I think going to an A national when you know your team will only play .500 is a dumb idea. You have to know the abilitiy of your team and select based on that. Getting creamed by top teams will not automatically make your team better. The reason for having A and B nationals is so you can select the appropriate one for your team. Going to an A national with a B level team would make me think the coach was a goof. IMHO
Saw some of this at Nationals, and that is exactly what I thought about a few teams ... why are you here? But then, I understand the need to "experience" see what it takes.
When we first got started with current Org at 10u, all 3 teams went to NSA "B" ... because all 3 age groups could at least compete, and sibs could travel/vacation together. A few teams were "forced to "A" going forwad, lol ... thank goodness. Now all ages/teams "expect" to do well at the "A" level. So, I guess teams just need to understand where they are on that similar "progression chart" .....
Each team has to decide where its abilities & goals lie ... and then be honest about it so that players/families can comfortably find the right place for them, with co-aligned goals, commitment, purpose, expectations.
Anything less than honesty with "
yourself" and "
others" is a recipe for disaster, ... or at least a miserable summer. Who wants that???