Connections do help, no matter what league you’re in. I know there are a few girls on a YJ Blue team because their Uncle or their father’s friend coaches one of the older YJ teams. There are girls on the YJ Gold Team that are better than these girls, but don't have the connections to get placed on the Blue team. Unfortunately, that’s just how it is and you have to deal with it. When I was a kid (I'm 40) and played little league, it was always the coaches kid who got to pitch or play quarterback, so I don't think this will ever change.