Absdad, I'm actually glad your DD has decided to play. One thing I'd have to ask is, did you play HS sports? If so then you should understand its not really about the recruitment, and sometimes it's not about the competition. It's about belonging to a group of friends and representing your HS, that time will never come back around in life. Even though you're looking at it from a valid view of "is it worth all this", you don't want to take that time away from your child. HS is a special few years and for most it's the last time we can have fun with almost zero responsibilities and the pressures of adulthood.
Well said. ... I was probably harsh in my remarks, as I can get defensive about HS ball. My daughter has played only middle school ball, but she actually enjoys that more than travel ball at the moment (I know that's unusual.) But for all the reasons that you just stated, she is motivated to play on her HS team some day and sees travel ball as the avenue that will get her on the varsity as quickly as possible. Fortunately, the HS team is really good. I don't think she'll mind JV because she likes her potential teammates and coaches a lot. I know many see JV or even varsity as a waste of time for really good TB players, but if something is fun, it's not a waste of time (assuming it's legal).