Is there any reason - with all of the very good to excellent travel teams on Long Island - there arent more local tournaments that these guys want to play in? Why travel anywhere? Or travel much less? A travel league of sorts? Someone enlighten me please.
It's all about the club owners who want to show other states their teams. It does nothing for the parents or kids.
The kids love going to away tourneys and sleeping in a hotel. Isn't that why we do this?
No, it's not why we do this. It's because of the club owners.
They're called travel teams for a reason. There are plenty of teams that your son can play on that will stay on the island. Do a little research and you'll easily find one. My son's team goes to Maryland and Philly every year and it's awesome! The kids love going to the beach or the pool (or just running around the hotel and laughing) and the parents have a lot of fun too! It's part of the experience and the kids will remember the away tourneys. Also, if everyone played in the same local tournaments every year, the same teams would face each other over and over.
They play "the same teams . . . (and) face each other over and over" even when you go away - that's the point!
I'm not sure what tournaments you go to. When we go down to Maryland, my son's team plays Annapolis Hawks, Looney's, FCA, Bethesda, Madlax, etc... those teams don't come to LI in the summer. When we go to Philly, we played Brotherly Love, Dukes, Mesa, Patriot, etc... those teams don't come to LI in the summer either. Sure, they may also play some LI teams (S2S, Bandits, Warriors, Express or Igloo will all play in those tourneys) and Laxachusettes, but those are the teams you want to play and you don't get them every week.
Maybe your son's team needs to find better and more diverse tourneys. Speak to the coach about it. If that doesn't work, find another team that plays locally.
It sounds to me that you just don't like the whole lacrosse experience. If that's the case, you're probably projecting that negativity on your son (intentionally or unintentionally) which will very likely sour him on the sport as a whole.
I'm not being critical; travel lax is not for everyone. But, if your son really enjoys it, then there is likely a better spot for him (and you) on another team.
