Here's a story on the opposite side (a little - I wouldn't go special snowflake but I am of the opinion that leagues for 6 year olds should be equal playing time leagues). When I was very little (K-2nd, I can't remember but I know which house we lived in so it was during that time), I liked sports and was in a tee-ball softball league. This was in the era slightly before equal playing time leagues were 'the norm' and coaches just did what they wanted. I wasn't particularly coordinated. (I don't know that I was awful in actuality but I was made to feel like I was.) The coach fussed at me at practice and never put me in the game. Kids teased me for being too skinny and my skinny arms. I had nothing but negative feelings for this sport and later any sport.

I cried to my Dad about it and he said I sucked and it was my fault. I should get better and tougher. My Mom didn't do anything IIRC (nothing I remember). I quit, I decided I hated PE (I used to enjoy it), I stopped playing sports or wanting to exercise at all (started exercising for looks purposes in my home privately as a teenage girl again) and never played in a league or attended group fitness activities voluntarily (also forged notes and actually injured myself to get out of gym or took it during the summer as make-up) until I was in my mid-20s. I have always hated anything competitive, all my life, as well - not just sports but anyone who seeks to compete. I think it stems back to other incidents as well, but this one stands out. Competition was toxic to me and no one protected me from it. Even areas where I was a "winner," (I excelled in academics and music and drama in school - got parts, etc) I felt uncomfortable being the winner and knowing there were losers.

I don't think we need to tell everyone they're great at things, but I didn't want to be told I was great. I think the equal time playing leagues aren't about telling kids they're all great, and I think it's totally healthy to start selecting only the better players for competitive teams by the time kids reach double-digits (though maybe having some "fun leagues" for the non-competitive kids would still be nice because it'd promote fitness). I think the equal time playing leagues are about telling kids that participation matters more than winning in some ways - and it does in some ways - and teaching kids good skills like teamwork, positive attitudes, supporting each other, valuing everyone regardless of skill, etc.