I think what you guys are missing is that it is the teams that have the recruited players, and top notch recruit-able players that have the power in the equation. Surf City or no. Surf City just recognizes those teams have the power.
Honestly, the old system, before Surf City was worse. Then it was who was nicer to ASA officials and umpires, which led to a lot of political samwich buying.
SoCal A's, BatBusters, Corona Angels, Firecrackers, Bandits, Sorcerer . They have the talent on their teams. The college coaches are going to show up to where ever they are playing. All the other teams are going to clamor to get 1 game against those teams.
MId to upper teams never seem to care where they play. Only who they play.