Just stumbled on this thread. My son's been middle-of-the-pack since T-ball. He's worked hard on his own accord this year and actually made the All-Star team (10U). He was literally the last selection based on a mediocre season and a good try-out. He did well and ended up starting in the OF. A few observations:
-The talent pool at this age has been incredibly diluted at rec leagues. We have four different select teams that pull from kids that would otherwise be in our league (Dripping Springs). There's no way my son would have even sniffed tryouts if he was up against those kids. I bet we have 20+ kids in select ball at this age group that would come in and instantly be at the top of the talent pool.
-There's too damn many leagues and tournaments. Pony, CenTex, LL. And that's not even counting the select teams. I guess it's just a natural evolution and a result of supply and demand. We played three "warm up" tournaments which seemed excessive at the time but did prepare our kids who had, for the most part, zero exposure to that kind of competition. They finished third in sectionals, then went 2 and BBQ at regionals losing the first game to the #1 seed on a walk-off passed ball.
-All-Star baseball at that age is light years ahead of rec league. I expected an increase in play, but we were coaching some pretty advanced techniques / plays like squeeze plays, first & third drills, rundowns, throwing behind the runner on a cut-off, etc. All of which came into play and paid off during all stars. It was fun seeing it "click" for some of these kids who were used to being the only one on their team who could half-way catch or throw. And many of the kids (my son included) seemed to do better with improved competition. I guess it forces them to focus more, see more strikes at the plate, be on their toes in the field, etc when compared to rec league.
-And select ball is light years ahead of all-stars. If we were to scrimmage the "elite" team that our league puts in select tournaments, we would get SMOKED. We had 3-4 kids that could hang with them, but the bottom of the order (my son included) is pretty far behind their current talent level. Those teams are good 1-9. I can't even imagine facing a Major select team.
-At 9 & 10, these kids are playing better (and more fundamental) baseball than I was playing at 12U all-stars. Heck, we weren't even leading off at 12.
All in all, it was a great experience for my son. May have been his only chance at an all-star team, so I'm glad he had an opportunity to experience it.