My 2 cents worth...

Our baseball club actually encourages participation in both travel and rec up through 12 yo. The benefits to the travel players are they get the "BIG FISH in small pond" glory and they get the prime playing time... the benefit to the rec teams is that these kids bring up the quality of ball and they often lead by example... and quite often lead the All-star teams to several vistories...

It interests me when people discuss terms such as "loyalty", and "deserving" when talking about a "rec" league but then turn around and also spout out "equal time" and "just for fun" and "for the best interests of the kids..." And indicate that, these kids owe the league something... If these kids weren't Stars they would never be missed or even considered. Let's face it, less that 10% of LL participnats get to play in an All-star tournament. I don't hear people complaining about the 90% who leave after the regular season is over...

I've seen two different (year) All-star tournaments teams, which used kids that eventually left the LL (PONY) all-star team to go and play in the AAU Nationals... (OH by the way both Travel teams came back with an National Championship...) The first year there was a lot of harsh feelings and criticism for the boys that left and I feel that part of the problem was that the boys intentions were not communicated ahead of time. But, the LL team won district and sectionals and was in the tournament prior to determining the Western region representative...(zone?) Well, this team had been dominating teams, but 3 players left to go play in the AAU nationals in that tournament. The #1 P #1C and #1 2b. Well, needless to say the team, lost two games and didn't make it to Williamsport. Well, several people became upset and editorials were written and people were calling the kids selfish and you wouldn't believe the comments made. What was missing was the fact, that that team would never had made it out of district tournament without those three players... and the fact that those three players took the team a very long ways a provided a wonderful opportunity for 11 other players. The problem was... the intentions of the players were not communicated.

Now the next year with a Pony league, which has a little bit more competitive view than most LLS also had the dilemma facing them of putting travel team kids on the All-star team... However this time the two kids went in prior to elections for the team and told everyone that on such and such date they will be leaving for the AAUs... Both kids were then selected anyway to the team... The team won their district but lost in the sectionals so the final show down didn't occur but everyone was prepared for that event and they still all wanted the two travel team players on the team...

The Bottom Line in both situations was "WINNING" No matter how you look at it... the leagues and all the parents goal was WINNING! And anyone who feels that LL All-stars is not about Winning has never seen an all-star tournament. The above problems came about when one team lost when some people thought it could have WON. Instead of enjoying the experience for what it was worth, several people decided to run it through the mud.

That is the hypocritical nature of LL All-stars... LL claims to be for the benefit of everyone, but look at the expenditures and time spent on All-stars versus the rest of the league. At least Travel teams are up front and state, their purpose is to develop players to compete at the highest level possible.

OFF MY SOAP-BOX