Ethical selection of athletes

Question
My son just tried out for his High School baseball team and did not make the team.  He is beyond upset, and extremely discouraged!!
While I am his parent, and my comment may appear biased, my son is a talented ballplayer.  He is left handed, and pitches and plays first base.
When the coach was asked why my son didn't make the team, the coach explained that my son didn't pitch fast enough.
He also stated that his curve ball wasn't developed enough.
How fast should a 14 year old Freshman be pitching, and should a Freshman be pitching a curve ball?
Also, how do you explain to your child that another child who is not as talented; stated by other coaches, made the team, because his father made a monetary contribution to the sports department.
What about the ethics and morales that the schools and coaches are suppose to demonstrate?
Why would an athlete want to continue to tryout and or compete if he knows $ can override talent?
What, if anything, can be done, to change the rules about team selection; earning a spot, opposed to being given a spot because of who you know, or how much $ you have.
I understand some may respond that this is a life lesson, and that 'networking' is a fact of life, but honestly, why should a 14 year old be subjected to this form of behavior, and what, can be done to bring it to the attention of the high school, so it can be rectified and remedied.  
What other options of competitive baseball are avaialable other than High School Teams?
Saddended by the entire situation.

Answer
Jackie,

There is a lot here and I'm not sure I make you feel any better, but I'll try and answer your questions as best as I can.

1)  Your son should look for the nearest American Legion or Senior Babe Ruth team.  They are about the same age as high school and he should be able to find a team to play on (as long as you are reasonably near to a populated area).
2)  A fourteen year old should not be throwing a curve ball.  That is too early to be teaching any kind of breaking ball.  However, every high school coach in the country is breaking this rule because like anyone, they want to win.  Really, kids should throw fast balls and change ups until they are 18 or so - no curve or slider.  If he throws fastballs, he will develop more speed.  Some outside coaching here can help.
3)  A freshman not making a high school team isn't that unusual.  Typically there are lots of older kids and a junior varsity squad for freshman is sometimes an option.  Sounds like maybe a JV team doesn't exist here or he didn't make that team.
4)  Life isn't fair.  If your son was clearly better then the other players, then he would most likely be chosen because coaches want to win.  But choosing between two similar players is subjective and all sorts of non baseball things can figure into the decision.
5)  The coach is the coach.  His judgement rules.  I don't know how you could institute a system that would try to objectively measure every player.  That just doesn't work in sports - particularly when players can improve dramatically from year to year when they are young.
6)  I think raising this as an issue with the school administration would only tend to backfire on your son.  It potentially could help future kids (maybe) but he would never get as fair a look again because he would be considered a troublemaker.  Coaches want peace with parents and putting a kid on the team with a complaining parent won't help their personal peace.

Again, I think this is somewhat unsatisfying, but your son needs to play in order to get better.  Find an American Legion or summer league/team that he can keep playing on.  He's only a freshman - he can improve dramatically before next year and be on the team the next three years.  Practice, practice, practice!

Hope this helps!

Brian