This began with a heated in-person discussion over what appears to be a growing chasm in amateur baseball - between those who want to develop community baseball programs and those who build competitive travelling teams.

We have had a sense for some time that there is a real rift growing between the factions. There are those committed to developing and keeping local talent, and others just as determined to see the best talent rise sooner to the best possible level of ball. This same split is apparent in the results of the balance in baseball debate.

This issue came down to the question of imported players from outside the local community versus the pressure to release players to go to the travel teams. The equation is simple - if we end up losing players we have developed do we accept or do we bring in equivalent talent from elsewhere. Tough question, faced by many community programs in establishing policies and priorities.

But, in any Nose 2 Nose debate, it's not only important to ask the right questions, but to realize what the results might mean. Sometimes they surprise you.

When we asked the first question it was to get an idea of where things are right now with those who voted. That's what the first chart below shows - generally speaking there are more restrictions and less interest in top competition at the younger ages (inner circle) than there are as players get older (towards the outer donut).

We then went on to ask a series of general 'attitude' questions. However when we started looking at the results something unexpected emerged. We charted 3 of those question (top chart, second menu choice) and noticed something when compared to the first chart. Flip back and forth between them and you realize there is a lot less of the 'restrictive' no-import red on the second chart.

Teams as they are now... What coaches/players want...

So we did a third chart (below) which takes the same data by age group and makes the comparison between the way things are for the voters now (most of them are coaches), and the way they would like things to be. The first stack in each age group is current status, the second stacks show desired approach. For all ages the visible trend is to a lot less of that restrictive red.

There is a very clear desire for fewer restrictions and more travelling teams and competitive streams - especially at the younger ages.

With that in mind we looked at the rest of the data, and the comments in a new light...

The Trend to Travel Possible Policies Import Guidelines Changing Tryouts?

We seldom have room for more than a sampling of comments - very true in this case as a stunning 2/3rds of all who voted had something to say. This is clearly a topic with strong opinions. As a result we have divided the selected (edited) comments into three camps - those who support imports in competitive ball, those who want to restrict imports and make it community-oriented, and those who see value in both.

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TEAM-ORIENTED, SUPPORTING IMPORTS

I manage in a baseball league that has been around 60 years and draws from 50 miles in all directions. (I have even heard of kids coming from up to 100 miles away.) It is the manager's responsibility to remain competitive in a competitive league. All players are released after each season spring and fall. I have no problem with kids wanting to play where they want to play. - Ron McGaha

There are so many different reasons for 'imports'. Neighboring catchments may not field a team at that level, transportation may be easier to a neighboring catchment, some areas have no association. And there's always the old 'personality conflict' where the parents or player don't get along with a coach. While the primary clients of the association should be players from their own catchment, sometimes they are only able to serve them by getting players from other areas. - name withheld

I found last season a very talented coach/parent and player who did not like their local team - the teams where stacked to produce one team that would advance to play-offs. He asked to join our league because he liked our draft and the fair/balanced teams. We had a great season, finished 2nd and learned a lot from his experience as a coach. If a player is unhappy with his current league's management, he should have a choice to play in a different club - for the purpose of enjoying the sport not to stack a team. - Todd Muench

I personally don't have any complaints about a true select team compiled from players in a region or area. My personal reason for coaching is to give our local kids the opportuinity to improve and play a high level of competition so they can go on to sucessful in high school and maybe college. True competitors want a shot at the better teams. I do believe it depends on your priorities, goals, and what is really important to you and your parents. Your kids future, or your trophy shelf. Our approach is slower and harder as far as wins go, but I am very proud of our team and I would enter them in any tournament in the country. - Vince Troublefield

In my local area the organizations that have catchments such as Little League and municipal rec leagues are not competitive. They are considered to be the bottom of the barrel as far as talent is concerned. Players with any talent play on travel teams where players and parents are free to play wherever they want. My sons, 10 and 12, play for travel teams in [state] for the spring and summer then play for [out if state] teams in the fall. What a great opportunity for them, this could not happen if there where restrictions/catchments. The local Little League and rec leagues do not offer these great opportunities. I think for kids with marginal talent, a marginal interest in baseball, and sensitive parents Little League and rec leagues are a perfect fit. - Scott Sutton

i have coached for 30 years in Little League and select league. i believe a select player is 1-2 years ahead by the time they get to high school (I also coach high school kids - i can see the difference.) - Daniel Flores

