said re: "you can't play a sport competently and still be a kid and have family time" *IS* a lie. Kids can easily be competent and have time for other activities. Now maybe it's way more difficult to maintain ELITE status, but that's not what he said.

My son was playing in the highest level in our state and I took him down to rec last year and just a step up from rec this year. And he was in the top 2 on his middle of the pack team. So, I haven't walked away entirely, but have taken steps to minimize the time sink.