote:The sooner you start learning what?
You shouln't have to ask that. If you have seen a truely great coach with years of MLB experience your mouth would drop at what you don't know.
Jeesh BHD, why do you always have to one up telling us about all the players you know who got drafted all the important people you knew in baseball, etc. etc.
I don't think that Daque went off topic, it did when we began hearing about how good canadian sports is.
I don't think that Daque went off topic, it did when we began hearing about how good canadian sports is.
One thing I learned over the years that all players even the great ones need great coaching. Slumps can be mechanical and mental. Good coaches help the player work through the issues but that means they have to recognize the issues.
My son would stray and I was always videoing him and was able to correct issues. When he went to college in SC he had a great P coach the 1st year and he had a very strong year except for 1 inning. The 2nd year he was on track to be the ace of the team. His P coach lacked knowledge but didn't mess with him. He was a great guy. My son's mechanics started to slip and I never saw him until the spring when they started streaming. What I saw was a guy who had completely lost everything he was taught. The summer after his JR year he came home and I spend a few minutes with him and he was back on track. He had started to have some mild shoulder issues but the correction alleviated it for the time being.
He had a great fall and started well in the spring and then the bad habits started to come back and things went down hill. 3 weeks before the end of his final season he told his Mom that he hoped his shoulder held up. He didn't want to stop playing . I was furious when I found out but he wanted to finish the season.
Coaching is very important and so is a talented player. It is never one without the other.
My son would stray and I was always videoing him and was able to correct issues. When he went to college in SC he had a great P coach the 1st year and he had a very strong year except for 1 inning. The 2nd year he was on track to be the ace of the team. His P coach lacked knowledge but didn't mess with him. He was a great guy. My son's mechanics started to slip and I never saw him until the spring when they started streaming. What I saw was a guy who had completely lost everything he was taught. The summer after his JR year he came home and I spend a few minutes with him and he was back on track. He had started to have some mild shoulder issues but the correction alleviated it for the time being.
He had a great fall and started well in the spring and then the bad habits started to come back and things went down hill. 3 weeks before the end of his final season he told his Mom that he hoped his shoulder held up. He didn't want to stop playing . I was furious when I found out but he wanted to finish the season.
Coaching is very important and so is a talented player. It is never one without the other.
TPM I won't even answer that.
BHD,
Without a doubt pitchers need constant attention, sometimes they have no clue when their mechanics go haywire and also need mental support of those with more experience in overcoming failure in a game, especially when trying to stay focused while battling a chronic condition that doesn't seem to go away, one of the reasons why son was sent down, his pitching coach, Dennis Martinez works very hard with him (BHD, I am doing some name dropping) trying to find a balance between comfort and staying with his mechanics until the season ends.
But, here is the BIG but, this has nothing to do with this topic.
Without a doubt pitchers need constant attention, sometimes they have no clue when their mechanics go haywire and also need mental support of those with more experience in overcoming failure in a game, especially when trying to stay focused while battling a chronic condition that doesn't seem to go away, one of the reasons why son was sent down, his pitching coach, Dennis Martinez works very hard with him (BHD, I am doing some name dropping) trying to find a balance between comfort and staying with his mechanics until the season ends.
But, here is the BIG but, this has nothing to do with this topic.
We actually agree on something.
Can I help it I know a lot of people and have done a lot of things in my life. We haven't even touched on the music industry. I guess that is irrelevant and such a long time ago.
Recurring injuries are tough. Another friend is going through the same thing. After making the 40 man roster and being traded, he has a shoulder issue that has side lined him.
We get hundreds of ex pros through that SR league that I posted. Many got to AAA and did very well just to get sent home.
Can I help it I know a lot of people and have done a lot of things in my life. We haven't even touched on the music industry. I guess that is irrelevant and such a long time ago.
Recurring injuries are tough. Another friend is going through the same thing. After making the 40 man roster and being traded, he has a shoulder issue that has side lined him.
We get hundreds of ex pros through that SR league that I posted. Many got to AAA and did very well just to get sent home.
yeah we know a lot of people, so do others, it's just not relevant to this topic.
Got that?
Got that?
No.
The OP wrote a very good synopsis concerning his son's journey in his journey through youth baseball. He was involved in rec and travel and admonished parents to check out any team ahead of time to have the best chances of a good fit. He credits travel as best preparing his son for his progress up the ladder but concedes that nothing replaces natural ability. Additionally, he comments on the role of tutoring and show cases.
