Hell with travel ball. Life is too short for this kind of nonsense.
I agree, this sounds like the newest “new age” method of ruining a childs most influential years. My 3 sons still have active friendships with a couple of boys they went to grade schools with, played little league with, participated in scouting with and went thru high school with. It is funny to listen to them talk about the good old times that always end up being discussion about little league ball.