catching22 postedHuh. I would have thought that having the opportunity to play baseball would always be considered a blessing, but since the term wasn't used until after your initial post about this not being real baseball, I'm pretty sure that it's not that one word that has you so bothered. Whatever; if it's not for you, don't send your son out for a tryout.
FWIW, I know several players or alumni of these alternative HS teams; one is expected to starting on a P5 team this (his sophomore) season. Several are playing in college. Others play for elite summer teams and either didn't make their HS JV teams as freshmen or don't want to play for their HS coaches. I personally am glad there is an alternative to sitting around and waiting for May (and my son made varsity as a freshman, so this isn't sour grapes talking).
The term was used in the initial response from the original poster to RJM. Not my word, and I'm not bothered either. Making observations and pointing out flaws I found. Like I said, I like the idea, I don't like some of what is associated with it.
That being said. If my son could not make his high school JV team that $650 would be going towards a tutor and not a team fee as a future in the sport would not be in the cards.