What is the final outcome for these players that got better at practice but never or rarely sniffed the dirt?
They had a good time? They learn how to be a good teammate? OR they helped the Org. financially?
Getting better allows them to do more than sniff the dirt. There is a reason why some kids excel and others don't. More often than not it's practice habits. I too was a critic of more practice and less games. Not anymore.