gvmearees wrote:Please explain why there would be a divide? Thanks
Some kids don't have the talent or the $$$ to go on a traveling team. Jealousy and envy step in. Not all the time but some of the time.
Also, a kid goes and plays with all star teams and then the parents start to concoct a plan on how they can do it for real during the high school season. And with the lax transfer rules, they figure out a way to get it done.
Is it happening all over? No. But it is happening and it is bad for the sport and really sends these kids a bad message.
Lastly, I wouldn't totally dismiss traveling teams. If you had a player whose hometown team doesn't want to play during the summer, by all means, go find a team to play with.
But, I would advise a kid to always pick their hometown team over a group of all stars(if they were playing in a tournament on the same day). Try to have a cohesive team that wants to stick together.