For better or for worse, travel teams are a business and directors appear to make rational decisions based on the best interests of their bottom line. The good news is that these decisions are fairly predictable and often aligned with the desires of players and parents. The bad news is that some tactics that are good for directors are very bad for players and parents.
Travel Team directors, players and parents are aligned around the creation of winning teams and good recruiting results. For example, top teams need to succeed in a couple of dimensions Win enough games and tournaments to be invited to top showcases Generate enough recruiting commitments to sell the dream Provide enough practice time that players feel like they are being developed (especially in younger age groups) Create a brand that customers want to be affiliated with
There are some areas where directors and players are in conflict Teams are incented to recruit as many players as will pay - This means B, C, D and some E teams exist. - It also means that some A teams will carry too many players. Directors and coaches are incented to keep players who contribute most to ancillary revenue streams. For example, if two players are equal in talent (help team achieve aligned goals above), but one parent is happy to spend up on clinics, 1:1 coaching sessions, shooting sessions, etc. the parent who pays is more valuable to the director / coach Teams want to encourage player loyalty (repeat business), but should not be loyal in return (maximize wins, showcase appearances and commitments)
A purely rational director would have both a best player list as well as a biggest spender list. Team selection would consider both factors and would be constantly testing the bounds of how many parents are willing to pay within an age group.
While this is a purely cynical view, it is important to remember that directors and coaches are people. People do things that are not always rational and can be very, very altruistic, charitable and good. There are definitely directors and coaches putting in time and helping players and parents in ways that will never contribute to the bottom line. The point is that since those behaviors are not aligned with the incentive system, we should not count on it and we should be very grateful when it happens.
Ok Doc, whatever you say. Is this analysis covered under Obamacare ?
