Those are my favorites, too! So, they get preferential treatment!
It does sound like you might have changed the Team rules in the middle of the season. Also sounds like you have a good Board and this might all work out for everyone’s benefit. Be consistent with the rules and I bet everything will work out OK.
One of your jobs is to coach the parents. That is why they pay you the big bucks.
Anyway, player x's mother came to the dugout furious because her child was in outfield and at the bottom of the batting lineup. She told me her daughter would not play this weekend's tourney and will not pay to rent a batting cage, if she is going to be at the bottom of the line up.