I've seen that stupid commercial, and it is indeed gag-inducing.
I actually feel sorry for today's kids, and glad things weren't as they are now when I was a sproglina. I would have hated all of this over-scheduling of things.
For instance, I have always loved baseball...still do. When I was around 12 or so, I organized a small neighborhood baseball league. I could only find enough other kids to make two teams. Still, we had stats and standings and even our own mini World Series.
No adults were involved...very seldom did anyone's parents even come to watch us play. Our *stadium* was the local park, to which we walked...never driven. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, we didn't have or need a car, and neither did most of my friends' families. We had no uniforms, and not enough equipment to go around. I had a Hank Aaron bat, one ball, and a beat up glove that I bought at a yard sale for 25 cents. Oh, and a batting glove that was a giveaway from a Mets game. A few of the other kids had stuff, but not everyone did. So we pooled what we had and shared it.
And you know what? We had a blast! Somehow, I don't think the Little League kids of today have as much fun as we did. We didn't have to deal with shit like sports moms and dads beating the shit out of each other (not long ago there was a moo around here who was banned from her son's Little League for assaulting another kid!), or pressure from parents and coaches to play better. I think that shit takes most of the fun away from it all.
No way would I want to BE a kid now, never mind have my own!