I recently formed my own travel team (11-12 yrs), mostly from surrounding villages. I decided to recruit average ball players who are totally committed to the game of baseball. My line of thinking was that it would be easy to train this type of child than the so called All-Star. After entering the team in several tournaments, their level of play improved noticeably. These kids in most leagues were over looked. Most of these kids would never have been given the chance to develop their skills if restrictions were in place. - RICHARD J PIANO Unfortunately, good teams have to have the horses. I wish there wasn't so much recruiting in youth organizations, but it does start very young. I guess in youth baseball, at least USSSA specifies the differences, say, between the AAA level and the Major level. The differences largely relate to where a team can draw from. I guess I would like to see a love for the game and a desire to learn. On the other hand, for very skilled players; it's nice when the best from across the country can get together and play. - Gary Spalding

In Australia we have a system governed by club, region and state associations. My son plays [in a] region that has only 5 clubs in this area. He can play in any of these clubs or any other club in the region only if he has obtained a player clearance form, which basically states that he has no other interest in any other club, i.e. no monies are owed to the club etc. With this in mind he is not bound in any way to play for the club within his 'home address' area. There is also a clubs code of conduct to ensure that no club or person may entice any players by means of rewards or promises of special consideration. - James Parker

Our situation is one in which we are a select/travel team. We will have an open tryout and a closed, invitation only tryout to determine the players we wish to take. It is my opinion that for a select/travel team, this is the best way to put together the best team. As for our city league, they have tryouts and actually place players on teams. The competition level is very low and it is not a place for elite players to play. It has worked very well in our area having the regular city league and the select league. The lesser players have a place to play and they get more playing time. The better players have a place to play in which they can develop more and see better competition every game. - Michael Boss

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COMMUNITY-FIRST, DISCOURAGING IMPORTS

As parents battle to get their kid with the 'better coach' or 'better program' they kill their home catchment. Catchments/districts need to look at why players/parents want to leave, improve coach's skills or replace the coach - don't lose the kids. The quick fix for parents is to pull their (elite) player and go somewhere else. Every time a coach accepts a cross boundary they cut a local player, who will quit, move down, or cross boundary themselves if there is somewhere to go. When community ball dies, it is the slow death of the sport. - David Meyer

Town recreational leagues should have their set boundries, limiting participation to kids within those boundries, but there should be special exemptions for kids who would not otherwise be able to play. - John Mackenzie

Unfortunately, some coaches (and associations) put winning above the interests of the kids they coach. Parents also contribute to the problem by 'shopping' their child to different coaches with the belief that if the child plays on a winning team, or for a particular coach, the future of their all-star will be secure. I believe that some movement from catchment to catchment should be allowed, but with restrictions. Coaches should be coaching for the love of the game and the enjoyment of working with the kids. The bottom line is it's all about the kids, not the coaches or associations. - Brian Vick

Players should play in their district. There is no 'victory' in stacking the deck. - Thomas Messinger

With the amount of pressure already applied to youth through sports programs in this day and age the last thing we as parents, coaches or organization leaders should do is try to complicate things with extra leagues and longer seasons. I do believe that it is solely up to the parents of each child to decide what is best for them personally, but it is important to use some discretion when telling a child they are good enough and in some cases, too good for our home town leagues. Allowing players to cross boundary lines and play for select teams does not always constitute them getting better coaching. As always, we need to weigh what our true intentions are when these decisions are made because what we are ultimately doing is preparing our youth for tommorrow, whether it be for sports or just life in general. - Chris Ballard

I am involved in a local Little League. Over the last 5 years a youth travel association has recruited away 36 players every other year. They always seem to obviously grab the high talent level kids which hurts the local league. Best part is some of those kids are no better than those left behind. It does mess with our #'s and thru the years we have had too contract teams because of a loss of kids. My issue comes when the player or parents become disenchanted with the travel ball gig and come back to Little League. Their playing time/expectations are way too high. I persoanlly coached one of those kids last season and he was no better than 75% of the kids I had. Was he a good hitter and baserunner, yes due to his experience. But his attitude was poor because he thought he should be 'the guy'. I think all kids should get the chance to play we have league boundries but it's loose as long as where they live doesn't have a Little League we let them in. We want kids too play if we have room; we never want to turn kids away from the game. - Chris Kendziora

