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Jim, I can also speak as a player.
At age 14 I was lucky enough to be a member of a Babe Ruth team that won the Illinois state championship. I don't recall "select" or "travel" teams back then, merely neighborhood kids who played ball together with the all-stars representing their town vs. other towns.
As kids, we didn't see the money aspect, but we were well aware of "the coach's kid" syndrome. Despite that, we were a team. We were excited with our wins within state leading to a state title, and just the opportunity to play other state champions---and to now represent our entire state, not just our community. While there are many memories of what occurred on the field, there are many more memories of what occurred off the field. The friendships developed in eating, sleeping, and traveling together---and in trying to break the curfew rules together. Still our goal was singular---to represent Illinois as best we could. As players, we knew the stronger from the weaker players and who the key players were to get us that far. We had confidence the coach would attempt to play the weaker players whenever possible. We also knew that our goal at that stage was to win. That was a team goal.
Perhaps times have changed, but it seems that the parents initiated something here that ulitmately cost their kids far more than just a couple of baseball games.
Just my opinion,
Freix
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