The AABC runs Connie Mack Baseball. The reason I mention it is that while my son played for a Travel Team at 14, their big goal was the AABC State and then the Regional Tourney. They needed to qualify and had a few chances to do it but failed. Nonetheless they did in fact play in The AABC State Championships that year even though they failed to qualify.
Perhaps they at that time and The Sparks this year were told they could fill in for a Team that qualified but did not go to State.
The AABC has allowed it in the past.