1) Son`s high school didn't have a feeder. It`s a large classification school in a large state. They did have a fall ball team. My son played one fall to establish as a younger player he should be the shortstop in the spring. The fall season made spring preseason a formality. He was the shortstop from the first practice. He didn't play for the fall team once he was a starter.
The coach said he didn't care where anyone played the previous summer. Everyone who made varsity played travel. Chicken or egg? The best players played travel.
2) Son played travel ball in the summer and fall. He also played soccer and punted for the football team. In the summer he also attended a goalie day camp during the week.
3) Son was recruited by two powerhouse privates and another quality private.. The decision was the gifted program at the high school was equal or better than the two quality academics. Plus, at two better of the three few players got in the lineup before junior year. At these schools baseball was one of their loaded, heavily recruited sports.
Baseball wise, the gamble was the new high school coach (rising star assistant at a perennial powerhouse) would turn a doormat into a contender in his second season. They went from doormat to second, first, first in my son`s three years on varsity.