My 12 year old plays on an AAU baseball team right now that travels out of town almost every weekend. This will be his third year playing on the AAU team. They also play in a local league on Thursday nights. I have concerns on how all the travel is affecting my son. The first year he played AAU, he only traveled out of town a few times. The second year it increased and this year its every weekend from the end of March through mid July (excluding 2 weekends). I have talked to my husband regarding the toll that I think it's taking on my son. Although he (my son) says he still loves it (baseball) and doesn't mind all the travel, I can see some changes and effects that it is having that is not all good. I would like to try and find an AAU team that he could try out for next year that doesn't travel as much or just play some league ball locally or something. My husband of course disagrees with me. His opinion is that if he doesn't play AAU ball then he won't have a chance at playing high school ball. I guess I was wondering if I could get a highschool baseball coach's opinion regarding this. I would appreciate any advice or insight you can give me.

I don't think you could say he wouldn't play high school. But better players play better teams and many times that means you have to travel. It is according to where you are at. If he wants to play high school varsity as a freshman or sophomore he better play where he will face that level pitching to get ready.
This is the decision that every parent has to make. travel or rec. How much travel? How far to travel? How long to travel?
Wish you well.

I don't believe playing travel at 12U and under on the smaller fields has any bearing on ability to play high school ball. However, starting at 13U on the full size field the players competing against the best competition will be best prepared for high school ball. There are areas where middle school rec ball is decent ball. Unfortunately it's not the case where we live.