In summary, he shares his personal experiences. His belief that natural abilility coupled with travel ball was the best way to move up the ladder for his son.
His post is worth reading again for anyone facing these issues who has a young son who shows a real interest in the game beyond what the rec experience can offer. While one size does not fit all, it appears that the choices he made for his son were the right ones.
As the string moves along contrasting views as to the value and importance of travel ball emerged and success stories were shared from posters playing rec, travel, and a combination of the two. Geographical and local leadersip are important factors to take into consideration when choosing from the available options.
I comment on this because sometimes the original post gets lost and, in my opinion, it is a very valuable commentary.
In summary, he shares his personal experiences. His belief that natural abilility coupled with travel ball was the best way to move up the ladder for his son.
His post is worth reading again for anyone facing these issues who has a young son who shows a real interest in the game beyond what the rec experience can offer. While one size does not fit all, it appears that the choices he made for his son were the right ones.
As the string moves along contrasting views as to the value and importance of travel ball emerged and success stories were shared from posters playing rec, travel, and a combination of the two. Geographical and local leadersip are important factors to take into consideration when choosing from the available options.
I comment on this because sometimes the original post gets lost and, in my opinion, it is a very valuable commentary.
There was an interesting quote in one of the myriad Strasburg articles in yesterday's Post; I should have kept it. Something about Strasburg not being "one of those travel ball kids" who was destined for injury and a short career.
Travel ball has no lock on conributing to youth arm injuries. The half hearted changes in pitching regulations made by LL, Inc. and then trashing them for tournament play ratings is beyond the pale.
Be it rec or travel, overuse is overuse. Many an arm is ruined in youth ball and the wheels just don't fall off until HS or college.
Be it rec or travel, overuse is overuse. Many an arm is ruined in youth ball and the wheels just don't fall off until HS or college.
quote:Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
You can banter this about all you like but the fact is the sooner you learn the better your odds are.
Just gonna ask again...
The sooner you learn what?
I contacted a former collegiate summer ball teammate who's now a college head coach. He's coached his program to a national championship. His son plays pro ball. I asked him what effect he thinks preteen ball has on playing high school or college ball.
His response was "Absolutely none at all." Then he reminded me of a conversation we had a little over a week ago. He said my son would be a significantly different player his junior year from his sophomore year based on physical development and advanced coaching. "Therefore, why would what he did in LL or travel at that age matter?"
His response was "Absolutely none at all." Then he reminded me of a conversation we had a little over a week ago. He said my son would be a significantly different player his junior year from his sophomore year based on physical development and advanced coaching. "Therefore, why would what he did in LL or travel at that age matter?"
quote:There was an interesting quote in one of the myriad Strasburg articles in yesterday's Post; I should have kept it. Something about Strasburg not being "one of those travel ball kids" who was destined for injury and a short career.
LHPMom,
Of course, I believe that was written. Problem is, it's not true! At least, the part about travel ball.
He played for the Braves Scout Team in the WWBA Championship at Jupiter Florida October 2005. He also played for the "San Diego Show" Travel Team in the 18U National Championship Marietta Georgia July 2006.
Being from Santee California and playing with teams entered in tournaments in Georgia and Florida would be called "travel ball" IMO.
I'm guessing "wasn't one of those travel kids" means "wasn't a travel ball lifer from the preteen years."quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:quote:There was an interesting quote in one of the myriad Strasburg articles in yesterday's Post; I should have kept it. Something about Strasburg not being "one of those travel ball kids" who was destined for injury and a short career.
LHPMom,
Of course, I believe that was written. Problem is, it's not true! At least, the part about travel ball.
He played for the Braves Scout Team in the WWBA Championship at Jupiter Florida October 2005. He also played for the "San Diego Show" Travel Team in the 18U National Championship Marietta Georgia July 2006.
Being from Santee California and playing with teams entered in tournaments in Georgia and Florida would be called "travel ball" IMO.
My son has played travel ball since he was about 10 years old. He also played little league and loved every minute of it. He played travel ball because he wanted to play more baseball and the competition of travel ball was very good. I absolutely believe that travel ball better prepared my son for high school than rec ball would have. Because of the competition he faced in travel ball, he was pretty much ready for high school ball when he tried out as a freshman. He has also made a lot of friends through travel baseball.