We are a 12U travel team representing our high school district (allows 3 out of district players) and have played teams that consider themselves national select teams (that will take only the best players from anywhere). While they are very good teams, the managers are usually very much over-the-top and while they win they set extremely poor examples as role-models for young men. - Mike Wisniewski

When one puts on a uniform it usually identifies the player with a team from a locality such as Anytown Ants; this identifies us. If however, only 50% of the players are from Anytown, then I am committing a fraud. Local sponsors believe I represent them, the local community believes we represent them, etc. but we really don't. There is huge ethical issue related to coaches from one team recruiting players from another team promising increased playing time, better instruction, nicer uniforms, more 'competitive baseball, etc. These coaches/parents who use this ploy are sabotaging other teams strictly for their own gain. These recruited teams then have expectations that cannot be lived up and unhappiness and acrimony settles for the rest of the season and the team is filled with tension. That is not right for the players sake! Most of the players are only following the lead of their parents and coaches; more times than not, players want to play with the kids they will play with at high school, not someone they will not have contact with after the game. - K. Parcel

We live in a densely populated area. Local associations are drawn along political lines which are drwn around roads and rivers. Many times it is much more convenient for players to be in one association due to proximity rather than the one they may be assigned by the bondaries. Having some flexibility of movement makes sense to keep families participating with thekids they have grown up with. - Sam B

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VALUE IN BOTH

Binding players to a geographic area or district, restricts them to coaching and programs available there. If a player cannot be challenged or advance in his sport, he may leave for another sport. Once committed though, a player should be required to remain with a team at least for 2 seasons to develop a team dynamic. Associations might need to amalgamate to expand their talent pool. With a lot of families moving to the suburbs some urban leagues are already doing this. Let us always keep in mind that we are in this for our kids and not for our egos. - Paul Macleod

Each organization and player should be true to their goals. If the organization's goal is to provide an opportunity to enjoy baseball regardless of skill, this should be nurtured by its own by-laws. However, if a player's skills are such that permit a more select avenue, then that opportunity should be fostered as well. - John Pochas

My sons play for travel teams and for youth organizations (catchments). I like the way both work. Travel teams allow players to play for different coaches wherever their talent and their parents cars are willing to take them. Youth orgs. Little League/Pony/etc., have a mission and a responsibility, often with a community subsidy, to serve the community. Our youth league allows players to come from anywhere, but they must be in the catchment to play all-stars. Travel and all-stars, while comparable in talent levels, serve different ends for talented kids who play both. All-stars is partially about league (community/neighborhood) pride. Travel teams are about providing the oportunity to play at a highly competitive level all year. Without catchments, the orgs. like Pony and Little Leagues might run the risk of focusing too much energy on recruiting high talent for the dream of a World Series trip. - Dan Baits

My son (12) played for a local 'catchment' team and then also played for a 'travel/select' team. Fortunately, there were only 2 games where there was a conflict in the schedule. I think it was a great experience for my son and he gave 100% for both teams and seemed to enjoy just having the opportunity to play. His catchment team was 7-15 on the season and his travel/select team was 42-17. He made me a very proud father while I watched him be just as enthusiastic for the catchment team as the travel/select team. There is certainly room for both types of teams at the youth level as long as the focus is on the kids and the proper teaching of fundamentals, sportsmanship, conditioning, and discipline. - Kurt Gray

'Rec' programs should be limited to certain boundaries (like an individual County), but those outside the area may participate by paying a non-resident fee which is set by the county and can vary. No child should be excluded from play for any reason in Rec programs; no releases (except for disciplinary reasons) during a season. My argument with Little League is that Majors players are OWNED by the team once selected, which can mean he is stuck maybe for as long as 3 years. Rec programs of any variety should insist on tryouts for each season. Select/Travel programs may be much more exclusive and choose players any way they wish, including releasing players. On the other hand, if a player wishes to leave a Select/Travel team, he should have the right to do so AT WILL and join any other team he desires. - Rob Roper

Catchment or travel/select... I don't believe either are wrong, misguided, or without good purpose. It's strictly a matter of determining the mission of said team, and applying the proper philosophies. Where big errors are made is in the false belief that the two (catchment & travel/select) can't co-exist. Freedom of choice is thankfully still a valuable right we have and should be able to exercise. - Richard Collins