I think the rule change to the 11th grade is where all the people who hate playing down or reclassing kids should put their focus. With the new rule all teams should only go grade based on each classes 10th grade summer. All levels below this summer should go back to a 12 month or 24 month window of ages. Before the new rule I was more then fine with the logic for grade based teams from 6th or 7th grade on. But with the new rule locked in for sure now. There is no excuse to not change to 9U , 10U, 11U ,12U, 13U ,14U, 10th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade format next summer. This gives you a full year of playing with a team before the 2nd year summer going into the date you can contact and be contacted by college coaches. By rule they can not and you can not talk to them. So there is 100% no reason for a grade based team 9th grade and below. A 24 month window of playing on a grade based team is more then enough time to be seen playing with your recruiting class peers.
The better younger players will just start playing up, because the teams will suck. The average kids will still be average, but will be getting beat by younger players instead of older. The libbies will go nuts trying to turn the argument narrative on a dime. Then playing up will be a problem.
