@kagami

there’s so much to unpack around travel sports teams that led to the current state - travel ball initially was about the best players playing against the best competition - public league “all-star” teams were more about who you knew vs merit - tournaments were smaller with younger teams forced to play against older competition it really was a place where talented players could accelerate development & rapidly improve there’s still some teams like this, but the talent pool is far more diluted because it’s pay to play and, by starting at earlier ages, the only option is a travel team. elementary/middle schools don’t have sports teams; public leagues are underfunded, have participation rules, and many players are just there to play a team sport these dynamics make it especially hard for parents in smaller towns where travel ball becomes the only option for a competitive experience https://x.com/nymag/status/2091860923036389827?s=46&t=dGdml54Bn5gAjlxSoZTivg

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