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The Human Costs of Ultracompetitive Youth Sports

The drive for elite child athletes shoves recreation-level programs aside and discourages collective participation, federal lawmakers fear.

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The Human Costs of Ultracompetitive Youth Sports
(Left) The New Jersey Jets 8U hockey team practices at the SportsCare Arena in Randolph, N.J., on Feb. 19, 2026. (Right) Lacrosse girls teams 2027 YJ Gaghan-Torre and 2028 YJ Bertolone practice at KK Athletics Indoor Sports in Farmingville, N.Y., on March 1, 2026. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times
(Left) The New Jersey Jets 8U hockey team practices at the SportsCare Arena in Randolph, N.J., on Feb. 19, 2026. (Right) Lacrosse girls teams 2027 YJ Gaghan-Torre and 2028 YJ Bertolone practice at KK Athletics Indoor Sports in Farmingville, N.Y., on March 1, 2026. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times
By Aaron Gifford
|
March 10, 2026Updated:March 17, 2026

Fifteen-year-old Trent had ascended to the highest level of competitive youth baseball, practicing daily and traveling throughout Texas, Florida, and California for tournaments.

The outfielder made the varsity team as a freshman, a rarity in the Lone Star state’s ultracompetitive high school landscape.

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