[bbump82]

I will have to agree with the general concensus. My personal experiences with these types of teams were both good and bad. I have family members that have played on a great team until they got to HS. His younger brother started on a team that has never been that good. I have also umpired for a local team on a regular basis, and have watched that team destroy itself and finally disband. It all boils down to the fact that it is not the money that makes the team better. More money means more and/or better uniforms, matching embroidered gear bags, ... The teams are still coached by Dads that think their kids are too good to play in the local leagues, and that they are going to be the next Hank Aaron or Randy Johnson. All of the money spent on getting the best gear, camps, personel trainers, will not make the next super star. Guys like Aaron, Mays, Rose, were given a gift, and learned how to use it.

My son played for one of these types of teams about six years ago, for one season. The coaches were all really good friends until the questions and accusations of fianancial mismanagement started to pop up. Leaving that team was the best thing we ever did!