One size doesn't fit all, IMO. Except for playing time. You need that.
But the biggest obstacle to long-term development is burnout/quitting. The road is strewn with players my DD has passed only because they didn't stick with it. Which is fine. They're probably doing something else that is cool.
But IMO, young kids need to be in situations that nurture their enjoyment of the game and make them want to come back year after year. For some, maybe that's a high-level team ASAP. For others, they're fine to take their time, stick with their B-level teams with teammates and coaches that they enjoy, big fish in smaller pond. At some point, you have to stretch yourself, but more people rush that process than go too slow. I've seen kids that really loved softball until somebody thought their 10-year-old needed to be on some cut-throat team that only cared how well they could pitch or hit. Put them on teams that they really enjoy being on. If they have the talent and desire, the cream will rise to the top in the end.
But the biggest obstacle to long-term development is burnout/quitting. The road is strewn with players my DD has passed only because they didn't stick with it. Which is fine. They're probably doing something else that is cool.
But IMO, young kids need to be in situations that nurture their enjoyment of the game and make them want to come back year after year. For some, maybe that's a high-level team ASAP. For others, they're fine to take their time, stick with their B-level teams with teammates and coaches that they enjoy, big fish in smaller pond. At some point, you have to stretch yourself, but more people rush that process than go too slow. I've seen kids that really loved softball until somebody thought their 10-year-old needed to be on some cut-throat team that only cared how well they could pitch or hit. Put them on teams that they really enjoy being on. If they have the talent and desire, the cream will rise to the top in the end.