Just about every Little League coach has a son on the team.  Those sons are often among the best players on the team, but sometimes they're not.  I've never seen a coach's son who didn't get favorable treament, deserved or not.  It's just the way things work in the world.

Yes, the world is a meritocracy.  It's just that the coaches get to define and determine the meaning of "meritocracy" because people have a right to look righteous.