Neighborhood sports are one of the most valuable and memorable activities most of us ever engaged in. The interaction, socialization, etc. teach countless skills and coping strategies. In, short, they toughen you up. If more kids played sports the isolation and alienation that result in behavioral disorders (which used to be called needing a kick up the backside) would greatly diminish.
Youth sports leagues are better than nothing but the helicopter parents are way too involved.
Yep even playing organized little league was a low cost affair just for fun. No expensive uniforms, just a glove, tennis shoes, a cap and t-shirt with our team name printed on them.
I played for the Hanover Athletics most years. We lost a lot but it was OK because we got ice cream.