I think it is a school/district thing . Here a child in middle school can play up only to varsity level if the athlete passes a strength and agility test it is not subjective it is specific activities timed,reps etc! If the athlete does in fact pass and make the team they HAVE TO play a certain specific minimum percentage of pkaying time! Mean there truly needs to be a need for the player ! They don’t want the athlete making the team and sitting where they coukd like mentioned above be super productive on the age appropriate team where the reps and experience physically and mentally would be positive ! Sometimes playing at your age appropriate level is great ! Sone of the kids that play high level travel never get to play with her town friends or spend some extended times together bc sone of these higher level travel clubs consume so much of their time . Playing for school is more social experience atleast in our area then when we ompete in travel. The real high level travel yearly grind and travel causes the child to miss out on sone social aspects ( should be child’s choice but still difficult ) moreso this year due to pandemic to be out with school friends some what socially under the pretense of playing softball lol.. we have been following the rules socially outside school
