I agree 100% if you can get on a great 13U and 14U team you will be prepared to play HS. Those types of teams will prepare you very well. The problem is, how are you going to make those teams if you have the skill level of a rec player? The best teams, which have the best practices, coaching, competition and 9 months out of the year play are highly competitive. You have to beat someone out of a spot. You have to be much better for a coach to take the headache of a new kid and new parents versus what he already has on his team. Kids walking off of the street after playing 6-8 weeks a year of rec for the last 5 years are not going to make those teams around here. I never saw a kid walk out of rec at twelve and make a great 13U team. They are going to make the AA level teams which are not much better than rec ball.
Good luck.