Epic Rant From Robe

[ZoomZoom]

While every sport is different in soccer the rule is seven or more players from the same high school cannot workout or play games outside of the designated LHSAA times under the direction of high school coaches or it is considered illegal.

Actually ran into that situation this past year. US Soccer changed they way they age bracket causing some kids to move to different club teams. One ended up with more than seven players which resulted in a change in coaching. It is my experience that what you are alluding too doesn't happen. The penalties and risk are just too great to take that kind of chance.

You hit on an important point. Soccer has ONE national organization. To make the national team, it is pretty much earned on the pitch. Skill and desire go hand in hand.

Basketball tends to be AAU. But plenty of recruiters and quazi agents.

Baseball, multiple national organizations. Everyone gets a coke and trophy.

Yup, LHSAA regulating soccer but 7v7 football thrives. Money to be made.

[CajunNation]

Travel teams in any sport are a net negative on families and a HUGE negative on community building.

They destroy community youth leagues everywhere.

They also discourage the kid from playing other sports.

[MelRock]

If parents would put the money in savings they spend on these travel teams, they would have their kids college paid for. People need to get their priorities straight.

[CajunJack55]

If parents would put the money in savings they spend on these travel teams, they would have their kids college paid for. People need to get their priorities straight.

Then how are they supposed to live vicariously through their kid?

[CajunEXPRESS]

On my grandson's high school team you need not apply to play unless you participated in the coaches travel team.

[Textitan]

As a high school coach I will say, like Coach Robe has, that it is a necessary evil. The issue is the local leagues, at least in our area, have dwindled to where the quality of play is so bad that if a kid is legitimately good they almost cannot stay at the local league and keep up with kids who are playing on travel teams. There are tons of negatives, but if you are going to play against quality opponents, you almost have to play select ball. I just wish they were regulated more. I can tell you this, if you want to keep travel/select ball from becoming even more uncontrollable, then college coaches will have to start recruiting high school games again instead of summer travel tournaments. Logistically I understand why they do it, but it gives credence to the select coaches promising exposure. Then the parents buy into it. Reality is, even if they get a scholarship it won't be much money. As a poster said above. It would be wiser to put that money into a savings account.

[Dad04]

Dale Earnhardt..."Second place is just the first loser"

I love #3.

[CajunNation]

Not buying it Tex.

I've heard way too many former MLB guys say that travel teams for youth baseball are not necessary to "keep up" with the other players. They say that what they are best for is burning a kid out on baseball and enabling attitude problems in the ones that don't burn out.

The truly talented guys will show up in High School no matter how much coaching or travel team participation they've had.

Youth travel teams in all sports are one big lie, a very expensive and destructive lie.

[Dad04]

As a high school coach I will say, like Coach Robe has, that it is a necessary evil. The issue is the local leagues, at least in our area, have dwindled to where the quality of play is so bad that if a kid is legitimately good they almost cannot stay at the local league and keep up with kids who are playing on travel teams. There are tons of negatives, but if you are going to play against quality opponents, you almost have to play select ball. I just wish they were regulated more. I can tell you this, if you want to keep travel/select ball from becoming even more uncontrollable, then college coaches will have to start recruiting high school games again instead of summer travel tournaments. Logistically I understand why they do it, but it gives credence to the select coaches promising exposure. Then the parents buy into it. Reality is, even if they get a scholarship it won't be much money. As a poster said above. It would be wiser to put that money into a savings account.

The quality of play is so bad because of iPads and the lack of unsupervised baseball in this country. The Dominican kids play all day in the street. The US kids play basketball all day and night, at the playground. The US still dominates pro hoops.

Our kids simply do not do this anymore:

[MetryCajun]

If parents would put the money in savings they spend on these travel teams, they would have their kids college paid for. People need to get their priorities straight.

I used to think like you, but the reality is that we as parents are looking for things that our kids have a passion for and can occupy their time. And if you are living in an affluent area, when a kid shows an aptitude for anything there is going to be gobs of time and money thrown to their pursuits. The sad fact is if you do not foster their passions they will not get to enjoy them even at the High School level. Gone are the days of playing at the local playground and then thinking you are making a team when you get to Jesuit. Here in NOLA I challenge you to find a catholic league baseball, soccer, volleyball or basketball player who is not affiliated with a travel team. They exist, but they are a miniscule minority. This same principal also applies to HS dance teams and cheerleaders. Want to be a Dominican Deb or a Brother Martin cheerleader? Your parents better be willing to pay thousands of dollars to get them the proper training. It stinks, but this is the world we live in and I only see it becoming more competitive.