I knew we spoke the same language! Yes, softball is on a completely lower scale, but still has it's share of yuck. Travel/AAU is filled with "rec. teams" and yes, if you can pay, you can generally play somewhere.
I could be wrong, but my belief is that perhaps the Illinois AAU circuit could be a bit more condensed than here in Michigan, thus creating "power" clubs in different sectors of the state. We have Detroit/suburbs (where many migrated during Detroit's meteoric population fall starting in the 2000's, coming back though with help from the Dan Gilbert's of the world). Lansing (MSU & state capital), Flint, Saginaw, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, (WMU), and perhaps Battle Creek as pretty decent sized cities with a lot of bball talent. Correct me if I am wrong, but perhaps the talent is a bit more concentrated in Illinois to the city. I know there is Peoria, E. St. Louis, etc.., but Michigan has all there major cities pretty much contained in a small portion of the state.
My only point in referencing Izzo, is that his recruiting success is not contingent on getting the best kids Detroit has to offer, as a matter of fact, it is his smallest base.