I agree with everything you say here. Especially about little ones seeing favoritism, and maybe worse what that teaches the favorite.I agree its little kids, that should get a chance.
However, there are also other little kids that give up other things, or dont do other things to keep their commitment. Believe it or not, even little kis can see favoritism. And dont always understand complicated reasoning.
I here it/ see it from both sides.
"Luckily" my rec league (Last year 10u and this year 12U) has everyone hit and a player cannot sit 2 innings in a row.
I say "Luckily" because it takes the discipline out of my hands. Frankly, I don't know what the discipline should be when I have no idea why that 9 year old is not at practice, or late for the game or whatever. If a conversation with the parents does not do the trick, how do you teach the parents without punishing the innocent?
BTW - I am an old Softy when it comes to REC as well. Travel is a whole different expectation.