When I think back our rec league was very well supported and even put ahead of the All Star. They had open and closing tournaments and skill camps. The players were given every opportunity to develop. Several times Blue Jay players came to over see the skill camps. I though they did some very clever and innovative things to get players motivated. They even had a draft where the coaches got to draft their team. They went to a sports bar and had a great time selecting players.
If a talented player was held back it could do more harm to that player than good.