Childhood is no longer carefree

Last night I went to a meeting for incoming high school freshmen hoping to try out for the baseball team. The coach was organized and eloquent, the fields impressive. But I was taken aback by how competitive the sport has become. Now if your kid isn't playing year round, and if he isn't doing some conditioning and agility program (paid, of course), his chances of making it on the team are almost nil. Unless, of course, he's the next Alex Rodriguez. Almost all the kids are playing for at least one team during the summer and fall, in addition to other special training and tutoring.
We're not even in the minor leagues and youth sports has become big business.