I completely agree with you. But the argument in this thread is the value of preteen travel ball. My son played LL and travel from age nine. But I don't fell 9U-12U travel had anything to do with where he is now. 13U and 14U had a lot to do with it.quote:I absolutely believe that travel ball better prepared my son for high school than rec ball would have. Because of the competition he faced in travel ball, he was pretty much ready for high school ball when he tried out as a freshman.
One person has chosen to deviate from the original post. He arguing travel ball is absolutely necessary in the preteen years or a kid doesn't have a chance at travel ball in the teen years, high school and college ball.
Here's the quote. It's from Scott Boras:
"His arm also has very little wear and tear. He was not precocious like Ben McDonald at age 12. Stephen is not a 'travel ball' guy with a lot of innings. He developed late and then fast [in college]."
I thought it was interesting because it made me wonder if there's now an impression in professional baseball that players who've pitched in travel programs since training wheels are used goods.
"His arm also has very little wear and tear. He was not precocious like Ben McDonald at age 12. Stephen is not a 'travel ball' guy with a lot of innings. He developed late and then fast [in college]."
I thought it was interesting because it made me wonder if there's now an impression in professional baseball that players who've pitched in travel programs since training wheels are used goods.
Original post. The good and the bad about travel ball.
Not the value of preteen involvement in travel ball. No wonder this argument has gotten off track.
The poster who took it there was Daque who seems to have softened his view.
RJM how do you judge the contribution of travel when your son played both ?
Not the value of preteen involvement in travel ball. No wonder this argument has gotten off track.
The poster who took it there was Daque who seems to have softened his view.
RJM how do you judge the contribution of travel when your son played both ?
LHPMOM I can ssure you that the majority of pro ball players in the last 15 years played some form of allstar /travel ball as a pre teen. Good travel teams do not abuse arms and you should o your homework before you sign with any team. Our travel teams had pitch and inning restrictions until minor bantam
I was just watching a 13U tournament that my son played in at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. That tournament features 32 teams of 12-13 years old and the tournament is 53 years old. They used to post a long list of kids who played in it who went on to pro ball. They are all polished travel players. These kids are amazing to watch. Some come from organizations that have 5-6 thousand players registered.
http://www.theex.com/whatson.php?menu=01:13:01
I was just watching a 13U tournament that my son played in at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. That tournament features 32 teams of 12-13 years old and the tournament is 53 years old. They used to post a long list of kids who played in it who went on to pro ball. They are all polished travel players. These kids are amazing to watch. Some come from organizations that have 5-6 thousand players registered.
http://www.theex.com/whatson.php?menu=01:13:01
BHD, you are now lumping in rec all stars with travel. It seems your stance is softening.
Rec all stars is rec. LL all stars could be as few as two games if the team losses those first two games. I do not consider rec all stars as travel baseball. If a kid plays only rec and all stars he is a rec player. Exactly what my son did through 12 years old and it didn't hinder him whatsoever.
Rec all stars is rec. LL all stars could be as few as two games if the team losses those first two games. I do not consider rec all stars as travel baseball. If a kid plays only rec and all stars he is a rec player. Exactly what my son did through 12 years old and it didn't hinder him whatsoever.
quote:BHD, you are now lumping in rec all stars with travel. It seems your stance is softening.
Could you explain that. There is no chance in H
Travel ball after hitting the full sized field is a great asset to those players with the innate ability to go on in the game. Otherwise it is like putting jet fuel into your lawn mower.
Does playing against top competition improve a ball player? Only if he has the ability to do the same things he has observed. However, even an average player can learn the nuances of the game.
Does playing against top competition improve a ball player? Only if he has the ability to do the same things he has observed. However, even an average player can learn the nuances of the game.
BHD, I think this explains where you lump them together:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
LHPMOM I can ssure you that the majority of pro ball players in the last 15 years played some form of allstar /travel ball as a pre teen. Good travel teams do not abuse arms and you should o your homework before you sign with any team. Our travel teams had pitch and inning restrictions until minor bantam
I was just watching a 13U tournament that my son played in at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. That tournament features 32 teams of 12-13 years old and the tournament is 53 years old. They used to post a long list of kids who played in it who went on to pro ball. They are all polished travel players. These kids are amazing to watch. Some come from organizations that have 5-6 thousand players registered.
