Don't get me started - oops! Too late...
Went through this with son #1 who didn't start playing baseball until he was 10. Far too late in our neighborhood and he was the kid kid who batted last and didn't get a single hit the entire season. Surprisingly he couldn't wait for the next season where he surprised everyone by becoming the league MVP and discovering a talent (and passion) for pitching.
Flash forward to his freshman year in HS as a 6' 3" 13-year old. (He started a year early) Despite being the fastest kid out there and the best/fastest pitcher - we left the "travel ball" line blank on his application as we couldn't afford the thousands of dollars required to "play".
Sorry said the coaches - no travel ball, he won't make the team...
That was end of his "career" and he never played another sport again.

Same story all over town, no matter the sport. No travel ball experience? No spot for you on the school team - no exceptions.