It matters if you are knocked to the losers bracket by a team that has already qualified, or knocked out of losers bracket (Sent home) by a team that has already qualified. Only time it doesn't matter, if you are the next finishing team, 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc that has not qualified. But to say it doesn't matter is foolish..Teams that have already qualified are typically better, you wouldn't want to go straight to losers bracket becuase your draw was bad...
My daughter at 9 (Jan 13th B'Day) played for Southern Crossfire 8u (Coach Pitch). If you are talking 9 yr first year of 10u she played with Huntsville Comets.
Also, I know plenty USFA regulars that would've easily competed and done better than 75% of the teams at the ASA-sanctioned SluggerFest this past weekend. Maybe so but that is what makes ASA so special, the top 25% of teams from a state, region, etc are the best teams! To get better you have to see & play those teams.