The disparity in wealth or lack of it, both at the personal level and school district level definitely comes into play. That said, at least around my area, youth sports infrastructure plays a major roll if not more so. Around here, there are many large rec programs that also have, what I would call, intermediate teams. These teams play in 5-6 local TB tournaments throughout Summer after their rec ball season is over. The schools that benefit from these rec programs usually make it to playoffs and several compete each year in the state super-regionals. Granted, the programs are loaded with TB players as well but if those programs are lacking at a certain position, many times I will see or hear about one of those former or current intermediate players filling the gap and doing a credible job of it. LEsoftball brought up a valid point earlier. One doesn't need a whole bunch of money to be good at a sport; even an expensive one. Sometimes it just comes down to proper coaching and work ethic. A good example in my mind are the Williams sisters in tennis. They never had much money and practiced at the local gang infested local public park courts for years. It's because of that work ethic that their father was able to parlay that into where they are now.