Dennis ... I think I know what you're saying (partially because you've made this point several times in the past) and don't totally disagree, but I think some others may take this the wrong way.
Generally speaking, the teams in the far northeastern corner of the state haven't ventured out much and, when they have, they haven't fared too well. But there are some very fine organizations like the Ice, Outlaws, Sapphires, Maddogs, Valley Extreme, Wizards, etc. (sorry for any I've missed ... I'm not associated with any of these personally) in what I at least I classify as the northern part of the state, and there are other strong "regional" organizations like the Buckeye Heat and Lasers who have their fair share of players from the northern part of the state as well.
You are certainly right that those teams who stay in their little corner and don't venture out may just be in effect gathering local trophies, though for some I think it's more a matter of just not knowing what else is out there ... ignorance is bliss, right?