[
[QUOTE]Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
LHPMOM I can ssure you that the majority of pro ball players in the last 15 years played some form of allstar /travel ball as a pre teen. Good travel teams do not abuse arms and you should o your homework before you sign with any team. Our travel teams had pitch and inning restrictions until minor bantam
I was just watching a 13U tournament that my son played in at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. That tournament features 32 teams of 12-13 years old and the tournament is 53 years old. They used to post a long list of kids who played in it who went on to pro ball. They are all polished travel players. These kids are amazing to watch. Some come from organizations that have 5-6 thousand players registered.
[
I not sure I see your point. That line refers to allstar teams which here are travel teams that pick the best players from travel teams. I think you must define your terms. Here allstar teams are travel teams. These were the best teams available as my son grew up at 9-15yo. Now due to demand the elite teams have started to offer young teams at the 12-13yo level. The tournament at the CNE is the best players and are all travel teams. Rec teams would be crushed and mercied in every game.
BHD, I think it's a matter of definition. Around here (I don't live far from ECB), travel teams generally do not play in a local league. There are a couple of "travel leagues" where teams form and play teams from other towns, but they also play in tournaments all over. The "league" games they do play are not on any kind of schedule like a normal LL or Cal Ripken league or even a town sponsored league. The coaches get together and make the schedule on their own. These are independent leagues put together so different "travel teams" can play each other during the week or when they don't have a tournament on the weekends. There are no all-star teams coming out of this since all teams are independent travel teams.
Most of the "travel teams" are formed and participate in tournaments only. You might even classify them as tournament teams. They don't have to be "elite" because there are all level of teams from "elite" to "A" teams. If the rec leagues around here formed all-star teams, they would get whooped because virtually all the more talented kids are playing on the independent travel teams.
Just at ECB alone, there are between 8-10 travel teams per age group. There are probably another 20 (at least) teams per age group available in the Metro Atlanta area. Really, it is not even that special to be playing on a travel team around here anymore - or even at ECB. If you are one of the better players in the area, you have to know which teams are the better teams and try to get on one of them. If you're not careful, an "elite" player could wind up on a very bad travel team. Probably wouldn't happen, but you do have to be selective of where you go. A lot of recruiting going on for the better players in the Metro Atlanta area.
Anyway, I think the definitions of what we are talking about may be different.
Most of the "travel teams" are formed and participate in tournaments only. You might even classify them as tournament teams. They don't have to be "elite" because there are all level of teams from "elite" to "A" teams. If the rec leagues around here formed all-star teams, they would get whooped because virtually all the more talented kids are playing on the independent travel teams.
Just at ECB alone, there are between 8-10 travel teams per age group. There are probably another 20 (at least) teams per age group available in the Metro Atlanta area. Really, it is not even that special to be playing on a travel team around here anymore - or even at ECB. If you are one of the better players in the area, you have to know which teams are the better teams and try to get on one of them. If you're not careful, an "elite" player could wind up on a very bad travel team. Probably wouldn't happen, but you do have to be selective of where you go. A lot of recruiting going on for the better players in the Metro Atlanta area.
Anyway, I think the definitions of what we are talking about may be different.
BBMan yours sound similar to here. The only difference is we call our travel team allstar teams. Every every player in the city organization can play rec but before rec starts they can tryout for the city allstar team. If they make it they bypass rec ball. Those who don't make the AAA team go back to rec.
Elite teams like EC developed here about 15 to 20 years ago. They are private as well and usually have a short season and like you said the mainly practice and travel to tournaments. They play or practice all year long. It is the highest level ball.
Our rec program has a short season compared to both levels of travel ball. They have an opening and closing tournament which can be fun to watch if you can take the skill level. They tried to form a select team to play other selects from surrounding rec teams but there wasn't enough interest. The rec teams a couple years ago had to go interlock which means they travel short distances to play. This is because enrollment has dwindled. The talent level is poor but they have fun so I can't knock it. They wouldn't make it through 1 inning against the 2 travel levels.
So yes it is a matter of terminology.
Elite teams like EC developed here about 15 to 20 years ago. They are private as well and usually have a short season and like you said the mainly practice and travel to tournaments. They play or practice all year long. It is the highest level ball.
Our rec program has a short season compared to both levels of travel ball. They have an opening and closing tournament which can be fun to watch if you can take the skill level. They tried to form a select team to play other selects from surrounding rec teams but there wasn't enough interest. The rec teams a couple years ago had to go interlock which means they travel short distances to play. This is because enrollment has dwindled. The talent level is poor but they have fun so I can't knock it. They wouldn't make it through 1 inning against the 2 travel levels.
So yes it is a matter of terminology.