it's all about the money, the younger kids are there to subsidize the older kids, ownership and the program in general - nobody really cares about 4-5-6th grade teams. they panic parents into doing all the clinics and camps and gettting them in the fold as early as possible or risk losing a roster spot going forward. it's pretty much the same everywhere, once you get caught up in the clinics/camps and traveling the all over at 8-9 years old you become an ATM for the organization for the next 8 years, that's why there are all the additional teams at every age group, how do you cut someone who has thrown money at you everytime you asked them for it, you don't, you add another color team - they've got you!