Yup, you know how to do it the right way. You're one of a very few.
Very proud that both of our college-playing boys stayed with local PONY league through age 14/15. Dam*! Maybe I short-changed them somehow by holding out so long.
Sure, they both did a little (local) "travel ball" on the side, but nothing like today. I remember when it was 'really cool' to make your 12-year old all star team and go beat Morgan Hill or Blossom Valley!
When our older son was 13/14 and started mixing in a little travel ball with titanscoach's team (BTW, we said "no" the first time asked), he was the ONLY ONE in a league of 1,000 kids. Today, there are a dozen or more kids per age (9 and up) who have left the league to do the travel circuit.
Is this area (Los Altos/Mtn. View) producing more college players than before? NO! Probably less. Why? Most likely just the cyclical thing that happens...college level players come around every once in a while. But while these parents are off running around the Western US with their diaper-dandies, their sons are missing the chance to play with the neighborhood kids (i.e. their friends!) and chasing a pipe dream at a huge cost to the rest of their family (brothers and sisters).
Their parents would be FAR BETTER served getting their kids a math tutor.
If your kid is good enough to play for NCSF's program...or one of a couple of others - then its probably worth it. Otherwise, keep it fun and make sure your kid is ready for Algebra and Geometry.
This post was edited on 5/19 2:26 PM by atcshrk