I agree with your "pro comments". Your "con comments" are an aggrandization of 8U and 10U softball. Also, seems like you are confusing parents and the DD.
This is 10U softball...
a) There is very little time management *BY THE CHILD* . (It is the parents who have to learn time management.) Determination? Pushing through fatigue? At 10U??? If your kid has to "push through fatigue" at 10U, the kid should be seeing a doctor. Compared to basketball or soccer, softball is sedentary.
b) At 10U, there is not a whole lot of difference in skills or softball IQ between rec and TB players, assuming the kids are have similar athleticism. That is, an athletic kid in a good rec league with an engaged parent is not going to be behind a similar TB kid.
c) Enjoy games more? If your kid isn't having fun playing rec league, she is not going to have fun playing TB. There is a whole lot more sitting around doing absolutely n othing in TB than rec ball.
Better quality games? The quality of the play is better, but the games are not any better. Usually, one team is much, much better than the other. It is the same as rec league...one team gets slaughtered.
d) A 10U player is going to be networking with coaches and players? I didn't know that TB players had business cards these days.
c) Softball connections?
Fair points, maybe it's a matter of degree (and certainly a lack of clarity in my points).
I'd argue there is some time management...as far as fitting in homework, other hobbies, etc. But YMMV.
And playing 6 games in 2 or 3 days for a 10 is pretty tough (especially for a catcher).
I did specify the parent would enjoy the games more. But, my DD definitely enjoys travel games A LOT more. This will obviously depend on your local situation.
I guess by connections I meant seeing what's possible - exposure to a lot more players, coaches, etc. in the sense that it's a "oh, I didn't even know that was possible, or I've never seen that before, etc." Definitely didn't mean as a "way to further a career".