Tournaments

How important are baseball and softball tournaments to teams?
Do they provide a change of pace during the heart of the season or a heartache in keeping teams focused?
Clearly teams are out of their routine during spring break.
Some coaches use tournaments to get in more playing time for reserves -- perhaps throw a pitcher on the JV's into a varsity game.
 Other coaches choose to travel out of the section for tournaments, bunk up for a couple of days, perhaps to provide a bonding experience.
 But if I'm unbeaten in league or on a winning streak, I don't know if I want to break from a routine.
 Some teams won't be able to turn it back on for the stretch drive.