Agree. Information age. It has become more practical for the average HS coach to gather more information about every aspect of the game, regardless of his and/or his assistants' specific background or strength. And, with the expansion of travel and training facilities, some of these skills are being introduced at an earlier age (as you stated) and are thus executed better by the time they hit the HS field. Also, as more and more kids play one sport once in HS, this allows for time to work on these previously neglected aspects. We worked our staff on pick moves and slide steps over the summer bullpen sessions. Some of the same applies to runners getting reads and catchers becoming more proficient with throw-downs.